Setting

Burghölzli Psychiatric Clinic

   The novel Pilgrim by Timothy Findley takes place, with some exceptions, in Zurich, Switzerland between the years 1912 to 1915. The main location being the Burghölzli Psychiatric Clinic
This time is significant because the novel takes place shortly before the beginning of WWI, and leads in to the conflict. The setting is also important because it was a neutral country during the war and was surrounded on all sides by both the Entente and the Central powers, similar to how Pilgrim, someone who seems to be both insane and sane all at once, is surrounded on all sides by the "Mad", the patients, and those who are "sane", the Psychiatrists. Near the end of the novel Pilgrim goes on a rampage through France, destroying art as he goes. The change in locale is significant because for much of the world France is stereotypically thought of as being a center of culture and art; Pilgrims rampage and the location are important to the themes of Art and Human Nature. In terms of the theme of Madness and Insanity the location and time are very significant. The Burgholzli Psychiatric Clinic is important because it was famous during this period for its revolutionary treatments and analysis of the "Mad". Madness was a little understood thing at this time, and as such it was a period of great discovery and advancements in the field of Psychiatry.