The Victorian period was an era with many inventions, renewals, development and changes. The influences of the Industrial Revolution could be seen and felt all over society and economy. Due to this, new economical theories were developed, the population steadily increased and the educational level improved.
Besides, the Victorian era was a very productive time for literature. Victorian novelists were massively influenced by the changes in society and the development of their country. In this time, new genres of literature were invented, such as the bildungsroman, detective and sensational novel. Due to the growing literacy and the introduction of mass media, literature was available for many more people and also different classes. Central topics in the novels often were crime and mystery, but also psychology and madness got more and more popular.
This paper will deal with psychology and madness in Victorian literature. In order to proof the theoretical background an analysis of the sensation novel Lady Audley’s Secret (1862) by Mary Elizabeth Braddon will be done. Madness plays a very important role in this novel and two contemporary theories of the 19th century are discussed.
The first part of the paper is about Victorian psychology in general. However, two selected theories of Victorian psychology will be looked at in detail in order to analyze Lady Audley’s Secret. The next chapter starts with a general overview about madness in Victorian literature. The next part deals with Lady Audley’s Secret, where a general overview about madness in the novel is given and than an analysis of the madness of Lady Audley follows. In the end, a conclusion will be given.
However, it is important to notice that this paper only offers an overview and an introduction to the topic.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Victorian Psychology
- 2.1 Monomania
- 2.2 Heredity of Madness
- 3. Madness in Victorian Literature
- 3.1 Madness in Lady Audley's Secret
- 3.2 Lady Audley - a mad woman?
- 4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the representation of psychology and madness in Victorian literature, using Mary Elizabeth Braddon's Lady Audley's Secret (1862) as a case study. It examines how contemporary psychological theories influenced the portrayal of mental illness in the novel.
- Victorian Psychology and its impact on literature
- The concept of monomania and its manifestation in fictional characters
- The portrayal of madness and its societal implications in Lady Audley's Secret
- The intersection of social change, scientific advancements, and literary representations of mental illness
- Analysis of a specific character's mental state within the context of Victorian psychological understanding
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by discussing the significant changes and developments of the Victorian era, highlighting the impact of the Industrial Revolution on society and the burgeoning of new literary genres. It emphasizes the growing interest in psychology and madness as central themes in Victorian novels, establishing the context for the paper's focus on Lady Audley's Secret and its exploration of Victorian psychological theories. The chapter introduces the paper's structure and objectives, outlining the analysis of the novel through the lens of selected 19th-century psychological theories.
2. Victorian Psychology: This chapter provides a general overview of Victorian psychology, focusing on key aspects relevant to the analysis of Lady Audley's Secret. It traces the evolution of psychological thought, from the earlier emphasis on associationism and the mind as a blank slate to the emergence of evolutionary theories and the increasing integration of observable human behavior into psychological understanding. It highlights the growing public interest in psychological theories, facilitated by their dissemination through various publications, leading to widespread social debates. The chapter also touches on the development of ideas about childhood development and its lasting impact on adult psychology, emphasizing the influence of John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau, laying the groundwork for the subsequent detailed examination of specific theories.
2.1 Monomania: This section delves into the Victorian theory of monomania, characterizing it as a form of partial insanity where a singular fixation or aberration exists within an otherwise rational mind. It explains the key feature of a disconnect between emotion, will, and reason, highlighting that monomania manifests as an excessive concentration on a single object or idea, potentially leading to hallucinations. The concept of monomania's significance in understanding certain characters' behavior in the selected novel is foreshadowed.
3. Madness in Victorian Literature: This chapter offers a general overview of the representation of madness within the broader context of Victorian literature, preparing the ground for the specific analysis of Lady Audley's Secret. The discussion provides the framework for understanding how societal views and evolving psychological theories shaped the portrayal of mental illness in fictional narratives of the era. The section prepares the reader for the following analysis of a specific character within the novel.
Lady Audley's Secret: A Victorian Psychology Case Study - FAQ
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the representation of psychology and madness in Victorian literature, specifically using Mary Elizabeth Braddon's Lady Audley's Secret (1862) as a case study. It explores how contemporary psychological theories influenced the portrayal of mental illness in the novel.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include Victorian psychology and its impact on literature; the concept of monomania and its manifestation in fictional characters; the portrayal of madness and its societal implications in Lady Audley's Secret; the intersection of social change, scientific advancements, and literary representations of mental illness; and the analysis of a specific character's mental state within the context of Victorian psychological understanding.
What topics are covered in the different chapters?
The paper is structured into several chapters. The introduction sets the context of the Victorian era and its literary landscape, focusing on the growing interest in psychology and madness. Chapter 2 provides an overview of Victorian psychology, including the evolution of psychological thought and the emergence of key concepts like monomania. Chapter 3 explores the representation of madness in Victorian literature generally, before focusing on Lady Audley's Secret. The conclusion synthesizes the findings.
What is the significance of "monomania" in the paper?
The paper delves into the Victorian theory of monomania, a form of partial insanity characterized by a singular fixation or aberration within an otherwise rational mind. It examines how this concept manifests in the characters of Lady Audley's Secret.
What is the overall objective of the research?
The paper aims to understand how Victorian psychological theories influenced the portrayal of mental illness and characters' behavior in Victorian literature, specifically examining the application of these theories to a prominent character in Lady Audley's Secret.
What type of source material is this?
This is a language preview providing an overview of an academic paper. It includes the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What is the significance of the Victorian era in this study?
The Victorian era witnessed significant societal changes and the rise of new psychological theories. The paper explores how these changes impacted the representation of madness and mental illness in literature.
How does the paper analyze *Lady Audley's Secret*?
The paper uses Lady Audley's Secret as a case study to analyze how Victorian psychological concepts were applied and represented in a popular novel of the time. It examines the characters' behaviors and mental states through the lens of 19th-century psychological theories.
- Quote paper
- Katrin Blatt (Author), 2008, Victorian Psychology and Madness in "Lady Audley's Secret", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/150808
