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Chapter 15
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Shutter Island, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Mental Illness and Delusion
Conspiracy and Paranoia
Guilt and Grief
Violence and War
Isolation
Summary
Analysis
After his conversation with Noyce, Teddy goes looking for Chuck and finds him near the main floor of Ward C. On his way to Chuck, he wonders whether he can trust him and if someone has been watching him the entire time he has been on the island. He determines Noyce is wrong on both fronts because he is alone at the moment and cannot think of a good reason to distrust Chuck.
Indeed, Teddy has been alone several times throughout the story, though rarely in important moments. His conversation with Noyce is the only notable time, beyond the brief moments alone he had with Rachel. Also, both times he was alone with inmates on the island, they urged him to escape.
Themes
When Teddy spots Chuck, Chuck tells him they must leave the ward as soon as possible. He spotted the warden and Dr. Cawley moments before and is unsure whether they saw him. Luckily, when Teddy and Chuck walk past the guards, no one gives chase. They make it to the tree line near Ward C, and Teddy feels great relief when he knows no one could be watching him at that point. He takes a moment to acknowledge how great escaping from Ward C feels. Chuck is also happy they managed to get out but worries that Fred will give them up if Dr. Cawley and the warden question him.
Teddy is in a strange spot. Although his overwhelming feeling since arriving on the island has been one of isolation, now he feels trapped in a sort of panopticon, where there is always the threat of someone watching him. Evidently, he trusts Chuck enough to let this feeling subside when it is just the two of them. However, he and Chuck will need to get to the lighthouse quickly, as they are likely running out of time before Dr. Cawley and the warden figure out what they are up to.
Themes
Teddy and Chuck share what they learned. Chuck tells Teddy that he found Andrew’s file, but all it contains is his intake form and medical records. Everything else that should be present, such as his session notes, is missing. Chuck also found a picture of Andrew, which he tries to show to Teddy. However, Teddy tells him he does not want to see it. Chuck notices that Teddy behaves strangely toward him and wonders why he does not seem to trust him. Teddy promises everything is fine and then tells Chuck they need to go to the lighthouse.
Themes
Teddy and Chuck walk through the woods to a rocky slope, though they are still far from the lighthouse. At the bottom of the slope, Teddy spots several piles of rocks. Thinking they could be another helpful code, he tells Chuck they should go look at them. Chuck does not see the point in deciphering more of Rachel’s codes, given that they have already found her, so he sends Teddy down alone and promises to wait for him. Chuck’s response again makes Teddy wonder if he is as trustworthy as he once seemed.
Themes
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Teddy climbs down to the beach, counts the rocks, and makes a note in his journal. The rocks correspond to the letters MUYRAEHOI. By the time he finishes writing down the letters, Teddy realizes he is quickly losing daylight. He climbs back up to where he left Chuck, feeling satisfied that, at the very least, he has made some progress in the Shutter Island case. When he reaches the spot where he left Chuck, he sees that Chuck is gone.
Themes
