Addiction
Drug addiction is the driving element of the vignettes as they recount the experiences of a drug-addict and his encounters across real and surreal realms. Drawn from the author’s own drug-induced experiences, the narratives surrounding the protagonist Lee depict heavy use of narcotics including heroin and opioids. The vignettes do not glamorize or condemn drug-use but rather portray the genuine yet ugly side of drug addiction and its subsequent effects such as cravings, withdrawal, and hallucinations. It depicts the drug-addicted characters as going into great lengths to acquire a fix which involved mortifying and desperate actions. Burroughs utilizes the grotesque depiction of heroin addiction to show the terrors and downward spiral of drug use.
Sadism
Lee’s adventures throughout the novel are filled with sadistic encounters that are either drug or sex-related. Sexual activities are not described in a glamorous manner but as a repulsive, vulgar or foul experience. In Freeland, he comes across Dr. Benway, depicted as a vicious practitioner who uses his skills to inflict torturous drug-induced acts on his patients. In the dreamlike Interzone Lee encounters the market where drugs and boundless sexual favors are offered on sale. The appalling consumption of the Black Meat in which the consumers vomit after greedily eating in order to consume it again is a clear depiction of the sadism. Secular wickedness is found everywhere, for instance, the Islam Inc. operative A.J who conducts demeaning orgies while also committing extremely violent acts. Most characters in Lee’s vignettes are either depicted as sadistic individuals or nihilistic in nature. The activities are described in a lax way without judgment, as they are part of this world that Lee the Agent is exploring while he travels across America and also into other realms.
Totalitarianism
The novel also acts as a commentary on social institutions like government particularly through the tyrannical governments in the alternate territory, Annexia. Burroughs’ novel critiques the controlling nature of régimes over its people by creating these extreme realities in Lee’s adventures. Through Interzone, Burroughs demonstrates the autocratic manifestos of its political parties that involve absolute control over its citizens both physically and psychologically. The philosophy of Freeland’s government is shown through its representative Dr. Benway who uses sadistic and non-ethical methods to maintain order. Thus attesting to the totalitarian nature of the government. The villainous doctors in the novel act as the enforcers of this tyrannical administration with their mind control drugs, lobotomy, hypnosis, and torture financed by faceless entities. The governments seek to oppress its citizens by offering them everything and in turn expect total surrender of their autonomy.
Homophobia and Racism
Moreover, another significant backdrop to the novel is the depiction of the homophobia and racism of the mid-20th century. Burroughs emphasizes the prevalence of bigotry in regards to sexuality and race throughout the vignettes of Lee’s adventures. Illustrating how homosexuality was treated as a mental condition during the era. Lee’s escapades demonstrate how the homosexual acts had to be hidden away for the public eye and only performed in secret. Moreover, the prejudice against minority races across America is explored through the narratives.
