English Notes
December 9, 2014
Test Preparation
Sanity/Insanity
Position: People who did not conform to what is considered socially acceptable are considered crazy.
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”Stigmatography”—considered crazy
Lisa’s indifference to finding out that Lisa Cody is an addict
”Elementary Topography” page 41—“Was insanity just dropping the act?”
Page 142 Susanna’s non-conformity
Position: Many characteristics a doctor may diagnose as crazy are in fact normal.
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“My Diagnosis” on page 153 has good description of Adolescence
Position: At times, what is sane and what is insane is in the eye of the beholder.
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In “Politics”, Liddy holds his hand over the candle flame (seems sane), yet Georgina is burned by
hot sugar and doesn’t react (seen as crazy)
Kaysen vs. the Doctor’s perception of time in “Do You Believe Him or Me?” 71-72
“1968” describes historical events (Vietnam War, assassinations)—they world outside is crazy,
but considered normal
Position: A person can have both sane and insane characteristics.
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“My Diagnosis” page 152 gives good descriptions of adolescence/borderline personality disorder
“Bare Bones” hand episode
“Keepers” page 91 patients give student nurses advise
“Shadow of the Real”—Kaysen is getting healthier, but is obsessed with tunnels
Sexism
Position: In the 1960s, women didn’t have the power they do today.
Position: Regardless of a woman’s mental state, she is still subject to sexism.
Position: If women do not follow society’s sexist duties they were considered insane.
Examples to fit the positions:
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Consider the chapter “My Diagnosis” and the bias towards females (Pages 157-158)
Diagnosis for promiscuity different from men vs. women
Double standard—diseases more commonly diagnosed in women (Page 157)
Page 156 acceptable to join WAC (Women’s Army Corp)
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“New Frontiers in Dental Health” (Pages 131-133)—no miniskirts, no smoking
Therapist suggest that Kaysen should be a dental assistant, not a writer
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“Topography of the Future” 134-136 –she could be let out of the mental hospital by getting
married
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Document on page 145—“…she is able to achieve a satisfactory dependent relationship…” (She
could be someone’s wife—dependent, not independent)
Freedom/Independence:
Position 1: Susanna is independent
throughout the book, but has very little
freedom.
Position 2: To gain the freedom and
independence women need they need to
transcend the constraints of the time period.
Position 3: Susanna’s expectation of
freedom outside of the hospital was
different from what she imagined.
Position 4: Freedom and independence is
taken from the girls by the hospital and
again after they enter the real world.
“Checks” 54-55
“Prelude to Ice Cream”—who needs to
accompany the girls just to get ice cream
“The Shadow of the Real”
“Keepers”
“New Frontiers in Dental Health” (131-133)
“The Secret of Life”
“Checkmate” 65-67—incident with boyfriend
“Applied Topography” 47
--“Freedom was the price of privacy.”
“Topography of the Future”
“Freedom”—Lisa runs away
“New Frontiers in Dental Health” (131-133)
“New Frontiers in Dental Health” (131-133)
Inability to smoke at work—even though male
superiors could
“Stigmatography” page 124
“Checkmate” 65-67—incident with boyfriend
“Security Screen”
“Checks” 54-55
“New Frontiers in Dental Health” (131-133)
“Stigmatography” page 124
“Bare Bones”
“Applied Topography” 47
--“Freedom was the price of privacy.”
“Sharps” 56-57—can’t shave her legs without
permission since sharp objects are taken away
Identity
Position 1: It is hard to find your identity when
you are 18 and in a mental hospital.
Position 2: It’s up to the individual to establish
his/her identity in opposition to society’s view of
him/her.
“My Diagnosis” 154-155—examples of nonconformity
“Elementary Topography” page 42 “My ambition
was to negate. The world, whether dense or
hollow, provoked only my negations” (42).
“Fire”—by setting yourself on fire the world will
never view you the same way
“My Suicide” page 37—didn’t want to kill
herself, but rather kill part of herself
“Topography of the Future” 134-136—pushed a
love interest away, didn’t want to get married
“Security Screen” vs. “Farther on Down the
Road” shows Lisa before and after becoming a
mom
“My Diagnosis” 154-155—examples of nonconformity
“Elementary Topography” page 42 “My ambition
was to negate. The world, whether dense or
hollow, provoked only my negations” (42).
“Fire”—by setting yourself on fire the world will
never view you the same way
“My Suicide” page 37—didn’t want to kill
herself, but rather kill part of herself
“Topography of the Future” 134-136—pushed a
love interest away, didn’t want to get married
“Security Screen” vs. “Farther on Down the
Road” shows Lisa before and after becoming a
mom