I have about 5 pages of my essay written.
The title is: Tripping Romantic: The 19th Century Psychedelic Experience
My introduction begins with a discussion of LSD in the 1960's, and how the 60's is commonly viewed as an era that gave birth to a generation of drug addicts. I go on to comment that the popularity of LSD can be seen in the art and literature of that time, and go on to give a few examples.
I then raise the question: Did LSD lead to the belief that drugs can be used for creative purposes? Or did this idea exist way before the 1960's? I then mention an earlier "Drug Era:" the 19th century and the popularity of Opium, and how it too influenced the literature of the time, especially the Romantic Poets.
The essay is then broken down into sections such as:
What is Opium?
It discusses the process of making opium from the opium poppy, and explains the different ways opium has been used. This eventually leads up to the discussion of opiates, and how alkaloids were isolated to create morphine and heroin.
The History of Opium:
This section discusses how Opium became so popular, especially in England in the 19th century. ( Not currently Written)
The Effects of Opium:
Looks at the effects of opium, and analyzes both the positive feelings it brings, and later the destruction that opium addiction causes to the addict.
The next sections will be:
Opium and Creativity
2 Case Studies:
-Coleridge
- Poe (maybe- needs more research)
Overall, I like how this project is taking shape, and I am just waiting to get motivated enought to finish the rest of it.