Images of Mental Asylums in 1840s England

Images of Mental Asylums in 1840s England

The illustrations show the different perspectives of two different mental institutions during 1840s England. The first image is the outside of the building. Here, one sees nothing out of the ordinary. It looks like a castle with people walking outside and relaxing by the fountain. However, the other image brings out the essential craziness of the patients that hide from the outside world. Through Margaret Oliphant's "Library Window" many seem to believe that her story is exposing mental illness in adolescence because the girl and the poor boy are the only one's who can see out the window. None of the older adults can which makes the boy take back his words because seeing out the window was not normal. Mental Illness in England during the Victorian Era was seen as being tainted by the devil; only people going to hell were sick. Oliphant shows the reading world that "The Library Window" is a looking glass type of work which means that only the true believer and see through the window.

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Studymore UK
Science Museum UK

1840

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Studymore UK
Science Museum UK

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