In Jaroslav Hašek's "The Good Soldier Švejk," the character Švejk reflects on life in a lunatic asylum with a surprising sense of appreciation. He notes the freedom afforded to the inmates, where unconventional behaviors such as crawling, howling, or raging are accepted. This observation highlights the contrast between the liberating atmosphere of the asylum and the restrictive norms of society, suggesting that true freedom lies in the absence of societal judgment.

Švejk's comments on the asylum reveal a deeper commentary on the nature of madness and societal expectations. While people outside the asylum may be shocked by such behavior, within the institution, it is commonplace and even liberating. His eulogistic description implies that there is a certain beauty in being unrestrained by societal norms, hinting at the absurdity of social conventions and the limits they impose on individual expression.