Out of His Mind: Masculinity and Mental Illness in Victorian Britain

Out of His Mind explores how Victorians understood the madman as a social reality and a cultural representation, highlighting the power and authority of men in the Victorian era. It provides a wealth of case notes, press accounts, literature, medical and government reports, and offers a window into public understandings and personal experiences of mens insanity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2022
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Out of His Mind delves into the intricate ways in which Victorians grappled with the concept of the madman, encompassing both his societal presence and cultural representation. Despite the prevailing belief in the curative powers of nineteenth-century psychiatry, being labeled as a lunatic carried significant consequences, including the loss of freedom and a profound sense of self. In the patriarchal society of Victorian Britain, men held the most power and authority, making them the ones who had the most to lose. Consequently, the madman often found himself relegated to the margins, confined to private homes, hospitals, and asylums. However, despite his marginalization, the madman exerted a profound cultural influence, tapping into broader social anxieties surrounding respectability, masculine self-control, and fears of degeneration.

To explore this complex phenomenon, the text relies on a wealth of case notes, press accounts, literature, medical and government reports, offering a rich tapestry of public understandings and personal experiences of mens insanity. Through meticulous analysis and interpretation, Out of His Mind sheds light on the societal attitudes, medical practices, and legal frameworks that shaped the treatment and perception of madness during this period. It reveals the struggles and hardships faced by individuals diagnosed with mental illness, as well as the societal stigma and discrimination they encountered.

Furthermore, the text explores the ways in which the madman became a cultural symbol, representing fears, anxieties, and societal tensions. It examines the literary and artistic representations of madness, from Gothic novels to contemporary art, highlighting the ways in which authors and artists used the madman to comment on social norms, power dynamics, and the human condition.

In conclusion, Out of His Mind provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the madman in Victorian society, offering a valuable window into public understandings and personal experiences of mens insanity. Through its rich analysis and interdisciplinary approach, the text sheds light on the complex interplay between social reality, cultural representation, and the human psyche, contributing to our understanding of mental health and society in the past.

Weight: 534g
Dimension: 151 x 223 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526155030