How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
It took four scientists and several needles full of tranquilizer before [Rachel] would submit. (11.2)
Yikes. These kinds of procedures make us think of the mental health institutions of the past... and people in straightjackets.
Quote #8
I check constantly for symptoms of the disease. (11.12)
Lena's paranoia about love seems to make her crazier than the disease itself.
Quote #9
"She left all that. She gave it up—for, for that /thing./ Love. /Amor deliria nervosa/—whatever you want to call it. She gave /me/ up." (20.64)
Lena's mother fits the profile of a person with mental illness. We're not sure which mental illness—bipolar, most likely—but there's more to this "love as a disease" thing than Lena realizes. Clearly, her mom didn't want to give Lena up—she actually loved Lena, and wasn't shy about saying so.