Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Diary of a Madman, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Social Class and Status
Writing, Escapism, and Fantasy
Insanity
Isolation
Summary
Analysis
Poprishchin describes an uneventful day. He goes to the office at eight, and comments on how the section chief does not greet him or notice his “arrival.” He leaves the office at four and spends the rest of the evening in bed.
Even when Poprishchin is experiencing a mundane day, he writes about it in his diary. Poprishchin also takes the time to write down his complaints about his section chief, even when they are minor. Writing seems to be the only outlet for Poprishchin’s life, and the only way he is able to express his many grievances.
Themes
