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Chapter 3
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Finding Audrey, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Social Anxiety and Isolation
Therapy, Healing, and Recovery
Acceptance, Judgment, and Parenting
Bullying and Trauma
Creativity, Empowerment, and Finding One’s Voice
Summary
Analysis
A few days later, Audrey goes to her regularly scheduled session with her therapist, Dr. Sarah. In February, Audrey had been admitted to a mental health wing of the hospital for six weeks after Audrey’s dad, Chris, and Anne accepted that there was something “really wrong.” Now Audrey sees Dr. Sarah twice a week. During the session, Audrey tells Dr. Sarah about the anxiety attack she experienced when Linus was at the house. Audrey also says she’s frustrated because she feels like she’s stuck. Dr. Sarah reassures Audrey that she’s making progress and that her condition is fully treatable.
This passage clarifies the connection between Audrey’s current mental health conditions and the trauma she experienced in February. It also establishes that in the aftermath of that trauma, Audrey spent six weeks in the hospital receiving treatment for mental health conditions. Notably, the novel makes clear that eventually Chris and Anne realized that something was “really wrong,” suggesting that Chris and Anne are proactive and supportive parents who take Audrey’s trauma and mental health seriously.
Active
Themes
Dr. Sarah then tells Audrey that to ensure that she continues to make progress, she would like Audrey to make a film. Audrey is confused and feels her anxiety spiking. She asks Dr. Sarah what she’s supposed to make a movie about, and Dr. Sarah says Audrey can use an inexpensive camera and make a documentary film about anything she likes. Audrey just has to point the camera and shoot, Dr. Sarah says.
Dr. Sarah’s proposed film project for Audrey introduces the novel’s idea that creativity can help one feel more empowered in the wake of trauma. Dr. Sarah’s explanation of why she wants Audrey to undertake the project also suggests that she wants Audrey to find ways to interact more with other people and the world as a way to learn to cope with anxiety.
Active
Themes
A few days later, Audrey begins working on her documentary film, which she titles My Serene and Loving Family. A transcript of the film then follows. In that transcript, Audrey provides a commentary while she films the kitchen and then the rest of the house, describing what she sees. She goes upstairs, and the video picks up her parents talking in their room. As they talk, Anne suggests that perhaps Frank’s “problem” is that he doesn’t have a girlfriend. She suggests throwing him a party so he can meet girls, but Audrey’s father, Chris, is skeptical. Chris then walks out of the room and is surprised to find Audrey filming.
Active
Themes
