Ethics in THE SOLOIST

In The Soloist, Lopez sometimes mentions the possibility of exploiting Nathaniel Ayers. He wonders if it is possible to continue writing about Ayers without then exploiting him if he hasn't already done so. He concludes that he is just telling Nathaniel's story and he, Nathaniel, and the public benefit from it.

I think in the beginning of the book, Lopez, when he first meets Nathaniel, is trying to exploit him. At first, Lopez is simply intrigued by Nathaniel, but once he finds out that Nathaniel had attended Juilliard and is now living on the streets, he believes it will make a great column. I think at first, Lopez wrote about Nathaniel because he wanted the glory that would come with finding such a unique story.

However, as Lopez continues to talk to Nathaniel he stops exploiting him just to get a good story/column out of him. Lopez genuinely cares about what happens to Nathaniel and starts to consider them friends. After discovering that Nathaniel is schizophrenic, Lopez does everything he can to help get Nathaniel off the streets and attempt overcome his mental illness. The two men become so close that Lopez is "beginning to think of him as extended family" (220) inviting Nathaniel to his house for Easter Brunch and taking him to sporting events and orchestra concerts.

Although there are times when it is difficult to deal with Nathaniel, Lopez is always there for him. Nathaniel is no longer a person to exploit to get a good column. Nathaniel is his friend whom he cares about and wants to see get better. Everything he does after that is to help Nathaniel, to see him succeed and get off the streets and to overcome his battle with schizophrenia.