Ghost Stories · Chapter
Machaon explained
The narrator and Charles conduct a séance with Mrs.
What happens
The narrator and Charles conduct a séance with Mrs. Forrest, during which a spirit control identifies itself as Machaon, the son of Asclepius, the Greek god of healing. The narrator realizes that Machaon's cryptic message 'φέγγος ξ' (meaning 'X-ray') is a direct answer to his question about curing his servant Parkes, who is suffering from a suspected cancerous growth. Acting on this supernatural advice, the narrator urges Dr. Symes to treat Parkes with X-rays, leading to a remarkable recovery. The chapter concludes with the narrator reflecting on the inexplicable cure and preparing to send the manuscript to the printer.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
This excerpt is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Roderick’s vei…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Supernatural and Occult
The séance and communication with the spirit Machaon exemplify the occult practices central to the chapter.
- Psychology of Dreams and Perception
The narrator's vision of Machaon walking in the snow blurs the line between waking reality and supernatural perception.
- Death and the Afterlife
The spirit Machaon, associated with healing, intervenes from beyond to save Parkes from death.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator conducts the séance, interprets Machaon's message, and arranges for Parkes's X-ray treatment.
- Charles Hope
Charles participates in the séance and discusses the identity of Machaon with the narrator.
- Mrs. Forrest
Mrs. Forrest is the medium who goes into trance and channels the spirit Machaon.
- Parkes
Parkes is the narrator's servant who is cured of a cancerous growth through X-ray treatment suggested by Machaon.
- Godfrey Symes
Dr. Symes treats Parkes with X-rays and writes a letter expressing his astonishment at the cure.
Key passages
“Its scientific name was Papilio machaon. 'Is Machaon your name?' I asked. The voice came clear now. 'Yes, I am Machaon,' it said.”
The narrator identifies the butterfly as Papilio machaon and asks if that is the spirit's name, receiving a clear affirmative.
This moment establishes the identity of the spirit control as Machaon.
“φέγγος ξ, a beam of light, a ray, and the letter ξ, the equivalent of the English x. That had come in direct answer to my question as to what would cure Parkes, and it was without hesitation or delay that I wrote to Symes.”
The narrator interprets the Greek phrase 'φέγγος ξ' as 'X-ray' and immediately writes to Dr. Symes to recommend this treatment for Parkes.
This is the pivotal moment where the supernatural message leads to a practical medical intervention.
“I don't believe in such a treatment, but I believe it is curing him. I suppose that it was suggested to you by a fraudulent, spiritualistic medium in a feigned trance, who was inspired by Aesculapius or some exploded heathen deity.”
Dr. Symes admits the X-ray treatment is working despite his skepticism, and sarcastically attributes the suggestion to a fraudulent medium inspired by pagan gods.
This letter highlights the tension between scientific disbelief and the undeniable efficacy of the treatment.
