In her book "A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century," Barbara W. Tuchman explores the impact of devastating diseases, highlighting how their horrific nature profoundly affected those afflicted. She emphasizes that the despair and suffering experienced by victims were so severe that they could not be seen as mere natural occurrences but rather as dire punishments from a higher power. This perspective reflects the historical context where people often interpreted calamities through a spiritual lens.

Tuchman's analysis reveals how society responded to the overwhelming despair caused by such maladies. The immense fear and hopelessness fueled a belief that these afflictions served as divine retribution, influencing behavior and thought during that tumultuous time. Her exploration illustrates the deep-seated connection between disease and existential dread, revealing how the human mind grapples with suffering and seeks meaning in the face of overwhelming odds.