# III explained — The Place Called Dagon

> Chapter companion for The Place Called Dagon by Herbert Gorman.

## What happens

Dreeme is called to the Westcott farm to treat Jeffrey Westcott's bullet wound. He is struck by the farmer's extensive occult library and his unsettling demeanor. Martha Westcott's entrance captivates Dreeme with her mysterious and intense presence. Westcott's probing conversation reveals his disdain for social contact and his keen observation of Dreeme's reactions, leaving Dreeme feeling both disturbed and intrigued.

## Themes in this chapter

### Supernatural and the Occult

Westcott's library of ancient tomes and his mysterious 'experiment' wound hint at occult practices and forbidden knowledge.

### Isolation and Community Secrecy

Westcott's deliberate seclusion and his dismissal of neighbors underscore the theme of isolation and the secrecy of the community.

## Character check-ins

### Doctor Dreeme

Treats Westcott's wound, observes the library and Martha with fascination, and feels unsettled by Westcott's probing analysis.

### Jeffrey Westcott

Displays his extensive occult library, discusses his 'experiment' wound, and reveals his reclusive and mocking nature.

### Martha Westcott

Enters quietly, captivates Dreeme with her intense gaze and Medusa-like mouth, and shows a detached, listening demeanor.

## Key lines

> The age of amazement is worthy of a study in itself. There are so many ways of considering it.

Westcott muses that the phenomenon of surprise is a complex subject worth studying.

_Westcott uses this to analyze Dreeme's reactions, revealing his manipulative and observant nature._

> I am a solitary anchorite except for my little circle and am not, perhaps, as courteous as I should be.

Westcott apologizes for his rudeness, explaining that he lives like a hermit with only a few close associates.

_This statement reinforces his isolation and his dismissive attitude toward Dreeme._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters