una, John Thomas E.NCM 105- CNovember 26, 2014

REFLECTION PAPER

lam (1946) is a psychological-horror film featuring Boris Karloff and Anna Lee. The setting was in London at St. Marys of Bethlehem Asylum an allusion to Bethlehem Royal Hospital in London also known as Bedlam during 1791. In those days citizens could amuse themselves by paying two pennies and entering the asylum to enjoy and giggle at the lunatics that were held there. On one occasion near the beginning of the film, along with wealthy Lord Mortimer is his apprentice, Nell Bowen, drop by at the asylum for some entertainment and learn that one of the inmates has just died trying to escape. Miss Bowen assumes upper-class airs and feigns indifference, but we soon learn that she suspects that the asylum inmates are ill-treated. Invited by the asylum master, George Sims, to inspect more thoroughly, Nell finds the conditions appalling and vows to campaign for asylum reform. On the occasion of visiting the asylum, Nell runs into a morally upright Quaker, Hannay, who had just applied for a stonemasons job at the asylum. They start a discussion about the proper attitude towards ones fellow creatures that will run through the entire film. As a member of the Society of Friends, Hannay, of course, is steadfastly opposed to violence and believes that compassion and love (agape) are the only proper responses to whatever one encounters. Nell gradually becomes sympathetic but is sceptical that such naivete will lead anywhere.Some of the disturbing facts in the movie were that the asylum was used by visitors not to pay visit and give sympathy but to boost their laughter for entertainment and that the inmates or the patients are quiet aggressive or somehow dangerous. On the other hand, Nell was separated by Lord Mortimer because of his self-indulgent and scornful attitude then without thinking back he abandons his patronage. Her resentment to Mortimer infuriates her leading to a forceful commitment to become a prisoner/inmate. At the extension of the movie, although Sims committed to mistakes or misjudgements but still with regards to justice, his name was not clear and his death is still a mystery for us. Who stabbed Mr. Sims?As a whole, it was Hannay who graced the story. His applications for a stonemasons hob at the asylum find its way to discuss manners and respect towards a fellow creatures. He constantly believes that compassion and love (agape) are the only proper responses to whatever one encounters. The effect that Asylum should be fixed and devote funds to change and to mentally help these individuals condition theirselves at the asylum. Nell has followed her own unique path and has not submitted to anything or anyone -- not to the self-indulgence of Mortimer, not to the cynicism and force of Sims, and not even to the docility and helplessness of Hannay. At the stretch of this article/film, I reacted on how they treat mentally-psychological impaired individuals knowing that most of them are innocent and unaware. Their unconsciousness was an advantage to many individuals knowing that their lives are completely miserable. Justice must be served to individuals who were fashioned to those who need most. Apparently, I was shocked on how stonemason Hannay sees the recently cemented wall, he figures out what happened, but he clams up, signaling to us that Nell's pragmatic approach has apparently won out in their own personal contest concerning ethical behaviour. Nell whispers to him that, after all, the inmates have already suffered enough, and Hannay assenting, sighs in resignation that God will give final judgement, anyway.As nurses, we must succeed on the things we usually do or to encounter patients/ indivduals who are ignored and succed on our own self-style and passionate terms.