Gas Light

"Gaslighting" is a term for psychological manipulation where a deceiver gradually undermines a victim's confidence in their own perception of reality. This process damages self-esteem and creates pathological dependence on the manipulator. The term originates from the 1938 British play Gas Light by Patrick Hamilton, which was later adapted into films. In the play, a husband convinces his wife she is going insane by manipulating their environment, such as dimming the gaslights, and denying her perceptions. Patrick Hamilton was an English playwright known for capturing atmosphere and dialect. The play Gas Light was a significant success, leading to multiple film adaptations.123