A Whisper in The Dark touches on a new theme we have not seen in the other stories. The theme of insanity is not something we have seen before in the other text, but it fits perfectly with this story. In all the previous novels we have read, the reader has had either a strong bond with their mother or not one at all. We have never really seen insanity connect a mother and daughter like it does in this story. I don’t think that insanity was seen often in 19th century novels. I think the idea of insanity draws people into the story and allows people in the 19th century read about something new.
At first Sybil represents herself as a normal girl with no mental problems at all other then the issues with her uncle, but other then that we assume that she has been raised normally from the first half of the reading. Then after one turn of the page she is in an insane asylum. With this aspect being brought into the story who wouldn’t start to have mental issues? “Child! Woman! Whatever you are, leave this accursed house while you have power to do it”(238). This is a quote from Sybil’s mom’s letter. After reading this you can see that Sybil is having to deal with all these issues at only age eighteen. This really shows just how the insanity in this story really actually seems to make sense and pull the whole story together. This story really struck my attention and really brought in another aspect of children's literature in the nineteenth century.
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I like how you said that after a page turn Sybil was all of a sudden in an insane asylum. It really was that abrupt. It went from Sybil having the whole world in her hand, about to get married and her wealth, and then the next thing we know she loses all her freedom and in confined in a solitary room. I would go crazy too if I had to live like that.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post. Sybil was our only view of what was taking place in the text, and half way through we were thrown a curve ball that she might or might not be trustworthy in her telling of the story. I also found it somewhat confusing when Sybil was in confinement. It was hard to decipher what was really happening.
ReplyDeleteThis story also really struck my attention. I was amazed at the relationships she had with Guy and her Uncle and then the whole insanity aspect thrown into the mix. It was quiet a story and really made the reader think about what was happening with women during that time period.
ReplyDeleteThe insanity that was incorporated into this novel was something new and so the unexpected turn caught all of our attention. I also didn't realize till the end, the importance or significance of the insanity or the situation. I enjoyed the unexpected turn because it kept me questioning, but then at the end all of it came together.
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