Our book choice for July 2005 is Quantity Theory of Insanity by Will Self. What if there is only a limited amount of sanity in the world and the real reason people go mad is because somebody has to?
The Quantity Theory of Insanity is a short story by Will Self that explores the nature of sanity and insanity. The story is set in a future where a new theory of insanity has been developed. This theory, known as the “quantity theory of insanity,” states that there is a fixed amount of sanity in any given society. As some people become more insane, others become more sane in order to maintain the overall level of sanity in the society.
The story follows the life of a man named Ford, who is one of the first people to be diagnosed with “negative insanity.” Negative insanity is a condition in which a person is so sane that they become bored and apathetic. Ford’s diagnosis leads him to become involved in a number of experiments that are designed to measure the amount of insanity in a society.
The experiments are conducted by a group of scientists who are led by a man named Professor T. The scientists believe that they can use the quantity theory of insanity to control the level of insanity in a society. They believe that by increasing the amount of negative insanity, they can reduce the amount of positive insanity.
Ford’s involvement in the experiments leads him to question the nature of sanity and insanity. He begins to wonder if there is really such a thing as a “normal” mind. He also begins to question the motives of the scientists who are conducting the experiments.
The story ends with Ford leaving the experiments and returning to his normal life. However, he is never the same after his experiences. He is now aware of the fragility of sanity and the dangers of trying to control it.
The Quantity Theory of Insanity is a darkly comic and thought-provoking story that explores the nature of sanity and insanity. The story is also a satire of academia and social science. Self’s writing is sharp and witty, and he does not shy away from exploring the more disturbing aspects of human psychology.
The story is divided into three parts. The first part introduces the quantity theory of insanity and follows Ford’s diagnosis. The second part describes the experiments that are conducted by the scientists. The third part tells the story of Ford’s departure from the experiments and his return to his normal life.
The story is set in a future that is not too different from our own. The technology is slightly more advanced, but the social and political landscape is largely the same. This allows Self to explore the themes of the story without having to rely on too much futuristic speculation.
The characters in the story are well-developed and believable. Ford is a sympathetic protagonist, and the scientists are both interesting and menacing. The supporting characters are also well-drawn, and they help to flesh out the world of the story.
Discussion Questions
- What is the quantity theory of insanity? Do you agree with it?
- What is the role of technology in the story? How does it contribute to the spread of insanity?
- What is the relationship between the narrator and his father? How does this relationship shape the narrator’s own mental state?
- What is the significance of the title? How does it relate to the themes of the story?
- What are the different ways that insanity is portrayed in the story? How does Self challenge our traditional understanding of what it means to be “insane”?
- What is the role of humor in the story? How does it help to make the story more palatable or disturbing?
- What is the message of the story? What does Self want us to take away from it?
- How does the story reflect the social and political climate of the time in which it was written?
- What are the parallels between the story and real-world events?
- How does the story challenge our notions of sanity and madness?