4 Methodist Hospital, Take 1 (Summer 1990) Summary and Analysis

In this section of her book, Marya writes about the first time she is hospitalized at the Methodist Hospital. This hospitalization occurs the summer after her year at Interlochen. Notice that in the title, Marya refers to this first stay as "Take 1." This reference probably comes from her background in acting. She realizes that she is not really serious about getting well while at the hospital, only playing the part that others want her to play. She welcomes the routine, the anonymity of being just another patient that comes with being in the hospital. She also makes an interesting point by indicating that these treatment centers are actually conducive to eating disorders.

One of the first aspects of life in a treatment center that Marya describes is the difficulty the patients have in using the...