A Literary Analysis of Still Alice Essay

let off Alice (Genova, 2009) is a captivating de only novel approximately a 50-year-old womans abrupt decline into wee aggression Alzheimers complaint. The admit is written by freshman progress author Lisa Genova, who holds a PH.D in neuroscience from Harvard University. Shes also an online columnist for the interior(a) Alzheimers association. Her other books include left Neglected and Love Anthony. She lives with her husband and both children in Cape Cod. The theme of the book is related to the early on lay aside Alzheimers unsoundness and how the of import eccentric, Alice Howlands attri only whene of livelihood or in other run-in her lifestyle is change repay suitable to the complaint she is diagnosed with (Genova, 2009). The novel sheds light on the lives of those struggling with this horrendous illness of the listen and how their lives and people in them argon affected and disturbed beca social function of it. The life and daily activities of an early on-set Alzheimers sickness patient worsens with beat, if meet counseling sessions and treatment argon non conducted their situation will recrudesce worse and result in severe ruin to their noetic health. As the fable begins, frequent quarrels reside in the Howland ho engagehold.From their youngest little girl Lydias ongoing dispute almost her future, to Alice and fast adepts stimulate relationship, all go their busy lives ensue. why couldnt Lydia be ilk the rest of her family? Her brother tom turkey and sister Anna hold fasted in their parents footsteps. Going to college and having booming careers was their stylus of life. basin is a biologist and Alice a prof of linguistics, both of them work at Harvard University. Lydia is the outcast of the family. She travels the world, is worry free, and aspires to be an actress. The hectic lives of both Alice and backside weigh on their relationship. accent increases with the story as Alice is diagnosed with early int rusion Alzheimers disease. The coping skills of Alice and her family with her diagnosing set the tone for the story. Alices internal conflict consumes her, although she tries to neer let Alzheimers disease define her. She is upset with herself for forgetting things, yet tries to interject up with reasons as to why she is forgetting.Her initiate causes the brunt of all Alices anger. Her hatred for him grows. Why did he exact to take the lives of her obtain and sister? Is it his fault Alice has Alzheimers? Alice happens with a plastered desire to contri merelye to society. The at a time estranged relationship amidst Alice and her fille Lydia gradually improves, and a daughter finds quilt in a dumbfound she neer k invigorated. A husband, who at one time stood by his unite woman by eitherthing, surprises his family and leaves his hurt wife behind for a new logical argument opportunity. Still Alice is told in the triplet psyche point of view with contingent(a ) omniscience. The narrator is Alice Howland, the main character of the story. through and through the book we are able to usher the way Alice is feeling, looking through her eye as the story unfolds. However, in the nett chapter of this novel the point of view changes to her husband, stool Howland. Readers are able to look on as bum lives his life outside(a) from Alice in New York. The primary mark for still Alice (Genova, 2009) is in Cambridge Massachusetts were the main character Dr.Alice Howland lives with her husband, John Howland, and t separatelyes cognitive psychological science at Harvard University. Other settings include their space in Chatham Massachusetts where Alice and John go to vacation. The main character is Dr. Alice Howland a groundbreaking middle aged professional woman. Shes a brilliant professor experiencing mental glitches like forgetting a word opus handsome a lecture, misplacing keys, etc. Alice sees this is referable to impending menopause, middle age or possibly stress. But she hasnt at peace(p) through menopause and shes non feeling stressed. The defining moment is when Alice forgets her way kinsfolk tour continue in Harvard square(a) (p. 21). Suspecting that something is wrong(p) and without telling her husband, Alice chooses to prove Dr. Davis a neurologist who diagnoses her with early bombardment Alzheimers disease (p. 70).The diagnosing hits Alice and her family like a death sentence. Alice realizes that she doesnt have enough time left and decides that it should be spent with her family. Her two older children Anna and turkey cock decide to undergo divisortic examen for the Alzheimers gene. Her oldest daughter Anna tests positive for the gene (p. 108). Alice becomes completely reliant on her blackberry bush to get through her day and becomes a great list engenderr though she pilet incessantly make smell of her lists. As the disease progresses Alice resigns her put forwardment position at Harvar d University and gives up jogging because she has befogged her sense of depth perception. Although the disease robs Alice of her memories, she retains her sense of mode e.g. when she tries to wear her underc roofyhing as a sports bra, she laughs at her bear absurd madness (P. 199). Alices character is very compelling, engaging, and holds your attention throughout the book.John Howland is Alices husband he is a professor of biochemis humble at Harvard University. When John finds out about Alices diagnosis, he thinks that she has been misdiagnosed. He insists on genetic testing, which would show that Alice has the Alzheimers gene. John struggles to deal with Alices diagnosis. He becomes her primary caretaker, but refuses to look at Alice when she takes out her pill box. He manages to continue working by leaving Alice self-aggrandizing reminder notes on the refrigerator not to go running alone (p. 196). John is obviously grieving the loss of his wife but is unable to express his emotions in a positive way. A breakthrough finally happens when John is able to protect his wife when she experiences an incontinence episode (p. 150). Anna is Alices oldest daughter shes a successful lawyer and is married to Charles, also a lawyer.Anna is strong and fiercely in reliant plainly like her mother. Anna deals with her mothers disease by suggesting that if her mom thinks for a second then maybe shell be able to remember things (p. 173). Anna, however still makes time to care for her mom when her dad is away. Alices unaccompanied son Tom is a minor character in the book. He is present during family gatherings and important moments e.g. when Alice discloses that she has Alzheimers disease (p. 103). He deals with his moms diagnosis by being distant. The main thwarter in the book is Alices youngest daughter Lydia Howland. She defies the familys educational tradition and chooses to take acting classes in Los Angeles in hopes of comely an actor. Lydias decision caus es a lot of conflict between her parents.Shes the only one that refuses to break awayicipate in the Alzheimers genetic testing. However, as Alices condition deteriorates, Lydia becomes the most valuable player of the family she becomes Alices number one advocate. She doesnt filter to test Alices memory but is in that respect for her when she needs her (p. 162). The relationship between Alice and Lydia improves. Lydia eventually listens to her mothers advice and enrolls at Brandies University to study theater (p. 258). The imagination in Still Alice is captivating. It keeps the lector on their toes, question what will happen next in the story. The story is so moving that the ratifier can essentially picture the characters and hold their experiences through all atomic number 23 senses. iodine model of imagery that is intriguing is when Alice is a guest speaker at Stanford. Her assertion and love for her career is enticing.She had talked about the particular subject numerous times and every time she had done this, she felt respected. Alice had always talked without demonstrateing her notes with ease. Well into her discussion she suddenly becomes puzzled. The data reveal that irregular verbs shoot access to the mental (p. 10). The word was lost even though she understood fully what she had intended to say. As the scene is described, the proof proofreader can get a sense of panic that Alice is experiencing (pp. 8-11). An unforgettable illustration of imagery is when Alice goes for a run through Harvard Square, blocks from her home and cannot remember her way back. The description of her surround is etched in the readers mind. Steady stream of joggers, dogs and their owners, walkers, gyrebladers, cyclists, and women pushing babies in jogger strollers, like an experienced driver on a regularly traveled blossom forth of road (pp. 20-21). The sounds of her Nikes hitting the pavement in syncopated rhythm with the pace of her speck (p. 20). She kn ew she was in Harvard Square, but she didnt tell apart which way was home (p.21). People, cars, buses, and all kinds of impermissible noise rushed and wove past her (p. 22).The reader can sense Alices state of fright during this scene. A memorable typesetters case of imagery is when Alice visits her primary care physician. At one point and time Dr. Moyers office held no negative connect for Alice. I dont think your memory problems are due to menopause (p.41). She fought the impulses growing louder inside her, begging her to either lie down or get the hell out of that examining room immediately. The reader can perceive the state of care Alice is in (p.41). Other doctor visits were just as interesting. Alzheimers disease.The words knocked the wind out of herThe sound of her take a crap penetrated her every cell and seemed to scatter her molecules beyond the boundaries of her own skin (pp. 70-71). The visit to hinge on Auburn Manor Nursing content was striking. Walkers crowde d the spaces between the tablesthither was no socializing, no conversationThe only sounds other than eating came from a woman who render while she ate (p. 113). The reader gets the picture that Alice feels she doesnt belong there. Another boastful illustration of imagery is when Alice gets lost in her own home.She hastened back down the star sign and opened the door to the bathroomOnly, to her sing disbelief it wasnt the bathroom (p. 149). The reader understands that Alices disease is progressing, especially when she doesnt recognize her own daughter or her own family. Leave me alone retrieve out of my house I hatred you I dont fate you here (p. 211). Alice couldnt understand that it was her family having a dispute about her, nor did she understand why. She wasnt sad or angry or defeated or scaredshe was sharp-set (p. 264). The most remarkable moment in the novel that captures the audience is when Carole returns Alice to her home afterwards their walk. As Carole and An na converse about Alice, Alice smiles and nods her bye as to concur, not go throughing that they are speaking of her. Shortly after, Lydia and Anna converse about their father orgasm to visit. Is Dad coming this weekend? asked the actress (p. 291) The reader comprehends that John has intractable to take the new melodic phrase offer, kinda of fulfilling Alices wish for them to stay together.There are many symbols within the story of Alice Howland objects, actions, or characters that hint a message beyond themselves. Clocks play a role throughout the entire book. For Alice time are guidelines to what she should be doing at each moment of the day. In the start of her story, the filaria are more of a reference, but as her disease progresses they are more more than that. Alice becomes dependent on the measure to tell her the things she is supposed to do fit in to time. Alices blackberry bush device is credibly one of the most significant symbols in Still Alice. The Blackberr y becomes a part of her as Alzheimers takes over Alice refers to her Blackberry for everything. To Alice, if something was not recorded in her device, it never existed. Within the Blackberry, she had an alert asking her five questions every day. These five questions became a verbal expression of her cognitive level, testing herself to see if her disease has progressed. The questions she quizzes herself include a P.S. if you have fretting answering any of these, go to the institutionalize named Butterfly on your computer and follow the instructions there immediately (p.119).The file named Butterfly signifies dignity to Alice the file instructs her to pull suicide when she can no long- exiting remember her family. This would have become the stand thing she could do for herself. Alice also has a butterfly necklace that had been passed down from her mother. This butterfly necklace seems to cool off Alice and to give her hope, clarity, and strength. Genovas use of figures of ver nacular brings the reader into the world of a person with Alzheimers disease. When Alice first suspects that there is something wrong with her, she is referred to a specialist for testing. Having completed unlike tests, Alice begins to feel overwhelmed, comparing her thoughts to a roller coaster that she was riding with her eyes shut, unable to know when the next turn would be (p.40). Later, in the same doctors office, Alice learns of her formal diagnosis of early- invasion Alzheimers disease and is stunned. With the use of language, Alice and the reader are brought back to the acetous reality of losing herself. The sound of her name penetrated her every cell and seemed to scatter her molecules beyond the boundaries of her own skin (p.71).Genova relates Alzheimers disease to a beast that is unable to be slayed, giving the reader the knowledge that this disease cannot be beat. In reference to the medications Alice is taking to try to prevent the further decline in her mental s tate she compares them to aiming squirt guns at a blazing fire (p. 117). throughout the book, Alice feels embarrassed and like a tear to those around her. The use of personification of her disease tells the reader scarce how embarrassed she is there it was, her Alzheimers, stripped and naked under the fluorescent fixture lighting (p.129). It is further conveyed to the reader when Alice thinks her husband looks at her the same way he looks at his labs rats (p. 135). In a ulterior scene when Alice refuses to go to dinner with friends the use of simile brings the disease to colorful life in Alices world. Im a cotton candy pink elephant in the room.I make everyone uncomfortable. I turn dinner into a tired of(p) circus act, everyone juggling their nervous disgrace and forced smiles with their cocktail glasses, forks, and knives (p.218). To keep the book from not being completely negative, there is humor to Alices Alzheimers symptoms. When she was unable to guess which door in her house choke to the bathroom, Genovas use of humor is exactly what the reader needs to get through the scenes. She swung the door open like an magician revealing her most mystifying trick, but the bathroom didnt magically take care (p.150). Nearing the end of the novel, Genova leaves the reader with one last insight into Alices cognitive decline. In a moment of clarity Alice reads the comprehend of the book she wrote with her husband The words she read seemed to push past the choking widows weeds and sludge in her mind to a place that was pristine and still intact, interruption on (p. 284). The story of Still Alice is found on an ironic situation.Dr. Alice Howland is a psychology professor at Harvard University and an expert in linguistics (the study of language and its structure). She finds herself at a crossroads when she is diagnosed with Early onslaught Alzheimers Disease at the age of fifty. Dr. Howland also keeps remarkable care of her eudaimonia by eating healthy, runn ing Harvard square each day, keeping her mind supple between teaching classes, and attending conferences. era talking over her new diagnosis Alice comes to realize she may have misjudged her father, presumptuous he was a belligerent alcoholic, in reality she realizes he was likely low from undiagnosed Alzheimers disease (p.76). To pop off off the ironic chain of events Alice receives her diagnosis of Early Onset Alzheimers on January 19 (p. 67) which happens to be the date of her mother and sisters deaths. Towards the end of Alice Howlands story, her disease process has taken its bell shape on Alices mind and she can no all-night care for herself independently.Dr. Howland becomes dependent on her daughters and son, whom she can no longer identify as such, for her care while her husband choses to take a job in New York (p.286-292). In conclusion, Still Alice is the story of a happily married professor with three grown children at the peak of her career who is diagnosed with early intrusion Alzheimers disease. As the story unravels, Alice struggles to preserve her lifestyle, independence, and to live in the moment. The book not only brings to light the devastating do of Alzheimers disease on its victims, but also on the lives of their friends, families, and relationships. Tension increases within the story from the time Alice is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers disease until her husband leaves. It was life-threatening that Alices husband chose to abandon his high-priced wife for a new job opportunity in another city.He failed to stay by her side as this disease robbed her of herself. Still Alice is a strong and engaging fiction work which brings justice to the average reader about the onset and the electric shock of Alzheimers. However, it fails to address those families who are not as equipped as the Howlands to care for their loved ones at home, and are forced to institutionalize them. As Alices condition deteriorates, her children begin to worry about their futures, fight amongst themselves, and ultimately change their lives as a result of their mothers disease. This story teaches the valuable lesson that no military issue how strong relationship or family ties are, the failing health of a love one could have a devastating impact on everyone.