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Dorothea Dix's Address To The Massachusetts Prison Reform

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Naomi Tessema Mr. Aronson History 10 HH 1 March 2024 "Distinguished gentlemen, allow me to draw your attention to the situation of individuals with illness who are confined in various deplorable conditions within this state. From cages and closets to cellars, stalls and pens. They endure chains, nudity, physical abuse and brutal discipline,” said Dorothea Dix, addressing the Massachusetts Legislature in 1843. Dorothea Dix presented this speech in order to put light on an issue she had observed, the mistreatment of the mentally ill. She had urged the legislature for reforms when it had come to the living conditions and care of the mentally ill individuals in different facilities. As a nurse and teacher at several prisons, Dorothea was able to have a first hand …show more content…

Lastly, historians can see how democracy has functioned and how political changes can be brought about through public engagement. By appealing to the Massachusetts Legislature, historians can see how, when appealing to a group of people, she was able to hold them accountable and change the policies. Historians can analyze how the memorial was received and track the processes that helped lead to mental health reforms. Although Dorothea Dix’s memorial stands as a significant document in the world of reformation, the document has several limitations. Firstly, the document focuses on only some specific locations, mostly in the state of Massachusetts, and during a short period of time. Her memorial is based on the experiences she has witnessed, and could have only been based on mentally ill people from two or three different prisons. Additionally, the speech could only have focused on certain types of people with the same types of disorders, rather than an overall view on people with different

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