Bly's Asylum Visit: Key Details

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Questions and Answers

According to Bly, what was one significant outcome of her investigation at the asylum?

  • The City of New York allocated more funds to improve mental healthcare. (correct)
  • The immediate closure of the asylum due to inhumane conditions.
  • Widespread public apologies from the asylum's administrators.
  • A surge in investigative journalism focused on mental health facilities.

What primary objective did Bly's editor emphasize when assigning her the asylum mission?

  • To personally gain recognition and establish her reputation as a journalist.
  • To create a highly sensationalized story to boost newspaper sales.
  • To uncover political corruption and expose specific individuals involved.
  • To honestly document and convey her genuine experiences within the asylum system. (correct)

Under what alias did Bly operate during her undercover investigation?

  • Nellie World, symbolizing her global journalistic aspirations.
  • Nellie Blackwell, a tribute to the infamous island.
  • Nellie Brown, a simple and unassuming identity. (correct)
  • Nellie Insane, to reflect her assumed mental state.

To initiate her scheme for entering Blackwell's Island, where did Bly strategically position herself?

<p>The Temporary Home for Females, aiming to feign mental illness convincingly. (C)</p>
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Within The Temporary Home for Females, what role did Mrs. Stanard fulfill?

<p>Assistant Matron, aiding in the day-to-day operations and care. (B)</p>
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What specific observation led Mrs. Stanard to suspect that Bly was experiencing mental distress?

<p>A perceived mental instability evident in Bly's facial expressions. (B)</p>
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Following his initial assessment of Bly, what diagnosis did the first examining doctor offer?

<p>That Bly had been administered a mind altering substance. (D)</p>
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What specific physical action did the ambulance surgeon instruct Bly to perform during his evaluation?

<p>Extend her tongue outward for inspection. (B)</p>
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Upon admittance to the insane ward, what identifying information was written on Bly's admission slip?

<p>The code: &quot;Lunatic Asylum, B.I., H. 640&quot;, indicating her location. (A)</p>
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What immediate reaction did Bly threaten if anyone attempted to remove her hat?

<p>To remove the person's cap in retaliation. (B)</p>
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Which of the following strategies did Bly employ to convincingly portray signs of mental instability to Mrs. Stanard at The Temporary Home for Females?

<p>Refusing to maintain eye contact, mumbling to herself, and exhibiting erratic movements. (C)</p>
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What was the primary concern voiced by other residents of The Temporary Home for Females regarding Bly's behavior?

<p>That Bly was disrupting the peace and order of the home with her constant outbursts. (D)</p>
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Upon her arrival at Blackwell's Island, what immediate observation did Bly make about the other patients in the asylum?

<p>Many of them seemed as sane as she was and did not belong in the asylum. (A)</p>
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How did the asylum staff typically respond to the patients' complaints or requests for basic necessities?

<p>They were indifferent and dismissive, often ignoring the patients' needs altogether. (A)</p>
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What specific task did Bly frequently observe being assigned to many of the seemingly sane patients within the asylum?

<p>Performing manual labor and cleaning tasks throughout the asylum. (A)</p>
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How did Bly manage to maintain her own sanity and composure amidst the harsh conditions and psychological distress within the asylum?

<p>By detaching herself emotionally from her surroundings and focusing on her mission. (B)</p>
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What was the prevailing attitude among the asylum staff regarding the possibility of patients recovering and being released?

<p>They exhibited a cynical view, often regarding patients as hopeless cases beyond help. (A)</p>
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Which of the following factors contributed most significantly to the overall deterioration of the patients' mental health within the asylum?

<p>All of the above. (D)</p>
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When relaying her experiences, what primary goal did Bly aim to achieve through her writing and advocacy?

<p>To fulfill multiple goals. (C)</p>
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What enduring impact did Bly's investigative reporting have on the broader field of journalism and social reform?

<p>It prompted a shift in attitudes toward mental health care and spurred significant improvements in treatment. (C)</p>
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What reason did Bly express for wanting an in-depth understanding of asylum conditions?

<p>To determine if patients with mental illness received appropriate care and kindness. (A)</p>
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What specific reservation did Bly harbor regarding the initial strategy to have friends orchestrate her commitment?

<p>The concern that her friends would be compelled to misrepresent their financial status. (B)</p>
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What was Bly's most significant apprehension regarding feigning insanity?

<p>Experiencing irreversible psychological damage and being unable to regain her sanity. (D)</p>
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What specific demeanor did Bly attempt to project while approaching the Temporary Home for Women?

<p>A vacant, detached, and distant expression. (C)</p>
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What justification did Bly provide for keeping her hat and gloves on inside the Temporary Home for Women?

<p>She offered no reason and simply kept them on. (C)</p>
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What specific action by Mrs. Caine led Bly to describe her as courageous and kind?

<p>Agreeing to remain in the same room as Bly despite her unsettling behavior. (B)</p>
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According to Mrs. Caine, what was distinctive about Bly's eyes?

<p>They shone with an unnervingly intense brightness. (D)</p>
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What untruth did Mrs. Stanard communicate to the officer at the police station regarding Bly's behavior?

<p>That Bly had been continuously awake all night. (A)</p>
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What was Judge Duffy's immediate assessment of Bly upon their initial encounter?

<p>He perceived her as a well-behaved young woman. (D)</p>
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According to Judge Duffy, to which institution should Bly be referred for evaluation?

<p>Bellevue. (D)</p>
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What action did Bly take to intensify the perception of her mental instability while at the police station?

<p>She refused to respond to any questions and stared blankly ahead. (D)</p>
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How did Bly react when she was told she would be taken to Bellevue for further examination?

<p>She remained indifferent, showing no emotional response. (B)</p>
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What specific concern did one of the doctors at Bellevue express regarding Bly's condition?

<p>He worried about the potential for her condition to worsen under stress. (D)</p>
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Upon arrival at Blackwell's Island, what was Bly's immediate emotional response to the environment?

<p>An overwhelming feeling of dread and despair at the grim surroundings. (B)</p>
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How did Bly attempt to reconcile her undercover role with her personal sense of empathy towards the asylum's inmates?

<p>By discreetly offering help and comfort to those who were suffering. (B)</p>
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What specific aspect of the asylum's daily routine did Bly find particularly dehumanizing for the patients?

<p>The monotonous and repetitive nature of the assigned chores. (B)</p>
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What coping mechanism did Bly primarily employ to distance herself from the harsh realities and emotional toll of her asylum experience?

<p>Writing detailed notes and observations in a hidden journal. (A)</p>
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How did Bly's perception of the asylum staff evolve during her time undercover?

<p>She became increasingly critical of their lack of empathy and professionalism. (C)</p>
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What specific risk did Bly acknowledge in her decision to fully immerse herself in the role of a mentally ill patient?

<p>Enduring long-term psychological trauma and difficulty reintegrating into society. (B)</p>
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In what key way did Bly's investigative approach challenge conventional journalistic practices of her time?

<p>By actively participating in the events she was documenting. (C)</p>
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Flashcards

Result of Bly's asylum visit?

Increased funding for the care of the insane.

Editor's reason for Bly's mission?

To write the truth of her experiences.

Bly's pseudonym?

Nellie Brown

Starting point for Blackwell's Island?

The Temporary Home for Females

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Mrs. Stanard's position?

Assistant Matron

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Mrs. Stanard's reason for suspicion?

She could see it in Bly's face

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First doctor's diagnosis?

That she had been drugged

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Ambulance surgeon's order?

Put out her tongue

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What was written on the slip?

Lunatic Asylum, B.I., H. 6

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Bly's threat if they took her hat?

Take their cap off

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Bly's reason for asylum investigation?

She wanted to know if the insane were being treated humanely.

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Bly's commitment plan concern?

Her friends would have to pretend to be poor to make the commitment believable.

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Bly's biggest fear?

She feared she might lose her sanity and never recover.

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Bly's 'crazy' look?

A distant, detached expression to appear mentally unwell.

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Bly's hat and gloves?

She did NOT remove her hat and gloves.

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Mrs. Caine's act of kindness?

She agreed to stay with Bly in the room, offering support.

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Mrs. Caine on Bly's eyes?

That Bly's eyes shone terribly brightly.

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Mrs. Stanard's lie?

That Bly had not slept at all the previous night.

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Judge Duffy's first impression?

That Bly was a good girl.

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Where did Duffy send Bly?

To Bellevue for examination.

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Study Notes

Bly's Asylum Visit

  • Bly's visit to the asylum led to the City of New York increasing funding for the care of the insane.

The Editor's Motivation

  • The editor wanted Bly to undertake the mission to write the truth of her experiences.

Bly's Pseudonym

  • Bly used the name Nellie Brown as her pseudonym.

Starting the Journey

  • Bly decided The Temporary Home for Females was the best place to get her started on her journey to Blackwell's Island.

Mrs. Stanard's Position

  • Mrs. Stanard was the Assistant Matron at The Temporary Home for Females.

Reason for Suspicion

  • Mrs. Stanard thought Bly had something wrong because she could see it in Bly's face.

First Doctor's Diagnosis

  • The first doctor that examined Bly diagnosed that she had been drugged.

Ambulance Surgeon's Order

  • The ambulance surgeon ordered Bly to put out her tongue.

Insane Ward Slip

  • The slip Bly was given in the insane ward read "Lunatic Asylum, B.I., H. 6".

Reaction to Hat Removal

  • Bly said she would take their cap off if they took her hat off.

Bly's Reasons for Visiting the Asylum

  • Bly wanted to know if the insane were cared for kindly and properly.

Bly's Concerns

  • Bly was concerned that her friends would have to feign poverty for the plan to commit her to work
  • Bly's biggest fear about "playing crazy" was that she might turn her own brain and never get back

Bly's Demeanor

  • Bly tried to assume a far-away expression as she walked down the avenue toward the Temporary Home for Women
  • Bly gave no excuse for wearing her hat and gloves inside the Temporary Home for Women, and didn't remove them

Interactions with Others

  • Mrs. Caine agreed to stay with Bly in the room, which Bly found courageous and good-hearted
  • Mrs. Caine said Bly's eyes shone terribly brightly
  • Mrs. Stanard lied to the officer at the police station, saying that Bly had not slept a wink all night

Judge Duffy's Involvement

  • Judge Duffy's initial impression of Bly was that she was a good girl
  • Judge Duffy said Bly should be sent to Bellevue for examination

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