De Quincey embarked on his autobiographical works with the goal of achieving self-awareness. But as the author carefully shows in detail, his effort failed; he ended in self-deception. His preoccupation with opium, which he believed gave him insight into himself, actually glibly masked his repressed desires and hidden ambivalence by providing only an illusion of understanding. As to whether his use of opium contributed to his art or simply changed it from what it could have been remains in question.