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
5. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the intersection of psychology and madness within Victorian literature, specifically analyzing how contemporary 19th-century theories are manifested in Mary Elizabeth Braddon's sensation novel, Lady Audley’s Secret. It explores whether the characters' behaviors align with clinical definitions of the era or reflect broader societal anxieties regarding gender, morality, and identity.
- The evolution of Victorian psychological theories, including associationism and evolutionary views on mental illness.
- Definitions and societal perceptions of "monomania" and the "heredity of madness."
- The depiction of mental instability in sensation novels and the permeability of the boundaries between sanity and madness.
- A critical analysis of the characters Robert Audley and Lady Audley in the context of Victorian psychological discourse.
- The classification of Lady Audley as a potential criminal, a victim of social circumstances, or a truly "mad woman."
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Madness in Lady Audley’s Secret
In Mary Elizabeth Braddon sensational novel Lady Audley’s Secret a main topic is the madness of either Robert Audley or Lady Audley herself. Robert is often declared by Lady Audley to be a monomaniac because he is so eager to uncover the mystery of his friend George Talboys’ disappearance. After he has already done some research, Robert finds out that Lady Audley is not the innocent and perfect young lady and wife of Sir Michael. Therefore, he tries to find even more evidences against Lady Audley and her true identity to get her adjust in a court.
Sometimes, the reader truly gets the impression that Robert Audley might be insane. This is due to his total fixation on the enlightenment of the disappearance of George. Robert’s first idea about a crime is not that easy understandable because there are no real evidences. However, the reader gets more and more into this detective story of his. Moreover, this reveals that Robert is neither a monomaniac nor any other form of mad – he simply wants to find out the truth.
Nevertheless, Lady Audley wants to convince everyone around her, and also Robert himself, that he is monomaniac. In several situations she declares Robert to be mad. This comes especially obvious in her conversation with Robert in the lime-walk, where Robert tells her that he knows everything about her committed crimes and her secret of her real identity.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the Victorian era as a period of significant social change and literary innovation, establishing the paper's focus on the role of madness in Lady Audley’s Secret.
2. Victorian Psychology: This chapter provides an overview of the development of psychological theories in the 19th century, focusing on the mind's function and common beliefs like associationism.
2.1 Monomania: This section defines the specific condition of monomania as a singular fixation, highlighting it as a form of partial insanity.
2.2 Heredity of Madness: This section discusses the evolutionary theories of the era, which emphasized the hereditary nature of mental illness, particularly as a female malady.
3. Madness in Victorian Literature: This chapter explores how novelists integrated psychological discourse into their characters, blurring the lines between sanity and insanity in sensation fiction.
3.1 Madness in Lady Audley’s Secret: This section analyzes the accusations of madness directed at Robert Audley and his own pursuit of the truth regarding the disappearance of George Talboys.
3.2 Lady Audley – a mad woman?: This section examines Lady Audley's behavior, motivations, and her attempts to hide her secret, ultimately questioning whether she is a criminal or mentally ill.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes how Braddon used psychological theories to challenge Victorian norms and provoke debate regarding female agency and morality.
5. Bibliography: This chapter lists the primary and secondary sources used for the investigation of Victorian psychology and its literary representations.
Keywords
Victorian era, Psychology, Madness, Lady Audley’s Secret, Monomania, Heredity, Sensation novel, Mary Elizabeth Braddon, Insanity, Gender, Criminality, Robert Audley, Associationism, Victorian literature, Victorian society
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper explores the representation of psychology and madness within Victorian literature, specifically using Mary Elizabeth Braddon's novel Lady Audley’s Secret as a case study.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
The work focuses on the evolution of 19th-century psychological theories, the concept of monomania, the perceived link between heredity and mental illness, and the gendered aspects of madness in the Victorian era.
What is the author's research goal?
The goal is to analyze how contemporary psychological concepts influenced the characterization of Lady Audley and Robert Audley, and to evaluate if these characters fit the medical definitions of madness present in that time.
Which scientific methods or approaches are utilized?
The paper employs a literary analysis approach, connecting fictional narratives to historical context, contemporary advice literature, and 19th-century psychological texts.
What key topics are covered in the main body?
The main body examines the history of Victorian psychology, defines conditions like monomania and heredity, and provides a close textual analysis of the confrontation between Lady Audley and Robert Audley.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Victorian Psychology, Monomania, Sensation Novel, Madness, Lady Audley, and Hereditary of Madness.
How does the author interpret Lady Audley's claims of Robert's madness?
The author argues that Lady Audley intentionally weaponizes the accusation of monomania to discredit Robert and deflect from her own criminal secrets, reflecting her desperation and calculated manipulative nature.
Does the paper conclude that Lady Audley is truly mad?
The author suggests that while Lady Audley displays behaviors associated with insanity and believes in her own hereditary madness, she is also a product of a restrictive society, leaving the final judgment open to the reader.
- Quote paper
- Katrin Blatt (Author), 2008, Victorian Psychology and Madness in "Lady Audley's Secret", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/150808
