Mr. Secrets, Chapter 2 Summary

Richard's mother asks him what psychiatry is. As Richard tries to explain, he sees his mother will never understand what he is saying. Her lack of understanding is not because of the language barrier, but because of her mental barrier. Richard's mother and father do not understand why a person would tell a complete stranger about their most intimate problems. Richard eventually admits to his mother that there are some things so intimate that they can only be discussed with a complete stranger. These things are too personal to be shared with someone who a person is intimately close to. Richard's mother has no reaction to this comment. Due to his parents' views about public and private life, Richard has not yet told them that he is writing a book, more specifically an autobiography, about his life and education...