Mental Illness In Amy Bloom's Silver Water

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“That’s what I like to remember, and that’s the story I told to all of her therapists. I wanted them to know her, to know that who they saw was not all there was to see.” (Bloom 1) Silver Water introduces a mentally ill young lady, Rose, and her family. Throughout the story we get the inside scoop on what it’s like for Rose and her family to have to battle a situation of this sort. Amy Bloom, author of Silver Water, uses Rose’s mental illness to show how families can bond even through the tough times when someone in the family has a an illness such as this one. Rose had her first psychotic break at age fifteen and she darted into the woods where no one could find her at first. Her mother was seemingly distraught while her father was somewhat on the verge of denial. Rose’s mother breaks silence about what’s happening with Rose when conversing with Rose’s father David. “She’s going off.”(p.1) and Rose’s father snaps back, “What’s that, your professional opinion?” (p.1) David apologizes immediately after the words fly out of his mouth because he too can sense that something is off with Rose, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you. I know something’s bothering her. Have you talked to her?” (p.1) “ What’s there to say? David, she’s going crazy. She doesn’t need a heart-to-heart …show more content…
Even though the family of Rose had to experience new worries, burdens, and Rose’s overall life they found the light in some of the situations. The road for them was not easy by any means, but they were able to find some light in some of the situations. In my opinion, the point being made is that families have highs and lows that can either make or break them. Life will send you unexpected scenarios and it’s not really about how hard the situation is, but how you choose to handle it. Look at the glass half full, instead of half empty and together the issue will be
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