She · Chapter
XIX: “Give Me a Black Goat!” explained
After a desultory conversation, Ayesha arranges a dance for the group's amusement.
What happens
After a desultory conversation, Ayesha arranges a dance for the group's amusement. Leo, Holly, Job, and Billali explore the vast caves and tombs of Kôr, witnessing the preserved bodies of the ancient city's citizens. Job is deeply disturbed by the sight. Later, Ayesha demonstrates her power by projecting Job's memories onto a pool of water. The dance proves to be a grotesque and savage spectacle, including a possessed woman demanding a black goat's blood to cure her fit, followed by a beastly pantomime. During the dance, Ustane, disguised as a leopard, approaches Leo and urges him to flee with her, fearing Ayesha's wrath. Ayesha suddenly appears, catching them together, and the chapter ends in tense anticipation of tragedy.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Corruption
Ayesha's absolute authority is demonstrated through her control over the dance, her ability to project memories, and her ominous presence that terrifies Ustane and the others.
Jealousy and Revenge
Ustane's fear of Ayesha's jealousy and the impending tragedy when Ayesha catches her with Leo highlight this theme.
Beauty and Ugliness
The grotesque dance, the possessed woman's fit, and the beastly pantomime contrast with the earlier descriptions of Ayesha's beauty and the grandeur of the caves.
Characters to notice
- Ayesha
Arranges the dance, demonstrates her power over memory projection, and catches Ustane with Leo, setting up a confrontation.
- Leo Vincey
Explores the caves with great interest, attends the dance, and is approached by Ustane who urges him to flee with her.
- Horace Holly
Narrates the events, accompanies Leo on the cave tour, observes the dance with disgust, and tries to intervene when Ustane approaches Leo.
- Job
Terrified by the tombs and Ayesha's mind-projection demonstration; his memory of his siblings is used by Ayesha.
- Billali
Accompanies the group on the cave tour and makes a grim remark to Job about death.
- Ustane
Disguises as a leopard during the dance, approaches Leo, and begs him to flee with her to escape Ayesha's wrath.
- The Amahagger
Perform the savage dance, including a possessed woman and a beastly pantomime, showcasing their customs.
Key passages
“I want a Black Goat, I must have a Black Goat, bring me a Black Goat!”
A possessed woman demands a black goat to be sacrificed so she can drink its blood and be cured.
Highlights the savage and superstitious nature of the Amahagger dance ritual.
“She has got a Devil, called out one of them. Run and get a black goat. There, Devil, keep quiet! keep quiet! You shall have the goat presently.”
The dancers believe the woman is possessed by a devil and attempt to appease it by promising a black goat.
Illustrates the Amahagger's belief in demonic possession and their crude exorcism methods.
“I am in peril of my life from ‘ She-who-must-be-obeyed .’ Surely the Baboon has told thee how she drove me from thee?”
Ustane warns Leo that Ayesha wants to kill her and reminds him that Holly witnessed Ayesha's earlier threat.
Reveals Ustane's desperation and the immediate danger she faces from Ayesha's jealousy.