The Case against Satan by Ray Russell

Introduction

In ‘’The case against Satan’’ by Ray Russell Doubt is an overwhelming sensation that racks the conscious of the characters leading to the loss of free will to make a decision and exert control over their lives. In the presence of domination, self-sufficiency and free will to make personal decisions can never be achieved. Domination takes place in everyday life but it takes time and effort for one to realize the weight of this oppression. It is after realization only that one can free themselves from it and exert control over their lives which is fueled by free will. This is clearly exemplified in the novel ‘’The Case against Satan’’, as Ray Russell illustrates this idea through the character of Susan Garth. The main character, Susan, lost her mother when she was ten years old. Ever since Susan lived with her father who has full control over her life. Moreover, Susan is possessed by a demonic creature who controls her desires. Through characterization, Russell explores Susan’s transformation from a girl who is possessed and unable to exert control over own life to a girl who finds the path that leads to freedom and true independence.  This occurs with the help of a Catholic priest, Father Gregory Sargent, and Bishop Conard Crimmings by performing an exorcism to save Susan and bring about autonomy.

Transition

Russell demonstrates that Susan is initially possessed by the Devil and she is unable to exert control over her own life. Susan who was a kind and compliant little girl began to act weirdly declining to attend church services and disobeying all authority figures that surround her. This all begins when Father Sargent and the Bishop are in the rectory, the Catholic priest explains to the Bishop that “she [Susan] was a ventriloquist’s dummy” when “she sunk strong sharp fingers into his [Father Halloran] throat” (Russell 33-34). Here, Russell illustrates that Susan transformation to a “dummy” explains how Susan is demon-possessed. Naturally, human beings don’t have the power to transform themselves into another creature. The fact that Susan attacks Father Halloran with her “sharp fingers” demonstrates that Susan has a lack of control over her action as she tries to hurt the person who wants to help her and find a solution to her problem. Furthermore, when the Bishop talks to Father Sargent in the parlor about performing an exorcism to save Susan, the Bishop gets interrupted as “ Susan was standing in the center of the room, laughing. She stopped laughing and screamed, like an animal falling upon a spear. Then she laughed again” (Russell 52). Here, the use of the contrary words “laughing” and “screaming” by Russell shows that Susan is emotionally unstable. In addition, Susan is completely controlled by a demonic creature which leaves her unable to control these responses, leading to unexpected and uncontrolled outbursts of laughter as she is not feeling the emotions associated with her outward expression. Finally, when Susan lays on the bed in the room, Father Sargent and the Bishop perform an exorcism next to her and as Father Sargent reads through the book of rituals “[the] girl’s breathing became heavier, her breast rising and falling sharply” and “[with] a wild yelp, Susan shot up and away from the bed as if catapulted, her body stopping with a sudden slam! Against the opposite wall” (Russell 66). Here, Russell demonstrates that Susan is unaware of her reactions to the prayers and is unable to control them. In reality, it is the demon inside Susan that is reacting to the prayers and exerting control.