[The spider on the ceiling]

This article is on the portrayal of insanity in Québec literature and, in particular, on the relationships between Québec literature and insanity. A look at Québec history reveals how insanity follows the nature of society as it evolves from a religious base to a political one. Research shows that, from 1837 to 1920, insanity in literature was caused by an emotional shock, deception in love or thwarted ambitions. Between the first and second world wars, insanity was brought on by debauchery, money and women. So, for over a century, we see insanity as having punitive value. It's only in the 1950s that literature portrays insanity as a consciousness raiser: From having negative connotations, it suddenly has positive ones. Finally, from 1960 to today, insanity stems from failure, whether it be love-related, social or political. In most novels, the insane individual ends up dying. It's as if novelists had wanted to reinforce the notions of punishment, failure and despair linked to insanity. Why?