"The Aversion of Inevitability"
The Aversion of Inevitability
When confronted with uncertainty, one often becomes dangerously prone to succumbing to a multitude of seemingly irrational actions. Shrouded in distrust of others and personal insecurities, the characters of Wilkie Collins’ The Moonstone who come in contact with the Verinder family all seem to be affected by stone’s supposed curse, raising among other impediments the major motif of addicition. Addiction not only accentuates personal deficit within the story, but brings forth the manipulability of ethics to yield actions fueled entirely by desire.
Having himself been well acquainted with laudanum, the helplessness of one faced with addiction is strikingly present throughout Wilkie Collins’ intricate narrative, its effects being most apparent in the case of Franklin Blake. As the driving force behind the compilation of all accounts of the theft of the Moonstone and a major detective support, Blake’s later conclusion that his reasoning for the removal of the Moonstone from Rachel’s bedroom was rooted in its protection is seemingly truthful. However, this act ultimately affords Ablewhite a window of opportunity in which he is able carry out the offense. As more logical security measures could have been imposed, it can be deduced that Blake’s actions are largely the result of the effects of laudanum upon him.
Blake’s removal of the Moonstone from Rachel’s bedroom proves to be a major diversion in solving the crime. Just as “…even the comforting effect of Robinson Crusoe [wears] off” (75) at times for Betteredge and leaves him in a position of solitude and confusion, the wearing off of the laudanum administered to Blake renders him helplessly unstable, for he is faced with allegations of behavior he cannot recall. The drug itself acts as a temporary refuge for those suffering from detrimental personal circumstances – insomnia, for example, in Blake’s case – but thrusts the user into an increasingly declining cycle. This cycle is best witnessed in Ezra Jennings’ account of its effects: “…the vengeance of yesterday’s opium, pursuing [him] through a series of frightful dreams[,]” resolved only by the return of the pain he is attempting to lessen with its usage, for “[i]t dispelled the visions—and it was bearable because it did that.” (392) Franklin’s actions do not diminish his character in any way once all information is known, for it can be accepted that the laudanum – taken on Candy’s account – is responsible for making Blake act upon his fears that the Moonstone is not secure in the Verinder household.
Throughout The Moonstone, a number of addictions other than laudanum take a prevalent position. Blake, abiding to Rachel’s request that he cease usage of tobacco, is lead to experience many ‘[a] miserable, restless night; and a total failure of appetite…” (392) Having long had tobacco serve as a source of satisfaction for him, the lack of other sources of contentment make his task significantly more difficult. Blake’s interest in Rachel and his fervor in pursuing the thief of the Moonstone can also be seen as addictions, for these motivate him to alter personal customs and his present lifestyle.
Numerous forms of addiction encountered throughout The Moonstone prove to have a substantial impact on the outcome of the mystery. Franklin Blake, while only partially accountable for his actions, is a seamless example of the effects addiction can have on both the addict and those around him. Upon the novel’s completion, it can be seen that there does exist a unifying bond between each case of addiction within: one must aim to find satisfaction that can be maintained with a clear state of mind and under a reasonable, sustainable lifestyle.
Works Cited
Collins, Wilkie. The Moonstone. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
When confronted with uncertainty, one often becomes dangerously prone to succumbing to a multitude of seemingly irrational actions. Shrouded in distrust of others and personal insecurities, the characters of Wilkie Collins’ The Moonstone who come in contact with the Verinder family all seem to be affected by stone’s supposed curse, raising among other impediments the major motif of addicition. Addiction not only accentuates personal deficit within the story, but brings forth the manipulability of ethics to yield actions fueled entirely by desire.
Having himself been well acquainted with laudanum, the helplessness of one faced with addiction is strikingly present throughout Wilkie Collins’ intricate narrative, its effects being most apparent in the case of Franklin Blake. As the driving force behind the compilation of all accounts of the theft of the Moonstone and a major detective support, Blake’s later conclusion that his reasoning for the removal of the Moonstone from Rachel’s bedroom was rooted in its protection is seemingly truthful. However, this act ultimately affords Ablewhite a window of opportunity in which he is able carry out the offense. As more logical security measures could have been imposed, it can be deduced that Blake’s actions are largely the result of the effects of laudanum upon him.
Blake’s removal of the Moonstone from Rachel’s bedroom proves to be a major diversion in solving the crime. Just as “…even the comforting effect of Robinson Crusoe [wears] off” (75) at times for Betteredge and leaves him in a position of solitude and confusion, the wearing off of the laudanum administered to Blake renders him helplessly unstable, for he is faced with allegations of behavior he cannot recall. The drug itself acts as a temporary refuge for those suffering from detrimental personal circumstances – insomnia, for example, in Blake’s case – but thrusts the user into an increasingly declining cycle. This cycle is best witnessed in Ezra Jennings’ account of its effects: “…the vengeance of yesterday’s opium, pursuing [him] through a series of frightful dreams[,]” resolved only by the return of the pain he is attempting to lessen with its usage, for “[i]t dispelled the visions—and it was bearable because it did that.” (392) Franklin’s actions do not diminish his character in any way once all information is known, for it can be accepted that the laudanum – taken on Candy’s account – is responsible for making Blake act upon his fears that the Moonstone is not secure in the Verinder household.
Throughout The Moonstone, a number of addictions other than laudanum take a prevalent position. Blake, abiding to Rachel’s request that he cease usage of tobacco, is lead to experience many ‘[a] miserable, restless night; and a total failure of appetite…” (392) Having long had tobacco serve as a source of satisfaction for him, the lack of other sources of contentment make his task significantly more difficult. Blake’s interest in Rachel and his fervor in pursuing the thief of the Moonstone can also be seen as addictions, for these motivate him to alter personal customs and his present lifestyle.
Numerous forms of addiction encountered throughout The Moonstone prove to have a substantial impact on the outcome of the mystery. Franklin Blake, while only partially accountable for his actions, is a seamless example of the effects addiction can have on both the addict and those around him. Upon the novel’s completion, it can be seen that there does exist a unifying bond between each case of addiction within: one must aim to find satisfaction that can be maintained with a clear state of mind and under a reasonable, sustainable lifestyle.
Works Cited
Collins, Wilkie. The Moonstone. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
posted by Corey Frishling at 4:34 AM
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