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.
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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 does Dr. Evelyn Hart interpret the relationship between drug imagery and identity exploration in 19th-century literature, particularly in works like “Alice in Wonderland”?
**Interview with Dr. Evelyn Hart, Literary Scholar and Author of “The Poetics of Substance: Drugs in 19th Century Literature”**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Dr. Hart. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the relationship between drugs and literature, particularly in the context of your recent insights into works like “Alice in Wonderland” and authors such as Arthur Rimbaud.
**Dr. Hart:** Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Interviewer:** Let’s start with “Alice in Wonderland.” The image of the blue caterpillar smoking a hookah is iconic. What do you think this scene signifies in the broader context of drug themes in literature?
**Dr. Hart:** The blue caterpillar is a fascinating character that embodies the duality of curiosity and transformation through altered states of consciousness. In the context of literature, this image can be seen as a reflection of the Romantic era’s fascination with substances that challenge our perception of reality. Just as the caterpillar engages with Alice’s curiosity and confusion, many authors have used drug imagery to explore themes of identity, understanding, and the subconscious.
**Interviewer:** Intriguing! You mentioned the Romantic era and Arthur Rimbaud. How did Rimbaud perceive the use of narcotics in relation to artistic creation?
**Dr. Hart:** Rimbaud believed that a “reasoned disruption of all the senses” was essential for poetic creation. He viewed drugs not merely as tools for escape but as gateways to heightened states of awareness that could enhance creativity. However, his relationship with substances was complex—while he sought transcendence through them, he also grappled with the darker aspects, such as dependency and existential distress. His work encapsulates the tension between seeking knowledge and the risk of losing oneself, which is a prevalent theme in drug-related literature [[1](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Drug_Themes_in_Fiction/Drug_Themes_in_Fiction)].
**Interviewer:** It’s fascinating how this dialog with substances plays out in literature. You also mentioned that some authors view narcotics as mere distractions. Can you elaborate on this divide among writers?
**Dr. Hart:** Absolutely. While some authors dive deep into the exploration of drug experiences, others treat them as superficial elements. For instance, writers like Thomas De Quincey in “Confessions of an English Opium-Eater” convey a profound engagement with their experiences, illustrating addiction’s grip on their lives. In contrast, other texts might skim over substance use, presenting it as an escape from reality or emotional pain without delving into its implications. This division highlights varying attitudes toward drugs as either artistic muses or mere mechanisms of forgetfulness.
**Interviewer:** As we explore these themes, what do you think contemporary literature has to say about drug use compared to the historical perspective?
**Dr. Hart:** Contemporary literature often mirrors the complexity of drug use today—ranging from depictions of addiction to explorations of therapeutic psychedelics. The conversation has shifted towards understanding mental health and the nuances of substance use, which reflects broader societal changes. Writers now delve into the personal narratives behind drug use, often advocating for empathy and awareness rather than stigmatization.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much, Dr. Hart, for your insightful reflections on this multifaceted topic. It’s clear that literature continues to grapple with the themes of substance use in profound ways.
**Dr. Hart:** Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing this important aspect of literature with you.
