Nellie Bly’s Mission
Why did Nellie Bly go to Blackwell’s Island?
To investigate and expose the conditions inside the asylum.
What was one of the first things that happened to Nellie Bly after being admitted?
She was given a cold bath.
Who was the woman who ran the asylum?
Miss Grupe.
How did Nellie Bly get out of the asylum?
The newspaper arranged for her release after 10 days.
What does the word "asylum" mean in the context of the book?
A hospital for people with mental illnesses.
What was the name of the newspaper that sent Nellie Bly on this undercover assignment?
The New York World.
How were the patients treated by the nurses?
They were abused, neglected, and sometimes beaten.
What did the patients in the asylum have in common?
Many were poor immigrants or women who weren’t actually insane.
What did Nellie Bly write after leaving the asylum?
A series of newspaper articles and later a book titled Ten Days in a Madhouse.
What was Nellie Bly’s real name?
Elizabeth Cochran.
How did Nellie Bly get herself committed to the asylum?
She pretended to be insane by acting strangely at a boarding house.
What was the food like in the asylum?
It was spoiled, dirty, and often inedible.
What was one patient’s story that stood out to Nellie Bly?
Some women were sent there simply for being poor or speaking a different language.
What impact did Nellie Bly’s reporting have?
It led to reforms in mental health care and better funding for institutions.
What is "muckraking journalism"?
Investigative reporting that exposes corruption or injustices.
Why was it risky for Nellie Bly to take on this assignment?
There was no guarantee she would be released, and she could have been in real danger inside the asylum.
What was one form of punishment used on patients?
They were forced to sit on benches for hours without moving.
They were beaten.
What did the doctors believe about Nellie Bly when she was admitted?
They diagnosed her as "positively demented."
They believed she was crazy for real.
What major problem did Nellie Bly expose about mental health institutions?
Many sane women were locked away without reason or a fair examination.
What is one major theme of Ten Days in a Madhouse?
The abuse of power in institutions.
What method did Nellie Bly use to convince doctors she was insane?
She refused to sleep, spoke strangely, and acted confused when questioned.
What happened when patients tried to explain that they were sane?
They were ignored or told their words proved they were insane.
How did Nellie Bly gain the trust of the other patients?
She was kind to them and listened to their stories.
What lasting change came as a result of her investigation?
The government increased mental health funding and improved asylum conditions.
Why is Nellie Bly considered a trailblazer for women in journalism?
She was one of the first female investigative journalists to go undercover.