Suicidal thoughts in the novels of Anthony Trollope (1815-82)

Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death but incompletely understood. Aims: To extend our understanding of suicide antecedents (suicidal thoughts and other suicide representations) by examining the novels of Trollope, and drawing comparisons with current experience. Method: Five novels and An Autobiography were examined. Text events were collated under headings, 1) suicidal thoughts, and 2) other suicide mentions. Details were gathered of triggers, methods of suicide, and related material. Results: Twenty-two events of characters experiencing suicidal thoughts, and 25 other mentions of suicide were identified. The main methods were shooting, jumping and drowning. The triggers were romantic disappointment, poverty and loss of wealth, and disgrace. Mental disorder was mentioned only once. Conclusion: Trollope depicted suicidal thoughts as a response of healthy individuals to distress, and methods similar to the present. This new information extends our knowledge of the history of suicide and argues for a range of triggers.