Adam Smith and Sea of Poppies: Does Ghosh Celebrate Self-Interest or Empathy? Anonymous College

Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh follows the narratives of a multitude of characters in pre-Opium War India. Following the ship named Ibis, an old slave ship transformed for use in opium trade and transporting coolies, the reader invests in the stories and decisions of both sailors and indentured servants alike. Widowed Deeti and her lover Kalua are traveling to Mauritius to become girmitiyas along with many other smaller characters who the reader meets once they arrive on board. Another main character, American sailor Zachary Reed, has worked his way up to second mate with the aid of the lascars including their leader Serang Ali. Neel Halder, an opium trader in debt to Mr. Burnham is brought onto the ship as a prisoner with a Chinese opium addict called Ah Fatt. Benjamin Burnham’s adopted daughter Paulette runs away from him and her home life to be free on the sea with her Bengali foster brother Jodu and her love interest Reed. Throughout all the complex sub-plots and when navigating the stories of the many characters of Ghosh’s novel, there is an important economic undertone that is very important to explore. Entangled within the historical monetary background of opium trade, lascars, and indentured labourers, this book is an...