30 pages 1 hour read

Simon Winchester

The Professor And The Madman

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1998

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Essay Topics

1.

Analyze the popular myth about the first meeting between Dr. Murray and Dr. Minor. Why has survived despite not being true?

2.

Dr. Minor was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity because the judge in the case found his behavior during the trial sufficient evidence. Why was it not controversial for a non-expert to come to this conclusion in 19th century England?

3.

One early sign of Minor’s mental illness was a large sexual appetite. Examine the way the religious and moral strictures of 19th century Anglo-American society pathologized sexuality.