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Part 2, Chapter 6, Section 1
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
Andrey has been feeling glum recently, and Yuliya sends Pyotr to go and see him, hoping that Pyotr might be able to use his gift for words to cheer up Andrey. Andrey has been feeling low in part because an official in a nearby district was found with a tract of revolutionary pamphlets. The official also bit his immediate superior and destroyed his landlady’s icons. Andrey senses unrest and isn’t sure what to do about it. Pyotr (sent by Yuliya) then arrives in Andrey’s office. Andrey admonishes Pyotr for barging in unannounced. Pyotr says he came because he has been up day and night reading Andrey’s novel. Pyotr praises the novel, and Andrey’s view toward Pyotr softens. Andrey then asks Pyotr to stay and sit down.
Yuliya’s decision to send Pyotr to see Andrey further underlines the idea that Yuliya may be out of touch with reality, considering that she seems to think Pyotr might cheer Andrey up while Andrey has made it clear that he views Pyotr as an enemy. When Pyotr sees Andrey, though, he flatters Andrey and praises his novel. Considering that Pyotr seems to manipulate people at every opportunity to try and get what he wants, it seems more than likely that he’s lavishing false praise on Andrey to get something from the governor.
Themes
