# I: The Old House explained — The Jade God

> Chapter companion for The Jade God by Alan Sullivan.

## What happens

John Derrick and his sister Edith move into Beech Lodge, a house with a mysterious past. Derrick feels an inexplicable connection to the place, sensing that someone died in the study and that the house itself has chosen them. The Thursbys, the previous tenants, visit and hint at a sudden death in the house. Perkins, the maid, unsettles Edith with her strange expression. Derrick becomes increasingly convinced that the house holds secrets tied to its former occupant, Millicent.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Psychology of Place

Derrick feels an immediate, inexplicable connection to Beech Lodge, believing the house has chosen him and that it holds a record of past events. This theme explores how environments can influence and reflect inner states.

### The Power of the Past

The sudden death of Millicent in the study haunts the house, and Derrick senses it. The past is not gone but lingers, influencing the present.

### Fear and Paranoia

Edith is unsettled by Perkins and the house's atmosphere, while Derrick's intuitive feelings border on the uncanny, creating a sense of unease.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. John Derrick

Feels a strong, inexplicable pull to Beech Lodge and senses the presence of the previous owner, Millicent. He believes the house has chosen him.

### Edith Derrick

Pragmatic and protective of her brother, she is unsettled by the house and by Perkins, but tries to maintain normalcy.

### Perkins

The maid with an 'extraordinary expression' that makes Edith feel cold. She is described as making Mrs. Thursby feel like an intruder.

### Mr. Thursby

The previous tenant, a wealthy manufacturer who talks mostly about roses and mulch. He and his wife left Beech Lodge due to its unsettling atmosphere.

### Mrs. Millicent

Mentioned as the wife of the man who died in the study; her husband's portrait hangs over the fireplace.

## Key lines

> I’ve an extraordinary impression that someone died in this room not long ago; someone who didn’t want to die and wasn’t ready for it.

Derrick senses that a person died unwillingly in the study, leaving a lingering presence.

_Highlights Derrick's psychic sensitivity and the house's haunted history._

> We blend with the place, we're suitable and acceptable, while the Thursbys were not.

Derrick believes he and Edith are meant to live in Beech Lodge, unlike the previous tenants.

_Emphasizes the theme of the psychology of place and the idea of being chosen by a location._

> I had no alternative. From what? From coming here. I mean I was meant to come.

Derrick feels compelled to move into Beech Lodge, as if fate or the house itself called him.

_Reinforces the sense of predestination and the house's agency._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jade_god_se/chapters/i-the-old-house
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jade_god_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jade_god_se/chapters