# Casting the Runes explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by M. R. James.

## What happens

Mr. Karswell is discussed at a dinner party, revealing his malevolent character and his history of frightening village children with a magic-lantern show. The conversation turns to his book on witchcraft and the mysterious death of John Harrington, who had written a scathing review. Later, Mr. Edward Dunning, who had anonymously rejected Karswell's paper, returns home unaware that Karswell has discovered his involvement.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Curse of Knowledge

Mr. Dunning's scholarly rejection of Karswell's paper leads to a dangerous personal vendetta, illustrating how academic pursuits can invite supernatural retribution.

### Folklore and Ancient Beliefs

Karswell's use of a magic-lantern show with terrifying imagery and his study of witchcraft reflect a manipulation of folkloric and ancient beliefs for malicious ends.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Karswell

Described as a malevolent figure who frightens children with a magic-lantern show and is suspected of occult practices.

### Mr. Edward Dunning

The protagonist who rejected Karswell's paper; returns home from the British Museum unaware of Karswell's discovery.

### John Harrington

A Cambridge acquaintance who wrote a scathing review of Karswell's book and later died mysteriously after being chased up a tree.

### Henry Long

John Harrington's brother, who has been trying to explain the mysterious death.

## Key lines

> I do hope that horrible man won't find out that Mr. Dunning had anything to do with the rejection of his paper.

The Secretary's wife expresses concern that Karswell might discover Dunning's role in rejecting his paper.

_Foreshadows the central conflict of the story._

> He suddenly begins to run like mad, loses his hat and stick, and finally shins up a tree... a dead branch gives way, and he comes down with it and breaks his neck.

John Harrington's mysterious death is described: he was chased by an unseen entity and fell from a tree.

_Highlights the supernatural danger associated with crossing Karswell._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/casting-the-runes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_35_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters