Wise Women Discuss—Plot!

The 36 Tragic Situations

Though women have been starved of creative opportunities over the centuries of patriarchal bullying, they have proved in one important field that they are not creatively inferior to men—in writing. Adelphiasophists are keen that all people should be creative and that their efforts should be appreciated. If you have been intending to start that novel or screenplay but felt short of ideas, here is the Wise Women's synopsis of plot to give you a few ideas. May the Goddess inspire you. Saviour Shirlie.


9. Madness

Here we have human action shrouded by a cloak of fearful mystery: to the ancients the instigations of willful gods; even today, the possession of an evil spirit, or the curse or spirit of an ancestor, whether supernaturally or through heredity. To awaken and find death or dishonor is for the madman worse than death as terror and doubt arise in his mind—the restoration of reason is to condemn to suffering—and what too of the lookers on? The victims also are baffled and horrified by the rage and unreasonable behaviour of one who they loved or trusted. Mental illness and manias of various types offer powerful dramativ effects which have not yet been all exploited. The madness can be induced by drink, drugs or hypnotism. It can be used to illuminate any aspect of human relationships. The symptoms might be sleepwalking, hallucinating, etc. The madness can be paranoid, psychotic or neurotic. And so on.

Elements
  1. A madman
  2. A victim
Themes
  1. Killing (or injuring) when mad
  2. Disgrace brought upon oneself through madness
  3. Loss of loved ones through madness
  4. Madness brought on by fear of hereditary insanity