The first chapter of a book is usually called the prologue or the prologue because it is the beginning of the book, introducing the main characters, background story, setting, and basic plot to guide the reader. However, there are some novels that call the first chapter 1 or some other specific name, depending on the genre of the novel, the author, and the bookstore.
The main characters in '10 days in a madhouse novel' are likely to be a diverse group. Firstly, there would be the patients. Some might be long - term residents, while others could be newly admitted. Each patient may have their own story, like a young woman who was wrongly committed and is fighting to prove her sanity. Then, there are the staff members. There could be a cold and calculating doctor who believes in strict discipline, and a warm - hearted attendant who actually cares about the patients. There may also be other supporting characters like visitors or family members who come to the madhouse, adding more layers to the story.
The main theme is likely to be the experience within the madhouse. It could explore the conditions, the people there, and perhaps the treatment of the patients.
In the writing of a novel, there was usually a " prologue " to introduce the story and set the background and worldview of the entire novel. Then the novel may develop the subsequent chapters according to a certain order of plot development, but whether there is a "prologue" or not, the chapters before it may vary according to the type of novel and the author's writing style.
Some novels might introduce some protagonists or background characters or important characters or events before the prologue to lay the foundation for the development of the subsequent chapters. Other novels might start a plot in the prologue to let the readers feel the tension and atmosphere of the story.
In general, the plot arrangement and chapter structure of a novel were very flexible. The readers could choose a novel that suited them according to their own preferences and reading experience.