The Necromancers · Chapter
XVII explained
Maggie receives a letter from Laurie, who is now at Stantons, describing her unsettling experiences with the supernatural.
What happens
Maggie receives a letter from Laurie, who is now at Stantons, describing her unsettling experiences with the supernatural. Laurie writes of her growing obsession with Amy Nugent and her fear that she is being drawn into a dangerous spiritual state. Maggie, deeply concerned, reflects on the change in Laurie and the influence of Lady Laura and the séances. The chapter highlights Maggie's internal conflict between her Christian faith and the allure of spiritualism, as she grapples with how to help Laurie.
Themes in this chapter
Danger of the Occult
Laurie's letter reveals the psychological and spiritual peril of engaging with the supernatural, as she becomes obsessed with Amy and fears for her own sanity.
Psychological vs. Supernatural
Maggie questions whether Laurie's experiences are real or a product of her own mind, highlighting the ambiguity between mental instability and actual supernatural influence.
Characters to notice
- Maggie Deronnais
Receives Laurie's letter and worries about her friend's spiritual state.
- Laurie Baxter
Writes to Maggie from Stantons, describing her obsession with Amy and her fear of the supernatural.
- Lady Laura Bethell
Mentioned as the one who introduced Laurie to séances and whose influence is now seen as dangerous.
- Amy Nugent
The deceased girl who has become the focus of Laurie's obsession.
Key passages
“I am afraid of myself, Maggie. I am not what I was. I am changed.”
Laurie confesses that she is frightened by her own transformation and feels she is no longer her former self.
Laurie's admission of fear and change underscores her psychological turmoil.
“It is as if Amy's spirit is drawing me to her, and I cannot resist.”
Laurie feels an irresistible pull from Amy's ghost, as if being summoned against her will.
This illustrates the theme of the danger of the occult and Laurie's loss of agency.