By Augusten Burroughs

Introduction

“Running with Scissors” by Augusten Burroughs is a darkly comedic memoir that chronicles the author’s unconventional and often chaotic childhood. 📚 Written in 2002, this book delves into Burroughs’ experiences growing up in an unstable family environment and later living with his mother’s unorthodox psychiatrist. Augusten Burroughs, born Christopher Robison, is known for his witty, raw, and brutally honest writing style. The genre of “Running with Scissors” is memoir, a blend of humor and tragedy, offering readers a candid glimpse into a life filled with extraordinary and bizarre events.

Plot Summary

“Running with Scissors” recounts Augusten Burroughs’ tumultuous youth, beginning with his early life and moving through his teenage years.

• Exposition: Augusten’s early life is characterized by his mother’s mental instability and his father’s absence. His mother, Deirdre, is a struggling poet with severe mental health issues, and his father is largely disengaged from the family.
• Rising Action: Deirdre becomes increasingly unstable and sends Augusten to live with her psychiatrist, Dr. Finch. The Finch household is unconventional, to say the least, with eccentric family members and bizarre routines. Augusten forms a close, albeit unhealthy, relationship with Neil Bookman, an older man living with the Finches.
• Climax: Augusten’s life with the Finches reaches a breaking point as the household’s dysfunction becomes increasingly intolerable. The climax centers on Augusten’s realization of the deep-seated issues within the Finch family and his own need to escape from their chaotic influence.
• Falling Action: Augusten begins to take steps toward independence, distancing himself from the Finches and attempting to create a semblance of normalcy in his life. He pursues his education and seeks stability.
• Resolution: The memoir concludes with Augusten reflecting on his past and the impact of his unconventional upbringing. Despite the chaos, he emerges with a sense of resilience and a determination to forge his own path.

Character Analysis

Character	Personality	Motivations	Development
Augusten Burroughs	Observant, witty, resilient	To find stability and a sense of identity	Grows from a confused child to a self-reliant and reflective young adult
Deirdre Burroughs	Eccentric, unstable, artistic	To pursue her poetry and cope with mental illness	Her instability leads to Augusten’s chaotic upbringing
Dr. Finch	Unconventional, manipulative, charismatic	To control his household and practice unconventional psychiatry	His influence deeply affects Augusten’s worldview
Neil Bookman	Troubled, conflicted, possessive	To seek companionship and validation	His relationship with Augusten is damaging and complex
Hope Finch	Compliant, peculiar, loyal	To support her father’s practices and maintain family dynamics	Represents the internalized dysfunction of the Finch household

Themes and Symbols

• Family and Dysfunction: The memoir explores the concept of family, both biological and chosen, and the profound impact of dysfunctional family dynamics on personal development.
• Mental Illness: The portrayal of mental illness is central to the narrative, examining its effects on individuals and their relationships.
• Identity and Self-Discovery: Augusten’s journey is one of self-discovery, as he navigates his identity amidst chaos and instability.
• Freedom and Control: The balance between freedom and control is a recurring theme, with Augusten seeking autonomy in an environment that often feels suffocating.
• Survival and Resilience: Despite the bizarre and often harmful circumstances, Augusten’s resilience and will to survive shine through.

Symbols:

• The Finches’ House: Symbolizes chaos and the lack of boundaries, reflecting the dysfunction within.
• Scissors: Represent danger and unpredictability, as well as Augusten’s sharp observations of his world.
• The Bathroom: A place of refuge and escape for Augusten, symbolizing his need for privacy and normalcy.

Style and Tone

• Humor: Burroughs uses dark humor to navigate the painful and absurd moments of his life.
• Honesty: The memoir is brutally honest, not shying away from the uncomfortable truths.
• Satirical: Burroughs employs satire to critique the absurdity of his circumstances and the people in his life.
• Reflective: There is a reflective tone throughout, as Burroughs looks back on his experiences with a mix of nostalgia and critique.
• Conversational: The writing style is engaging and conversational, making readers feel like they are being told a story by a close friend.

Literary Devices used in Running with Scissors

1. Irony: Burroughs often highlights the ironic contrasts between expected norms and his reality.
2. Satire: Used to critique the absurdity of his upbringing and the people involved.
3. Symbolism: Objects and settings represent larger themes and ideas.
4. Flashback: Provides background and context for current events.
5. Imagery: Vivid descriptions that bring scenes to life.
6. Hyperbole: Exaggerations to emphasize the absurdity of situations.
7. Metaphor: Comparisons to illustrate points more vividly.
8. Juxtaposition: Contrasting elements placed close together for effect.
9. Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human elements.
10. Foreshadowing: Hints at future events.

Literary Device Examples

Irony

Example	Explanation
Deirdre sends Augusten to live with her psychiatrist for stability, but it leads to more chaos	Highlights the ironic contrast between expected help and actual outcome
The psychiatrist’s house is more dysfunctional than Augusten’s own home	Irony in seeking help from someone with worse problems

Satire

Example	Explanation
Dr. Finch’s unconventional methods	Critiques the absurdity of his psychiatric practices
The portrayal of the Finch household	Satirical representation of extreme dysfunction disguised as normalcy

Symbolism

Example	Explanation
The Finches’ House	Symbolizes chaos and lack of boundaries
Scissors	Represent danger and unpredictability
The Bathroom	A symbol of refuge and escape for Augusten

Flashback

Example	Explanation
Recollections of Augusten’s early childhood	Provides context for his behavior and feelings
Memories of Deirdre’s breakdowns	Adds depth to her character and their relationship

Imagery

Example	Explanation
Descriptions of the Finch household	Brings the chaotic environment to life
Vivid portrayal of Dr. Finch’s practices	Highlights their absurdity and impact

Hyperbole

Example	Explanation
Descriptions of Deirdre’s behavior	Exaggerated to emphasize her instability
Augusten’s reactions to the Finch household	Heightens the sense of absurdity

Metaphor

Example	Explanation
“Life is a circus”	Illustrates the chaotic and unpredictable nature of his life
“The house was a madhouse”	Conveys the extreme dysfunction of the Finch household

Juxtaposition

Example	Explanation
Augusten’s desire for normalcy vs. the reality of his life	Highlights his struggle for stability
The appearance of the Finch house vs. its internal chaos	Emphasizes the contrast between outward appearances and inner reality

Personification

Example	Explanation
“The house groaned under the weight of its secrets”	Gives human qualities to the house, emphasizing its oppressive nature
“The walls whispered”	Enhances the eerie and unsettling atmosphere

Foreshadowing

Example	Explanation
Early signs of Neil’s possessiveness	Hints at the problematic nature of their relationship
Deirdre’s increasing instability	Foreshadows the drastic decisions she makes regarding Augusten’s care

FAQs

Running with Scissors – FAQs

• Q: What is the primary theme of “Running with Scissors”?
• A: The primary theme is the impact of family dysfunction on personal development.
• Q: How does Augusten Burroughs use humor in his memoir?
• A: Burroughs uses dark humor and satire to navigate and highlight the absurdity and pain of his experiences.
• Q: What role does Dr. Finch play in Augusten’s life?
• A: Dr. Finch is Deirdre’s psychiatrist who takes Augusten into his chaotic household, profoundly affecting his upbringing.

Quiz

Question	Options	Answer
What does the Finch household symbolize in the memoir?	A) Stability	B) Chaos

                | **B**                         |

| Who is Neil Bookman in relation to Augusten? | A) A friend | B) A mentor | C) An older romantic partner | C |
| What genre does “Running with Scissors” fall under? | A) Fiction | B) Memoir | B |
| How does Augusten view his mother, Deirdre? | A) As a stable influence | B) As a struggling poet with mental illness | B |
| What is a major theme in “Running with Scissors”? | A) Adventure | B) Family Dysfunction | B |

Exercise

Identify the literary devices used in the following paragraph from “Running with Scissors”:

“Living with the Finches was like being in a never-ending circus. The house groaned under the weight of its secrets, and the walls seemed to whisper stories of chaos and confusion. Every day was a new act in the bizarre show that was my life.”

Answers:

• Simile: “Living with the Finches was like being in a never-ending circus.”
• Personification: “The house groaned under the weight of its secrets.”
• Personification: “The walls seemed to whisper stories of chaos and confusion.”
• Metaphor: “Every day was a new act in the bizarre show that was my life.”