The Standard for Insanity :: Barker Regeneration Essays

"The Standard for Insanity" Since Pat Barker's Regeneration is set in a mental hospital, it seems fitting that questions about mental disease and the definition of sanity should be raised. At the very start of the book, Rivers and Bryce are discussing the case of Siegfreid Sassoon, a dissenting officer of the British army. As they discuss his diagnosis of "neurasthenia," Barker is laying the groundwork for one of Regeneration's many themes: no one is completely qualified to judge the sane from the insane, for insanity finds its way into us all. The ambiguity surrounding the definition and treatment of neurasthenia offers just a glimpse into the ever-changing and highly subjective world of mental evaluation. The history of neurasthenia traces back before World War I to a scientist by the name of George A. Beard. Beard coined the actual term "neurasthenia" which means nerve weakness (Marlowe). Neurasthenia was attributed rather vaguely to the stress of everyday life, or, for soldiers, the stress of the trenches. Many also felt it was a disease primarily of the upper class, which means it would apply more often to officers in the army than regular men. Andrew Scott Myrtle, who wrote on the validity of neurasthenia, believed like many medical professionals of the era that "it is not the machine workers, the factory workers, who suffer but 'the inventors of the machines'" (Gijswijt-Hofstra 145). Not only did neurasthenia come from the many stresses of daily life, but it also had a myriad of symptoms. Every article on neurasthenia offered a different set of acceptable symptoms, the most common being sleeplessness, headaches, and fatigue (Marlowe). Cures for neurasthenia were as varied as its symptoms. When working with one patient, Beard "promptly zapped the young doctor with a 'faradic current' from 'head to toe'" (Martensen 1243). Electric shock was still being used during World War I, as evidenced by doctors like Lewis Yealland, but other cures such as bed rest, sea-salts, and expensive cruises were also circulating (Gijswijt-Hofstra 145). The sense of ambiguity that surrounded neurasthenia had a large effect on society's views of neurasthenic patients. Although World War I was one of the first instances where people recognized that mental disorder or disease might be responsible for actions that were otherwise characterized as cowardly, there remained a strong sense that diseases like neurasthenia were ultimately the result of a weak will. Robert Martensen describes neurasthenia as giving people a "socially legitimate explanation of their inability to perform their expected roles" (1243).

PBS Frontline Essay “Rape in the Fields”

he PBS Frontline documentary â€Å"Rape in the Fields† reveals the gross atrocities of human rights violations against undocumented immigrant women throughout America’s vast farmlands. The group consists of a half-million female workers. Culturally they are from a male dominated society that migrates to the U. S. for economic opportunity. These women are underprivileged workers without access to learn English. They are unaware of American laws that protect persons from violence and crime. They are very afraid and focused on basic survival instincts.Because they are in this country illegally, they are afraid of being deported and lose their income. Fear keeps them from speaking out and uniting to make changes in their work environment. The story of Olivia Tamayo who worked for Harris Farms for approximately six years is only one example of cases featured in the documentary. Her supervisor Rene Rodriquez raped Olivia Tamayo three times at gunpoint. Her voice was shaky in the interview when she recalled her ordeal, â€Å"He said I was his, and that he would never leave me in peace.†She tried to defend herself from her boss. She remained silent until she reported her case to a Rape Crisis Center. Human Services workers reported the abuse to the EEOC. Then the EEOC contacted the law firm of Smith and Johnson who took the case of Ms. Tamayo. Attorney Willie Smith was successful in winning a lawsuit that awarded her a damage settlement. However, the CEO Mr. John Harris sides with his Supervisor and denied the rape occurred.It took teamwork from the report by the Rape Crisis Center and working within a network of other services to bring a small amount of justice to her unjust treatment. It was in 1995 that Bill Tamayo from the EEOC brought attention to the plight of women raped in the fields by supervisors and coworkers. These deplorable acts have been taking place for generations by not uniting and rising up the women remained in a disadvantaged s ituation. The U. S. enacted EEOC laws in 1964 to protect workers from all forms of sexual harassment.The EEOC forced a 1. 3 million dollar lawsuit settlement with DeCoster. Fourteen women workers with Evans Fruit testified of sexual assault in their Apple orchards, but they lost their case. The United States economy is dependent on illegal immigrants to harvest our vegetables, fruits, nuts, and eggs. Our government needs to implement policies to protect all workers documented or undocumented against crimes of violence, sexual harassment, and abuse. The U-Visa is a small stepping-stone in the right direction.

Essay On Compassion Amidst War - 1089 Words

Compassion Amidst War This is the product of war: thousands suffer death and loss. The more it tears family and friends apart, the more it turns intimate relationships to hatred. Yet, even amidst the chaos and horrors of war, there are those who rise above deaths malevolent sting and the irrepressible sorrow. This untitled photo tells that exact tale. Taken during a time of great distress, this photograph captures the compassion of a man as he cares for a small baby, who in turn has found peace and trust within this unlikely friend. Taken during a time when war ravaged the nation of Vietnam, this photograph provides a minute glimpse into this trying time. This war claimed the lives of over fifty-eight thousand American soldier and†¦show more content†¦The presence of soldiers reveals that their setting is hostile and dangerous. In addition, all the men surrounding this child are not the same race and are therefore clearly not the family of this child. Because the child’s parents are not photographed it implies that the child is in the care of the U.S forces. It is likely that the child has either been abandoned or orphaned. Swierk and the child have certainly suffered death and loss throughout this war. Yet, despite the war between them and their countrymen, Swierk finds compassion for this stranger. Swierk sits cradling within his arms a child in whom he has found compassion, care, and even happiness. His posture is slouched with both legs spread out in a relaxed fashion. His right leg, raised higher than the other, acts as a seat for the baby sunken in close to his chest. His face and brow are neither tense nor furrowed; his face and brow are soft and relaxed. With a slight smile, his face appears content and peaceful. Because his attention is focused on the child, Swierk’s head and back tilt toward the baby. There is nothing else capturing Swierk’s attention, as if the child is his priority, as if he truly cares for him. 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