Chapter 2, Secret Life Summary and Analysis

Twice a week, Wurtzel goes to Dr. Isaac's office, which she doesn't mind at all, despite the fact it's not a common activity for an eleven-year-old. He gives her various reasons as to why she has the issues she has, such as her parents' divorce or the fact that she is overly precocious. She was sent to Dr. Isaac after a teacher found her cutting herself. She agrees to go to Dr. Isaac on the solemn swear that she will stop doing it, and makes the teacher promise to never tell her mother about the razors.

Wurtzel explains that she cuts herself because she feels like she is a huge mistake, that everything about her is wrong. She feels a sense of peace and power when she can cut her pale, white legs and the art of...