# How does The Place Called Dagon develop the theme of Madness and Fanaticism?

> The Place Called Dagon by Herbert Gorman

## Answer

The Place Called Dagon by Herbert Gorman develops Madness and Fanaticism across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

Characters like Jeffrey Westcott exhibit fanatical devotion to dark forces, using hypnotic control and psychological manipulation to drive others into trance-like states of madness.

Dreeme's obsessive brooding and his perception of Westcott's fanatical purpose highlight the theme of madness and fanaticism.

Reverend Burroughs' obsessive humming and his 'horribly still eyes' hint at a fanatical religious fervor that unsettles Dreeme.

Lathrop discusses the power of the fanatic and various fanaticisms, including those of ego, evil, and a displaced historical sense, as a way to explain the town's peculiarities.

## Evidence

- [ii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii.md): Dreeme's obsessive brooding and his perception of Westcott's fanatical purpose highlight the theme of madness and fanaticism.
- [iii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iii.md): Reverend Burroughs' obsessive humming and his 'horribly still eyes' hint at a fanatical religious fervor that unsettles Dreeme.
- [iii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iii.md): Lathrop discusses the power of the fanatic and various fanaticisms, including those of ego, evil, and a displaced historical sense, as a way to explain the town's peculiarities.
- [i](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/i.md): Dreeme's introspection and his feeling of being on the verge of a 'sixth sense' hint at a psychological unraveling, while the community's rigid religiosity (Burroughs) borders on fanaticism.
- [ii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii.md): Martha's intense, almost fanatical philosophy and Burroughs's eerie humming hint at underlying madness.
- [i](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/i.md): The oppressive silence and the strained nerves of the characters, particularly Deborah's terror and the 'frozen' demeanor of Mrs. Westcott, hint at a descent into madness or fanaticism.
- [ii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii.md): Dreeme's increasing pace and inability to ignore the shadows hint at a disturbed mental state.
- [iv](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iv.md): Westcott's megalomaniacal philosophy and erratic behavior exemplify the theme of madness and fanaticism.

## Links

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