Margot Davis

Ms. Meyer
AP English 11
30 November 2014
Taking the Crazy Out of Mental Illness
Even today, mental illness is not treated with the urgency it needs. Many children are
punished or blamed for their illnesses and fail to receive the necessary treatment that could have
saved their lives as well as the lives of others. In The C Word in the Hallways, writer Anna
Quindlen, a well-regarded essayist, brings these truths to light. Through brazenly criticizing the
ignorant populace of American adults and demanding accountability by directly beseeching
parents, Quindlen urges parents to reconsider how mental illness is defined and treated in
America.
The writer emphasizes the ignorance of parents of the mentally ill in order to create a
feeling shame for those who considered themselves blameless. In the piece, the word useless is
chosen to describe the parental idea that kids dont have anything to be depressed about. This
word choice contributes to a poor view of parents with that mindset. The authors usage of the
word useless leads the reader to a guaranteed disapproval of the parents. It can then be inferred
that the parents are ignorant about their childs mental illness and are contributing to the mental
health problem. Furthermore, the author alludes to Romeo and Juliet when she states that there
is a plague in all of our houses that has gone unnoticed. In addition to making the problem seem
grim and hopeless unless something is done, this strategy suggests that all the families living
with this plague in their homes are ignorant for not seeing it and should feel guilty. How can they
not see something as serious as a plague and allow in to go untreated in their own home?

Not only does Quindlen disapprove of parents of the mentally ill, but she also accuses
other adults involved in the mental health care problem as being incompetent. She uses the word
lectured to describe the judges talk with Sam, one of the mentally ill boys referred to in the
essay, to imply he believed Sams problems were of his own doing. The judge therefore spoke to
Sam about what is right and wrong as if that would solve the problem. This use of diction creates
a negative perspective of officials of the health care system. Later in the essay, the writer
mentions lobotomy when discussing the publics horrific solutions to dealing with mental
illness. This is intended to shock the reader by mentioning something as horrific as a lobotomy
and show them how misinterpreted mental illness is as well as how misguided the treatment is.
Quindlen demands accountability and awareness later in the essay. She compares the lack
of the treatment for mental illness to that of babies not being immunized. This comparison is
meant to make the reader reconsider how the nation approaches treatment for mental problems
and how important it really is. The repetition of if only creates a clear view of how different
the lives of the children mentioned in the piece could have turned out if they had received the
proper medical help. The author implies the belief that with help, they could have lived non
-violent, normal lives. The idea Quindlen suggests is that with change the entire mental health
problem could be improved just like the lives of those lost could have been saved. By suggesting
that change can make a difference encourages a call to action.
After the events of Columbine, Quindlen wrote this essay in hopes of redefining the view
and treatment of mental illness in America as well as exposing the ignorance of the majority of
the nation through her use of rhetorical strategies. Unfortunately, ten years later, there are still
serious issues involved in the system. Recently, there has been several similar events such as the
Sandy Hook Elementary shooting and the Washington school shooting. Mental illness is still not

being taken seriously enough in America and more needs to be done to reform the system and
prevent further tragedy. Quindlens call to action has yet to be met and she still desperately
desires a change.