Anna O

Ben meets with Donnelly at a cafe. They discuss Anna’s case, which leads Donnelly to question Ben’s method revolving around hope. Though his article was more technical, the common theory comes down to giving Anna hope. In all cases of resignation syndrome, patients were confronted “with the total absence and removal of hope” (68). Their minds shut down, putting their bodies into deep sleep until the traumatic time was over and they could function again without fear. Ben cites other cases and examples.

They discuss the improvements of psychology from Freudian times to now. Donnelly tries to comprehend Ben’s teachings. Donnelly needs to know exactly how Ben will cure Anna.

Ben explains that he can only restore Anna’s hope by learning more about her. He must discover why her hope was extinguished, which requires him to understand her past mindset. Donnelly doesn’t like the idea of giving Ben confidential information, but Ben persuades him it’s necessary.

Anna didn’t have any criminal record or recorded violent tendencies before the night she killed her friends Douglas Bute and Indira Sharma. To accomplish his job, Ben needs to know the whole picture. Donnelly agrees to let Ben read Anna’s files and reach out to her family for insight, but his decision is off the record.