It’s not until a little later on in the book that we learn about Opium being in the American Southwest, more specifically in Arizona. In the beginning of the novel I was just as confused as Matt was about where he was. Then Matt comes across this book ‘A History of Opium’ and gave me a better understanding about Opium.The MacGregors ruled the land near San Diego, and the Alacráns had a vast empire stretching from central California all across Arizona and into New Mexico.
Later on we learn, with Matt, that Opium is a country owned by drug lords like El Patron sandwiched between the United States and Aztlán. Also,we understand that Opium is a cry place, reminding me of a dessert. The only plants that grow there are opium and the rich landscape that surrounds El Patron’s house. When Matt looks out the window in which he grew up looking out of he sees, “fields of white poppies streched all the way to the shadowy hills.”
Another thing that makes me think this is that the oasis is a lush place, filled with water and trees and signs of life, and it's here in this oasis that Matt learns some hard truths about Opium and its inhabitants. It's where he first begins to grow up, because here, he can truly be himself. Elsewhere in dry, miserable Opium, El Patrón rules with an iron fist. But here, in his oasis, Matt can go beneath the cover of the leaves and let his mind be free.
Thanks for your thoughts Mitch :) Remember to consider the bigger picture when discussing literary elements like theme. What could the purpose of the setting be to the development of the story? Is Farmer perhaps making a social statement about the current status-quo in the USA and Mexico? Could the Oasis be a place of significance to Matt? To Tam Lin? To El Patron?
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