Part One: Being - Chapters 1 and 2 Summary and Analysis

Sybil Isabel Dorsett is disoriented and confused, having found herself in Philadelphia, unable to remember how she got there. She realizes that five days of her life have disappeared without her knowledge.

In the summer of 1945, twenty-two-year-old Sybil is living at home with her parents, Willard and Henrietta "Hattie" Dorsett. After her mental condition deteriorates, Sybil is sent home to her parents from college. However, being being at home with her overprotective parents only exacerbates Sybil's condition. A visit to a family doctor gets Sybil an appointment with a psychiatrist, Dr. Wilbur.

At their first meeting, Sybil tells Dr. Wilbur about her leave of absence from school and her stressful home life, but remains allusive about her feelings. Dr. Wilbur gives her hope that she will eventually find some relief from...