The Parasite
The Parasite is a novelette written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1894. It initially appeared in the United States as a series of four parts published in Harper's Weekly toward the end of 1894, featuring illustrations by Howard Pyle. Subsequently, it was released as a single volume by Harper & Brothers in January 1895.
The story delves into themes of mind control, echoing the Victorian fascination with mesmerism.
Plot summary
Austin Gilroy, a student specializing in physiology, is introduced to Miss Penclosa—a middle-aged woman with psychic abilities and a disabled leg—through a professor engaged in occult studies. When Miss Penclosa successfully induces a trance in Gilroy's initially doubtful fiancée, Agatha, he decides to visit her to witness her powers himself. Miss Penclosa soon becomes obsessively fixated on Gilroy and employs her psychic influence to manipulate his emotions. Upon his rejection of her advances, she exacts revenge through cruel mental torment, ultimately leading to a moment where Gilroy finds himself in Agatha’s room holding sulfuric acid simultaneously with reports of Miss Penclosa’s death.
Adaptations
In 1997, Patrick Roddy and Andrew Froemke created a feature-length film adaptation of The Parasite.
A short film version was written and directed by Adam Zanzie as part of the David Lynch Master's in Film program, released in 2015. This adaptation had its commercial premiere at the Tivoli Theatre during the 2016 St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase and was also shown at Croatia’s Trash Film Festival that same year.
Furthermore, CBS Radio Mystery Theater broadcasted a radio dramatization on April 7, 1978.