Chapter Two Summary and Analysis

After 18 months of conventional therapy, Catherine understands many of her behavior patterns. However, "patients almost always improve when they remember unpleasant influences from their past" Weiss asserts. Catherine is not improving. She suffers from anxiety attacks and nightmares torment her. She is still afraid of water, enclosed places, and the dark. She has heart palpitations and fears swallowing the medications he prescribes.

Catherine mentions to Weiss a trip she takes to Chicago with Stuart, a married boyfriend of hers who hurts her constantly. They attend an Egyptian exhibit. She tells Weiss that she found herself correcting the guide as he described various artifacts. The guide told her she was correct, but how was she so sure? Weiss explains that Catherine has an interest but has no in-depth scholarly knowledge of Egyptian history or artifacts.

At first, Catherine resists the...