The Beetle by Richard Marsh (1897)
The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, primarily focusing on a penniless man who, after being denied shelter at a workhouse, finds himself in a desperate situation. He encounters a mysterious figure who encourages him to assert his rights against the workhouse staff. This encounter sets off a chain of events leading him to a seemingly abandoned house, where he discovers an open window and, driven by hunger and desperation, enters. Inside, he experiences a series of unsettling events, including a terrifying encounter with a creature that seems to embody evil. This creature, which he perceives as a monstrous beetle, exerts a strange influence over him, leading to a sense of helplessness and fear. The protagonist's struggle against this malevolent force is compounded by his growing awareness of the creature's connection to a man named Paul Lessingham, a prominent politician. As the story progresses, the protagonist learns that Lessingham is entangled in a web of dark secrets and supernatural elements linked to the cult of Isis. The narrative explores themes of power, control, and the intersection of the mundane with the supernatural. The protagonist's journey becomes one of self-discovery as he grapples with his own desires and the implications of the forces at play around him. The tension escalates as the protagonist is drawn deeper into the conflict between Lessingham and the mysterious figure associated with the cult. The narrative culminates in a confrontation that reveals the true nature of the beetle and its connection to the characters' fates. Ultimately, the story examines the consequences of ambition, the struggle for identity, and the haunting presence of the past that shapes the characters' lives.
By Richard Marsh · First published 1897 · Genre: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Mystery · 48 chapters · 137,590 words
First lines
"No room! -- Full up!"
He banged the door in my face.
What this Textopian page supports
The Beetle is listed on Textopian as a novel by Richard Marsh, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Richard Marsh
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy
- Length: 137,590 words
- Structure: 48 chapters, 3,257 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Beetle by Richard Marsh
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Beetle?
- How does this novel by Richard Marsh fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Haunted Mind by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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- The Familiar by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
- Sister Maddelena by Ralph Adams Cram
- An Authentic Narrative Of A Haunted House by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Genres
- Horror — The novel features supernatural elements and themes of fear and dread, characteristic of horror literature.
- Gothic Fiction — It incorporates dark settings, psychological terror, and a sense of the uncanny, typical of Gothic narratives.
- Mystery — The plot involves a series of mysterious events and an investigation into the identity of the titular character.
- Thriller — The pacing and suspenseful elements create a thrilling atmosphere, engaging readers in a tense narrative.
Tags
Gothic Fiction · Horror · Psychological Thriller · Mystery · Suspense · Paranormal · Supernatural · Dark Fantasy · Literary Horror · Victorian Era · London Setting · Social Commentary
Contents
- Outside
- Inside
- The Man in the Bed
- A Lonely Vigil
- An Instruction to Commit Burglary
- A Singular Felony
- The Great Paul Lessingham
- The Man in the Street
- The Contents of the Packet
- Rejected
- A Midnight Episode
- A Morning Visitor
- The Picture
- The Duchess' Ball
- Mr. Lessingham Speaks
- Atherton's Magic Vapour
- Magic? -Or Miracle?
- The Apotheosis of the Beetle
- The Lady Rages
- A Heavy Father
- The Terror in the Night
- The Haunted Man
- The Way he Told Her
- A Woman's View
- The Man in the Street
- A Father's No
- The Terror by Night
- The Strange Story of the Man in the Street
- The House on the Road from the Workhouse
- The Singular Behaviour of Mr. Holt
- The Terror by Day
- A New Client
- What Came of Looking through a Lattice
- After Twenty Years
- A Bringer of Tidings
- What the Tidings Were
- What was Hidden under the Floor
- The Rest of the Find
- Miss Louisa Coleman
- What Miss Coleman Saw through the Window
- The Constable-His Clue-And the Cab
- The Quarry Doubles
- The Murder at Mrs. 'Enderson'S
- The Man who was Murdered
- All that Mrs. 'Enderson Knew
- The Sudden Stopping
- The Contents of the Third-Class Carriage
- The Conclusion of the Matter