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Chapter 4
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 takes Teddy and Chuck to the “Great Room,” a lavish living room in the building where Dr. Cawley lives. Sitting there by a fireplace is Dr. Cawley’s colleague, Dr. Jeremiah Naehring. Dr. Cawley offers Teddy a drink, and Teddy declines, which causes Dr. Naehring to question him about his drinking habits. Dr. Naehring notes that it is common for people in Teddy’s profession to drink and finds it curious that Teddy does not. Teddy avoids answering the question and fires the same accusation back at Dr. Naehring. Dr. Naehring implies that Teddy’s response is a defense mechanism to avoid answering his question.
Dr. Jeremiah Naehring is Dr. Cawley’s opposite. While Dr. Cawley acts cordially toward Teddy and Chuck, Dr. Naehring is openly hostile. He rudely and openly provides psychological interpretations of Teddy’s reasonable behavior. Additionally, Dr. Naehring’s presence in Dr. Cawley’s home implies the two men are close. If Dr. Cawley is up to something unpleasant, it is likely Dr. Naehring knows about it.
Themes
Dr. Naehring smiles at Teddy and tells him that he is sure Teddy is great at interrogation. Then, he says that men of violence fascinate him. Teddy does not like the insinuation, but when he protests, Dr. Naehring assures him there is a notable difference between men of violence and violent men. Teddy does not care for Dr. Naehring’s distinction, nor does he like being psychoanalyzed.
Dr. Naehring speaks to Teddy like he knows more about him than he should. Thus far, Teddy has not exhibited violent behavior and there is no obvious reason why Dr. Naehring would say such a thing. Of course, the reader knows Teddy is a veteran, but that is not information Dr. Naehring would be expected to have.
Themes
Teddy’s discomfort does not bother Dr. Naehring, who follows up his previous line of questioning by asking Teddy if he believes in God. Again, Teddy does not answer directly. Instead, he asks Dr. Naehring if he ever saw a death camp. Dr. Naehring responds that he did not. In response, Teddy says, “Your English is very good, almost flawless. You still hit the consonants a tad hard, though.” Then, he tells Dr. Naehring to get back to him with his question about God after he witnesses a death camp.
Teddy’s response to Dr. Naehring is a jab at the doctor’s apparently German nationality. In particular, Teddy is implying that Dr. Naehring could have been part of the SS, and, in turn, the largest atrocity of the 20th century. Indeed, many former Nazi scientists did work for the United States government during the Cold War, and it is possible that Teddy is talking to one such person.
Themes
Dr. Naehring continues to try to probe into Teddy’s past, even asking him about his dead father. However, Teddy shuts him down and changes the topic of conversation to Rachel’s disappearance. Unfortunately, Dr. Naehring is not helpful. As the conversation goes on, Teddy starts to wonder whether Dr. Naehring is in charge of Dr. Cawley and everyone else at the facility based on the power dynamic he senses in the room.
Again, Dr. Naehring’s questioning crosses way over the line of decency. It is unclear why he feels the need to probe Teddy in this manner. Additionally, the power dynamic raises questions about who has control and authority in the facility and whether there are hidden motives or agendas at play.
Themes
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Not only does Dr. Naehring not provide useful information, but he also tells Teddy he will not give him any of the staff’s personal files, including Dr. Sheehan’s. However, he promises to help Teddy and Chuck in any other way available to him. In response, Teddy promises Dr. Naehring that he need not bother. Teddy plans to leave the island as soon as possible so he can file a report and be done with the case. Clearly, no one is being honest with him, and he does not see how he could possibly solve the case given the circumstances.
Teddy is becoming increasingly frustrated and suspicious of the staff and the situation on the island. Meanwhile, Dr. Naehring's reluctance to share information and files suggests that there are hidden truths that the staff wants to protect. At this point, it hardly looks like Dr. Naehring and Dr. Cawley are trying to hide that something nefarious is going on. They don’t seem to care that Teddy is suspicious, as long as he doesn’t learn the truth.
Themes
McPherson drives Teddy and Chuck home from Dr. Cawley’s house. On the way back to where they are staying, Teddy and Chuck question McPherson about Dr. Sheehan. At first, he is helpful but quickly clamps up when asked about Dr. Sheehan’s patients. Teddy feels that he is hiding something and says so. Teddy and Chuck stay in a room with some of the orderlies they questioned earlier. Before going to bed, they play poker with the orderlies and make small talk. Additionally, when no one else is listening, Teddy tells Chuck he was bluffing while talking to Dr. Naehring. He does not plan to leave the island; rather, he threatened to leave in hopes that Dr. Cawley and Dr. Naehring will rethink their behavior toward him.
Teddy realizes that if the staff are not going to play fair, then he cannot afford to either. Based on what Teddy has seen so far, Dr. Cawley and his people are much more interested in obstructing his investigation than they are in finding Rachel. However, it is unclear how much Teddy’s bluff will shift their disposition. After all, they do not seem to want him on the island in the first place. As such, his departure might be a welcome development for them. If they are involved in a serious conspiracy, they would presumably prefer a slap on the wrist for failing to aid Teddy rather than getting charged for whatever they are involved in.
Themes
