Taste Test Thursday - Madness and Civilization

Michel Foucault’s “A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason” is more than a historical examination of madness, more than an interlacing of names, places and dates, more than a history lesson. Rather, this text is a linguistical exploration of madness through objects (lazar houses, ship of fools, places of confinement, hospitals, & asylums), as well as literature, art, language, religions, social geography, political turmoil, economic purveyors and other filament symbols. This comprises a unique cultural study. Utilizing these different sources, Foucault is able to weave them together to reconstruct the meaning of madness through different historical and cultural periods while tracing the threads of evolutionary meaning of “madness” and “reason.” During different stripes of time, “madness” embodies a variety of objects in tangible and intangible forms which Foucault stitches together with picturesque words. He speaks of the “imaginary landscape,” “surface of things,” “geography of haunted places,” “model of animality,” “world of melancholia,” “material reality of its sounds,” etc… He uses language to embroider a comprehensive piece of cultural history by illustrating the intangible aspects of culture represented in tangible forms. Additionally, Foucault demonstrates that the meaning of madness changes as cultural values change.

How does this apply to literature?

            Michel Foucault’s text serves as an example of the methodology outlined in Doing Cultural Studies. However, rather than examining a tangible object, he attempted to examine an intangible subject, “madness.” It’s important to note he’s examining the subject, not just trying to define it; although definition is part of the process because he’s seeking cultural definition. In order to fully examine the subject, he seeks tangible objects in which the cultural definition has imprinted on. These are in the form of buildings, art and literature. While these forms are a reflection of the society, they also directly influence the society and its daily practices concerning politics, economics and religion. Throughout the layering of these examination is Foucault’s ability to define and redefine the meaning of “madness” through various representations.

I think I need to read more of Michel Foucault! 

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