Girl, Interrupted Essay

3. Examine the cover of the novel. What images do you see? How do you think the images are connected to the story?

Overall the book gives a level of depth and openness that was startling as an uninformed individual. As the book is a direct insight to Lori’s schizophrenic mind as she recalls in detail her thoughts and experiences revolving her stays in the psychiatric ward and halfway houses. Indeed the progression of Lori’s illness is reflected in the author of the chapters in her book. For in the middle of the book, where Lori is in the depths of her psychosis, the story is carried on by her parents

The film Girl, Interrupted focused on an eighteen year old girl by the name Susanna that was admitted into a private mental hospital after being accused of a suicidal attempt. The movie follows Susanna on her journey in the institution as she encounters women with different admittance stories. The one who intrigues Susanna the most is Lisa. Lisa is thought to be a sociopath with the way she manipulates those around her to get her way. She is constantly in and out of the institution causing those around to fear, yet admire her. My main focus will be on Lisa and although it was not specified in the film just how old she is, she seemed to be around the same age group as Susanna. This means that, according to Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages, she is on stage five or six. Stage five happens during adolescence where ones primary task is their identity versus their own role in society whereas stage six happens in young adulthood and one faces intimacy versus isolation. The article incorporated gives more insight on how Erikson’s stages play hand in hand with one another and can potentially affect the mental state of someone if not successfully fulfilled. There is also a possibility that, with the ‘symptoms’ of a sociopath, Lisa could have had past problems during what Sigmund Freud considered the anal stage of her childhood.

1.) What is the author's main thesis (argument) in setting up his book? Why/how are

The book was divided into 3 parts, the first section was Facing Mental Illness. In this section there were 6 chapters that covered every part of her coming to terms with her illness which is bipolar disorder or manic depression. In Chapter 1: Darkness, she gave her history with mental illness and she wasn’t the only person to deal with it within her family. Her father and brother also dealt with depression.There were also many close friends and family members that killed themselves. She makes mention of how she hated what the illness dd to her father and brother but it helped her when she had to deal with

As she grows she discovers more of what she is capable of. Now she realizes that even though she is going crazy, she is still alive. Above all, she does not want to hide anymore and is not afraid to come out of her shell of guilt. “I don’t want to hang out in my hidey-hole anymore…. I don’t feel like hiding anymore” (p.191-192). She comments about not wanting to go back to her closet because she is not afraid of what might happen to her. In the same way she says that she, in no matter what condition, is still alive and breathing. “I have survived… Confused, screwed up but still here” (p.188). She is happy that she survived and that it does not matter if she is frustrated, she still has to stay for the ones who love her. In order which she has to take care of the old Melinda she was and let go of the Melinda she was after the party. After this realization she understood that she is not perfect but she can grow to love those

One weakness of this book is that it is, for the most part, pretty mellow. It doesn’t give a very good vibe

Girl, Interrupted provides an in-depth look into Susanna Kaysen’s experience of living with a mental illness and staying in a mental hospital. Twenty-five years after she leaves McLean she learns of her diagnosis of borderline personality disorder and discusses it in her memoir. Kaysen reads about her disorder from the DSM-III-R and views her diagnosis as:

1: What is the central argument the writer makes in your book? For example: “[Author name] argues that . . . because . . .”

“Since the protagonist is suffering a mental breakdown, she is also considered an unreliable narrator because the reader cannot be certain if she is accurately relating the events of the story,” (Wilson 7).

Kaysen was only eighteen-years-old on April 27, 1967 when she was first admitted into the medium-security ward of McLean. Her voluntary admission came after an attempted suicide using fifty aspirin. During her time in McLean, Kaysen received treatment in many forms including- medication, therapy and analysis. She met a variety of all suffering from different psychological and psychiatric illnesses. A few of these fellow patients include: Lisa, Georgina, Polly, Lisa Cody and Daisy to name a few. Not only does Kaysen share stories with these fellow patients, but she also discusses everyday routines. For example, she went into detail about the “checks” that occurred at five, fifteen and thirty minute intervals to ensure the safety of the patients. She also described the weekly trips to the ice cream shop. Kaysen also went into detail about the staff that worked at McLean, including head nurse Valerie who was the nurse patients felt the most comfortable with. It was clear from her anecdotes that McLean had become a sense of home for Kaysen.

The novel “An Unquiet Mind” starts off describing the life of a young girl, Kay. Early off in Kay’s life she is experiencing traumatizing life events. One of those events is a very close encounter with a plane that flew over the elementary playground very low and “It flew into the trees, exploding directly in front of us” (12). Early on it seems much easier to see how she developed the mental illness, manic-depressive (bipolar) illness. Also, her father showed signs of a bipolar illness and maybe it could be heredity. Another traumatizing event was when Kay and her family moved to California and the complete shock from the change in background. This switch also leads to Kay drinking before she attends classes for high school. Just at the age of 16, Kay is beginning to see just how much her mood swings are affecting her friends and how the bipolar illness is changing her life.

Tone is the feeling of which authors use to explain how they feel in a story. Many aspects of tone can include imagery, point of view, and other literary elements that express a feeling. Tone can be used to show moods that happen, authors can use tone to give feelings of discomfort. It allows the reader to connect to a period that the author was feeling. Ruth Pennebaker, author of Do Not Think Twice, allows the reader to feel the harshness of her words.

2. In your own words, what is the author’s thesis or the central focus? What would you answer if you described what you read to someone, and then they asked “So what’s the point?”

What is the central interpersonal problem for Jen in regards to the focus of treatment? (Review page 1136 of your article.)