Reaction Paper on In Search Of Self

The book, “Dibs: In Search of Self”, by Virginia Axline provides a wide range of

information regarding self-realization and acceptance. The book uses the story of a small boy

called Dibs who had a serious problem of interacting and embracing other children or person

who came too close to him. Dibs is always hostile towards any person who shows concerns to

him or came too close to him. The boy had a serious psychological problem and always rebelled

everything. In chapter one, for instance, the author explains how Dibs isolated himself and

stayed at the corner of a room while other pupils were going home. Such behaviors exhibited by

Dibs surprised everyone including his teachers and parents. He always lived in isolation and led

a lonely life. In addition, he always looked mentally disturbed. The story of Dibs as written in the

book demonstrates the process of self-search through the use of Dibs as its main character.

Summary of the important parts in the book

The author of the book, Dibs: In Search of Self, discusses the story of the struggle Dibs

went through before realizing himself and feeling comfortable around other people. In chapter

one of the book, the problem of Dibs is described effectively, which includes his inability to

interact and play with other children. For example, during lunchtime when the other children

were going home, Dibs could not join them and remained in a corner of a room while others

went (Axline, 2018). Both his parents and teachers were amused by his behaviors and sought to

involve professional psychiatrists to handle this problem. In chapters two, three and four, a

professional psychiatrist tries to help Dibs communicate as well as solve his inner problem. The

child looked mentally disturbed always. Through effective care and involvement of a

professional psychiatrist, the psychological problem in Dibs was solved effectively and finally,