The Marriage Plot

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of mental illness, substance use, addiction, and sexual content.

This chapter is presented from Leonard’s point of view. He recalls being diagnosed with bipolar disorder early in college. At that time, he began therapy and learned that his mental illness stems from genetic sources from both of his parents. His parents divorced when he was 15, and his father moved to Belgium. Leonard subsequently always felt that his mother resented him because he reminded her of his father. His mother was addicted to alcohol and reclusive, and Leonard and his older sister learned to care for themselves. Suddenly, their mother decided to get a job and became a director at a local YMCA. She was rarely home after this.

As a teen, Leonard often felt melancholy but was certain that this mood was something that he intentionally cultivated and controlled. He grew to like dark metal music and spent time with his best friend, Godfrey. One day, Leonard suddenly felt ill and had no appetite. He cried for no reason. The next day, he could not get out of bed. He missed a week of school.