Stigma of Mental Illness

Fisher compares the stigma of mental illness to physical illness in order to illustrate how differently these types of illnesses are perceived. Thursday notes that people sympathize with those who are physically ill, but blame those who are mentally ill. She notes the inconsistencies in the way she is being treated, and the way that Regina is being treated. In the end, Thursday helps herself by physically injuring Regina. Thursday believes she is justified in hurting Regina because it is the only way others will realize that Regina is as sick as she is.

Thursday points out the oxymoron in her mother’s actions when she brings Thursday soup after Thursday is released from the mental hospital. People generally bring soup to patients who are suffering with colds or the flu, not major mental illnesses like Thursday is. The soup suggests that people...