Emily, Dr. Millstone, and Ada’s daughter Jennie all died on account of the trial. Do you view their deaths as unnecessary tragedies of an unjust system or the unfortunate consequences of criminal activity?
I was so sorry that Dr. Millstone chose to take the coward’s way out by killing himself. Also, why did he leave letters about the abortion clinic? Was this his guilty conscience? Did he think that would help him in the afterlife???
All three deaths were unfortunate tragedies, all due to the trial which should not have happened.
I am glad that the author chose to include these actual deaths in her story line. It shows how far reaching the aftermath of the raid on the abortion clinic was.
That’s a tough questions. I didn’t have much sympathy for Dr. Millstone, especially when he left an incriminating letter. I had sympathy for Emily because she felt she had nothing to live for once Dr. Millstone killed himself. She obviously didn’t have the self-confidence or strength to stand on her own. I also wasn’t sympathetic to their adultery and breaking up his marriage. Jennie definitely was a victim, she didn’t deserve to be murdered. Was the abortion system unjust or were their actions criminal? That’s a tough question. Legally, it was a criminal activity. Morally, it has to be a hard decision. The story was definitely sympathetic to the women getting abortions. I have mixed feeling concerning both view points.
Boy, wasn’t Dr. Millstone terrible! That suicide note was simply vile. Emily should have just moved on with her life rather than joining him in death. And poor Ada! Definitely an innocent bystander.
I have no empathy regarding Dr Millstone’s suicide. I think in his case it was an unfortunate consequence of his criminal activity. Yes Kim, his note was vile.
Emily’s and Jennie’s deaths were both tragedies. They didn’t have to die, but I feel they got caught in the unjust system. Emily wasn’t strong enough to go on alone. Jennie was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Both.
The system was unjust & denied to women the healthcare options that they so desperately needed and that many of us were fortunate to enjoy during our childbearing years. In this post-Dobbs world, we are likely to see clinics like the one in this story operating again, and a lot more unfortunate consequences of a decision handed down by a corrupt SCOTUS and good people breaking the law to try to do the right thing.
The activity was undeniably criminal in nature which is why in America we are supposed to utilize the democratic system to bring about change – voting, legislation, litigation, etc. It doesn’t always work and it doesn’t always work fast enough.
So . . . as stated, I believe it was both.
Well said Marcia! I could not have said it better. Millstone was a coward.
Kim, did you mean Jennie instead of Ada? I never had any sympathy for Ada because she seemed to be a key member of the syndicate. I also wonder if Dr Gabler left because she anticipated trouble.
Thanks, @Joyce_Montague, yes, I meant Jennie. I agree with you about not having a lot of sympathy for Ada. And don’t you think it’s weird that it never occurred to anyone that the cops could follow Ada back to her office?
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The death of Dr Millstone bothered me and then for him to leave that letter. Really? He had to know it would only hurt others. I did not have a lot of sympathy for him once he left that horrible suicide note.
I wanted Emily to learn, grow and move on. Her death was so senseless.
I had the most sympathy for Ada.
I appreciated the author was showing the ramifications of decisions and actions. Abortion needs to be understood that it will have consequences. I am not saying I am against it, just that it is not a simple decision.
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They were all unnecessary tragedies. It’s so sad that our judicial system put them through that.
I agree, Janie. Both! And for the reasons you cited. What a shameful state of affairs then and now.
I agree that these were unnecessary tragedies of an unjust system. I had sympathy for all the characters.
I do view the deaths as unnecessary tragedies. We can attribute this to the unjust times, but it’s so scary to think that we may be heading back to these injustices!
The legal system at the time was narrowing the scope of what constituted a legal, therapeutic abortion. According the the author, in the early part of the 19th century, ending an unwanted pregnancy before quickening was legal. As the law changed, enforcement increased, driving women to the back alley. These clinics offered safe alternatives…but look what the legal system did. The arrest and subsequent trial was responsible for two suicides, and accidental death by gunshot, an emotional breakdown (Daniel), 24 women who’s lives were altered I am sure by coming forth to testify against the clinic staff. It also created the opportunity for corruption…graft etc. Then, the effect on Mimi’s family. The rippling effects of the trial went beyond the deaths…a tragedy for sure!