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Ten Days In A Madhouse Analysis

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This essay refers to Michel Foucault’s Punish and Discipline and Nellie Bly’s Ten Days in a Madhouse to prove that: the judge gained normalizing authority in society, Blackwell Insane Asylum employees, doctors and nurses, neglected and abused patients rather than rehabilitating them, and Blackwell Insane Asylum functioned as an antiquated punishment complex. The beginning of this essay summarizes the judge’s traditional role in society. Next, it references Nellie Bly’s ‘unvarnished narrative’ to prove 19th century judges gained authority. Then it discusses how late 18th century theoreticians sparked the change in the judge’s traditional role by integrating psychology into punishment. Next it provides examples from Bly’s article to prove that the late 18th century theoreticians’ ideas influenced the judge. It then discusses how the judge assumes a normalizing role in society, and becomes victimized by the power-knowledge …show more content…

Stanard and one of the police officers to form a verdict. The police officer commands Duffy to “Send her to the island” (Bly 13). In a startled fashion, Mrs. Stanard cries “Don’t! She’s just a lady and it would kill her to be put on the island” (Bly 13). The judge’s openness to consult with a police officer and Mrs. Stanard displays the judge’s decentralized power in the judicial system. The judge acts as an intercessor; He listens to multiple perspectives and incorporates them in a comprehensive verdict. Judge Duffy concludes “There has been some foul work here. I believe this child has been drugged and brought to this city. Make out papers and we will send her to Bellevue for examination” (Bly 13). Instead of prescribing punishment, Duffy orders Nellie to Bellevue so a doctor can examine her further. This represents a shift in the power-knowledge relationship Foucault outlines. However, Foucault’s disciplinary institution functions differently than Blackwell Insane

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