Alcoholic Authors Essay Example

alcoholic habits including troubled upbringings, challenging life experiences, or personal battles with depression. Additionally, I will explore both the positive and negative impacts of alcohol on their works.

Alcoholism proved to be a two-sided blade, resulting in the ruin of their professional lives and ultimately leading to their demise. Edgar Allan Poe's quote "I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so madly indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom." encapsulates the reasons behind the relapse of many esteemed authors into alcoholism.

Both Poe and Tennessee Williams were individuals who faced troubled lives and sought solace in alcohol. Poe's struggles with depression were influenced by various factors, such as his father's alcoholism, the loss of both his mothers and wife, the separation from his siblings, and the abuse he suffered from a foster father. These tragic events played a crucial role in shaping Poe's identity as both a person and an author, with alcohol becoming a coping mechanism for his pain. Similarly, Tennessee Williams also encountered numerous difficulties and emotional challenges during his upbringing within a problematic family.

Williams' father showed little support for him due to his sensitivity and early signs of homosexuality, favoring his brother instead. Despite this, Williams found comfort in his bond with his sister Rose, who suffered from schizophrenia and was institutionalized. Over time, he struggled to accept his own sexual orientation, leading to severe substance abuse involving drugs and alcohol. However,

he experienced some stability in his marriage to Frank Merlo, who assisted him in handling anger and addiction problems. Nevertheless, when Merlo terminated their relationship because of Williams' ongoing battles with alcoholism, Williams sank into even greater despair.

Both Williams and Hemingway, acclaimed authors and prize-winners, drew from their personal experiences in their works. Williams, who won the Pullitzer Prize for Drama, wrote A Streetcar Named Desire in 1948, where he vividly portrays his own struggle with alcoholism through the character of Stanley. Similarly, Hemingway battled alcoholism due to a troubled life and mirrored his father's behavior before his tragic suicide. In addition to this struggle, Hemingway also suffered from Hemochromatosis, a genetic disease causing mental and physical deterioration. Despite their hardships, both writers left an enduring legacy.

Christopher Martin's book, Ernest Hemingway: A Psychological Autopsy of a Suicide, delves into the various factors that may have contributed to Hemingway's suicide. In addition to his own mental illnesses and battles with alcoholism, Hemingway also experienced the tragic loss of his brother and sister through suicide. By analyzing Hemingway's writings, Martin uncovers signs of bipolar disorder, alcohol dependence, traumatic brain injury, and narcissistic personality traits. It is clear that Hemingway endured significant mental and emotional distress and heavily relied on alcohol as a coping mechanism. Even today, Hemingway remains renowned for his struggles with alcoholism.

Many alcoholic authors often experienced emotional hardships and struggles, which strongly influenced their works. Previous discussions have highlighted the belief that alcohol addiction enhanced creativity, cured writer's block, and provided relaxation from writing pressures. Dr. Donald Goodwin, author of Alcohol and the Writer, conducted research examining the relationship between authors and alcoholism.

According to the

author, writing does not actually promote alcoholism but rather suggests that insanity inspires creativity because "creative writing requires a rich fantasy life." Alcohol enhances this same fantasy life as it distorts one's perceptions. The author concludes that both writing and alcoholism stem from the same way of life, rather than writing as a profession encouraging alcoholism. Writing involves fantasy while alcohol fosters fantasy. Writing necessitates self-confidence and alcohol reinforces confidence.

Writing is often a solitary endeavor, but alcohol can provide solace by easing feelings of loneliness. Moreover, writing necessitates intense concentration, whereas alcohol can promote relaxation. William Faulkner serves as a prominent illustration; he frequently consumed alcohol while writing throughout his entire professional life. He once expressed, "Typically, I write during the nighttime and always ensure my whiskey is within easy reach."

Faulkner, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for his novels and short stories, was also recognized for his literary achievements. In contrast, Hemingway saw whiskey as a way to break free from his daily routines, considering it almost medicinal. He once stated that when someone uses their mind extensively during the day and must continue doing so the next day, nothing else can change their perspective and inspire new ideas like whisky can. This mindset was shared by numerous other esteemed writers. Goodwin devotes a chapter in his book to The Loner Theory.

Alcoholism is a disease primarily rooted in individualism, affecting those who have felt psychologically isolated and independent from a young age. These individuals find solace in alcohol as a means of emotional release. This characteristic of individualism is evident in the works of many acclaimed authors. Goodwin draws a parallel between writing and

intoxication, stating that both induce trance-like states. The talent for creative writing may involve a natural aptitude for entering such trancelike states.

Being a loner may facilitate trancelike states when it is time to write and encourage drinking to overcome shyness and isolation when it is time to relax. This reasoning and logic is evident in the lifestyles of many authors. While these tendencies helped them produce creative work, they also led to the demise of their careers and eventual death. Hemingway, Poe, Faulkner, and similar authors all eventually succumbed to their infamous drinking habits, resulting in death or the decline of their careers. These alcoholic authors experienced a gradual decline in their creative output.

Many believed that their alcoholism stifled their creative thinking, transforming them into uninspired and sentimental writers. Faulkner's sclerosis impaired his writing pace, while Hemingway's emotions overwhelmed his style. Hemingway mocked Fitzgerald for publicly discussing his decline in Esquire. Disgusted, Hemingway challenged Fitzgerald to throw his balls into the sea if he still had any courage.

Despite their attempts to achieve sobriety, multiple authors found themselves unable to write without the aid of alcohol. While they would occasionally experience success, they would ultimately struggle with maintaining their sobriety and creating written work without relying on alcohol. Hemingway, for instance, faced happiness challenges in his later years and tragically took his own life. Conversely, Faulkner passed away from a heart attack linked to his excessive drinking.

Although the exact cause is uncertain, alcoholism was the primary factor that contributed to Edgar Allan Poe's death. News articles from his time suggest that cerebral inflammation, a common consequence of alcoholism, was believed to be responsible for his demise.

These renowned writers were famous not only for their literary achievements but also for their love of alcohol. Unfortunately, their drinking habits frequently led to deteriorating health as they grew older. The consumption of alcohol gradually diminished their creative brilliance and ultimately led many to live unfulfilling lives.

There is an undeniable connection between many authors and alcoholism. A large number of them lived in the same era and gained legendary status among the public, largely because of their drinking habits. Their inclination towards alcohol can be largely attributed to their solitary lifestyles, which they all embraced. Undoubtedly, they possessed exceptional artistic minds and many of them were renowned award-winning authors who are considered icons in American literature.

However, the drinking habits of these famous writers were equally renowned as their work. Regrettably, these habits ultimately resulted in their downfall. Numerous succumbed to suicide, drank until they became unconscious, or suffered from other alcohol-related health complications. Alcohol served as a remedy for writer's block, a means to escape their own thoughts, and a tool to cope with the emotional turmoil brought by their troubled lives.

It is not a coincidence that the greatest writers and artists had troubled childhoods and adult lives. Loners tend to depend on alcohol, and many authors are loners. Therefore, many authors had troubled lives and childhoods that emotionally scarred them, leading to alcoholic habits.

Furthermore, several individuals derived satisfaction from engaging in work and writing while being under the influence of alcohol. This inclination was in harmony with their distinctive personalities. Alcoholism, a condition that impacts individuals, typically coexists with writing, an artistic pursuit often undertaken by individuals. Similar to these writers who sought

comfort in consuming alcohol, many of them allowed alcohol to devastate their lives, as Poe tragically experienced.

Legendary authors such as Hemingway, Faulkner, Poe, Fitzgerald, and Williams have made a lasting impact on literature. However, their reliance on alcohol as a source of comfort and writing tool ultimately led to their downfall. This damaging relationship with alcohol caused declining mental and physical well-being, resulting in unhappiness and even death. It is undeniable that their genius came at a cost - deteriorating health due to their dependence on alcohol.

Works Cited

1. http://www.mcsr.olemiss.edu/~egjbp/faulkner/wf-faq.html