Chapters 22 & 23 Summary and Analysis

Kaysen is confined throughout 1968. The young women in the ward watch television to pass most of each day. The television news constantly displays images of a turbulent time of social upheaval. The women routinely identify with the revolutionary youth and voice the opinion that they would join with them if only they were free. One day they watch the trial of Bobby Seale. When they see him chained and gagged in court, Cynthia exclaims that he is treated just like she is treated during electroshock therapy. Lisa observes, however, that Seale is gagged because the authorities fear what his speech might accomplish. The chapter grounds the memoir in a definite time and place.

The hospital is a shelter, which protects the patients from unpleasant aspects of the larger world. Devoid of friends, family, possessions, jobs and other things the patients...