Page 3 through 14 Summary and Analysis

As a child, one of Donna's first memories is of seeing light which, when she looked closely, contained many spots. While trying to observe and inspect this matter in peace, she recalls being interrupted with words like "Stop that!" and often with a sharp slap to the face. Still, she continued to see those spots. Although she could not respond to the words she heard, she was able to repeat them exactly which just brought on more slaps. She is "echolalic" or repetitively said words until she reaches four years old. Donna remembers hearing words relating to her toilet training problems. She recalls the great fear she has about the bathroom. She puts off going because of her fright.

There are signs of malnutrition in the young Donna. She is frail, bruises easily, and her gums bleed. Her parents...