Cultural Constructions of Madness in Eighteenth-Century Writing - by A Ingram & M Faubert (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Cultural Constructions of Madness in the Eighteenth Century deals with the (mis)representation of insanity through a substantial range of literary forms and figures from across the eighteenth century and beyond. Chapters cover the representation, distortion, sentimentalization and elevation of insanity, and such associated issues as gender, personal identity, and performance, in some of the best, as well as some of the least, known writers of the period. A selection of visual material, including works by Hogarth, Rowlandson, and Gillray, is also discussed. While primarily adopting a literary focus, the work is informed throughout by an alertness to significant issues of medical and psychiatric history.

Review Quotes

'This is a splendid book. It explores the representations of sanity and insanity through the eighteenth century with meticulous attention to historical specificities, and with a keen eye for philosophical and conceptual issues that arise whenever we raise the question of how we adjudicate matters related to insanity...Throughout, the work is intellectually extremely distinguisted, provocative, and stimulating.' - Thomas Docherty, Modern Language Review

'By virtue of its collection of historical detail and close readings of individual texts and prints, this work will reward anyone interested in the topic.' - Frank Boyle, The Scriblerian

About the Author

ALLAN INGRAM is Professor of English at the University of Northumbria, UK. He has published widely on eighteenth-century topics and has spoken, mainly on insanity, in various European countries and in North America.

MICHELLE FAUBERT holds a doctorate on Romantic Madness from the University of Toronto, Canada. She has published on Byron, on Hopkins and on Hardy.