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Chapter 24
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Great Alone, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Trauma and Violence
Paranoia and the Vietnam War
Isolation
Family and Community
Death and Grief
Coming of Age
Summary
Analysis
When Leni returns to Cora, she remembers that she never opened her birthday present from Matthew. When she does, she finds an article written by Lily Walker, Matthew’s grandmother. The article is about Lily’s experience in Alaska and her appreciation of how “wild” it is. Pinned to the article is a note from Matthew, which says, “THIS COULD BE US.” After she reads the article, Leni asks her mother where they are going. Cora tells her they are returning to Seattle, the only place she can think to go.
Soon, Cora and Leni’s plane takes off. Before long, they are back in Seattle, standing on the doorstep of the Golliher house. Cora’s parents are surprised to see her and Leni. Together, Cora and Leni explain their circumstances, and the Gollihers invite them inside, concerned, but eager to help. Shortly afterward, Leni’s grandmother takes her to a room where she can get some sleep. Instead of sleeping, Leni climbs out onto the roof and looks at the night sky. A few minutes later, Cora comes out and joins her. Cora apologizes for how much she’s screwed up Leni’s life, though Leni tells her it is Ernt’s fault, not Cora’s.
Cora and Leni end up back where they were at the beginning of the novel. However, this time, they are significantly more desperate. Eager to see their daughter and granddaughter, even under such circumstances, the Gollihers care for them and Leni and Cora finally gain the shelter they’ve sought for a long time. Nonetheless, both are shaken by the events of the past 48 hours and Cora is finally beginning to come to terms with what she’s put her daughter through.
Themes
Leni and Cora spend the next few weeks indoors, not wanting to be seen and waiting for their injuries to heal. Eventually, they feel comfortable going outside and so they make their way to the University of Washington library. At the library, Leni and Cora looks through newspapers until they find an article about their disappearance. The article says that the authorities expect foul play but have not found any bodies. Leni and Cora are relieved, but Leni struggles to believe that she’ll ever find happiness again.
Leni and Cora’s plan works, but it brings little relief. Both of them will have to find a way to live without drawing attention to themselves and risking life in jail. All the while, Leni is still pregnant and needs to figure out a way to take care of her child.
Themes
