Critique of Laurel’s “Theodicy”

The most noticeable story element that is experimented with in “Theodicy” is time.  The speaker seems to have woken up from a nightmare, one side effect from her depression medication.  Prompted by “Let’s Reminisce,” she informs the reader that she has been treated for depression for a long time, listing various symptoms she has endured since the onset.  After tracing likely causes of her depression and the course of her treatment, the speaker begins to address an anonymous “you.”  She flashes back to her friend/lover’s several failed suicide attempts, of which the speaker was either an accomplice or witness, and the moments of embrace that followed.  Recalling the attempt that didn’t fail, the speaker returns her attention to the present, the 3-month supply of meds, and the fifth of cheap vodka, and says “Let’s forget.”  It is unclear if she is hoping to be temporarily numb to the memories or if she is about to make her own suicide attempt.

 
The term theodicy signifies the branch of theology that tries to explain why a benevolent, all-knowing, all-powerful God would permit evil to exist.  While this story certainly presents several forms of “evil,” no god figure is defended on its behalf.  Should you keep this title, consider ways to include this debate.  I recall mention during class of attributing the psychiatrist with god-like characteristics.  This could be interesting.