a, John Thomas E.

NCM 105- C
November 26, 2014
REECTION 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 mentallypsychological 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.