The Great Alone

Geneva’s death disturbs Leni because she was so knowledgeable about Alaska: “If Geneva Walker—Gen, Genny, the Generator, I answer to anything—could be lost so easily, no one was safe” (114). The thought of how horrible it would be to lose a mother strikes her, and she desires to comfort Matthew. Leni spends her days trying to pen a letter to Matthew. The whole town attends the funeral, and Leni’s family stands behind Mad Earl’s group. Leni wants to speak to Matthew but can’t. After the service, the town continues to the saloon. Leni realizes that death in real life is different from that in her books, as death irrevocably changes people. She thinks of how unbearable it would be to lose her own mother.

Cora gives her sympathies when Tom walks into the bar. Drunk, Ernt and Mad Earl start speaking ill of Tom. Thelma shushes them. Leni goes to talk to Matthew, who confesses that his dad blames him. Leni doesn’t know how to help him after the depth of his loss. Matthew tells her of how they found his mother’s body. His sister, Alyeska, approaches to console him. She introduces herself to Leni, telling her that Matthew has mentioned that they are best friends.