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Part 1, Chapter 5, Section 6
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
When Nikolay returns, he seems calm and happy. Varvara apologizes to him for doubting him before. Nikolay says he takes it that everyone has heard the full story about him and Marya by now. He says that when he left, it occurred to him that he should have told the story before going, but when he remembered Pyotr was there, he felt at ease. He says that Pyotr is as trustworthy a person as there is. Nikolay then begins to make the rounds to say hello to everyone. Liza, though, has begun laughing uncontrollably. No one knows exactly what is wrong, though someone goes to fetch water for her.
Nikolay’s statements about Pyotr—including that Pyotr is eminently trustworthy—coupled with Pyotr’s intimate knowledge of Nikolay’s life and affairs, reinforces the idea that Pyotr and Nikolay are close friends. With that in mind, if Pyotr turned out to be untrustworthy, that could also say something about Nikolay’s character. Liza’s uncontrollable laughter is a reminder that she has been especially concerned about Marya and Nikolay’s relationship. At this point, it doesn’t seem that Pyotr’s story has assuaged her concerns.
Themes
Nikolay then approaches Darya and congratulates her on her upcoming marriage. Pyotr turns to Stepan and asks if Stepan is getting married, too. Pyotr then loudly says that he received a letter from Stepan saying that Pyotr should come to town at once to “save” him from his impending marriage and that he was only getting married because of the sins that another person committed in Switzerland. Pyotr says he couldn’t make heads or tails of what Stepan said. Anton knows that Pyotr is playing some kind of a part, though he isn’t sure what his goal is. Varvara is appalled. She asks if it’s true that Stepan wrote that to Pyotr. Stepan doesn’t deny it. Varvara then turns to Stepan and tells him to leave at once and never step foot in her house again. Stepan speaks briefly to Darya, who tries to console him.
The letter Stepan wrote to Pyotr mentioned Stepan’s theory that Varvara wanted Stepan to marry Darya to avoid any scandal that could arise from a possible romantic relationship between Darya and Nikolay. Pyotr then brings that up in front of Varvara. That could signal that Pyotr is generally obtuse and unaware of the delicacy of the situation. Notably, though, Anton says he knows that Pyotr is playing a part. That suggests that Pyotr is fully aware of what he’s doing and is intentionally trying to manipulate the situation, and Varvara’s feelings, for his own aims. That points to the idea that far from being trustworthy, Pyotr may actually be manipulative.
Themes
