1984 January-June Summary

Ernaux's mother loses her way in the house, goes to the bathroom in her underwear, hides the soiled clothes, and talks to imaginary people. Annie is driven to distraction seeing her mother this way, knowing that this is reality, not a stage play. By the end of February, Annie's mother is so ill that she requires hospitalization. Ernaux recounts the lack of dignity as her mother's naked body is exposed when examined, and how she wets herself.

When company visits, Ernaux and her two sons are offended by their laughter or giggles at her mother's strange behavior. Annie describes her mother's physical deterioration as well as her mental lapses, noting that her body has no strength or firmness; her eyes are red and sunken. Ernaux feels a physical connection to her mother: " . . . the body I see is also mine." Her mother's physical state...