A Madman's Diary was about the political and social turmoil that Ivan the Terrible, a crazy Russian, caused at the end of the 19th century. The main plot of the novel is as follows: At the end of the 19th century, Ivan the Terrible declared himself to be a "decree believer" and tried to rule Russia through fanatical religious reforms. He enacted a series of crazy laws and policies, including the abolition of traditional etiquette, the prohibition of reading classics, and the enforcement of food shortage and labor reform. His cruel rule over his subjects led to a large-scale rebellion and revolution, which eventually led to Ivan the Terrible's suicide and the disintegration of Russia. The theme of the novel Diary of a Madman was power and fanaticism. Through describing the ruling experience of Ivan the Terrible, it reflected the living state and psychological state of the Russian society and people at that time. The novel used extreme exaggeration to show the madness and cruelty of Vasilyevich and also revealed the spiritual outlook of Russian society at that time.