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Part 1, Chapter 5, Section 8
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
Over the next eight days, Anton and Stepan hole themselves up in Stepan’s home. Neither can figure out how the story of everything that occurred at Varvara’s house has become known throughout town as rapidly as it has. Eventually, they conclude that Pyotr must have told people. Liza’s fainting spell is of particular interest to people in town. Rumors abound about what brought it on. Some people speculate that Nikolay and Liza had an affair in Switzerland and that Nikolay “dishonored” Liza. Lebyadkin and Marya leave town the day after the events at Varvara’s house. Anton and Stepan are also surprised by how quickly Pyotr becomes well-known in town. By the end of the eight days, he has become a frequent guest of Yuliya’s at the governor’s house.
Anton and Stepan conclude that Pyotr has been spreading stories about what happened at Varvara’s throughout town. In that way, Pyotr is portrayed as someone who contributes to the rumor mill. Given that Pyotr may manipulate others for his own aims, it’s worth asking what Pyotr stands to gain from spreading those rumors. This section also shows that Pyotr has inserted himself into the lives of powerful people like the governor’s wife Yuliya.
Themes
