CaptainHowdy.com The #1 Exorcist Fansite Since 1999
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Is Pazuzu in Karras’ dream? I recall the Howdy face, not Pazuzu.
Well presumably it is Pazuzu, since it appears again during the exorcism, this time directly from Regan’s face rather than as a subliminal image.
I can only suggest premonition. Supposedly the unconscious is open to subtle influences, and we are “in” the unconscious when we are dreaming. So Karras may have been having a premonitory vision of the evil he will face in the near future.
(Also, come to think of it, Pazuzu does appear during the exorcism in the shared vision of Karras, Merrin, and Regan – when the Iraq Pazuzu statue momentarily appears in the bedroom after Karras and Merrin have been knocked to the floor.)
I suppose that if Captain Howdy is only a local manifestation of Pazuzu – one tailored to spiritually seduce a 12-year-old who is lonely for her Dad – then it doesn’t matter much whether it’s Pazuzu or Howdy who appears in Karras’s dream. So I’d grant your point that in a sense it _is_ Pazuzu who appears in Karras’s dream – albeit in his “Howdy” guise. Perhaps Karras’s unconscious is somehow connecting to Regan’s mind and Pazuzu/Howdy is being channeled to Karras via the unconscious…? I wouldn’t want to take it too literally though – maybe it’s meant as a literary device of shading – to be merely suggestive rather than concrete…
Good ideas.
Mine has always been that (actual demon) Pazuzu (alter ego: “Captain Howdy”) knows not only of its eventual showdown with Merrin, but arguably the other two most important figures or targets it will have a brush with imminently — Pazuzu invades the day-dream of the impressionable, young child, Regan, the “piglet”. And, the demon drops into the night-dream of the despairing, burned-out, weary middle-aged priest, Karras.
I never had the thought that these two human beings — or even just one of them — had visions (or, more accurately, premonitions), but instead that they were invaded (perhaps to see who would make for a better possession…?) by the demon, a sudden, fleeting invasion; again, maybe that’s all the time the demon needed to choose its victim.
Just some thoughts. Great topic, guys. 🙂
M.I.K.E.
That’s an original idea, MIKE, that a “trial” possession was going on. Works well for the movie. Of course, the book has Karras dreaming without Howdy or Pazuzu appearing… in fact, the demon is startled that Karras shows up, saying words to the effect, “You! They sent you?!” Karras and his faith crisis are known to the demon, but the demon was expecting to battle Merrin, not Karras…
Good point. Regarding the “You! They sent you?!” line, however, I might suggest the demon was merely being sarcastic as ever. I mean, Karras’ faith crisis should have been easy for the demon to detect supernaturally from the get-go; he may have been strong in the faith in months or years past, but now he’s growing weak and is on shakey ground, not quite the formidable opponent of godliness Merrin ultimately is considered to have become. If it’s not meant as sarcasm by the demon, that line just makes me think of… the demon opening a door to a house and finding someone they fear on the other side.
Since the demon is supernatural, though, “opening a door” is beneath it — it traverses the spiritual realm and should be able to see things almost instantly; the person’s physical exterior, and how they live their life, not necessarily what can be “read” on the heart, soul, or conscience. So, I don’t see why this line wouldn’t be sarcasm; Karras is facing tough times and accordingly wouldn’t be as much of a threat than had he been more trusting in God and willing to perserve in lieu of throwin in the towel — or cloth, as it were.
But if my “dream search” theory above is accurate — even if just for the movie (who knows?) — maybe that’s explained by the idea of Satanic forces sneaking into someone’s “core” to get the full view of the individual’s spiritual status, beyond the “are they sinful?”; demons and Satan already know Man from birth is in bondage to sin — hence the literal inquest into the would-be victim’s soul or core, which is off-limits aside from getting a visual on where the person stands with Christ or doesn’t stand with Him.
Just some casual conjecture. 🙂
M.I.K.E.
Thanks for the replies guys.
I suppose that if Captain Howdy is only a local manifestation of Pazuzu – one tailored to spiritually seduce a 12-year-old who is lonely for her Dad – then it doesn’t matter much whether it’s Pazuzu or Howdy who appears in Karras’s dream. So I’d grant your point that in a sense it _is_ Pazuzu
I seriously, seriously doubt Pazuzu was in the guise of that terrifying white-faced figure when he was doing his “Captain Howdy” business to seduce Regan.
Either its the real face of the demon itself, or its just some surreal of Karras’ mind during his dream. But then again the latter couldn’t be the case since we ALL see the white face during the exorcism at the end.
Also, come to think of it, Pazuzu does appear during the exorcism in the shared vision of Karras, Merrin, and Regan – when the Iraq Pazuzu statue momentarily appears in the bedroom after Karras and Merrin have been knocked to the floor.
I always thought Merrin was the only one who saw that, just as Karras was the only one who saw his mother on the bed.
I always thought Merrin was the only one who saw that, just as Karras was the only one who saw his mother on the bed.
I always thought the same.
Since the film/novel/story is from the point of view of Christian theology, I firmly believe “Captain Howdy” is literally nothing more than a name the Demon — known as “Pazuzu” to Middle Easterners — adopts for setting up the invasion and possession of young westerner girl Regan MacNeil. She and the audience know the Captain Howdy face when we see it, but that’s only part of the puzzle; we’re actually looking at the truest form of the demon (formerly a beautiful heavenly Angel of God). Captain Howdy and Pazuzu are one and the same, but more accurately, Captain Howdy is to Pazuzu what Superman is to Clark Kent. Superman is the ideal; and thus to Regan MacNeil, Captain Howdy is a fun imaginary friend… initially, until Pazuzu shows her his true appearance with the fleeting daydream; she’s frightened… Captain Howdy isn’t “very nice” after all. Pazuzu knows how to get things done; with kids, a name-change is a must; “Captain Howdy” is more enticing than “Pazuzu”.
Who’s with me? 😛
M.I.K.E.
Someone said they thought that that white face is what Pazuzu presented himself as when he was seducing Regan. That can’t be true – that face would have scared the sh*t out of her. God knows it scared audiences.
I wouldn’t say it was seducing her, but I believe, one the possession was in its defining stages, it is how Pazuzu presented himself to Regan in her mind.
No way. He’s far too scary looking. I mean he’s your avatar, just look at him! Even if he wasn’t grimacing like that he’d still be scary.
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