The Three Christs of Ypsilanti - Milton Rokeach [96]
What could these announcements possibly mean? In his classic work, Dementia Praecox, Blueler says that schizophrenics use a “double-entry bookkeeping” system, and that they know and can really distinguish reality from fantasy. In our dealings with Leon we sometimes had the impression that this was indeed the case, that although he had complex, difficult-to-understand psychological reasons for all the delusional things he said, he did not really mean them or believe in them himself. He wanted us to believe he believed when in fact he did not. On the other hand, it was extremely difficult for us to conceive that Leon, intelligent, shrewd, and sensitive as he was, could possibly make such utterly fantastic statements as, for example, that he was married, and that his wife’s name was Madame Yeti, unless he himself really believed these things were true.
Did Leon really believe in the existence of his wife? Did he really expect to hear from her? And what was the significance of his announcement of what he expected to find in the letter? Was he “inviting” us to send him money through such devious means, or was he only trying to tell us indirectly how much he needed, and yet despaired of obtaining, even cosmic—as he would say—companionship and care?
It was not until August 1, 1960, some four months later (after we had concluded that the first phase of the research had run its course), that we were able to pursue more systematically the questions raised by this behavior of Leon’s, and—at the same time —by the theoretical problem of the nature of reference or authority systems that was raised in the last chapter. In undertaking this new project, we had a twofold purpose: to find out empirically as best we could to what extent Leon really believed in the existence of his delusional wife; and if he did believe, to find out whether changes in his delusions and behavior could be brought about through suggestions emanating from her rather than from us. The events relevant to this second purpose will be described in the next chapter. In the present chapter, I shall describe how we went about determining the psychological reality of Leon’s delusional wife.
The Reality of Delusion
August 1. A couple of hours before the daily meeting, an aide delivers a letter to Leon. It is addressed to Dr. R. I. Dung and has no return address. The aide explains that a lady approached him as he was walking down the main street of the hospital grounds and asked him to deliver it to Dr. Dung in Ward D-16. Leon, after thanking the aide, takes the letter and reads it.
The contents, which of course we knew, are as follows:
Dr. R. I. Dung
Ward D-16
Ypsilanti State Hospital
My dear husband,
I have been aware on Channel 1 that you have been waiting for me to visit for you a very long time. If the good Lord permits I will visit you at the Ypsilanti State Hospital on Ward D-16 on this Thursday at 1 o’clock.
Sincerely,
Madame Dr. R. I. Dung
Leon’s initial response is disbelief. Without divulging the contents of the letter, he tells the aide that although he has never seen his wife’s handwriting he knows that she didn’t write or sign this letter. He says further that he doesn’t like the idea of people imposing on his beliefs and that he is going to look into this.
A couple of hours later, during the daily meeting, we notice that Leon is extremely depressed and we ask him why. He evasively replies that he is meditating, but he does not mention the letter. This is the first time, as far as we know, that he has ever kept information from us.
August 4. This is the day Leon’s wife is supposed to visit him. He goes outdoors shortly before the appointed hour and does not return until it is well past.
In the next two weeks we made no further attempts either to send messages or to interview Leon about his attitudes or reactions to the letter. After all, we were not even supposed to know that he had received a letter. At all costs we wished to prevent