Girl, Interrupted

Girl, Interrupted is a memoir by American author Susanna Kaysen, published in 1993. The book chronicles Kaysen's 18-month stay at a mental institution following her diagnosis with Borderline Personality Disorder in the 1960s. Through a series of vignettes, Kaysen offers a candid and poignant exploration of mental illness, the nature of memory, and the process of healing. The title is a reference to the Vermeer painting Girl Interrupted at Her Music, symbolizing the disruption of the author's normal life by mental illness.

Background

In 1967, at the age of 18, Susanna Kaysen was admitted to McLean Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Belmont, Massachusetts, after a suicide attempt. Her memoir juxtaposes her own recollections and experiences with the hospital's medical records and the diagnostic criteria of the time, questioning the nature of sanity and the treatment of those deemed insane.

Plot Summary

Girl, Interrupted opens with Kaysen's consultation with a psychiatrist who suggests a brief period of rest at McLean Hospital. What was meant to be a short stay extends to nearly two years. During her time at McLean, Kaysen meets a variety of other patients, including Lisa, a charismatic but manipulative woman diagnosed with sociopathic personality disorder; Daisy, who struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder and self-harm; and Georgina, Kaysen's roommate, who suffers from depression.

The narrative is non-linear, moving between Kaysen's life before her hospitalization, her experiences at McLean, and her life after being released. This structure reflects the fragmented nature of Kaysen's memory and the process of mental healing.

Themes

Girl, Interrupted delves into several themes, including the ambiguity of mental illness diagnoses, the societal expectations of women in the 1960s, and the fine line between sanity and insanity. Kaysen's memoir also critiques the mental health care system of the time, highlighting the dehumanizing aspects of institutionalization and the controversial use of therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and insulin shock therapy.

Reception

Upon its publication, Girl, Interrupted received critical acclaim for its insightful and unflinching look at mental illness. It has been praised for its compelling narrative voice, depth of character, and its challenge to the stigmas surrounding psychiatric disorders. The memoir has also been critiqued for its fragmented narrative structure, which some readers found disorienting.

Adaptations

In 1999, Girl, Interrupted was adapted into a feature film directed by James Mangold and starring Winona Ryder as Susanna Kaysen and Angelina Jolie as Lisa. Jolie's performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The film, while taking creative liberties, helped bring the memoir and its themes to a wider audience.

Legacy

Girl, Interrupted remains a seminal work in the genre of mental illness memoirs, influencing subsequent works in literature and film. It has contributed to discussions on mental health, the treatment of mental illness, and the historical context of psychiatric care.

See Also

• One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
• The Bell Jar
• Prozac Nation