The Silent Patient

Chapter 5 marks Theo’s first face-to-face meeting with Alicia. After the buildup of anticipation of the first four chapters, which present not only Alicia’s complex backstory but also a peek at her compelling voice through her diary, the actual meeting is a disappointment. Theo joins the “community meeting” of patients. There are also some staff present, including Lazarus; Indira, who was on the panel when Theo interviewed for the job; and another psychiatrist, Christian, who Theo previously worked with at his old job. Although the two didn’t work together long, Theo “didn’t like Christian much” (29)—although he fails to give any concrete reason for this sentiment.

Theo can’t find Alicia at first and then notices her—right across from him. Highly medicated, she’s slumped over in her chair: “I hadn’t seen her because she was invisible” (30). The meeting stops when another patient, Elif, barges in, holding a broken pool cue—a potentially dangerous weapon. Theo manages to calm Elif down, as Lazarus and Indira watch with approval. As Theo interacts with the patients, he notices with surprise that Alicia has come out of her stupor enough to look at him. He is more resolved than ever to make Alicia his patient.