Patty Berglund, the main character of Chapter 1 in Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom, is a complex and multi-faceted individual who is involved with the issues of initiation in several ways. At first glance, Patty appears to be a typical suburban mother and wife, content with her role as homemaker and volunteer at her children’s school. However, as the chapter progresses, it becomes clear that there is much more to Patty than meets the eye.
One way in which Patty is involved with the issues of initiation is through her relationship with her husband Walter. Early on in their marriage, Patty was initially attracted to Walter because he was different from the other men she knew. He was kind, gentle, and thoughtful - everything that her previous boyfriends were not. However, over time Patty begins to feel trapped by Walter’s predictability and reliability. She longs for excitement and passion but feels unable to express these desires to him. This struggle represents an initiation into adulthood for Patty as she realizes that what she thought she wanted may not actually make her happy.
Another way in which Patty experiences initiation is through her relationship with Richard Katz. Richard is a musician and former classmate of Walter’s who has always been somewhat of a rebel. When Richard re-enters Patty’s life after many years apart, she finds herself drawn to his charisma and nonconformity. Their affair represents an initiation into a new phase of life for Patty - one where she can explore new parts of herself without fear of judgment or disapproval from others.
Finally, Patty also experiences initiation through her parenting journey. As a young mother, she struggles to balance her own needs and desires with those of her children. She worries constantly about their well-being and whether or not they are living up to their full potential. However, as they grow older and begin to assert their independence, Patty must learn how to let go and allow them to make their own mistakes. This represents an initiation into a new phase of parenting for Patty - one where she must learn to trust her children and herself.
Overall, Patty Berglund is a complex character who experiences initiation in several different ways throughout Chapter 1 of Freedom. Her struggles with relationships, identity, and parenting all represent important milestones in her journey towards adulthood and self-awareness.
