Part Two: Becoming - Chapters 8, 9 and 10 Summary and Analysis

After the outing, Sybil and Vicky talk about Willow Corners, Wisconsin, the town where Sybil was born. The small town has a close community, a prime example of Midwestern values and mentality, with well-kept secrets.

Her father, Willard, is a quiet man and wealthy business owner, and her mother, Hattie, is "lively and witty but a little nervous". Hattie suffers four miscarriages before becoming pregnant with Sybil. Willard names the little girl Sybil Isabel, but Hattie does not care for the name and usually calls the child Peggy Lou, Peggy Ann, or just plain Peggy. Hattie suffers postpartum depression and rarely has contact with her infant daughter.

Sybil feels something lacking in her life at age eight, and spends time alone or with her grandmother, with whom she is close. However...