Summary

Chapter 6 returns to the past, specifically to the December of 1967, after Edgar has left for Alaska. Fern is pregnant and alone, and tries to reach out to Evelyn to learn information about her mother’s pregnancy with her. Evelyn claims she remembers nothing. Fern reflects that she has always dreamed of motherhood, but now her baby feels parasitic. Evelyn calls to let Fern know that the mental hospital has proposed a new cure for Ben: electroshock therapy. Evelyn believes, without particular warmth or caring, that it would be a shame not to do whatever she could to fix him. Fern receives a childish letter from Ben ending with: “They are going to fix me with electricity. I miss you” (109). Fern is very uncertain, however. She decides to visit Ben at the mental hospital, where he recalls obscure memories from their childhood, including an antique...