The Basement Room Summary and Analysis

Through his struggle for emotional freedom, Buechner recognizes that his various "selfs" that emerged throughout the years were failed attempts at rediscovering his original self. He did not resent these different representations of himself; rather, they were pitiable individuals who deserved his sympathy. Sex is a natural topic that is swept under the weight of secrecy. While it is as natural for humans to want to touch and be touched by love ones, the human need for sex had evolved into a shameful pursuit. When Buechner married and then had children, patterns of unhealthy deception could be found in the families of both Buechner and his wife.

This pervasive sickness manifests itself in his daughter in her battle with anorexia—a physiological result of self-deception. Buechner did not realize that he had expected his children to...