In Margaret Atwood's "Alias Grace," the concept of madness is explored through a unique lens. The idea presented is that madness can feel like an alternative reality, comparable to a different direction or even a distinct country. This metaphor suggests that those who experience madness may feel as if they are stepping into an entirely different world, detached from their original state of mind.

However, the narrative challenges this notion by emphasizing that despite the perception of leaving one’s former self behind, when someone goes mad, they don't physically relocate. Instead, they remain in their original space, and it is as though another presence occupies their mind or being. This insight highlights the intimate struggle with mental health and the complex experience of losing oneself while still being present in the same world.