59 pages • 1 hour read
What She Left Behind: A Haunting and Heartbreaking Story of 1920s Historical Fiction
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Chapters 6-10Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of mental illness, gender discrimination, ableism, self-harm, addiction, child sexual abuse, physical abuse, child abuse, sexual violence, bullying, death, cursing, graphic violence, suicidal ideation, and substance use.
Chapter 6 Summary: “Clara”
Mr. Glen and a nurse named May drive Clara for six hours to Willard. When they stop to use the bathroom, Clara is shocked at her appearance. Glen tells her that the patients at Willard produce and cook their own food. They also make their clothes and coffins. Clara didn’t realize people died in institutions. Glen whistles the song that Clara and Bruno danced to, causing her to miss Bruno. Glen then takes Clara to Chapin Hall, where May introduces her to a doctor named Roach. Roach doesn’t speak to Clara and refuses to shake her hand. Clara looks for a way to escape but doesn’t think that she can outrun Glen.
May has Clara select a few practical dresses, sensible shoes, and underwear from her trunk. May flirts with Roach until she is relieved by a nurse named Trench. Trench takes Clara to a room with 50 beds, shows her to an empty one, and tells everyone, “Lights out!” Trench then watches Clara change into a nightgown and tells Clara to follow the rules and not ask questions. After Trench leaves the room, the other women make various sounds. One stands near Clara’s bed. Clara puts the dirty blanket over her head, cries, and prays.
