The Woman in Black Theme of Madness

We can come up with a word or two for Jennet Humfrye, but "sane" isn't one of them. In The Woman In Black, her anger and despair actually make her go crazy—so crazy that she wants to destroy everyone. And confronting the reality of her ghost makes Arthur go a little crazy, too, or at least feel like he's going crazy. Wandering around a big haunted house will do that to a guy.

Questions About Madness

  1. Was Jennet Humfrye always crazy? What set off her madness?
  2. Why does she continue to act out even in death? What compels her to keep wreaking revenge?
  3. Does Arthur lose his grip on reality as he stays at Eel Marsh House?

Chew on This

Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.

As Arthur stays at Eel Marsh House, he starts to lose his grip on reality, mirroring Jennet Humfrye's deterioration.

Jennet Humfrye's madness keeps her trapped at Eel Marsh House. She went so crazy following Nathaniel's death that she could not rest even in death.