The confessions of an english opium eater thomas de quincy was a marveled man, but does that make his confessions legitimate. De quincy was around in the 19th century writing his confessions so the future generations can understand the use of an illegitimate drug. De quincy goes to great pains to explain his one year of poverty, which seems like a ten year ordeal. When he is on the streets he tells of stories of some people he had met but even then it seems a little faded to mind.

He was an extremely gifted man for he was an excellent linguist, especially in greek and greek history. College is were de quincy was introduced to opium, a friend had given him a decanter of laudanum which he used for acute neuralgia pains. Though he didn't really become addicted to opium until some years later, i feel there is a lot not being shared.

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You will think, perhaps, that i am too confidential and communicative of my own private history de quincy, confessions 84 this explains a lot, it is quite possible the reason de quincy took an absence from college was because of the illegitimate use of opium. He was an extremely smart man with a lot to offer, i cant think of any other reason why he would not stay. At one point he even gives remorse to the fact that he is leaving the college and how he will probably never see one of his professors again. In the 19th century opium was legal to buy in stores in accordance with the fact that de quincy boug the author and narrator of confessions of an english opium eater.

De quincey is the son of a wealthy merchant, and although his father died when he was seven, de quincey is able to live in relative wealth for most of his youth. After he runs away from boarding school at 17, he spends several years living in poverty on the streets of london before attending university at oxford. He initially begins to take opium as a pain reliever for various ailments, but his addiction to it threatens his mental health and his writing career. She used to work as a lady’s maid in a bishop’s household and is very proud of this distinction.

When de quincey moved into the vacant building in london, he found a little girl of about ten years old living there. They bond when he promises to keep her safe from the ghosts she believes haunt the building. He describes her as neither pretty, nor quick in understanding, nor remarkably pleasing in manners 20.

De quincey tried to trace her in later years but never found out what happened to her after she grew up. He remembers her for the rest of his life and tries to trace her in later years, but he never finds out what happened to her after he left london for the first time. A jewish moneylender who initially refuses to lend to de quincey because he doubts de quincey 39 s identity. She takes care of him faithfully when he is suffering from illness and opium withdrawals.

Charles howard, the eleventh duke of norfolk, and a good friend of de quincey’s during his early opium eating period from 1804 1812. De quincey’s doctor, who condones his laudanum use so long as he does not exceed 25 ounces. A malaysian sailor who comes to de quincey 39 s door presumably to beg one day when he is living in the mountains. A young woman who works for de quincey as his housekeeper when he is living alone in the mountains. Although anastasius is often referred to as a character, the name is actually cited as a reference to thomas hope’s novel anastasius. Samuel taylor coleridge, the famous romantic poet and a good friend of de quincey 39 s.

When the latter continues to fall asleep into the butler, the latter is annoyed at first but later takes care of the young man after learning of his struggles. next section glossary previous section confessions of an english opium eater summary buy study guide by jeffrey leach on november 9, 20 thomas de quincey wrote this account of his life and his struggle with drug addiction to both educate on the evils of opium and also to share the dream trances that he experienced while in the throes of addiction. This version by penguin presents de quincey's original version from 1821 and then his revision notes from 1856. There is also a short section of comments that de quincey made concerning his confessions from 1821 1855. The introduction by alethea hayter is one of the best i've seen in a penguin book, and it really helps in understanding thomas de quincey and his writing style. The confessions, in a nutshell, begin by recounting de quincey's early life and the events that led him to begin taking opium.

The rest of the tale deals with his problems with opium and his dreams that came from taking the drug. The original version isn't that long of a read, but his revision notes add considerable length, and for the most part weren't as interesting as the 1821 original. He is one of the most gifted writers i've had the pleasure to read up to this date. Many times i felt as though i was lifted up by his words and carried directly into his world. His grasp of the english language will leave many modern readers scratching their heads. Footnotes and notes by the editor help, but a dictionary will find heavy use during the reading of this book. I can read greek and have studied classical history, so i got most of his references and in jokes.

Even romans had trouble speaking greek fluently, so much so that it is mentioned in various historical works when an emperor could do so. The fact that de quincey can do this is a sign of his deep intellectual abilities. I can only imagine how prolific he might have been if he had not been saddled with an opiate addiction. An amazing book and one i highly recommend to those who are prepared to read and understand it. For those looking for a justification for drug use, look elsewhere! the page you requested was not available.

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Use the navigation links at the top of the page to find the link you are looking for. If you are having difficulty placing an order, please contact our customer services team: email: [email protected] telephone: +44 0 1536 452657 opening hours: 8.30 17.00 gmt, monday friday you have not saved any essays. This is were things got hectic with opium and de quincy, he experienced its powers. De quincy did not understand of the harm opium can cause, though it contains some 10% of morphine which dulled his ill needed pains it can also cause harm. Opium addicts in otherwise good physical and mental health whose drug needs are met are thought to experience no debilitating physiological effects from their addiction, although there is some evidence that immune function is compromised. However, their preoccupation with the drug and its acquisition can lead to m confessions of an english opium eater. how opium enhances the senses, in his autobiographical novel confessions of an english opium eater thomas de quincey depicts the time period when the addictive qualities of opium had not been properly understood and gives a pioneering and, first of all, an insider’s account of a man living within the boundaries of his addiction to opium.