# Power and Control in The Beetle

> Theme guide for The Beetle by Richard Marsh.

The theme of domination is central, whether through the Beetle's hypnotic influence over individuals, political power struggles in Parliament, or the struggle for control over one's own body and mind.

## Where it surfaces

- [A Lonely Vigil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/iv-a-lonely-vigil): The Beetle exerts absolute control over Holt, commanding him to stand and treating him as an object, while Holt is utterly powerless.
- [An Instruction to Commit Burglary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/v-an-instruction-to-commit-burglary): The Beetle's hypnotic domination over Holt is absolute, forcing him to commit crimes against his will, illustrating a terrifying power dynamic.
- [VI: A Singular Felony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/vi-a-singular-felony): The Beetle exerts absolute control over Holt's body and will, reducing him to a puppet.
- [IX: The Contents of the Packet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/ix-the-contents-of-the-packet): The Beetle exerts absolute control over Holt, forcing him to return and surrender the letters.
- [A Morning Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xii-a-morning-visitor): Atherton seeks ultimate power through his weapon, while the stranger attempts to exert mesmeric control over him.
- [The Duchess’ Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xiv-the-duchess-ball): Atherton's secret invention for mass destruction and his desire to control Marjorie's affections reflect themes of power, while Marjorie's attempt to manipulate her father through Atherton shows a struggle for control over her own life.
- [XV: Mr. Lessingham Speaks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xv-mr-lessingham-speaks): Lessingham's speech demonstrates his mastery over the House, using rhetoric to manipulate opponents and control the political narrative, while Atherton's jealousy reflects his struggle for control over Marjorie's affections.
- [XVI: Atherton’s Magic Vapour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xvi-atherton-s-magic-vapour): Atherton's experiment with the 'magic vapour' demonstrates his desire for control over life and death, using a cat as a proxy for his rivalry with Lessingham.
- [Magic?—Or Miracle?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xvii-magic-or-miracle): Atherton's Magic Vapour represents scientific control over life, while the stranger's hypnotism demonstrates an alternative, mysterious form of power.
- [A Heavy Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xx-a-heavy-father): Mr. Lindon attempts to control Marjorie's choices through Atherton's influence, while Marjorie defies her father's authority, showing a struggle for power within the family.
- [XXIV: A Woman’s View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxiv-a-woman-s-view): Mr. Lindon's control over Marjorie's life and the political pressures forcing Lessingham to keep the engagement secret illustrate power dynamics in family and society.
- [A Father’s No](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxvi-a-father-s-no): Mr. Lindon attempts to exert paternal authority over Marjorie, forbidding her contact with Paul Lessingham, while Marjorie resists and asserts her own will.
- [XXVIII: The Strange Story of the Man in the Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxviii-the-strange-story-of-the-man-in-the-street): The beetle creature's complete ascendency over Holt, forcing him to commit burglary against his will, exemplifies the theme of power and control.
- [XXIX: The House on the Road from the Workhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxix-the-house-on-the-road-from-the-workhouse): The Beetle exerts hypnotic control over Holt, preventing him from moving or entering rooms, demonstrating a terrifying power over his will.
- [XXX: The Singular Behaviour of Mr. Holt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxx-the-singular-behaviour-of-mr-holt): Holt appears to be under the control of an external entity, losing his own will and agency, while Sydney and Marjorie struggle to manage the situation.
- [XXXIII: What Came of Looking Through a Lattice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxiii-what-came-of-looking-through-a-lattice): The woman's mesmeric power over Lessingham and his eventual violent rebellion illustrate a struggle for dominance.
- [After Twenty Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxiv-after-twenty-years): Atherton's rivalry with Lessingham and the intruder's theft of letters demonstrate struggles for control over Lessingham's reputation and future.
- [What the Tidings Were](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxvi-what-the-tidings-were): Atherton describes Holt being controlled through hypnotic suggestion, illustrating the Beetle's power over others.
- [XLI: The Constable—His Clue—and the Cab](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xli-the-constable-his-clue-and-the-cab): The Beetle exerts absolute control through hypnosis, forcing victims to act against their will and stripping them of identity.
- [XLII: The Quarry Doubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xlii-the-quarry-doubles): The Beetle exerts control over his captives, directing their movements and silencing them, while Champnell attempts to regain control through investigation and pursuit.

## Links

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