The Good Samaritan

The Good Samaritan examines the paradox of anonymous digital communication, where platforms intended for support can become predatory spaces. This duality is evident in the real-world evolution of suicide prevention networks. Organizations like the Samaritans, founded in the UK in 1953, established the model for confidential, non-judgmental telephone helplines, believing that empathetic listening can provide crucial support for individuals in crisis. The novel’s “End of the Line” helpline is built on this principle, offering callers a space to talk without fear of intervention. However, Laura subverts this mission, using her position not to support but to manipulate, embodying the potential for abuse within systems that rely on anonymity and trust.

The novel’s exploration of online forums further reflects this duality. While many digital communities provide vital peer support for those with mental illnesses, others, often called “pro-suicide” forums, can normalize and even encourage self-harm. This dark side of online communities has been linked to real-world tragedies, such as the 2008 death of Nadia Kajouji, a Canadian university student who was actively encouraged to die by an online user posing as a sympathetic young woman. This case mirrors Laura’s methods, as she directs Charlotte to “particular Internet suicide message boards [Laura] knew well” to reinforce her suicidal ideation (50).