# Chapter VIII explained — The Magician

> Chapter companion for The Magician by W. Somerset Maugham.

## What happens

Susie suspects Haddo's sincerity after his humiliation by Arthur, but Arthur dismisses her concerns. Margaret and Arthur plan their marriage. Haddo feigns a heart attack to gain entry to Margaret's studio, where he performs a hypnotic ritual that subjects her to terrifying visions of lust, evil, and mythological figures. Afterward, Margaret is left ashamed and terrified, while Haddo leaves his address. Susie returns annoyed after a failed meeting with a friend, and Margaret hides her distress.

## Themes in this chapter

### Occult and Supernatural

Haddo uses hypnotism and a burning substance to induce visions in Margaret, involving mythological creatures and supernatural travel.

### Obsession and Control

Haddo's feigned illness and hypnotic ritual demonstrate his manipulative control over Margaret, driven by his obsession with her.

### Madness and Reality

Margaret's visions blur the line between reality and hallucination, as she experiences a nightmarish descent into obscene and terrifying imagery.

## Character check-ins

### Susie Boyd

Susie is suspicious of Haddo's regret and warns Arthur, but her concerns are dismissed. She later receives a telegram from an old friend and goes to the station, only to find the friend never arrived.

### Arthur Burdon

Arthur laughs off Susie's warnings about Haddo, calling him a coward. He discusses marriage plans with Margaret and feels disgust toward Haddo.

### Margaret Dauncey

Margaret initially cuts Haddo in the street but later helps him after his feigned collapse. She is hypnotized by Haddo and experiences horrific visions, leaving her ashamed and terrified.

### Oliver Haddo

Haddo feigns a heart attack to enter Margaret's studio, performs a hypnotic ritual, and subjects her to disturbing visions. He leaves his address before departing mysteriously.

## Key lines

> The man's a funk. Do you think if he'd had anything in him at all he would have let me kick him without trying to defend himself?

Arthur dismisses Haddo as a coward, arguing that a real man would have fought back when kicked.

_Arthur's contempt for Haddo's perceived cowardice._

> I couldn't do any less for you than I did. I would have brought a dog into my room if it seemed hurt.

Margaret coldly tells Haddo that she helped him only out of basic decency, no different from aiding a wounded animal.

_Margaret's attempt to distance herself emotionally after helping Haddo._

> It was Pan, playing on his pipes, and the lecherous eyes caressed her with a hideous tenderness.

In her vision, Margaret sees the god Pan, whose lustful gaze feels both repulsive and strangely affectionate.

_The blending of horror and allure in Margaret's supernatural experience._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/viii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_magician_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_magician_se/chapters