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In the era of decolonisation that followed the Second World War, various authors sought to engage with India and the Empire’s past anew throughout their novels, identifying medicine and illness as key parts of Imperial authority and colonial experience. Salman Rushdie’s approach to the Raj in Midnight’s Children (1981) focused on the broad sweep of colonial life, juxtaposing the political and the personal. This article argues that Rushdie explores the history of colonial India by employing alcohol and alcoholism as lenses through which to explore the cultural, political and medical legacies of Empire. Through analysis of Midnight’s Children as well as a range of medical sources related to alcohol and inebriation, it will illustrate how drinking is central to Rushdie’s approach to secular and religious identities in newly independent India, as well as a means of satirising and undermining the supposed benefit that Empire presented to India and Indians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author presents a literary criticism of the English novel "Under the Volcano" by Malcolm Lowry. He discusses the alcoholism of the Consul, how it is an accurate depiction of alcoholism, and how his alcoholism enables him to find momentary beauty in the world.

A literary critique is presented for the 19th-century American novel "Bartleby, the Scrivener" and the short story "Cock-a-Doodle-Doo!" by Herman Melville, focusing on their engagement with the theme of alcoholism. Topics addressed include the distinct presence of alcoholics in both stories, the role of escapism as an early symptom of alcoholism, and Melville's social intentions of presenting alcohol as something to be avoided.

The apparent success of Alcoholics Anonymous and its spiritually based program of recovery in 1935 led early researchers to explore how AA worked and ultimately led to more formalized research on alcoholism and spirituality in the latter part of the 20th century. Using Miller's suggested research framework, a review of empirical research was conducted on four roles of spiritual variables in alcohol abuse and recovery. Tentative conclusions about the relationship between alcoholism and spirituality are provided. Limitations of studies are examined and implications for social work research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explores the shamanistic influences on William Kennedy's character Francis Phelan in his book `Ironweed.' Role of alcoholism in creating or releasing superhuman powers; Phelan's assumption of mythical qualities despite weakness of character; Comparisons between Kennedy's characters and legendary heroes.

Describes the way John Gower treats drunkenness, a branch of the deadly sin of gluttony, in the poem 'Confessio Amantis.' Difference from William Langland's approach to drunkenness in his account of the antics of Glotoun in 'Piers Plowman'; Possible reason for the insertion of French words by Gower.