This study explores Alice LaPlante's novel Turn of the Mind from the psychological and ethical perspectives of care, told through the eyes of Dr. Jennifer White, a retired surgeon suffering from Alzheimer's disease. As Jennifer struggles to overcome her deteriorating memory, she becomes involved in a murder investigation, unable to recall whether she played a role in the death of her friend Amanda O'Toole. The novel uses a fragmented narrative, unreliable memory, and shifting perspectives to immerse readers in Jennifer's cognitive decline. Through the Ethics of Care, the analysis examines how care intertwines with power, trust, and vulnerability. Characters such as Magdalena, Fiona, and Mark embody the tensions between duty and self-interest, reflecting broader themes of dependency and moral ambiguity. LaPlante's innovative narrative structure reinforces the fragility of memory and identity, emphasizing how perception shapes reality. Ultimately, the novel questions the nature of care and whether trust can truly endure in the midst of psychological deterioration and moral uncertainty.
Hussein et al. (Sun,) studied this question.