Lost In The Reflecting Pool Sparknotes

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Lost in the Reflecting Pool: a Memoir by Diane Pomerantz provides readers with a glimpse into the emotionally abusive and self-destructive relationship she experienced for more than twenty years with a narcissistic and cruel husband. From its happy beginnings to its slide into disintegration, the marriage of Diane and her husband, Charles, is portrayed with thoughtful reflection, love, hate, and brutal honesty.
From its outset, the relationship of Diane and Charles seems to be a story-book romance where Charles dazzles her with flowers, home-cooked meals, wine in front of the fire, and long walks with her dog. Then comes the marriage proposal, the moving in together, the beautiful outdoor wedding, and the starting of their private practice …show more content…

Charles, on the other hand, is arrogant, selfish, and seems to gain satisfaction from the turmoil he causes in Diane. Pomerantz then shares her intensely personal and honest battle with breast cancer. From the initial diagnosis, through the rounds of surgeries, chemotherapy, and eventual reconstruction, we follow Diane’s ups and downs. She shares her fear, the effects the disease has on her children, and we learn that Charles becomes less and less supportive throughout his wife’s illness. It is through this experience that the blinders finally come off and Diane realizes the true nature of her relationship with …show more content…

Pomerantz decided to use her true identity instead of using a pseudonym. She put her pain and suffering out there so that others could learn from her story. That she was able to overcome her health issues, insecurities, self-doubt, and post-traumatic stress and move on with her life are a testament to her strength of character and perseverance. As a victim of abuse myself, I found myself empathizing with Diane throughout the story. It is extremely difficult to extricate yourself from an abusive relationship for a variety of reasons. Many of these Pomerantz explains in her memoir: denial, lack of confidence, lack of money, feelings of inadequacy that have a paralyzing effect, and more.
Not only does Pomerantz provide insight into the abuse cycle and its effects but also she shows the importance of friends and family who provide support and encouragement. Pomerantz showed the strong bond that forms between a mother and her children especially as they witness her abuse. She explained the emotional effects and how she, as a trained child psychologist, dealt with this with her children. Her many friends, coworkers, and especially her father were the catalysts for change that eventually allowed Diane to move on to a better life for herself and her

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