In "The Dumas Club," the baroness reflects on the historical narrative concerning the prevalence of demons and witchcraft in Western Europe, a belief that persisted over two hundred years. The text highlights the cultural anxieties of the period, symbolized by the reference to Corso's lean on the phosphorescent innocence, suggesting the interplay of contrasting ideas of purity and corruption.

Additionally, the mention of Dominican friars Kramer and Sprenger introduces the infamous "Malleus Maleficarum," a key text used by inquisitors in addressing alleged witchcraft. This manual signifies the institutional response to fears surrounding the supernatural, illustrating the pervasive paranoia and the moral complexities of the times.