The Silent Patient Q&A

Alicia Berenson kills Gabriel Berenson after Gabriel saves himself when an armed attacker forces to him either choose his own life or Alicia’s life. This situation triggers a deep trauma in Alicia, as her father had told her that he wished she had died instead of her mother in a car accident. Alicia suffers a psychotic break and she brutally shoots Gabriel in the head several times.

Alicia forms a deep connection with the story of Alcestis, the heroine of an ancient greek tragedy by Euripides. Alcestis accepts death at the behest of her husband, who asks her to die in his stead so that he can be immortal. Alcestis is eventually rescued from the world of the dead by Heracles, however, Alcestis does not speak upon her return but offers only stony silence. Alicia confesses that she doesn’t speak at first because she is unable to process the murder, and then later because she sees no point in communicating. 

Theo Faber undoubtedly shares some of the responsibility for Gabriel’s murder along with Alicia. Theo unknowingly triggers a psychotic break in Alicia, when he causes Gabriel to choose between saving Alicia or himself. Furthermore, Theo stalks Alicia in the days preceding the murder, and actively contributes to the deterioration of her mental state. Ultimately, Alicia Berenson is also guilty of murdering her husband since she committed the act irrespective of her mental condition when she did so. 

Theo Faber discovers that his wife is having an affair with a mysterious man. He follows the man home one day and discovers that his wife’s lover has a wife of his own. Theo feels a strange sympathy for the woman and begins to watch her. He decides that he needs to help her see the truth of her husband’s character. He breaks into the house, holds them hostage, and forces the man to choose between saving the life of his wife or his own.