Chapter 6, Happy Pills Summary and Analysis

Wurtzel is in her room trying to study. She is supposed to be reading The Odyssey, and although she has heard it is a great read, she can't concentrate on the book. Instead, she picks up the receiver and calls her father. She hadn't spoken to him in a year before she left for college, but shortly before going to Harvard, she visits him down in Florida. She even tries to be friendly with his new wife. However, like most of their communications, this one eventually dwindles.

Although she doesn't realize it, Wurtzel calls her father to pick a fight. She immediately asks him if he has paid for the insurance forms. When he balks, she starts to cry. She tells him that all he does is give her nothing but a bunch of words. By the...