FEMINISM
Reclaiming Hysteria
Congratulations, you’re hysterical! And depending on the leniency of your husband or father, you might be entitled to a nice cure consistent of vaginal leechings-- because if hysteria originates in the female productive This was the prescription given to Charlotte system, then bugs must suck out all the delusions Perkins Gilman, a nineteenth century feminist of equality-- or a ‘rest cure’ pioneered by author diagnosed with “hysteria.” And because Mitchel. Under the latter system, you could this very publication is predicated on the expect to be confined to your bed for up to 23 concept of hysteria, I find it fitting to devote hours a day with your only exercise consisting of a few moments to the history of reclaiming sponge baths and “electric vibrator” treatments a diagnosis which has continued to entrap by your physician. women until the 1950s. If you find yourself asking what ailment precipitated Gilman’s Forbidden to read, write, paint, or engage need for medical treatment, you might be in any form of intellectual activity, a female interested to note that it was, quite simply, her patient could expect to follow the prescription literary career. outlined above: one which literally relegated her to staring at the wallpaper, prohibited from Hysteria originated in the late 1800s when developing or expressing any opinion. So, physicians like Silas Weir Mitchell decided this article is for every woman who dares to that women were suffering from mental illness contribute to this publication in direct defiance as a result of taking on roles incompatible of a diagnosis which would have seen her with their gender. This included the pursuit confined to bed rest or a ‘lunatic asylum’ until of higher education, disagreeing with one’s almost 50 years ago. (Because, yes, ‘hysteria’ husband, or train travel, each of which was remained on the books as a genuine medical a decision so scandalous, it was considered diagnosis until the late 1950s). And that’s why we to rip the uterus out of the body and cause a need every woman who keeps shrieking, keeps mental disruption so severe that women could writing, keeps creating in any form that demands no longer function in polite society. As such, her voice be heard. hysteria became a blanket term encompassing anything that could be considered wrong with Every one of our creative efforts is an attempt at a woman who transgressed against societal reclaiming hysteria, at reminding the world that norms. we deserve to shriek against the madness which would keep us repressed. That’s why we, as The And because these norms were primarily Hysteria Collective, stand in proud defiance of constructed by men, it meant that the medical the stereotypes which bind us, and we write on profession-- which was dominated exclusively in rebellion of the diagnosis which would keep by male physicians like Mitchell-- got to decide us from allowing our voices to be heard. that every expression of female individuality constituted hysteria. So, if you’re a female author who’s frustrated by the lack of equal WORDS BY ALYSSA CAROLINE-BURNETTE publishing opportunities in the nineteenth century or you’ve had zero orgasms this year and you want to write about your sexual dissatisfaction? ‘Live as domestic a life as possible. Have but two hours’ intellectual life a day. And never touch pen, brush, or pencil as long as you live.’ --Silas Weir Mitchell
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WESSEX SCENE
