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Chapter 26
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
Many years pass and it is now 1986. Cora is racked with guilt because of her past decisions. She thinks that she’s ruined Leni’s life. Cora’s mother tells her to let the past go; that Leni is happy now. However, Cora still cannot forgive herself. She says that Leni needs to go home to Alaska. Mrs. Golliher tells her that that is a terrible idea that is likely to get Cora and Leni thrown in jail. Meanwhile, Leni is camping with MJ in Hoh Rain Forest, the closest she can get to life in Alaska. MJ is a happy child, and Leni loves him more than anything.
Although Cora and Leni have made better lives for themselves, neither can wholly escape the past. Leni is still trying to recapture the majesty of Alaska, while Cora tries to reconcile her past decisions and finds that she can’t. The decisions Cora made are irreversible and, although Leni may forgive her, the damage is still permanent. Nonetheless, there is a way to a better future, as represented by MJ.
Themes
Eventually Leni graduates college with a visual arts degree. She tries her best to be happy on her graduation day, but she is still having difficulty letting go of the past. To celebrate, the Gollihers throw Leni a party and Mrs. Golliher tells Leni that she could likely get her a job at a magazine. That night, Leni tells MJ Alaskan myths, which he loves. After MJ is asleep, Leni reminisces with Cora, and they talk about how they miss the northern lights. They both agree that they are happy to have MJ, who has proven to be their saving grace.
Even as a college graduate, Leni struggles to be happy. She cannot think about a future that does not involve Alaska, and even though Mrs. Golliher’s offer is kind, it doesn’t seem as though it will help Leni. Ironically, the Allbrights find themselves feeling nearly as isolated in Seattle as they did in rural Alaska.
Themes
