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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How do different authors in literature portray the relationship between drug use and creativity, and what insights does Dr. Hargrave offer on this dynamic?
**Interview with Dr. Emily Hargrave: Literature and the Influence of Drugs**
**Interviewer (I):** Welcome, Dr. Hargrave. Today, we’re diving into some intriguing literary themes revolving around drugs and their impact on creativity. Many readers associate Lewis Carroll’s *Alice in Wonderland* with drug use, particularly due to the iconic scene featuring the caterpillar smoking a hookah. What are your thoughts on this interpretation?
**Dr. Hargrave (H):** Thank you for having me! The caterpillar on the mushroom is indeed a striking image, and it has sparked much debate regarding its potential drug connotations. However, it’s essential to note that there is no substantial evidence tying Lewis Carroll directly to drug use or to the creation of *Alice in Wonderland* as a reflection of narcotics. Carroll’s diaries, which are extensive, make no mention of any recreational drug use at all [[1](https://literature.stackexchange.com/questions/1069/is-alice-in-wonderland-about-drugs)].
**I:** That’s fascinating! While Carroll himself may not have used drugs, the broader context of literature shows how drugs have been represented in various artistic forms. Authors like Thomas De Quincey and Arthur Rimbaud have famously explored these themes. How do you see the relationship between drug use and creativity?
**H:** There’s a long history of artists using substances as a muse or a means to explore deeper aspects of perception and reality. Rimbaud, for example, called for a “reasoned disruption of all the senses,” suggesting that altering consciousness could lead to profound creative insights [[1](https://literature.stackexchange.com/questions/1069/is-alice-in-wonderland-about-drugs)]. However, this relationship is complex and varies significantly among individuals. Some people might find inspiration in these altered states, while others may just escape from their everyday lives or suffer from dependencies.
**I:** It sounds like a double-edged sword. On one hand, there’s the potential for deeper insights, but on the other, a serious risk of addiction. Could you elaborate on how this tension manifests in literature?
**H:** Absolutely. Many writers oscillate between celebrating the creative potential of substances and warning against their dangers. The literary canon reflects various perspectives: some authors glorify the chaos and creativity born from intoxication, while others critique it as a mere illusion or a means of masking suffering. This duality makes for rich discussions about the role of drugs in both personal narratives and broader societal contexts.
**I:** With your expertise, do you think these themes resonate more today than they did in the past, given our current societal issues with substance use?
**H:** Definitely. The modern discourse around mental health and substance use has opened new avenues for examining these themes in literature. Many contemporary writers address their experiences with drugs not just as a source of inspiration, but as a poignant reflection on society, identity, and emotional well-being. This ongoing conversation challenges past narratives and encourages a more nuanced understanding of both creativity and addiction.
**I:** Thank you, Dr. Hargrave! Your insights shed light on the intricate relationship between literature, drugs, and the pursuit of creativity. It certainly seems like a topic ripe for further exploration.
**H:** Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an impactful subject that intertwines art, personal experience, and societal reflection.