Ten Days In A Mad-House

Analyze how Bly’s use of immersion journalism (See: Background). impacted both the narrative style and the credibility of her report. How did her firsthand experience affect public opinion and lead to social reform? What does this form of journalism offer that a more traditional journalistic approach would not?

Explore how gender biases are reflected in the treatment of women within the asylum. How does Bly’s portrayal of other women deemed “insane” challenge or affirm contemporary notions of female mental health?

Discuss how Ten Days in a Mad-House illuminates The Societal and Systemic Mistreatment of Mentally Ill Individuals. What does Bly’s narrative suggest about the social responsibility to protect vulnerable populations? What has changed since Bly’s investigation, and what problems remain?