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When Jude wakes up in the hospital after being run over by a car, Ana, the social worker assigned to his case, immediately springs into action to help Jude recover from the terrible circumstances of his youth. Ana is the first person—and one of the only people—with whom Jude shares the details of his abuse, and she remains a figure that Jude associates with trust and safety for the rest of his life. Ana encourages Jude to speak with a therapist about his trauma, warning him that the longer he stays silent about his abuse, the less likely it is that he will heal. Ana’s warning is a prescient one, as Jude suffers from loneliness and unhealthy cyclical behaviors throughout most of his adult life, partly due to avoiding therapy.
Although Ana’s time on the page is relatively brief, she can be credited for setting Jude on his path to a better life. Practical, steadfast, and caring, Ana serves as Jude’s anchor during the aftermath of his traumatic escape from Dr. Traylor. She handles his distressing case with great sensitivity, ensuring that Dr. Traylor is punished without Jude needing to face his abuser, and she also fulfills a pseudo-motherly role. She and her partner welcome Jude into their home, where his feelings and autonomy are respected. She also encourages Jude to apply for college and build a better future for himself. Tragically, before Jude begins university, Ana is diagnosed with cancer and quickly deteriorates. Her death not only triggers Jude’s suicidal tendencies but also allows him to shirk her advice about seeing a therapist. Her passing is untimely not only in that she dies young but also in that, had she lived longer, she likely would have succeeded in convincing Jude to seek professional help and curb his harmful and suicidal tendencies.
