Assignment task: The Actor's Part
How does Marya's desire to be "Grown Up" and to prove herself to the "Great They" affect her transition from bulimia to anorexia? Why do think Marya saved the outfit her step grandmother gave her even though she hated it? Why do think she wore it later in the hospital? How does moving to Interlochen and living in the dorm affect the progression of Marya's eating disorder? What behaviors typical of starvation does Marya exhibit? What do you think of Marya's hypothesis that eating disorders might be a "cultural and generational phenomenon of plain old-fashioned burnout"? (pp. 135-6) What do you think of the physician's approach to dealing with Marya's denial?