| Susanna Kaysen is a tormented young woman, barely coming out of her teenage years. The novel begins with her trip to the doctor where she goes into extensive detail about her newly formed pimple, and her feelings of doubt and self-consciousness.
Susanna is sent to McLean's Mental Hospital, where she is diagnosed with a "borderline personality disorder. She questions her mental state throughout the novel, and becomes wrapped up in her world of depression, pent-up anger, hate, and sadness. She makes friends with many other patients on ward. One of whom is named Lisa; a hyperactive sociopath who has been in the hospital for years. At first, Susanna is dead set against cooperating with her physicians. She is a strong woman trapped in a diseased mind. Throughout her journey toward normality, she is forced to find her self and put the pieces back together before being admitted back into the real world. | ||
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Plot & Themes Phys disability/mental struggle? Yes Struggle with - mental illness Which institution - mental hospital Life in an institution Yes Period of greatest activity? - 1950+ Subject of Biography Gender - Female Profession/status: Ethnicity - White Nationality - American Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 3 () United States Yes Century: - 1960's-1970's Writing Style Book makes you feel? - in awe Graphic sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - If this is a kid's book: - Age 16-Adult How much dialogue in bio? - little dialog How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 76%-100% of book |
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