Summary

Part Three begins with a description of Sophie’s early childhood life in Budapest. She is described walking through the city with her father, going swimming at the baths, observing the Sabbath, drawing, and playing with Peter, on whom she is perceived to be a bad influence. Sophie is unable to remember these events all by herself, often relying on the accounts of others.

The narrative then describes Rudolf’s psychoanalytic practice from Sophie’s point of view. Rudolf actively applies his own psychoanalytic theories to Sophie’s behavior, claiming that she has an “Electra complex” (208-9). Sophie asks Rudolf about his relationships with his patients, and whether any of them have ever wanted to kill him. Rudolf is described analyzing minute details of his patients’ behavior, such as whether they arrive at their sessions late or early.

In...