From the true story in 'Girl Interrupted', we can learn a great deal. Firstly, we understand the importance of empathy towards those with mental illness. The true story shows that these individuals are not 'crazy' in a simple sense, but rather they are dealing with internal battles that are not always visible. Secondly, we can see how the environment in a mental institution can both help and hinder a patient's recovery. In the story, some aspects of the institution were therapeutic, while others were quite oppressive. Lastly, it teaches us about self - discovery. Susanna's journey through her illness and in the institution was also a journey of self - exploration, and we can learn from her process of coming to terms with herself.
We can learn about the stigma of mental illness in the 1960s. Also, how difficult it was for patients to be understood.