# Chapter XI explained — The Magician

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

## What happens

Susie Boyd visits London and observes the dramatic changes in Arthur Burdon, who is visibly suffering from Margaret's marriage to Oliver Haddo. She also learns of the Haddos' scandalous life in Monte Carlo, including rumors of occult practices, orgies, and Haddo's cruel behavior. At a dinner, Margaret's coarse behavior shocks Arthur and Susie, leading to a tense confrontation where Margaret reveals she knows Susie's secret love for Arthur.

## Themes in this chapter

### Obsession and Control

Arthur's obsessive love for Margaret consumes him, while Haddo exerts control over Margaret's life and behavior.

### Occult and Supernatural

Haddo is rumored to practice black magic, alchemy, and attempt to create homunculi, with stories of satanic rituals and the Black Mass.

### Madness and Reality

Arthur's mental state deteriorates under the strain of his unrequited love, while the Haddos' life blurs the line between reality and grotesque fantasy.

## Character check-ins

### Susie Boyd

Visits London, observes Arthur's suffering and the Haddos' scandalous life, confronts Margaret at the end of the chapter.

### Arthur Burdon

Shows signs of severe distress and aging due to Margaret's marriage; struggles with self-control and is deeply affected by Margaret's behavior.

### Margaret Dauncey

Now married to Haddo, appears radiant but behaves coarsely at dinner; reveals awareness of Susie's feelings for Arthur.

### Oliver Haddo

Continues his scandalous behavior in Monte Carlo, involved in occult practices and orgies; grows more corpulent and alarming in appearance.

### Arbuthnot

Present at the dinner where Margaret tells a gross story; laughs along with Haddo.

## Key lines

> He was supposed to have odious vices, and people whispered to one another of scandals that had been with difficulty suppressed.

Haddo was rumored to have disgusting habits, and people quietly discussed scandals that had barely been kept quiet.

_Describes the rumors surrounding Haddo's character._

> Susie’s heart sank when she heard this; but on the few occasions upon which she caught sight of Margaret, she seemed in the highest spirits.

Susie felt dismayed by the rumors, but whenever she saw Margaret, Margaret appeared very cheerful.

_Contrasts Susie's concern with Margaret's apparent happiness._

> He was more silent than ever, and when he spoke it was in a strange low voice that seemed to come from a long way off.

Arthur was even quieter than before, and his voice was oddly low and distant.

_Illustrates Arthur's changed demeanor after Margaret's marriage._

> Do you know that he’s killing himself on your account? He can’t sleep at night. He’s suffered the tortures of the damned.

Arthur is destroying his health because of you; he cannot sleep and has endured immense suffering.

_Susie confronts Margaret about Arthur's condition._

## Links

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