# The Narrator — The Hashish Eater character guide

> The Narrator in The Hashish Eater by Fitz Hugh Ludlow.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Unknown, Bob, B., Mendelssohn, Dr. H., Sir Walter, Dr. O'Shaughnessy, Dr. ⸻, Fred W⸺, Fred, Will, the Fern, Fern, Camillus, Monsieur Thibadeau, Eblis, Claude Lorraine, Ed, Edward, Edward Bransfield

**First appearance:** 0003-the-hashish-eater

## Who they are

A self-experimenting Pythagorean who treats Anderson's apothecary back room as a laboratory, swallowing every strange drug within reach in the name of research rather than indulgence.

## Relationships

### [Hashish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/characters/hashish)

_psychological_

Hashish is the central intoxicant and catalyst for the Narrator's visionary and often terrifying mental journeys.

### [Sam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/characters/sam)

_friendship_

Sam is a close companion of the Narrator, sharing in his drug-induced adventures and conversations.

### [Sidney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/characters/sidney)

_friendship_

Sidney is a friend and fellow participant in the Narrator's hashish sessions, offering camaraderie.

### [Dan Chaucer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/characters/dan_chaucer)

_social_

Dan Chaucer appears as a literary or symbolic figure interacting with the Narrator during his visions.

### [Clapperton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/characters/clapperton)

_social_

Clapperton is an acquaintance or fellow traveler in the Narrator's drug-induced social circle.

### [De Quincey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/characters/de_quincey)

_psychological_

De Quincey is a literary and philosophical influence, representing the tradition of drug-inspired writing that the Narrator engages with.

### [Deity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/characters/deity)

_psychological_

The Deity appears as a visionary entity in the Narrator's hashish-induced hallucinations, embodying cosmic power and mystery.

### [Pythagoras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/characters/pythagoras)

_social_

Pythagoras is a historical figure who appears in the Narrator's visions, representing mathematical and mystical knowledge.

### [Coleridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/characters/coleridge)

_psychological_

Coleridge is a poetic and intellectual influence, invoked as a kindred spirit in the exploration of altered states.

### [Mr. Jonah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/characters/mr_jonah)

_social_

Mr. Jonah is a minor character or acquaintance who appears in the Narrator's social or visionary experiences.

### [Baldwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/characters/baldwin)

_social_

Baldwin is an associate or fellow participant in the Narrator's hashish circle, contributing to the group dynamic.

### [John Locke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/characters/john_locke)

_psychological_

John Locke is a philosophical reference point, representing empiricism and the nature of perception challenged by the Narrator's experiences.

## In the story

### [The Hashish Eater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/the-hashish-eater)

The primary subject of the hashish experiment, describing his personal experience and reflections.

### [I: The Night Entrance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/i-the-night-entrance)

The protagonist who experiments with hashish and undergoes a nightmarish vision.

### [II: Under the Shadow of Esculapius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/ii-under-the-shadow-of-esculapius)

Experiences intense hashish-induced visions and time distortion during his visit to Dr. H.

### [III: The Kingdom of the Dream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/iii-the-kingdom-of-the-dream)

Experiences two distinct visions: a comical knitting congress and a sublime celestial realm, then awakens with a lingering sense of having passed through a great mystery.

### [Cashmere and Cathay by Twilight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/iv-cashmere-and-cathay-by-twilight)

Describes his internal conflict and fascination with hashish, and recounts his second experiment during a walk with Dan.

### [V: The Hour and the Power of Darkness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/v-the-hour-and-the-power-of-darkness)

Describes his youthful restlessness, love for the Hudson River, and his experiments with hashish, culminating in a horrific vision.

### [VI: The Mysteries of the Life-Sign Gemini](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/vi-the-mysteries-of-the-life-sign-gemini)

Describes his vision of human duality and reflects on the relationship between animal and spiritual life.

### [VII: The Night of Apotheosis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/vii-the-night-of-apotheosis)

Returns to hashish after a horrific experience, undergoes a visionary journey as Bruce, and reflects on the nature of perception and reality.

### [VIII: Vos Non Vobis—Wherein the Pythagorean Is a Bystander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/viii-vos-non-vobis-wherein-the-pythagorean-is-a-bystander)

Reflects on hashish's dangers and administers it to friends, guiding Bob through his vision.

### [IX: The Shadow of Bacchus, the Shadow of Thanatos, and the Shadow of Shame](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/ix-the-shadow-of-bacchus-the-shadow-of-thanatos-and-the-shadow-of-shame)

Experiences a Bacchic vision, a suicidal temptation, a celestial harp vision, and public shame.

### [X: Nimium—The Amreeta Cup of Unveiling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/x-nimium-the-amreeta-cup-of-unveiling)

Experiences prolonged hashish visions, then suffers intense agony and symbolic visions of his soul's corruption, culminating in a divine intuition.

### [XI: The Book of Symbols](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/xi-the-book-of-symbols)

The primary voice, reflecting on his own hashish-induced symbolization and the challenge of conveying ineffable experiences.

### [XII: Today, Zeus; Tomorrow, Prometheus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/xii-today-zeus-tomorrow-prometheus)

Describes his growing dependence on hashish and recounts a harrowing vision of a hellish city.

### [XIII: Idola Theatri and the Prince of Whales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/xiii-idola-theatri-and-the-prince-of-whales)

Takes hashish and goes to the theatre, experiencing vivid hallucinations and philosophical reflections.

### [XIV: Hail! Pythagoras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/xiv-hail-pythagoras)

Experiences a hashish vision of horizonless space, cosmic music, and numerical order; seeks to record the revelation but fails; hears the voice of Pythagoras.

### [XV: “Then Seeva Opened on the Accursed One His Eye of Anger”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/xv-then-seeva-opened-on-the-accursed-one-his-eye-of-anger)

Experiences terrifying visions of a wrathful Deity, judgment, and a discrowned God; later finds solace in a vision of the River of Life and Achilles mourning Patroclus.

### [An Oath in the Forum of Madness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/xvi-an-oath-in-the-forum-of-madness)

The protagonist who takes hashish and experiences a horrific vision of judgment and self-doubling.

### [Down with the Tide](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/xvii-down-with-the-tide)

Struggles with withdrawal, returns to hashish gradually, and hides his relapse from friends.

### [My Stony Guardian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/xviii-my-stony-guardian)

Describes his struggle with hashish withdrawal at Niagara, his use of tobacco as a substitute, and his emotional connection to the Profile Rock.

### [XIX: Resurgam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/xix-resurgam)

Discovers the article 'The Hashish Eater' and resolves to quit hashish, seeking counsel from the unknown author.

### [Leaving the Schoolmaster, the Pythagorean Sets Up for Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/xx-leaving-the-schoolmaster-the-pythagorean-sets-up-for-himself)

Describes his hashish-induced dreams, cave visit, and ongoing psychological torment.

### [Concerning the Doctor; Not Southey’s, but Mine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/xxi-concerning-the-doctor-not-southey-s-but-mine)

Describes his recovery from hashish addiction and his reliance on the doctor's sympathy and guidance.

### [Grand Divertissement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/xxii-grand-divertissement)

The narrator recounts his personal struggle with hashish longing and his methods of resistance.

### [XXIII: The Hell of Waters and the Hell of Treachery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/xxiii-the-hell-of-waters-and-the-hell-of-treachery)

Suffers from terrifying nightmares after abandoning hashish, including visions of drowning and a treacherous encounter in hell.

### [The Visionary; To Which Chapter There Is No Admittance Upon Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/xxiv-the-visionary-to-which-chapter-there-is-no-admittance-upon-business)

Defends the longing for stimulus as a sign of the soul's capacity for higher existence, warns against drug use, and advocates for communion with Nature, Art, and good deeds.

### [Cave Succedanea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/xxv-cave-succedanea)

Describes his own experiences with hashish, opium, and alcohol, and his path to recovery.

### [Notes on the Way Upward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/notes-on-the-way-upward)

Describes his own descent into a state of total nullity and lethargy after ceasing hashish use, and his subsequent turn to analyzing his accumulated mental experiences.

### [Labyrinths and Guiding Threads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/labyrinths-and-guiding-threads)

Recounts his childhood revelation about the senses and his philosophical journey; describes his role as caretaker during a friend's hashish experiment.

### [Ideal Men and Their Stimulants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/ideal-men-and-their-stimulants)

The narrator shares his own escape from hashish thraldom and his acquaintance with Dr. Palmer, expressing sympathy for addicts and a desire to help them.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/chapters/endnotes)

The narrator transcribes and comments on Dr. Palmer's article, expressing a desire to promote Cannabis Indica in American practice.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/characters/narrator
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_hashish_eater_se/characters