[granville1]

Famously, The Exorcist's demon does not really react to the Roman Ritual as Catholic doctrine predicts. Yes, the demon reacts furiously, but how do we know that this reaction is not simply anger at puny mortals thinking they can expel the haughty demon?

Equally famously, the Ritual itself does not seem to be working. It is only Karras' self-sacrifice that expels the demon. The efficacy of the Ritual, as well as the doctrinal elements behind it, is left in doubt.

So perhaps Blatty's demons are not “Christian demons” at all. “Regan's demon” seems not to be a fallen angel, and seems not to have any special association or allegience with Satan. It seems to act as an independent agent, which raises the possibility that demons are simply unknown, “alien”, nonmaterial thugs that attack and possess human beings opportunistically. They don't need orders or permission from the Devil. They just seem to be roving thugs, “every demon for himself” (although some cases do report possession by multiple demons, but as we know, “the demon is a liar”, so if different personalities manifest, as in The Exorcist, they could all be fake creations of a single demon – “there is only one”).

So maybe demons, as Blatty writes about them, are like a leaderless Mafia – one without “Godfathers”, who attack randomly, at their own whims, without any centralized “Boss Demon” to give them orders.

Just a thought for discussion.

[Jagged]

Not so sure about that. In correlation with the case used as inspiration, the novel establishes early on that the ritual takes many readings to be effective (Merrin's earlier exorcism of the demon was stated to have taken months).

I can't remember offhand how many days the final exorcism is set over in the novel but it is certainly extended. In the film Merrin dies before he even manages to complete a second reading so it's no surprise there is little effect on the demon.

Having said that, somehow the novel left me with the impression (I suspect through the demon's mix of modern profanity and syntax along with seemingly ancient knowledge and intent) that whether a Christian demon, Babylonian demon or as you say roving thug from some other dimension, were all just possible alternate facets of the same opportunist entity. Presenting the observer the face of evil his beliefs required in order to be effectively tormented.

Similarly I felt the content of any exorcism ritual used to dispel the entity would be pretty much irrelevant. It would be the intent and belief of the exorcist that would ultimately provide the spitiual power to remove the demon. hence Karras’ struggle with the demon and consequent ultimate sacrifice being effective.

[granville1]

Good ideas there, jagged – thanks for sharing 🙂

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