NPPF - Foreword - Notes (2)

[Jasper Fidget]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Morris [mailto:fqmorris at yahoo.com]
> Sent: Monday, July 14, 2003 11:07 AM
> To: Jasper Fidget; pynchon-l at waste.org
> Subject: Re: NPPF - Foreword - Notes (2)
> 
> 
> 
> > Page 18:
> > "[Sybil] and her changeful moods".
> 
> http://www.legendsmagazine.net/102/sybil.htm
> 
> Sybil Dorsett, commonly known only by her first name, to this day remains
> one
> of the greatest documented cases of multiple personality disorder (MSD) in
> the
> psychology field. The first ever case to be psycho-analyzed rather than
> simply
> treated, and one of the largest personality collections ever contained
> within a
> single human being (sixteen differentiating "selves"), Sybil is an amazing
> case
> and one that has spawned a major look at previously-discredited MSD
> afflictions
> in the medical field. Due to the years that Dr. Wilbur spent with Sybil
> and the
> huge collections of data and psycho-analysis information that she
> collected on
> her, it was Sybil's case that brought about a revolution in the psychology
> field - and spawned revelations on the idea of "I" ("id") and theological
> discussion as well.
> 

I was going to accuse you of attempting to violate the laws of time and
precedence, but then I found this:

Case of Sybil Dorsett - True Story Portrayed by Sally Field in Film "Sybil".
Brief History: - 1954 - Sybil Began Work on Master's Degree at Columbia U. -
She Experienced Blackouts and Amnesia that Grew Longer. - She Came to
Attention of a Dr. Cornelia Wilbur (Psychiatrist). - During a Therapy
Session, There was a Sudden Change in Personality, and she Began to Act Like
a Little Girl. -Later, Other Personalities Emerged -- 16 in All !! - Some of
the Personalities were Children, Some Adults, and Some Even Male. Why Did
This Condition Occur?- Anyone Remember the Story? Unfortunately, Evidence
Suggested Sybil Had Been Systematically Abused and Tortured by Her
Schizophrenic Mother From as Early as the Age of 3! Apparently, Creating New
Personalities Was a Way that Sybil Could "Cope" with the Trauma She Had to
Endure ...Over a Period of Years, Dr. Wilbur Was Able to Help Sybil
"Integrate" the 16 Personalities Into a New & Whole Personality. 

http://www.umpi.maine.edu/~saloa/gpchp5.html 

Who knows if VN would have had access to this information at the time of
PF's composition, but an interesting connection nonetheless.