Under the Volcano

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses depictions of addiction to alcohol that feature in the source text.

The most prominent theme of Under the Volcano, addiction to alcohol is in many ways the driving force of the plot. It not only defines the Consul’s character through his actions and thoughts, but also determines the motives and actions of others as they interact with him. The Consul himself is motivated by his constant need to find his next drink, while Yvonne’s hopes and dreams are tied to her plans to extricate him from the holds of his addiction. The impact of the Consul’s addiction to alcohol extends to the narrative technique, with the Consul’s level of intoxication often affecting the coherence of the narrative. All these factors combine to create the tragic character that is the Consul. 

The Consul’s addiction renders him a tragic figure. One such tragic quality is the presence of the Consul’s “familiars,” voices that he hears due to his addiction. They are often simultaneously critical and encouraging to the Consul. They reveal his deepest insecurities while also cajoling him and rationalizing his need to drink. When the Consul returns home with Yvonne early in the novel and some whiskey is brought out by his maid, his “familiars” make their will known: