# Madness and Fanaticism in The Place Called Dagon

> Theme guide for The Place Called Dagon by Herbert Gorman.

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.

## Where it surfaces

- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii): 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): 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): 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): 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.
- [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii): 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): 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): 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): Westcott's megalomaniacal philosophy and erratic behavior exemplify the theme of madness and fanaticism.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii): Martha's intense, almost fanatical philosophy of life and the madness of Jeffrey Westcott.
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/viii): The influence of Burroughs and the family's troubled history suggest a descent into religious fanaticism and psychological instability.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii): Dreeme's imagination nearly slips into delirium, but he regains control, highlighting the thin line between fear and madness.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iii): Dreeme reflects on the 'madness that slept in their subconscious memories' and the fanatical minds released from reason, highlighting the theme of collective madness.
- [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/x): Westcott's rhetoric and the farmers' frenzied response illustrate the power of fanatical belief to override reason.
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/i): The frenzied farmers controlled by a malicious will, and the need to fight madness with decisive action.
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii): Corey speaks of a 'great madness' that dominated the men, which has now ceased, implying a period of collective fanaticism.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/themes/madness_and_fanaticism
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/themes