Most Admirable
Sociopathy in Wilkie Collins’ The Moonstone
Sociopathy affects many individuals across the globe. As a medically recognized condition, it alters one’s natural state of mind. A sociopath develops patterns of behavior consisting of harassing others, failing to conform to social norms, and lying. People with this condition disregard the rights and feelings of others, resulting in a frequent lack of empathy towards other individuals. Sociopaths frequently show deceitful and manipulative behavior in order to gain personal profit or pleasure. They perform acts with no respect to lawful behavior that include stealing or pursuing illegal occupations (Diagnostic). Godfrey Ablewhite develops similar patterns of lying, lack of remorse, and harassment, which result in personal gain. He displays these behaviors that differ from those of ordinary society. Godfrey Ablewhite exhibits the sociopathic behaviors of amoral behavior, lack of empathy, and manipulation in Wilkie Collins’ novel The Moonstone.
Furthermore, sociopaths develop a pattern of amoral behavior. Mr. Ablewhite acts without knowing the difference between right and wrong. “If Mr. Godfrey chose to keep the diamond, he might do so with perfect impunity” (Collins 465).Godfrey believes that he deserves no punishment because he benefited from the ordeal, and considers himself innocent. The difference that lies between right and wrong continues to be absent from Godfrey’s lifestyle. He shows no right mind in his actions against his friends and colleagues because he benefits from these experiences. “Godfrey Ablewhite […] had […] betrayed the mercenary nature of the motive on his side (against Rachel)” (Collins 288). His amorality persists in his everyday life because in anybody else’s mind, betraying someone clearly goes against the principles of modern society. No event that Godfrey Ablewhite partakes in, in his mentality, shows signs of being wrong as long as he benefits from the...
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