Madness and Asylums in Victorian Literature: A Journey Through the Shadows of the Mind

Both society and literature underwent a significant change throughout the Victorian era. Within the dark recesses of Victorian literature, a recurring theme emerged - madness and the treatment of mental illness. This thematic exploration was intrinsically linked to the societal changes taking place during the era, such as the Industrial Revolution and the growth of urban centres.

Let us dim the lights and delve into the treatment of mental illness in Victorian horror literature, the portrayal of characters grappling with madness, the rise of asylums, and the changing perceptions of mental health during this period.

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Madness

In the context of Victorian society, madness was often considered a taboo subject, something to be hidden from public view. This was a time when the term "madness" encompassed a broad spectrum of mental health issues. Victorian literature became a mirror of society's evolving understanding and fear of mental instability.

In the works of literature during the Victorian era, characters grappling with madness were often depicted with depth and complexity. The literary exploration of madness allowed authors to scrutinise the human psyche and delve into the inner turmoil of their characters.

In Edgar Allan Poe's short story The Tell-Tale Heart, madness is a central theme that drives the narrative. The narrator, who remains nameless, provides a chilling firsthand account of his descent into madness.

The narrator is obsessed with an old man's eye, which he finds disturbing. He believes that the eye is evil and that it watches his every move. This obsession leads to a deep delusion as he convinces himself that the eye must be destroyed to rid himself of the evil it represents. This irrational fixation is a clear manifestation of his madness.

As the story unfolds, the narrator's madness becomes increasingly evident through his vivid hallucinations. He claims to hear the old man's heart beating, even after his death. This auditory hallucination is a result of his deteriorating mental state and contributes to the story's tension and suspense.

The narrator is consumed by paranoia. He believes that he can hear the heart beating louder and louder, and he is convinced that the police officers who come to investigate can also hear the heart. His paranoia and guilt cause him to confess to the murder, driven by the overwhelming madness that has consumed him.

The story is told from the first-person perspective of the unreliable narrator. This narrative style allows readers to delve into the mind of the mad protagonist and experience his increasing instability. The language and tone of the narrator's account reflect his mental deterioration.

The story reaches its climax when the narrator, overwhelmed by his delusions, confesses to the murder and reveals his guilt, believing that the heart's sound is driving him to madness. The narrative demonstrates how the protagonist's madness escalates, leading to his eventual breakdown.

Poe's portrayal of madness in The Tell-Tale Heart is a classic example of the psychological horror he is known for. The story illustrates the descent into irrationality, paranoia, and obsession and how these elements can lead an individual to commit an unthinkable act of violence.

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Asylums

The Victorian era witnessed a significant shift in the treatment of mental illness, marked by the construction of asylums. These institutions were intended to provide care and treatment for those suffering from mental health issues, but their realities were often far from the ideal.

Victorian asylums were often large, imposing buildings, reflecting the societal fear and stigmatisation of mental illness. These institutions were typically isolated from urban centres and surrounded by extensive grounds.

These institutions aimed to provide care, shelter, and treatment for individuals suffering from various forms of mental illness. However, the medical community was still in the early stages of understanding mental health, and treatments were often based on unscientific and sometimes harmful practices.

In Bram Stoker's classic Gothic horror novel Dracula, two prominent characters are Renfield and Dr. John Seward. These characters play significant roles in the story, each with unique characteristics and functions, and both Renfield and Dr Seward contribute to the novel's theme of madness.

Renfield is a patient at the insane asylum administered by Dr. Seward. He is a mysterious and eccentric character with a strong connection to the novel's antagonist, Count Dracula. Renfield is a particularly intriguing character due to his behaviour and his strange obsession with consuming living creatures, particularly insects and small animals.

Renfield is a stark representation of madness and mental instability. He exhibits erratic and unpredictable behaviour, often speaking in cryptic and incoherent ways. This lunacy adds to the novel's eerie atmosphere and hints at the supernatural elements at play.

Renfield serves as a thematic symbol of human vulnerability and submission. His struggle with his own desires and loyalty to Dracula reflects the broader theme of the power of evil over the human psyche.

Dr Seward is one of the novel's main protagonists. He is a physician and the administrator of the insane asylum where Renfield is confined. He is also a close friend of the novel's primary narrator, Jonathan Harker.

He plays a crucial role as a narrator of the story. He keeps a journal throughout the novel, and his accounts provide insights into various events, especially those taking place at the asylum and his interactions with Renfield. Therefore, while The Tell-Tale Heart is a first-person account of the mad central character, Dr Seward is narrating his observations of the patient.

Dr Seward represents the scientific and rational perspective within the novel. However, he, along with other characters, eventually recognises the existence of vampirism and joins the fight against Count Dracula. His journey reflects the struggle between science and the supernatural that is central to the novel.

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Final Thoughts

Victorian literature played a role in challenging perceptions of mental health. It gave voice to those who had been marginalised and stigmatised, shedding light on the human experiences behind mental illness.

A prime example is the novel Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. While exploring the duality of human nature, it indirectly addresses the struggle of individuals with mental health issues. Dr Jekyll's transformation into Mr Hyde serves as a metaphor for the hidden struggles that individuals faced, particularly in a society where discussing mental health openly was often met with fear and misunderstanding.

In the shadows of Victorian literature, we discover not only tales of madness but also narratives of resilience, societal critique, and the beginnings of highlighting perceptions surrounding mental health. These stories allowed society to confront its fears, question the treatment of the mentally ill, and explore the complex tapestry of the human mind.

Charles Dickens had concerns about the treatment of mentally ill individuals in asylums during the Victorian era, and he expressed some opposition to the deplorable conditions in certain facilities and the lack of proper care. However, he wasn't opposed to the idea of providing care and treatment for the mentally ill.

As we journey through the pages of Victorian literature, we find a reflection of both the darkness and the light, for in the exploration of madness, we uncover the enduring resilience of the human spirit.