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Part 1, Chapter 5, Section 5
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
Everyone in the room discusses what just occurred. Pyotr breaks in and says that he can explain the whole situation and really there’s nothing much to it. Varvara asks Pyotr if he thinks it would be okay to tell the story without Nikolay present, and Pyotr says Nikolay would want it that way. Anton finds it strange that someone would be so comfortable telling other people’s stories without the other person present. Pyotr then begins to explain how Nikolay became involved with Lebyadkin and Marya.
Pyotr displays his social adeptness. While Lebyadkin entered the room ostensibly with full knowledge of what was happening, he only contributed to the chaos. Pyotr, on the other hand, immediately rises to the occasion and offers without any hesitation to clear matters up once and for all. Anton’s thoughts about Pyotr are telling in the sense that he believes that Pyotr may be up to something. Those thoughts are also ironic, considering that Anton is the narrator of the novel and is, at least in theory, telling the story of all of these people without any of the people being present.
Themes
Nikolay first met Marya and Lebyadkin five years ago in Petersburg. At that point, Nikolay was dejected and found little purpose in life. Lebyadkin roved the city drinking and looking to stay in other people’s lodgings. Marya worked as a charwoman and earned barely enough to get by. People began to bully and mistreat Marya due to her physical handicap and her eccentric disposition. Once, a store clerk was berating Marya, and Nikolay intervened. After that, Nikolay began to treat Marya with kindness and respect.
Pyotr seamlessly begins to explain Nikolay’s involvement with Marya, which shows that, in some ways, he is the opposite of someone like Lebyadkin. While Lebyadkin, in theory, knew all of this information about Nikolay and Marya, he only contributed to the chaos of the situation. Pyotr, on the other hand, seems to have a way with people that Lebyadkin lacks.
Themes
Aleksey, who was in Petersburg at the time and was friends with Nikolay, told Nikolay that he shouldn’t play games with Marya. Nikolay told Aleksey that he in fact respected Marya greatly and thought she was better than the lot of them combined. Still, Nikolay barely said more than two words to Marya. Despite that, Marya got it into her head that Nikolay was her fiancé, and that the only reason they didn’t elope was because of obstacles resulting from Nikolay’s family and his enemies. The situation ended when Nikolay left for home. When he left, he made arrangements to provide Marya with a 300-rouble annual allowance. Lebyadkin has now used that allowance, Pyotr says, to make up rumors about Nikolay.
It’s worth noting that in Pyotr’s account of past events, Nikolay is depicted as a kind of hero. He sees that people treat Marya poorly and intervenes to try and help her. In Pyotr’s telling, all of the confusion about Nikolay’s relationship with Marya stems from Nikolay’s good intentions. It’s also notable that this version of Nikolay—the chivalrous person who comes to the defense of others—differs starkly from the version of Nikolay who seemed to consciously test the boundaries of propriety and morality when he was last in town.
Themes
Varvara is relieved after hearing Pyotr’s account of the events in Petersburg. She thinks that Nikolay’s treatment of Marya is evidence of his lofty soul. Pyotr then says that when Nikolay left Petersburg four years ago, Marya was living in a convent. After Nikolay left, Lebyadkin tracked her down and took her out of the convent. Now, Lebyadkin doesn’t feed Marya and beats her mercilessly. He also takes the money Nikolay sends and uses it to buy alcohol for himself.
Pyotr’s story includes not just a clear hero in Nikolay but also a clear villain in Lebyadkin. In Pyotr’s account, all of the blame for the rumors and ill-treatment of Marya can be placed on Lebyadkin, while Nikolay is simply a victim of his own good intentions. Varvara’s relief on hearing the story is a reminder that, before Pyotr’s arrival, she had been wondering if Nikolay was in his right mind and if his misdeeds stemmed from his possible insanity.
Themes
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Lebyadkin also treats the money Nikolay gives as a gift to Marya as something that is owed to him (Lebyadkin). Lebyadkin objects to Pyotr’s statements, and Pyotr asks him if what he said is untrue. Lebyadkin says Pyotr knows why he (Lebyadkin) can’t respond and mentions “family honor.” Pyotr says he has no idea what Lebyadkin is talking about and asks again if what he (Pyotr) has said is untrue. Lebyadkin says it’s not and that all of it is true. He then asks to leave. As he leaves, Nikolay returns from taking Marya home.
Pyotr seems to have given an account that satisfies all of the people listening except for Lebyadkin. Lebyadkin’s statement that he cannot shed light on the truth due to “family honor” doesn’t do much to help Lebyadkin’s case, though it’s worth noting that he has repeatedly mentioned matters of family honor before when discussing Nikolay and Marya’s relationship.
Themes
