The cause and effect essay will be due in the next module. Post the topic that you want to write your cause and effect essay on. Be sure to read the essay assignment sheet (possible topics) before answering the questions. Explain the following (5 sentences for each question):

Question

1) Why did you pick this topic?

2) What specific issues will you discuss in your essay (discuss the cause and effect aspect)? Please take a look at the essay assignment sheet first.

3) Provide some helpful suggestions to your classmates' topics (what issues they could cover in their essay or how they might structure their ideas).

4) Why do you think Gilman briefly changes the point of view from first person singular to the second person as the narrator describes the pattern of the wallpaper? What effect does the narrator say light has on the wallpaper?

5) Identify what has driven the narrator to the brink of madness? How does she try to free herself from this element? What is her greatest desire? What is the central irony of the story?

Answer 1

Topic: The Impact of Technology on Mental Health

1. Why did you pick this topic?
   I chose the topic of technology's impact on mental health because it is increasingly relevant in our digital age. With the rise of social media, smartphones, and constant connectivity, the way we interact with technology has transformed dramatically over the years. This transformation raises significant questions about how technology affects our mental well-being. Additionally, my own experiences with technology's positive and negative effects on my mental health have prompted me to explore this subject in depth. Moreover, it allows for a discussion of a broad range of societal issues, including bullying, isolation, and anxiety.

2. What specific issues will you discuss in your essay?
   In my essay, I will examine both the causes and effects of technology on mental health. On the cause side, I will discuss how excessive screen time, social media comparison, and online harassment contribute to anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. On the effect side, I will analyze how these mental health challenges manifest in various populations, particularly among adolescents and young adults. I will also explore the paradox of technology potentially serving as a barrier to real-world connections while concurrently providing a support system through online communities. This multifaceted approach will provide a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between technology and mental health.

3. Provide some helpful suggestions to your classmates' topics.
   For classmates writing about related topics, I suggest focusing on specific case studies or real-life examples to ground your arguments. Structuring the essay around clear cause and effect relationships can help illustrate your points more effectively. For instance, if someone is exploring the effects of social media on self-esteem, they could highlight statistical studies, personal anecdotes, or expert opinions to enhance their argument's credibility. Also, considering counterarguments or alternative viewpoints in your essays will strengthen your overall argument and provide a more balanced perspective. Finally, be sure to include potential solutions or coping strategies related to the issues discussed to offer a hopeful conclusion to the readers.

4. Why do you think Gilman briefly changes the point of view from first person singular to the second person as the narrator describes the pattern of the wallpaper?
   Gilman’s shift from first person to second person in describing the wallpaper serves to draw the reader into the narrator's experience in a more immersive way. By employing the second person, the author creates a sense of universality and immediacy, inviting the reader to share in the narrator’s obsession and descent into madness. This technique also highlights the isolation of the narrator, as if she is addressing an absent audience that can only witness her plight from a distance. The light has a dual effect on the wallpaper—it brings out its patterns, revealing the complexities of the narrator’s mental state, while also reflecting the oppressive nature of her surroundings. This manipulation of perspective underscores the theme of confinement within the story.

5. Identify what has driven the narrator to the brink of madness?
   The narrator’s descent into madness is driven primarily by her oppressive environment and lack of autonomy. Confined to a room with a disturbing yellow wallpaper by her husband, who dismisses her experiences and mental health needs, she faces profound isolation. As she becomes increasingly fixated on the wallpaper, it symbolizes her own entrapment and growing instability. She attempts to free herself from this suffocating element by obsessively studying the wallpaper, trying to discern patterns and meanings, which ultimately spirals into madness. Her greatest desire is to reclaim her sense of self and freedom, but the central irony lies in the fact that her husband's treatment, meant as a cure, exacerbates her condition, illustrating the detrimental effects of misunderstanding mental health issues.