Character Analysis
At Caplan, a dorm at the psychiatric institution, Esther instantly connects with Miss Norris, another patient there. Miss Norris is described as being "school-marmish," and while they don't say a word to each other, Esther feels a "sisterly" connection to her. Like Joan, Miss Norris serves as a double for Esther, a person who helps Esther understand another aspect of herself. Perhaps Esther sees in Miss Norris another person who suffers from the same internal silence that Esther has suffered from since the onset of her depression.