Opium

Opium is a very important theme in 'A Ruby in the Smoke' as it pulls all the different plot elements together. Almost all the suffering and evil portrayed in the story is somehow caused by opium. It is represented as a very dangerous, destructive and evil substance, which will only cause greed, misery and corruption. Many of the characters declare their disgust for and hatred of the drug, including Lockhart, Reverend Bedwell and Frederick.

Opium was a popular drug in Victorian times. It was grown in poppy fields in India and traded legally by the East India Company. Victorians took the drug by burning it and breathing in the smoke. Opium brings on visions and hallucinations, but also paranoia and nightmares. It is an extremely addictive substance, and it is this addiction that can, and did, ruin lives. By using opium as a main element of his story...