Michel Foucault's book, Folie et déraison: Histoire de la folie à l'âge classique (known as Madness and Civilization in English), focuses on the power society as a whole has on its people. This book reminds me of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. Like Foucault, Kesey uses his book to question the "rules" and trends that the society has established. In Kesey's novel, the author questions the definition of insanity, and the so-called "treatments" that are used to turn people back to "normal."
What is the real purpose behind the classification of the "crazies?" I believe that society creates classifications to make sure that the majority get what they want, without the minority fighting against them. Classifications can also be used by a powerful group of minority to control the ignorant (or at least oblivious) majority. The classification of people, no matter if it's based of size, knowledge, sexuality, etc., is, therefore, basically a form of social control.
Posted by elainel1023 on December 15, 2008
Tags: Michel Foucault
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