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Chapter 18
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
Dr. Cawley questions Teddy about his partner. He continues to insist that Chuck does not exist. He also tells Teddy that he has built up a powerful institution on Shutter Island, and he needs to make sure no one takes it away from him. Then, Dr. Cawley asks him again whether Chuck actually exists. Remembering the paradox of insanity Rachel Solando talked to him about, he decides to play along with Dr. Cawley and say that he never had a partner.
Dr. Cawley’s words read like a threat, and, because of that, Teddy does not distrust his sanity for a moment. This is the first time in the novel where Dr. Cawley is openly menacing, and it lends credence to Rachel’s and Noyce’s claims. Of course, there is also the possibility Dr. Cawley is continuing to play games with Teddy, though why that would be is not evident.
Themes
After his conversation with Dr. Cawley, Teddy goes to his room, where he sees Trey Washington, one of the orderlies he has been staying with. Teddy pushes Trey on whether or not he remembers seeing Chuck, knowing the truth but wanting to hear it from someone else’s mouth. At first, Trey tries to play dumb, but he eventually admits that Teddy’s partner is real. However, he also insists that Teddy forget about Chuck and try to leave the island. He also says that the warden and Dr. Cawley will never let him leave the island, so he will have to find a way off by himself.
Like everyone else on the island, it is difficult to know whether to trust Trey or whether he is part of Dr. Cawley’s elaborate plan. If the latter is true, then it seems Dr. Cawley wants Teddy to think he is never getting off Shutter Island. However, there is still no obvious reason why he would go through so much trouble to mess with Teddy when he could capture him at any time. Perhaps he is trying to drive Teddy insane.
Themes
Trey tells Teddy about a ferry that will arrive the following morning at 10 a.m. He urges Teddy to sneak aboard because that is the only way he can make it off the island. Trey also tells him about a dead spot in the electric fence that he can use to escape the compound. He knows Teddy might not believe him, but he insists that the storm ravaged the electrical systems, which caused the dead spot. Realizing he has no other choice, Teddy places his trust in Trey and heads outside.
Themes
When Teddy gets to the electric fence, he uses a stick to find the dead spot. As Trey said, part of the fence is not working, and Teddy successfully manages to sneak over it. After climbing the fence, Teddy returns to the cave where he found Rachel, hoping she will still be there. However, when he arrives, he finds the cave is empty. Nevertheless, he decides to stay for the time being.
Themes
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