2024-11-24 15:00:00
In “Alice in Wonderland”, by Lewis Carroll, the young heroine meets a blue caterpillar smoking a hookah on a mushroom… Illustration by John Tenniel (London, 1890). DARCHIVIO/OPALE.PHOTO
From Thomas De Quincey to Will Self via Arthur Rimbaud, drugs have given rise to an abundant literature. Antidotes to bourgeois moderation, whether they express excess or disorder, they testify to a desire not without danger of engagement in creative introspection. Rimbaud, “the man with the soles of wind”, was one of the first to call for, in his famous collection of prose poems A season in hell (1873), the implementation of a “reasoned disruption of all the senses” conducive, according to him, to poetic creation. Often associated with the image of the cursed poet, he nevertheless had an ambiguous relationship with substances that modify perception.
Many people followed suit. Some have made narcotics a key focus of their work, others have seen them only as an uninteresting mirage or a refuge from depression or physical suffering. A minority found in psychotropic drugs a door to a larger dimension. Between knowledge and forgetting oneself, the line is sometimes tenuous.
This article is taken from “Special Issue Le Monde – Drug traffickers: their networks, their crimes, the response”November-December 2024, on sale at kiosks or online by going to on our store website.
The German writer Ernst Jünger, fascinated by extreme experiences, perfectly sums up this ambiguity in Approaches, drugs and drunkennessa major work published in 1970: « Forgetting something, running away from something and on the other hand wanting to achieve, to gain something, it is between these two poles that the whole problem of drunkenness moves. » We take drugs out of pain, sorrow, curiosity, a taste for transgression as much as to open ourselves to a different form of consciousness and thought, neither cognitive nor discursive. For Jacques Rigaut, one of the most active agitators of the Parisian Dada group, known for his nihilistic spirit at the beginning of the 20th century, the use of narcotics simply requires no justification.
Alice high perched
If, in the 16th century, Rabelais already mentioned substances altering the mind in his writings, Thomas De Quincey, self-proclaimed “Pope of the Church of Opium »is the first writer in the world to have frankly recounted the recreational use of a drug, in this case laudanum, an alcoholic tincture of opium very popular in the Victorian era. His Confessions of an English Opium Eater, published in 1822, thus mark the beginning of a long series of imitations. Balzac was inspired, for example, by Alfred de Musset’s somewhat fanciful translation of the text to write a short story (L’Opium) in 1830.
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In what ways does the portrayal of drug use differ between classic literary works and those of today’s authors?
**Interview with Literary Critic Dr. Emily Wright on Drugs and Literature**
**Date**: November 24, 2024
**Time**: 3:00 PM
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Wright. Let’s start with a fascinating concept: the intersection of drugs and literary creativity, which has roots stretching back centuries. Can you shed some light on this relationship?
**Dr. Wright**: Absolutely! The connection between drugs and literature is quite profound. Authors like Thomas De Quincey and Arthur Rimbaud have famously explored this theme. De Quincey’s *Confessions of an English Opium-Eater* is a prime example, showcasing how substances can lead to both an expansive creative process and profound psychological insight. Rimbaud, in his *A Season in Hell*, even argued for a “reasoned disruption of all the senses” to enhance poetic creation. This idea that drugs can serve as a vehicle for deeper understanding or artistic expression is a recurring theme in literary history.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned Rimbaud’s perspective. Do you think modern writers share similar sentiments about drug use as a pathway to creativity?
**Dr. Wright**: Many contemporary writers certainly engage with drugs as both subjects and sources of inspiration. However, the narratives have diversified. While some still romanticize drug use, others treat it as an escape from personal suffering or a critique of societal norms. The relationship remains complex; for some, drugs open doors to new dimensions of thought, while for others, it leads to fragmentation and loss.
**Interviewer**: The article references the idea of drugs as “antidotes to bourgeois moderation.” Could you elaborate on this concept?
**Dr. Wright**: This phrase encapsulates the rebellious spirit that many artists feel towards conventional societal norms. The urge to break free from the constraints of bourgeois life has historically driven writers to explore drug use as a means of liberation. Whether it’s through excess, chaos, or deeper existential inquiry, there’s a desire to push against the boundaries of what is considered acceptable or rational. Such acts of defiance often serve not only as personal journeys but as broader commentaries on society’s limitations.
**Interviewer**: How do you view the portrayal of drugs in classic and modern literature today?
**Dr. Wright**: The portrayal of drugs has evolved but still holds a mirror to societal issues. Classic literature often romanticizes or mystifies drug use, highlighting its effects on the creative mind. In contrast, more recent works frequently delve into the social implications, psychological consequences, and even the moral dilemmas surrounding addiction. Writers like Will Self intertwine personal narrative with social critique, revealing the darker sides of this complex relationship.
**Interviewer**: for our readers interested in exploring this topic further, do you have recommendations for both classic and modern texts?
**Dr. Wright**: Certainly! For classics, I recommend starting with De Quincey’s *Confessions of an English Opium-Eater* and Rimbaud’s *A Season in Hell*. For modern reads, Will Self’s *Junk* and the works of authors like Hunter S. Thompson or even contemporary poets who reflect on substance use can provide insightful perspectives.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Wright, for sharing your insights on this captivating topic. It truly highlights the intricate bond between drug culture and literature.
**Dr. Wright**: My pleasure! It’s a rich field for exploration, and I encourage everyone to delve into these texts.
