Previous
Part 1, Chapter 4, Section 2
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Demons, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Politics and Self-Interest
Ideology and Extremism
Morality and Nihilism
Herd Mentality
Atheism vs. Belief in God
Summary
Analysis
After Shatov leaves, Anton feels like it’s time for him to leave as well. He doesn’t understand exactly what happened but thinks something must be going on behind the scenes that he’s not aware of. He tells Liza he’s going, and she offhandedly says goodbye. Moments later, as Anton is leaving, a servant stops him and tells him that Liza wants to see him. When Anton returns, he finds Liza alone. She seems to be so distraught she’s on the verge of despair. She says she wants to see that woman. Anton asks who she means, and Liza says Lebyadkin’s sister, Marya. Anton feels like being entrusted with a secret by Liza is sacred. He says that it might not make sense for Liza to see Marya unprompted but that he will try to meet her himself and then report back to Liza.
At this point, the reader knows that Liza and Nikolay were once romantically involved, and rumors have spread that Nikolay may have once been romantically involved with Marya. With that in mind, Liza’s desire to see Marya suggests that Liza is interested in Marya due to her role as a potential rival for Nikolay’s affection. Amid those entanglements, Anton has also become infatuated with Liza, as can be seen in his feeling that her secrets are sacred and his desire to do whatever he can to help her.
Themes
