I think he'd be plenty depressed simply by virtue of the fact that his beloved wife was insane. You know how common a diagnosis of autism or ADD is these days? In the 19th century, the "mad wife" was a pretty common diagnosis too (hence, so many novels featuring them: "Jane Eyre," "Woman in White," "Lady Audley's Secret," etc., etc.).
Well, true. But I think Dr. Frizzell's diagnosis is pretty persuasive, principally because, as he points out, syphillis is the one disease that does explain all of her symproms taken together. Moreover, while Hardy would doubtless feel depressed that his wife was insane, he would not likely feel guilty over it.
I think he'd be plenty depressed simply by virtue of the fact that his beloved wife was insane. You know how common a diagnosis of autism or ADD is these days? In the 19th century, the "mad wife" was a pretty common diagnosis too (hence, so many novels featuring them: "Jane Eyre," "Woman in White," "Lady Audley's Secret," etc., etc.).
ReplyDeleteWell, true. But I think Dr. Frizzell's diagnosis is pretty persuasive, principally because, as he points out, syphillis is the one disease that does explain all of her symproms taken together. Moreover, while Hardy would doubtless feel depressed that his wife was insane, he would not likely feel guilty over it.
ReplyDeleteClaire Tomalin blogs on this here:
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