The film "The Snake Pit" is a 1940's portrayal of mental illness, the different treatments used, as well as a commentary on the large mental health asylums that were prevalent during this time period. These issues are explored by following the main character Virginia Stuart Cunningham who has been committed to the Juniper Hill State Hospital for treatment of her mental illness.
The film opens by introducing us to the main character, Virginia. We immediately realize that she is confused, hearing voices in her head and unsure about her surroundings. As the plot of the movie unravels we slowly begin to learn about Virginia, including parts of her background, her marriage to Robert, her erratic behavior towards him, and her obsession with the month of May, specifically May 12th. Virginia's mental issues manifest itself in many ways including her hearing voices, being distrustful of others, and having difficulty differentiating between what is real and what isn't real. We also learn that she has lapses of memory such as the time she bit Dr. Curtis" finger and had no recollection of doing this. In addition, she resists attempts by others to show her affection and has an inability to accept love. .
Dr. Kik is the caring and understanding psychiatrist at the mental institution who goes out of his way to help Virginia. He tries many kinds of treatments, some of these bringing up ethical issues such as when she is administered electro-shock therapy or given a drug- induced hypnosis. Yet, through this procedure Virginia begins to remember a key incident with her past boyfriend Gordon, and the guilt and responsibility she feels for his death on May 12th. Of all of Virginia's treatments, psychotherapy proves to be the most successful. Through this process, Virginia is able to bring her unconscious thoughts and feelings into her consciousness. She realizes that much of her problem stems from her early experiences as a child, perhaps even going back to the time she was an infant and her mother ignored her hunger cries.