# Superstition and the Supernatural in The Shadow Line

> Theme guide for The Shadow Line by Joseph Conrad.

Though Conrad denies supernatural intent, the story is steeped in superstitious dread, particularly through Mr. Burns' belief that the dead captain haunts the ship, serving as a psychological manifestation of fear and moral shock.

## Where it surfaces

- [Author's Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shadow_line_se/chapters/author-s-note): Conrad directly addresses and rejects supernatural interpretations, explaining that Mr. Burns' superstitious fancy is a result of a mental shock, not actual supernatural events.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shadow_line_se/chapters/iii): Mr. Burns' delirious belief that the late captain is ambushed under the sea with evil intentions introduces a supernatural element.
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shadow_line_se/chapters/iv): Mr. Burns' persistent belief that the late captain's ghost is deliberately blocking their passage reflects the crew's superstitious dread and the narrator's struggle against irrational fears.
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shadow_line_se/chapters/vi): Mr. Burns attributes the calm to the late captain's malevolent spirit and believes his laugh broke the curse.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shadow_line_se/themes/superstition_and_the_supernatural
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shadow_line_se/themes