"The Possession" by Ernaux

This book, when you first read it, gives you a clear understanding of what the woman possess, a guy who she had loved. In the second paragraph the woman said "The first thing i did after waking up was grab his penis," this gesture, in other words, shows what she possess and shows territory she claims that no other woman have. But the woman has broken off her relationship with her lover. After doing this she soon became preoccupied and possessed by the thought of the woman who has taken her place. Not being able obtain information from the man, ex-lover, she becomes obsessed with uncovering the identity of his new lover.

Chapter 3: specialization as monomania

This chapter explains in depth how scientists are labeled monomanics. Scientist today, compared to one's in the past, are just as obsessive with their work. But at the same time they may not want to think about their work all the time. Instead, since thinking on a single thing could produce monomania, that notion of that obsession may led to madness. Madness was viewed as "normal" because obsessive behaviors that could lead to madness could at the same time lead to science.

Cbapter 2: The Emergence of Obsession

After reading this chapter, i learned that monomania was the first diagnosis specifically defining what we call today obsession. Monomania was defined as a preoccupation with single idea, passion, or train of thought that was obvious and knkwable while at the same time irresistible. Monomaniacs are aware of the wrongness or inappropriateness of some aspect of their behavior, but they are unable to stop a particular train of thought or action. Compared to OCD, people with obsessions realize that what they are doing is not normal, but they cannot seem to control themselves. This type of disease was connected to people who were civilized. "This is a disease of people with large, active brains." (Pg. 72) Monomania was thus seen as a lifestyle. But this disease greatly confused the mind, body, and soul.