The Magician · Chapter
XV explained
Arthur, Dr.
What happens
Arthur, Dr. Porhoët, and Susie prepare for a necromantic ritual to summon Margaret's spirit. After a day of fasting and tension, they go to Skene at night. Dr. Porhoët performs the invocation, causing supernatural phenomena—a sudden hurricane that leaves their immediate area still. He calls Margaret's name three times, and the weeping of a woman is heard, recognized as Margaret's voice. Arthur sees her apparition on the stone bench, confirming his suspicions.
Themes in this chapter
Occult and Supernatural
The chapter centers on a necromantic ritual to summon a spirit, with Latin invocations, protective circles, and supernatural phenomena like a localized hurricane.
Love and Sacrifice
Arthur's obsessive love drives him to risk everything for a glimpse of Margaret; Susie's hidden love for Arthur compels her to participate despite terror.
Madness and Reality
The boundary between sanity and delusion blurs as the characters undergo extreme physical and emotional strain, culminating in a possible supernatural vision.
Characters to notice
- Arthur Burdon
Driven by grief and determination, Arthur insists on the ritual despite exhaustion and Dr. Porhoët's reservations.
- Susie Boyd
Terrified and reluctant, Susie is forced to participate in the ritual; her secret love for Arthur is revealed when he appeals to it.
- Dr. Porhoët
Reluctantly leads the necromantic invocation, reciting Latin and unknown languages, and commands the supernatural forces.
- Margaret Dauncey
Appears as a weeping spirit after being called three times, confirming Arthur's fears about her death.
Key passages
“Arthur wished to set about the invocation then and there, but Dr. Porhoët said it was impossible. They were all exhausted after the long journey, and it was necessary to get certain things together without which nothing could be done.”
Arthur wanted to start the summoning immediately, but Dr. Porhoët insisted they were too tired and needed to prepare properly.
Sets up the delay before the ritual.
“But, inexplicably, a sudden terror seized Susie. She felt that the hairs of her head stood up, and a cold sweat broke out on her body.”
Susie was overcome by an irrational fear, her hair standing on end and cold sweat covering her.
Highlights Susie's intense fear before the ritual.
“And then, seeming to come out of nothingness, extraordinarily, they heard with a curious distinctness the sound of a woman weeping. They heard the sound of a woman weeping, and they recognized the voice of Margaret.”
Suddenly, from the void, they clearly heard a woman sobbing, and they knew it was Margaret's voice.
Climactic moment when Margaret's spirit is heard.