Sex, Drugs, and Even More Drugs: John Jasper’s Dreams and Desires in The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Rowen L. Conry
Dr. Hena Ahmad, Faculty Mentor

Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood is less a mystery and more an in-depth psychological analysis of suspected murderer John Jasper. What drives Jasper? What role does his use of opium play in telling the story of his subconscious? This paper draws on Freud’s dream analysis theories as well as Natalie McKnight's more modern discourse on the novel's sexual themes in order to offer a psychoanalytic study of Dickens’ final villain.

Keywords: Dickens, Edwin Drood, Freud, McKnight, John Jasper, Psychoanalysis

Topic(s):English

Presentation Type: Oral Paper

Session: 101-5
Location: MG 1000
Time: 9:00

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