You Know My Name? (My Mom’s Alzheimer’s)

Photo by Anthony Cantin on Unsplash

There is a scene in the Pirates of the Caribbean sequel, “At World’s End” where Elizabeth Swan approaches her Intended William’s father. His father, Bootstrap Turner, is trapped, doomed on the ghostly pirate ship the Black Pearl. Bootstrap has been trapped for so long he has become a part of the ship, like a giant barnacle. Elizabeth calls out to Bootstrap who responds with surprise,

“You know my name?!…” He steps away from the ship and into the light.

“Yes, I know your son, Will Turner” Elizabeth responds.

“William. AH HA! He made it. He’s alive!”

But as the conversation unfolds Bootstrap realizes that it is ill-advised for his son William to come to his rescue. He sinks back into the hull of the ship. Elizabeth calls to him again.

“Bootstrap!”

Bootstrap stirs once again from the fabric of the ship,

“You know my name.”

“Yes, I know your son.”

“You know William?” Bootstrap is as animated, hopeful, and excited as he first was just a few minutes prior; apparently having forgotten that he himself had just outlined the hopelessness of his plight. In that moment the audience has the sinking realization of the hopelessness of the ever-repeating circle of conversation.