It seemed to come about later in life so I wouldn't say Autism, Asperger, or such.
It may have been schizophrenia or just a general breakdown.
I've read the book and while it doesn't exactly say what his condition was I'd say that he just had a break down due to working too much. Back then people could get admitted into the hospital over the slightest things but in my own personal opinion I think John fit the symptoms of Bipolar. His attitude seemed to change a number of times in one sitting and some bipolar patients aren't aware that what they say might effect the other person.
shareWe weren't shown or led to believe he had any significant highs and lows as associate with bipolar disorder. The movie though could only be so long.
I believe he just learned to be candid. Putting on false pretenses may have led to his original breakdown. A mother like that would make it and thus him understandable.
He was probably diagnosed as a schizophrenic. During the 1950s a lot of outspoken people with low impulse control were labeled schizophrenic, and that could include someone like John who saw through the hypocrisies of the day and would express it at the drop of a hat. I remember a time when a schizophrenic was defined as someone who "saw things" - imaginary things - but sometimes they were seeing realities that others couldn't see.
shareHe was an *beep* A hurtful, spiteful *beep*
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