After reading Bethlam and The Tell-Tale Heart, I see a deep connection to Edgar Allen Poes interest in Psychology which showed in his works of psychological thrillers and of madmen. Living in those times of horrors that existed in the mental asylums, society feared and misunderstood the patients and locked them up in cages and/or chains as they thought of them as nothing more than wild animals who were at fault for their madness. I believe it was Poes argument that societies backward way of thinking of the mentally ill was harsh and disturbing and taking the readers on a journey through the mind of a madman, making a connection between thoughts and feelings of the deranged characters he writes about, was an attempt to bring to light the subject of mental illness. Having been considered mad himself in his days, and was able to function in society and to be successful at his craft, perhaps was his attempt to eliminate societies feelings of disapproval, shame, and rejection.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 16:25:39 +0000
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