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Can you trust the narrators' accounts of Alice?

Created: 12/24/18

Replies: 11

Posted Dec. 24, 2018 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Can you trust the narrators' accounts of Alice?

Most of the characters narrate at least one chapter from their perspective. But we never directly hear from Alice. Can you trust their accounts of her?


Posted Jan. 07, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Tired Bookreader

Join Date: 08/19/11

Posts: 209

RE: Can you trust the narrators' accounts of Alice?

Every character had a different relationship with Alice. Nine people can be involved in a single event and come away with nine different versions of what occurred. Each one would add their personal feelings and perspective. It does appear that Alice was not a kind, loving co-worker.


Posted Jan. 07, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
PiperUp

Join Date: 10/27/15

Posts: 146

RE: Can you trust the narrators' accounts of Alice?

I'm choosing to believe we can trust the narrators' accounts of Alice since the author doesn't really give us any indication that we're dealing with unreliable narrators or provide us with Alice's point of view to counter their accounts.


Posted Jan. 07, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
darylb

Join Date: 06/23/13

Posts: 142

RE: Can you trust the narrators' accounts of Alice?

Alice was not a very likable character. I think I trust the narrators. None of them seemed to shine a favorable light on her.


Posted Jan. 10, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carolt

Join Date: 03/25/17

Posts: 190

RE: Can you trust the narrators' accounts of Alice?

In total, we can trust the narrators' accounts; not one is truly correct, but together they are.


Posted Jan. 10, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
katherinep

Join Date: 07/16/14

Posts: 374

RE: Can you trust the narrators' accounts of Alice?

Sure, the idea is that she isn't likeable or pleasant to work with. Naturally, what is likeable or pleasant is in the eye of the beholder, but no matter the personality of the narrator and her own likeability, the overall image of Alice that emerges is that she rubbed people the wrong way.


Posted Jan. 10, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
renem

Join Date: 12/01/16

Posts: 292

RE: Can you trust the narrators' accounts of Alice?

Ditto.


Posted Jan. 10, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Marcia S

Join Date: 02/08/16

Posts: 505

RE: Can you trust the narrators' accounts of Alice?

We can trust their accounts of Alice as far as their own personal perspective and experiences dictated their relationship with her. Each person added a piece of the puzzle to reveal who Alice was. She turned out to not be a very nice person!


Posted Jan. 13, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
susiej

Join Date: 10/15/14

Posts: 363

RE: Can you trust the narrators' accounts of Alice?

I agree with Marcia S here - the relationship of each character with/to Alice is unique, and as a result they see her in a unique way. We have to look at each their perspectives to see the true nature of Alice.


Posted Jan. 13, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
juliep

Join Date: 04/07/12

Posts: 250

RE: Can you trust the narrators' accounts of Alice?

Yes, we can trust their accounts, at least as much as you trust one person’s opinion of another.


Posted Jan. 15, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
maribethr

Join Date: 10/29/14

Posts: 26

RE: Can you trust the narrators' accounts of Alice?

Seems like with so many similar reports of Alice and her temperament, the group seemed to have reached a pretty cohesive conclusion about her. I doubt she would have been my choice of the colleague I would like to spend my free time with. And on a backpacking trek through the wilderness? I think not. I think her colleagues knew her well, however, and weren't surprised by her actions.


Posted Jan. 23, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
scgirl

Join Date: 06/05/18

Posts: 245

RE: Can you trust the narrators' accounts of Alice?

I agree with all the responses above. Alice appears to be "the mean girl" both in school and business. We've all met the type - pretty, smart, ambitious, and ready to step on anyone to get what she wants. That is what came through to me from the various narrations.


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