The Beetle · Chapter
Magic?—Or Miracle? explained
Atherton and the stranger revive Percy Woodville after he succumbs to Atherton's Magic Vapour.
What happens
Atherton and the stranger revive Percy Woodville after he succumbs to Atherton's Magic Vapour. The stranger uses a hypnotic technique to restore Woodville, leaving Atherton with a grudging respect for the man.
Themes in this chapter
The Supernatural and the Unknown
The stranger's hypnotic revival of Woodville blurs the line between scientific explanation and miraculous intervention.
Power and Control
Atherton's Magic Vapour represents scientific control over life, while the stranger's hypnotism demonstrates an alternative, mysterious form of power.
Characters to notice
- Sydney Atherton
Narrator of the chapter; nearly succumbs to his own Magic Vapour but revives and assists Woodville.
- Percy Woodville
Victim of the Magic Vapour; rendered unconscious and revived by the stranger's hypnotic intervention.
- The Beetle
The mysterious stranger who revives Woodville using hypnotism; referred to as Paul Lessingham's friend.
Key passages
“My own senses reeled. It was only because I had resolutely held my breath, and kept my face averted that I had not succumbed to the fate which had overtaken Woodville.”
Atherton nearly faints from the vapour but avoids Woodville's fate by holding his breath and turning away.
Highlights the immediate danger of Atherton's own invention.
“Passing his hand to and fro in front of the unconscious countenance, as if by magic all semblance of discomfort vanished from Percy's features, and, to all appearances, he was placidly asleep.”
The stranger waves his hand over Percy's face, and Percy's distress disappears, leaving him peacefully asleep.
Illustrates the stranger's seemingly magical hypnotic ability.