Continuing on the Spook-tober theme, this week the dragons take a look at a classic trope in gothic and horror fiction: possession. Made more popular in the genre by films like The Exorcist, possession is an unsavoury subject, combining body horror with psychological terror. But where does the idea originate? What part does the human understanding of 'souls' or religion play? And what about the alleged 'true story' status some speculative fiction featuring possession is based on - is there any truth to the claim? Jules and Madeleine take a deep dive into the origins of the trope, citing several 'real life cases' and drawing parallels with popular fiction. On the slab this week: the Exorcism of Emily Rose, The Exorcist, Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins series and many more.
CW: Some of this discussion centres on familiar and religious abuse, as well as mental health issues.
Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 101: Back on the Broom - More Enchanting Children's Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 100: So You Want to Be a Writer? - Celebrating 100 Episodes of Dissecting Dragons
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 99: Long Live the Resistance - The Problem of Magical Revolution in Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 98: In Review: 2017 - the Good, the Bad and the Weird
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 97: Cheese and Crackers - Our Favourite Bad Christmas Films
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 96: Fanfiction Revisited - Cassie Clare, 50 Shades and the Next Top Seller
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 95: The Horse's Point of View - Gender Politics in Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 94: Inner Space - Altered Realities in Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 93: Damnation, Retribution and Redemption - Hell Planes and Purgatory in Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 92: Blood Drinkers and Psychic Thieves - the Vampire in SpeculativeFiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 91: Evil Twins and Partners in Crime - Siblings in Speculative Fiction and Real Life
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 90: Yay or Neigh - Horses, Pegasus and Kelpies in Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 89: A Night at the Overlook Hotel - Haunted Houses in Speculative Fiction (And their real life counterparts)
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 88: Heavenly Hosts and Fallen Fiends - The Angelic Being in Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragon: Episode 87: Losing the Plot - Revamping, Recycling and Reusing your Writing.
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 86: Leches, Perverts and Peeping Toms - Attitudes to Sexual Depravity in Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 85: Witches, Bitches & Shrews - The Wise Woman Archetype in Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 84: More Tainted Love - the Romantic Subplot in Speculative Fiction
Dissecting Dragon: Episode 83: Spellbinding Songs, Enchanting Tunes & the Magic of Music in Fiction
Dissecting Dragons: Episode 82: Incubi, Vampires and Fallen Angels - the Demon Lover in Speculative Fiction
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