Greeks on de Quincey’s Chinese stage: Orientalism, opium warfare, and the ‘Theory of Greek Tragedy’

What is it about?

Prior to each of the two Opium Wars, Thomas de Quincey authored journalism that endorsed British attacks on China. Yet de Quincey obviously knows little about China, and he uses ideas of beneficial sacrifice taken from Greek tragedy. Most modern critics have dismissed de Quincey's China journalism as racist and belligerent. However, this close examination of the articles argues that the English Opium Eater de Quincey fears China because he identifies himself with it; further clues lie in his dread that his classical learning will be eradicated by Asian culture, and in the identity of his famous Malay visitor.

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Why is it important?

The essay revaluates influential British journalism on China, arguing that the violence de Quincey proposes should not be read at face value.