# Power and Control in Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler

> Theme guide for Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler by Norbert Jacques.

The central conflict revolves around the struggle for dominance, with Dr. Mabuse using hypnotic willpower and psychological manipulation to control others, while State Attorney Wenk fights to assert legal and moral authority over the criminal underworld.

## Where it surfaces

- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/v): Mabuse's drunken monologue reveals his desire for absolute rule over his empire Citopomar, where his word is law and he commands life and death.
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/viii): The murder of Hull is revealed as an act of terrorization to control potential informants and maintain the gambler's power.
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/ix): Mabuse exerts control over his network, ordering Wenk's death and deciding Cara's fate, while Wenk seeks to trap the gang's leader.
- [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xi): Mabuse exerts control over the Countess and the gathering, culminating in her kidnapping.
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xiii): Mabuse asserts absolute dominance over the Countess, treating her as prey and offering a kingdom in exchange for her surrender.
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xiv): Mabuse exerts psychological dominance over Count Told, the Countess, and Spoerri, demonstrating his lust for control and domination.
- [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xv): Mabuse's lust for domination and his use of hypnotic powers to exploit the credulity of others are central to this chapter.
- [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xvi): Mabuse's ability to orchestrate crimes and evade detection demonstrates his control over his environment and the authorities.
- [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xvii): Wenk exerts control over the pursuit through telephone coordination, while Mabuse's escape demonstrates his manipulation of the environment.
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xviii): Mabuse exerts control over the Countess and orchestrates the escape, while Wenk's authority is undermined by the deception.
- [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/chapters/xix): Mabuse's obsession with dominating the Countess and capturing Wenk alive demonstrates his lust for power and control.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/themes/power_and_control
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_mabuse_the_gambler_se/themes