Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Enduring Impact of Trauma
Shame and the Stigmatization of Pain
Projection and Denial
The Vicious Circle of Isolation and Social Awkwardness
Summary
Analysis
Despite feeling “completely fine,” Eleanor will work only mornings for her first few weeks back at work, per HR’s orders. Eleanor meets Raymond for lunch on Friday her first week back. Last night, Eleanor did some research online and printed out two articles. She only read the articles’ headlines before sealing them in an envelope. She’s sure Raymond has already read these articles, but she wanted to find them herself. Eleanor and Raymond meet at the café, and Eleanor places the sealed envelope on the table. She tells him she’s ready and opens the envelope.
Eleanor has learned that there are different levels of “fine,” and that it’s okay to take a step back when she needs to have a moment to herself. Eleanor needs Raymond to be there for her, but it’s psychologically important for her to read the truth about her past herself so that she can confront it directly.
Themes
The first article, published in The Sun, is from August 5, 1997, and bears the headline: “‘Pretty but deadly’ kiddie killer ‘fooled us all,’ neighbors say.” The article is about “Killer Mum” Sharon Smyth, 29, who intentionally started a fire in her home. Smyth’s neighbors recall that she was beautiful and went out often. One neighbor recalls a time she was talking to Smyth’s older child when Smyth approached them and “shot [the child] such a look, she started to shake like a little dog.” Neighbors couldn’t imagine what happened when no one was watching. The article closes by revealing that a 10-year-old child, unnamed, was hospitalized after the fire and remains “in critical condition.”
In a shocking twist, Eleanor learns that Mummy is actually dead and that the voice Eleanor has been talking to was actually a projection of her own insecurities. All the times Eleanor has mentioned her mother’s sophisticated tastes and past travels should now be seen in a different light, as well: for all that Eleanor remembered about Mummy’s stories, she’d completely blanked on the fact that Mummy saw Eleanor and Marianne as impeding on her formerly lively, cosmopolitan lifestyle. The 10-year-old child the article mentions is Eleanor.
Themes
The next article is from the London Evening Standard, from September 28, 1997, and bears the headline “Maida Vale murder latest: two dead, plucky orphan recovers.” The article reveals that Sharon Smyth and her younger daughter, Marianne, both died in the fire. Eleanor, the older child, survived, despite running back into the burning building to try to save her sister and incurring severe injuries in the process.
Eleanor blocked details of the fire from her conscious memory because they were too painful for her to deal with and because she was ashamed of herself for not being able to save Marianne.
Themes
Eleanor finishes reading the articles. Raymond asks her if she’s okay. She says she is but that she’s going to continue talking to Dr. Temple, as she still has a lot to unpack. Despite this, Eleanor tells Raymond that she’s fine, and she finally means it. A woman with a dog jog past their table, and Eleanor remembers that Marianne loved dogs.
Eleanor shows that she is more open about living with insecurities when she tells Raymond that she has more things to unpack with Dr. Temple. This shows how much Eleanor has changed since the beginning of the novel, when she was ashamed to admit to her failings and inadequacies.
Themes
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Eleanor tells Raymond that she’s finally put in a request with Social Services to view her case file. She wants to know everything there is to know about herself. Raymond tells her that she has a right to know. Eleanor says that what matters most now is that she “survived.”
Eleanor is now confident enough to unpack her past and make plans for the future. She sees herself not as a hopelessly damaged victim, but as a survivor.
Themes
Eleanor and Raymond get ready to leave, and Eleanor observes Raymond trying to shift the conversation to a lighter subject. He asks her if she has plans for the rest of the week, and she talks about taking Glen to the vet and planning the office Christmas party. Raymond asks about the concert he emailed her about, and Eleanor tells him “yes.” Eleanor tells Raymond goodbye and kisses him on the cheek. “See you soon, Eleanor Oliphant,” he says. Eleanor picks up her bag and heads home.
Honeyman leaves Eleanor Oliphant’s final scene open-ended: Eleanor doesn’t know exactly what the future will hold, but this is okay. She will continue to see her friends and to form new connections. She is no longer beholden to her past traumas—she is a survivor of them.
Themes
