Still Alice

These short, final chapters serve primarily to wrap up the events of the novel. We learn in September that Alice may very well have been on Amylix, even as it failed its trial. John weeps openly in the coffee shop in response, and it is important to recall that John didn’t want her to do the trial, believing the safer route was the better option. It would be tempting to argue that John’s earlier argument is vindicated. However, three things belie that: first, no treatment offered true improvement, only delayed deterioration; second, Dr. Davis also argued for the Amylix trial; and third, and most importantly, Alice chose to take the risk, and therefore maintained as much control over her eventual fate as she could. As one of Alice’s biggest concerns was her loss of agency, it is important to her that she maintain that agency.

This also calls to mind her renewed relationship with Lydia, who always went against the grain. Anna and Tom are risk-averse; they make the safe choices, and, earlier in the novel, Alice appreciates that about them while failing to understand Lydia’s desire to take risks, such as her move to Los Angeles and disdain for the notion of a college degree, likely particularly biting as the daughter of two college professors.