Confessions of an English Opium-Eater

"Confessions of an English Opium-Eater" by Thomas De Quincey is a story from the 1800s mixing the author's life story with deep thinking about life. It tells about the author's time using opium, showing how good and tempting it felt at first, but also how destructive it became. De Quincey portrays himself as an educated person battling his addiction, dealing with his studies alongside the drug's dark temptations. The author starts by speaking honestly to the reader, talking about how people often look down on those who share their personal problems, especially when they face hard times. He desires to share his battle with opium, not to feel sorry for himself, but to help others who might be going through the same thing. He remembers important moments from when he was young that began his opium use and the first time he tried the drug. He dramatically recalls his sad struggles with hunger and the friends he made during those desperate times, setting the scene to explore the complicated links between joy and pain through the eyes of suffering through opium addiction.