Madness and Reality

Traces the theme of madness and the blurring of reality and delusion.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Nathaniel's childhood delusions

The Foundation of Madness The Sandman Fantasy Nathaniel believed in the Sandman despite his mother's denial. He created a vivid image of the monster. The Identification He identified Coppelius as the Sandman. His fantasy merged with reality. The Seeds His childhood experiences planted the seeds of his later madness.

The onset of brooding

The Darkening Mind The Change Nathaniel became brooding and strange. He saw everything as dream and premonition. The Mystical Beliefs He argued that dark forces control life. He was unable to resist his fate. The Isolation His behavior alienated Clara. He was heading toward madness.

The complete breakdown

The Madness Takes Hold The Trigger The sight of Olympia's eyes shattered Nathaniel's reality. He could not accept the truth. The Raving He screamed about wooden dolls and rings of fire. He attacked Spalanzani. The Incarceration He was taken to the madhouse. His madness was now public and official.

The temporary recovery

The False Sanity The Apparent Cure Nathaniel seemed rational and gentle. He recognized Clara's love. The Vulnerability But the trauma was still present. The looking-glass was still in his pocket. The Return of Madness A small trigger was enough to cause a relapse. The line between sanity and madness was thin.

The final madness and death

The Tragic End The Relapse On the tower, the looking-glass triggered Nathaniel's madness again. He saw Clara as a doll. The Attack and Suicide He tried to kill Clara, then jumped to his death. His madness ended in tragedy. The Theme The story suggests that madness is an inescapable force once it takes hold. Reality cannot be regained.

Childhood

After the return of Coppelius

The revelation of Olympia

After release from the madhouse

The tower incident