Can Such Things Be? · Chapter
The Damned Thing explained
A group of men gather at the inquest into the death of Hugh Morgan, who has been found dead under mysterious circumstances in a remote cabin.
What happens
A group of men gather at the inquest into the death of Hugh Morgan, who has been found dead under mysterious circumstances in a remote cabin. The coroner and witnesses examine the scene and testimony, revealing that Morgan died of fright or a violent encounter with an unseen entity. The story explores the limits of human perception and the existence of forces beyond ordinary senses, as the 'damned thing' remains invisible and unexplained.
Themes in this chapter
The Uncanny and the Grotesque
The invisible 'damned thing' that kills Morgan represents an uncanny force beyond ordinary perception, creating a grotesque and terrifying mystery.
Violence and Mortality
Morgan's violent death, with signs of a struggle and fatal injuries, underscores the brutal and sudden nature of mortality.
Characters to notice
- Hugh Morgan
Deceased; the subject of the inquest, found dead in his cabin under mysterious circumstances.
- Williamson
Coroner presiding over the inquest into Hugh Morgan's death.
- King
Witness who discovered Morgan's body and testifies at the inquest.
Key passages
“The inquest into the death of Hugh Morgan was held in the cabin where he had lived and died.”
The investigation of Hugh Morgan's death took place in the very cabin where he resided and passed away.
Sets the scene for the coroner's inquiry.
“The thing that killed him was not a thing that could be seen.”
The entity responsible for his death was invisible to the human eye.
Highlights the central mystery of the story.