The Ruby in the Smoke

Opium is a very important theme in 'A Ruby in the Smoke' as it pulls all the different plot elements together.

Almost all the suffering and evil portrayed in the story is somehow caused by opium. It is represented as a very dangerous, destructive and evil substance, which will only cause greed, misery and corruption.

Opium brings on visions and hallucinations, but also paranoia and nightmares. It is an extremely addictive substance, and it is this addiction that can, and did, ruin lives.