Rachel's Childhood Trauma with Zelda

Rachel's sister Zelda died of spinal meningitis when Rachel was eight, leaving her with a deep fear of death and guilt that shapes her reactions throughout the novel.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Zelda's Illness

A Sister's Suffering The Back Bedroom Zelda Goldman, Rachel's older sister, contracts spinal meningitis. She becomes bedridden, in constant pain, and her body twists grotesquely. Rachel is forced to help care for her. Fear and Guilt Rachel is terrified of Zelda, who becomes bitter and hateful. Rachel sometimes wishes Zelda would die. The guilt of this wish haunts her. The Death Zelda dies while Rachel is alone with her. Rachel tries to help but fails. She runs screaming from the house. The trauma leaves her with a phobia of death and funerals.

The Nightmare Returns

Zelda in Dreams Recurring Visions After Gage's death, Rachel dreams of Zelda, who taunts her and blames her for letting Gage die. The dreams are vivid and terrifying. Rachel's Breakdown Rachel's mental state deteriorates. She becomes paranoid and dependent on Louis. She cannot attend Norma's funeral or Gage's viewing without sedation. The Final Confrontation When Rachel returns to Ludlow, she is killed by the resurrected Gage, who wears Zelda's face in her final moments. Her childhood trauma merges with her present horror.

1965, when Rachel was eight

nights after Gage's death, May 1984