Analysis Of Under The Volcano By Malcolm Lowry

Cinco de Mayo

“Under the Volcano” by Malcolm Lowry is a flashback of the last day he had with his friend Geoffrey Firmin, before his death in the small town of Mexico on the day of Cinco de Mayo. Geoffrey Firmin is also known as the Consul who is the main character that was driven by alcohol. Fighting against his elemental forces, Geoffrey was pushed to the destruction of his life accompanied by Yvonne. Time and location play a large role within this story by being on the day of Cinco de Mayo, November 1939; in its origin country, Mexico. Point of view is transported by traveling from present to past, with the change of who is speaking, emphasizing this stories main point which is the meaning of this man’s struggle in life that destroys him.

Vigil and M. Laruelle playing tennis at a public court, conversing about memories with the Consul. Dr. Vigil tells M. Laruelle about seeing the “Consul in his garden”, and in his mind saying, “please write me a note, if drinking have not killed him already.” (5). Smiling as a reply insinuates that M. Laruelle is amused by the joke but is still aware that alcohol is killing the Consul because of his serious addiction. Doctor Vigil said that the Consul is sick, but in the soul for using alcohol as medicine by saying, “he was drinking not water, but certainty of brightness” as a very discreet meaning to alcohol as the certainty. Spending money on “such continuous tragedies”, as the doctor in the story said, means that the Consul bought alcohol and drank to ease his stress during his strains in life. (5). Psychological doctors have done research and then theorized that “Some subgroups use alcohol in response to stress.” (Hussong & Cohen 1986). (29). Showing the agreement of research and personal observation from doctors tells the readers that the Consul was such a heavy drinker because alcohol was what made this man feel better when everything was going wrong. Cinco de Mayo is a holiday to celebrate the victory of a battle that was seen to be lost but this was the day the Consul, who did not see a bright future ahead, then lost his life in this major

Yvonne was not a drinker like the Consul and did not like being around her ex-husbands obvious alcoholism which lead to their divorce. Difference of an alcoholic person married to a sober person is very large and problem causing that is reported by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, that “Alcohol abuse and alcoholism within a family is a problem that can destroy a marriage or drive a wedge between members.” Abusive drinking was a problem in Yvonne and Geoffrey’s marriage that lead to separation and that is a stressful problem to have in life. (americanaddictioncenters.org). Becoming acquainted with the Consul’s brother, Yvonne liked Hugh in an affectionate way so they built a relationship together. Having the Consuls brother take his ex-wife he still missed and desired back, away caused a lot of stress, so it was time for the Consul to have a drink of his certainty of brightness that is also known as alcohol. Firmin’s serious drinking problem made this man see things and hear voices that did not exist. Hallucinations began while his life started to crumble down event by event. While attempting to win Yvonne back as his woman in life by being sober he was remained to listen to the ghosts inside his head. Tripping from England to Mexico the Consul is lost in life without the satisfaction he imagined with Yvonne. Depressed even further from