The Silent Patient

The Silent Patient

by

Alex Michaelides

The Silent Patient: Part 4, Chapter 20 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Theo goes outside to smoke a cigarette, but he is interrupted by Max Berenson and Tanya. Max, having heard the news about Alicia, is violently angry; Tanya has to restrain him so that he does not punch Theo. “My poor Alicia, my girl,” Max cries, threatening Theo. Tanya looks on in dismay, and Theo walks away.
Max is no longer able to conceal his feelings in front of Tanya; as Freud said, the truth always comes out. At the same time, however, Max’s real grief suggests that he is probably not behind the attempted murder of Alicia Berenson.
Themes
Childhood Trauma Theme Icon