I'll Be Your Bunbury

The Invalid by Carl Larsson (I really like Carl Larsson's painting)

Lady Bracknell: Well, I must say, Algy, that I think it is high time that Mr. Bunbury made up his mind whether he was going to live or die. This shilly-shallying with the question is absurd!

- The Importance of Being Earnest

What irritates me most about my current situation is a fear that I'll turn into one of those terrible 19th century bed ridden invalids that crop up so often in Victorian literature. I remember studying British lit and wondering, what is wrong with all these people?? A long walk outside either kills them or they end up in their bed for months if not years. It happens in all the Bronte novels, in most of the Jane Austen's, George Elliot's, Thomas Hardy's, Dicken's, Stowe's and every sentimental children's tale - The Secret Garden, The Velveteen Rabbit, etc. etc.

To combat my fear and irritation I've tried to think of shut ins that I like. I have a generally favorable and slightly envious feeling towards almost all hermits, especially Tolstoy's.

I love the poetry of reclusive Emily Dickens.

I remember learning that at 18 Frida Kahlo took up painting after a metal beam impaled her in a bus accident and she became bed ridden. From her painting Without Hope I think we might have similar feelings about bed rest.

Caravaggio and Van Gogh both executed some great paintings while convalescing.

Isn't this a great image? It's called Ward of the Hospital in Arles.

Charles Darwin stuck close to home due to the grievous effects of some tenacious intestinal parasites he picked up on his Beagle journey.

So it seems that being put to bed can have a positive outcome. Although this brain stomring has me thinking I should be using my time much more productively.

And there are some bed ridden characters in lit I do like - John Bergson from O Pioneers, Grandpa Jo from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (though he does get out of bed so his invalid status is questionable) Algernon's dear, dear friend Mr. Bunbury from the Importance of Being Earnest. Which reminds me, if you want to skip out on an unpleasant social function I am willing to offer my Bunbury services.

Can you think of any others?