# VII explained — The Necromancers

> Chapter companion for The Necromancers by Robert Hugh Benson.

## What happens

The chapter focuses on the aftermath of Amy Nugent's death and the growing concerns of Mrs. Baxter and Maggie regarding Laurie's deteriorating mental and physical state. Mrs. Baxter writes to Maggie, expressing her fears about Laurie's obsession with the deceased Amy and his refusal to eat or sleep properly. Maggie, in turn, reflects on the situation and decides to write a critical letter to Laurie, urging him to stop his morbid fixation and return to a normal life. The chapter highlights the emotional toll on the characters and the growing tension surrounding Laurie's behavior.

## Themes in this chapter

### Grief and Loss

The chapter explores the destructive nature of grief through Laurie's inability to move past Amy's death, highlighting how loss can consume an individual.

### Psychological vs. Supernatural

Laurie's condition is presented as a psychological crisis, with his obsession and physical decline being attributed to his mental state rather than any supernatural cause.

## Character check-ins

### Maggie Deronnais

Receives a letter from Mrs. Baxter expressing concern about Laurie's state and decides to write a critical letter to Laurie.

### Mrs. Baxter

Writes to Maggie, detailing her fears about Laurie's obsession with Amy and his declining health.

### Laurie Baxter

His deteriorating condition is the central topic of the chapter, as he remains obsessed with Amy and refuses to eat or sleep.

### Amy Nugent

Her death and memory continue to exert a powerful influence over Laurie, driving his obsessive behavior.

## Key lines

> I am so anxious about Laurie that I cannot help writing to you. He is not at all well, and I am sure he is fretting about that poor Amy Nugent.

Mrs. Baxter is deeply worried about Laurie's health and believes his decline is due to his grief over Amy Nugent.

_This quote establishes the central conflict of the chapter: Laurie's unhealthy obsession with the deceased Amy._

> He will not eat, and he scarcely sleeps, and he walks about the house as if he were in a dream.

Laurie is neglecting his basic needs and appears detached from reality, indicating a severe psychological disturbance.

_This description emphasizes the physical and mental toll of Laurie's grief, supporting the theme of psychological vs. supernatural._

> I think you should write to him, Maggie, and tell him that he is behaving very foolishly.

Mrs. Baxter suggests that Maggie should confront Laurie about his irrational behavior and urge him to change his ways.

_This quote sets the stage for Maggie's decision to write a critical letter to Laurie, a key event in the chapter._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_necromancers_se/chapters/vii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_necromancers_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_necromancers_se/chapters