Perspective

Hunter S. Thompson was famous for his willingness to tackle taboo subjects like sex and drug abuse and in that light, "Screwjack" is typical of Thompson's go-for-broke style and uncommon intimacy with the reader. Nothing appears to be out of bounds or forbidden for Thompson to explore in detail. In this case, the subject of exploration is his own struggles with substance addiction, including marijuana, alcohol, and pills.

Throughout "Mescalito," Thompson shows a willingness to live life to its fullest, even when doing so is psychologically damaging and physically dangerous. Thompson has an affection for the seamy underbelly of society such as the kooks, freaks, and weirdos. He would probably count himself among that group and part of Thompson's agenda is to unearth this underbelly.

As revealed in the story "Screwjack," Thompson has a love/hate relationship with his substance addiction. He experiences both awesome highs and terrible...