Poetry · Character

Satan

The adversary who binds and is bound — a spider-meshed jailer of souls who finds himself strangely drawn into the care of a child.

supporting

Also known as Man, The Asthmatic Man to the Satan That Binds Him Satan

First appearance: abu midjan

As a supporting figure in Poetry, Satan is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Referenced in the title as the one who bound the woman for eighteen years.

In the storyVI: The Woman Whom Satan Had BoundOpen this moment free

See Satan in VI: The Woman Whom Satan Had Bound Book page

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Satan appears here less as Miltonic rebel than as a restless, garrulous keeper of doors that are not doors, dragging the sin-entangled through passages into a 'deedless world.' Yet his monologue swerves toward tenderness: Baby, 'like seraph gone astray,' must be shown the homeward way, and he takes it upon himself to guard her wonder and teach her the rough lesson that seeming is not being. He matters because he complicates the poem's moral geography — the binder of men becomes, however grudgingly, a servant of the child's slow unfolding into a gracious lady.

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The fuller portrait of Satan sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Satan in abu midjan

Character Web

46 connections

A slice of how Satan sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Religious and Mythological Figures
Personified Natural Elements
Diverse Allegorical and Named Characters
Protagonist

+41 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where the speaker tu…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Mary Magdalene
rivalry · negative
Mary Magdalene and Satan are locked in a spiritual battle over redemption and temptation. How this plays out →
Jesus Christ
rivalry · negative
God
rivalry · negative
Jesus Christ
rivalry · negative
God
rivalry · negative
Mary Magdalene
rivalry · negative
Mary Magdalene and Satan are locked in a spiritual battle over redemption and temptation. How this plays out →
Jesus Christ
rivalry · negative
God
rivalry · negative
Mary Magdalene
rivalry · negative
Mary Magdalene and Satan are locked in a spiritual battle over redemption and temptation. How this plays out →

Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene and Satan are locked in a spiritual battle over redemption and temptation.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ and Satan are eternal adversaries, representing good versus evil.
God
God and Satan are cosmic enemies locked in a struggle for souls and dominion.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ and Satan are eternal adversaries, representing good versus evil.
God
God and Satan are cosmic enemies locked in a struggle for souls and dominion.
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene and Satan are locked in a spiritual battle over redemption and temptation.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ and Satan are eternal adversaries, representing good versus evil.
God
God and Satan are cosmic enemies locked in a struggle for souls and dominion.
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene and Satan are locked in a spiritual battle over redemption and temptation.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Satan in abu midjan

In the story

Satan appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

VI: The Woman Whom Satan Had Bound
Referenced in the title as the one who bound the woman for eighteen years.
XV: Mary
Implied through Judas, who criticizes the anointing as wasteful, representing a contrasting worldly perspective.
June
Mentioned as the source of mocking demons that drive the soul toward God.
A Broken Prayer
Implied through voices of temptation that mock the speaker with accusations of worthlessness.
Fighting
The dark, evil spirit that contends for mastery in the temple, emerging from the crypt.
The Asthmatic Man to the Satan That Binds Him
The tormentor who binds the asthmatic man, burrowing in his breast and choking him.
Zacchaeus
The Satan of rebuke who speaks beside the door, criticizing Jesus for associating with a sinner.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Satan unlock in the free preview.

See Satan in abu midjan

See Satan in VI: The Woman Whom Satan Had Bound