Summary

In Chapter III, “The Kinship,” Juan talked to the narrator about “what he called the dark psychohistory of American medicine” (118). Up until 1974, the American Psychiatric Association deemed homosexuality a mental disorder (118). Juan went on to explain the clinical definition of “abnormal’ sexuality” (118). Although the diagnosis was discarded, Juan argued that “the connection between abnormal sexuality and mental illness” survived (119).

Many of Juan’s family members suffered from “dramatic seizures” or “ataques” (121). Juan described the episodes to the narrator. Juan believed the seizures were manifestations of “the essential ineffable” self (122). When Juan’s sister experienced her “first violent seizure,” Juan was surprised by how pragmatic and focused his parents became (123).

Juan asked the narrator about the pills he stole from the institution. The narrator admitted he was trying to kill himself. However, swallowing “pill after pill” sickened him, making him wish he...