Chapters 5 & 6 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 5 discusses Lisa, a fellow patient of McLean Hospital. Later in the text (chapter 16), a second patient with a similar name is introduced—thus careful attention to the distinction between Lisa and Lisa Cody is necessary. In many respects Lisa is the unofficial leader of the ward. When present, she dominates any discussion, and her personality is forceful, and she is well liked by most of the other women. Lisa frequently attempts escape and sometimes succeeds—she is usually recaptured within hours to days, however, and returned forcibly to the hospital. Lisa rarely eats and never sleeps; thus, her appearance is unhealthy, thin and yellow. Kaysen reports that Lisa had a chair in the hallway near the nurse station where she would pass the nights in conversation. When Lisa is captured, she is usually violent, and the staff...