Zambreno challenges the notion of "madness" as a label for women writers by examining its historical and cultural roots, particularly in the context of patriarchal control and the suppression of female expression. She argues that the label of "madness" has been used to silence and invalidate women's experiences and writing, portraying them as unstable or irrational. Zambreno proposes an alternative perspective by advocating for the recognition of women's emotional intensity and the importance of their personal narratives. She emphasizes the value of women's confessional writing and the need to view their experiences as legitimate forms of artistic expression, rather than symptoms of illness. By drawing on the lives and works of female writers like Virginia Woolf, Zelda Fitzgerald, and Jean Rhys, Zambreno highlights the complexity of these women's lives and the profound impact of their writing on literature and society.