# Margaret Dauncey — The Magician character guide > Margaret Dauncey in The Magician by W. Somerset Maugham. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Margaret, Poor Margaret, Miss Dauncey **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot Beautiful, enthusiastic, and untouched by cynicism, she postpones marriage for two years in Paris and finds her hunger for beauty leading her somewhere Arthur cannot follow. ## Who they are Margaret Dauncey is a young Englishwoman whose physical perfection first drew Arthur Burdon to her, and whose delight in art and the variety of life sets her apart from his practical narrowness. She is grateful, affectionate, and a little unformed, still growing into her own tastes during the Paris years she asked for before marrying. Her openness to beauty is exactly what makes her vulnerable to a man who offers her something larger and stranger than a surgeon's steady love. ## Relationships ### [Arthur Burdon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/arthur_burdon) _romantic_ Arthur is deeply in love with Margaret and seeks to marry her, though their relationship is strained by external forces. ### [Oliver Haddo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/oliver_haddo) _psychological_ Margaret becomes the object of Oliver Haddo's obsessive manipulation and dark influence, leading to her victimization. ### [Susie Boyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/susie_boyd) _friendship_ Margaret and Susie share a supportive friendship, with Susie trying to protect Margaret from harm. ### [Dr. Porhoët](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/dr_porhoet) _friendship_ Dr. Porhoët cares for Margaret as a friend and tries to warn her about Oliver Haddo's dangers. ### [Frank Hurrell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/frank_hurrell) _friendship_ Frank is a friend to Margaret, offering her companionship and support. ### [Arthur Burdon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/arthur_burdon) _romantic_ Arthur is deeply in love with Margaret and seeks to marry her, though their relationship is strained by external forces. ### [Arthur Burdon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/arthur_burdon) _romantic_ Arthur is deeply in love with Margaret and seeks to marry her, though their relationship is strained by external forces. ### [Susie Boyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/susie_boyd) _friendship_ Margaret and Susie share a supportive friendship, with Susie trying to protect Margaret from harm. ### [Oliver Haddo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/oliver_haddo) _psychological_ Margaret becomes the object of Oliver Haddo's obsessive manipulation and dark influence, leading to her victimization. ### [Susie Boyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/susie_boyd) _friendship_ Margaret and Susie share a supportive friendship, with Susie trying to protect Margaret from harm. ### [Oliver Haddo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/oliver_haddo) _psychological_ Margaret becomes the object of Oliver Haddo's obsessive manipulation and dark influence, leading to her victimization. ### [Dr. Porhoët](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/dr_porhoet) _friendship_ Dr. Porhoët cares for Margaret as a friend and tries to warn her about Oliver Haddo's dangers. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/i) Arthur's fiancée, admired for her beauty and artistic enthusiasm; she is in Paris studying art. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/ii) Waits eagerly for Arthur's visit; her romantic history with Arthur is recounted, including her discovery of his financial support and their engagement. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/iii) Sits beside Arthur; shudders with dislike at Haddo's presence and avoids his gaze. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/iv) Filled with loathing and fear of Haddo, she is horrified by the snake demonstration. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/v) Enjoys the Louvre with Arthur, inspiring his appreciation of art; accompanies him to Dr. Porhoët's. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/vii) Receives Haddo's chrysanthemums; distressed when Haddo kicks her dog; holds and comforts the injured animal. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/viii) Margaret initially cuts Haddo in the street but later helps him after his feigned collapse. She is hypnotized by Haddo and experiences horrific visions, leaving her ashamed and terrified. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/ix) Torn between horror and desire, she succumbs to Haddo's power and agrees to marry him, while hiding her deceit from Arthur. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/x) Married Oliver Haddo and left for London; sent a brief note to Susie; her actions are described as callous and inexplicable. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/xi) Now married to Haddo, appears radiant but behaves coarsely at dinner; reveals awareness of Susie's feelings for Arthur. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/xii) Recovering physically but emotionally tormented; confesses her conflicted feelings and Haddo's influence over her. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/xiii) Margaret is the object of Arthur's obsessive concern. She is reported to be rarely seen outside the park gates, wandering alone, and is believed to be in danger at Skene. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/xv) Appears as a weeping spirit after being called three times, confirming Arthur's fears about her death. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/chapters/xvi) Referenced as the victim of Haddo's fiendish torture, driving Arthur's desire for revenge. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters/margaret_dauncey - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magician_se/characters