Chapter 11: School Daze Summary and Analysis

In school, a fellow classmate, a daughter of Bill Cosby, the comedian, discourages Augusten. Augusten hates her for her popular perfection. He begins to desire to drop out of school. While he chain smokes, a habit he picked up at the Finch house, he contemplates suicide. Deidre proves to be little help, as she selfishly and compulsively works on her current poem.

With only one other place to turn, Augusten calls Dr. Finch and explains his angst with his school situation. Dr. Finch, with his belief in the fluidity of rules, supports Augusten's desires, though he points out that the laws prohibit Augusten from dropping out of school at his age. By way of appeasing everyone involved, Dr. Finch comes up with an alternate plan. He explains to Augusten that, if Augusten were to suffer a failed...