[Jason Stringer]

I have never read the book so I am going off the movie and a feeling I have.

1) Burke was with Reagan at times alone
2) As the movie progresses Reagan starts saying sexual things
3) She also masterbates with the cross. Is this her way of showing her mother that she is no longer pure. That she is no longer a virgin? Did someone (Burke) do something to her?
4) After she pushes her mother’s face in between her legs, she turns her head around speaking in Burke’s voice saying “You know what she did? Your cunting daughter?” Remember, Burke was found dead with his head twisted around just like how Reagan showed her mother.
5) Is it possible that because Burke may have molested her, Reagan decided to kill him by throwing him out of her bedroom window?

[wolfboyspike]

no

[Jagged]

No. You're reading stuff into it that just isn't there.

[granville1]

The story's only molester is the demon itself.

Regan is fond of Dennings and says it's ok for him to attend her birthday party.

None of Regan's extensive medical exams disclosed anything resembling molestation.

Thus – the demon is the story's one and only molester.

[Sofia]

In the novel Regan secretly blames Burke for her parents' divorce and fears that he might marry her mother. That's her only fear regarding Burke. There isn't anything in the novel that implies molestation.

[fatherbowdern]

I wonder why this topic reappears from diferent members from time to time? Neither the novel nor the film come close to indicating that Burke molested anyone. I have a hunch that what leads some viewers of the film to believe this must be true is because Burke's voice eminates from Regan when she spins her head 180-degrees at the end of the masturbation scene.

To sidestep the issue, it can also lead to a puzzling question as to whether that really is Burke speaking through Regan or simply the demon doing a grand imitation to reinforce the point to Chris to call in the priests … especially the one that demon desires to get even with which is Father Merrin.

Father Bowdern

[granville1]

Yeah … if we believe Merrin, “there is only one” personality, and “the Dennings personality” is exactly that – a persona taken on by the ever-deceitful demon.  If viewers miss this, then they may, as you say, leap to the idea that there was a sexual connection 'twixt Dennings and Regan …

[fatherbowdern]

granville1 said:

Yeah … if we believe Merrin, “there is only one” personality, and “the Dennings personality” is exactly that – a persona taken on by the ever-deceitful demon.  If viewers miss this, then they may, as you say, leap to the idea that there was a sexual connection 'twixt Dennings and Regan …

Exactly and well worded and even more insightful, gran. I guess Merrin tugged at me when he revealed “there is only one,” in his infinite wisdom to set the record straight for Karras who understood there to be multiple “personalities that Regan has manifested.”

 

KARRAS –
“I think it would be helpful if I gave you some background on the different personalities Regan has manifested. So far, there seems to be three. She's convinced …”

MERRIN (Interrupting Karras) –
“… There's only one.”

Father Bowdern

[granville1]

Thanks for your kind words, Fr. Bowdern.

[fatherbowdern]

Certainly, gran. I remember Sofia saying that you have reviews on IMDB, but I can't remember your username on there. Of course, I would have a hard time finding your reviews on that site because I'm not too adept at navigating their site.

Father Bowdern

[granville1]

Thanks for your interest 🙂

My name over there is bastasch8647. 

I think they just initiated a new process for new members, which may be creating some problems for folks trying to get in for the first time … luckily, I was “grandfathered in” so the new application process doesn't involve me.

[Jason Stringer]

Did I just found out!?

[Psychiatrist]

I believe you can look at whats happening in the film and conclude there is a subtext of sexual abuse; or better yet, Freidkin used demonic possession as a metaphor for sexual abuse and put in clues throughout the film.

 

Look up Rob Ager's film review of The Exoricst, he makes some very compelling arguments for this theory. He also has some great reviews of Kubrick films.

[Jagged]

No, no and no. No subtext was ever present or intended by the author or the director. You are interpreting a late 1960s tale of demonic possession with the paranoia of pedophilia present in modern society and coming to the wrong conclusion.

[granville1]

Exactly. Ager is a moron. Neither Blatty nor Friedkin provide for any molestation theme whatsoever. Regan likes Burke – to the extent she invites him to her birthday party, which she wouldn't if he'd been molesting her.

[Author]

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