I guess this is the right place... What thoughts arouse in you when a city called Asylum is mentioned? Thanks
The loony bin...... Also, some kind of setup where good, sane people are stuck in a loonybin-esque center because they're deemed threatening by some conspirating upper forces. Kind of like the movie "Shutter Island."
First thought - city full of crazy people. Second thought - city full of people fleeing political or other persecution.
City of people led to believe that they are being protected, but really, they're just being controlled.
I think a series of kids books and TV shows called The Little Princess by Tony Ross. There is a General with a Hobby Horse, an Admiral that plays with toy boats in the pond, a Prime Minister with a tricycle, the King plays Croquet, a bonkers French Chef, the Queen is a little weird tends not to have a gimmick and they have a maid that looks after them. It deals with issues like potty training, building dens, scared to sleep at night, kicking addictions and sometimes people come and visit. Not sure if they are persecuted or mad lol Either way if anyone is ever thinking about writing about a mental institution I recommend Tony Ross' creation.
I think, oh boy, this story is going to either be cliche or beat me over the head with symbolism (or both!). Not being a brat, actually what my first thought was.
In most cases, I agree that the title "Asylum" is cliche. If you're writing a story about a town full of crazy people, don't call the town "Asylum." It's like naming a warrior Hunter, a goth girl Raven, a peaceful girl Meadow, etc. So fitting it seems forced and deliberate to the point of being unrealistic. However, if the town was founded by people who claim their town is a place of protection, then it would make sense for them to name it "Asylum" because that can also mean refuge. And if the people there are really being controlled, then it can serve as a small twist of irony without seeming too contrived.
First thought; Yuk! More in-depth thought; Not only is it in bad taste - it is not PC - It doesn't make any sense and the word seems archaic. What are you wanting to show? Are the people living there eccentric? - if so then the old adage 'Don't drink the Water' comes to mind and maybe a more fitting name - only joking. or Are people being held against their will? or Have the people 'for some reason or other' been taken there and held there - maybe they refused to conform to general held beliefs of a dictatorship - now I'm guessing.
Congratulations! Your remark is the closest to the intentional connotation - which is a bad sign. So the name Asylum being misleading and a cliche will have to disappear. Thank you all for being very helpful.
I think of the contradiction between the dual meanings of the word, as in both the looney bin aspect and the haven side. I would expect the Asylum name would be almost ironic in that it was intended to be a safe haven but wasn't at all, almost like a dystopia.
