# The Terror in the Night explained — The Beetle

> Chapter companion for The Beetle by Richard Marsh.

## What happens

Marjorie Lindon visits Sydney Atherton in a state of extreme agitation, recounting her terrifying experiences. She describes finding a mysterious man who uttered the name 'Paul Lessingham,' and later being haunted in her bedroom by an unseen beetle-like presence that she believes is supernatural. Atherton tries to calm her, and they pray together, only for her father, Mr. Lindon, to be revealed as an eavesdropper behind a screen. The chapter deepens the sense of supernatural threat and psychological terror surrounding Marjorie and Paul Lessingham.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fear and Psychological Terror

Marjorie's vivid description of the beetle-like presence and her loss of control over her own mind exemplify intense psychological terror.

### The Supernatural and the Unknown

Marjorie's conviction that she is in the presence of supernatural evil, and the inexplicable beetle phenomenon, highlight the theme of the unknown.

### Love and Obsession

Marjorie's profound fear for Paul Lessingham's safety and Atherton's deep emotional response to her distress reflect themes of love and obsession.

## Character check-ins

### Marjorie Lindon

Visits Atherton in a terrified state, recounting her encounter with a strange man and the supernatural beetle-like presence that haunted her bedroom.

### Sydney Atherton

Receives Marjorie, tries to calm her, prays with her, and becomes aware of Mr. Lindon's eavesdropping.

### Mr. Lindon

Revealed to have been hiding behind a screen, eavesdropping on Marjorie and Atherton's conversation.

### Paul Lessingham

Mentioned repeatedly by Marjorie as the object of her fear and the name uttered by the mysterious man.

### Robert Holt

Referenced as the man Marjorie found in a fit, who spoke the name 'Paul Lessingham' in a strange voice.

## Key lines

> I told you that if trouble overtook me I should come to you, and—I’m in trouble now. Such strange trouble.

Marjorie reminds Atherton of her promise to seek his help in trouble, and declares that she is now facing a very strange kind of trouble.

_Marjorie's opening statement sets the tone of urgent, supernatural distress._

> I felt it—against my face.—And it’s there now.

Marjorie claims she felt the beetle-like creature touch her face and insists it is still present.

_Highlights the visceral, physical horror of the supernatural encounter._

> Pray, Sydney, pray!—I can’t!—I don’t know why, but I can’t!

Marjorie begs Atherton to pray because she finds herself unable to pray, despite her desire.

_Illustrates her spiritual paralysis and the theme of lost connection with the divine._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxi-the-terror-in-the-night
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_beetle_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters