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In the classic film The Exorcist (1973), when exactly did Reagan become possessed by the demon? What event triggered the possession, and what was the demon's motivation for possessing her?

Was it the Ouiga board? Was it something Reagan did to deserve possession?

I recall from the movie that the demon (while in Reagan's body) asks Reagan's mother Chris,

Do you know what she did? Your cunting daughter?

Later in the movie, Chris tells another character that Reagan killed Mr. Dennings.

Maybe Reagan was possessed because she committed murder, although now that I recall, Reagan killed Mr. Dennings after she became possessed. So when and why did the demon possess her?

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@TestSubject528491- Welcome to the site. Nice question. I editted it before it got flagged as offensive. – Major Stackings Nov 3 '12 at 5:15
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@MajorStackings, thanks for the edit. It's unfortunate that a profane word, even in a direct quote and not targeted toward any one person or group, would risk the post getting flagged. I consider it a censorship of culture. But what must be done must be done. – TestSubject528491 Nov 3 '12 at 14:24
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@MajorStackings, TestSubject528491 I'd personally decline such a flag. Is the quote from the movie “your fucking daughter” or “your <beep>ing daughter”? If the former, that's what should be in the question. – Gilles Nov 3 '12 at 15:02
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I've edited it using spoiler text. If this is not an improvement, please feel free to roll back. – Wikis Nov 5 '12 at 7:28
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2 Answers

up vote 7 down vote accepted

If I remember the book, I think it has more details than were in the movie. (I don't know if it's appropriate to crossover book-to-movie in an answer like this.)

Simply put, Reagan had started masturbating.

As I recall the whole "possession" thing is a kind of metaphor on the changes of puberty and the church's fear of (especially womens') sexuality.

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up vote 1 down vote

Another interpretation of the film is that Regan was being sexually abused.

A good question to ask is why was Mr Dennings in her bedroom? Her 'possession' started when this abuse started.

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That's a good point too! I forgot about that – SteveED Nov 6 '12 at 2:12
So you think she would have been 'cured' once Mr. Dennings a was out of the picture? – TestSubject528491 Nov 9 '12 at 11:58
I don't think so, he was out of the picture very early in the film. Also, I believe, abuse victims often suffer for many years after the end of the abuse? – Stefan Nov 9 '12 at 12:43

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