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Part 2, Chapter 6, 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
Pyotr and Andrey begin talking about the revolutionary tracts and manifestos that have been found recently. Pyotr says that he has actually come to see Andrey to ask for an extraordinary favor. He says that he knows the person who wrote one of the poems in one of the recent manifestos and wants to ensure that that person won’t face any consequences. Pyotr then explains how he has come by this information. He flatters Andrey while he does so and tells Andrey that he (Pyotr) hasn’t told anyone what he’s found, not even Yuliya. The man who wrote the poem, Pyotr says, is Shatov.
Pyotr continues to flatter Andrey as a way to manipulate him and try and get him to do what he wants him to. Pyotr’s statement that Shatov wrote the poem sheds light on Pyotr’s motives. Shatov was once involved in the revolutionary movement but has since abandoned it. By telling Andrey that Shatov wrote one of the poems in the manifestos, Pyotr seems to be trying to directly implicate Shatov in the ongoing work of the revolutionary faction.
Themes
Pyotr explains that there’s nothing really behind the recent appearances of the manifestos. It’s just five or 10 people who don’t have anything better to do, but they’re not connected to a wider conspiracy, and they don’t have the power to do anything. Pyotr asks Andrey to give him six days to find out who is in the group. Then, Pyotr says, he’ll give Andrey the names, and Andrey can send for Shatov. Pyotr thinks that Shatov will throw himself at Andrey’s feet and beg for mercy. He says that Aleksey might be one of the members of the revolutionary group too, but he, Pyotr says, doesn’t care about Aleksey. He only wants to know that Shatov will be safe.
This passage also clarifies Pyotr’s broader motivations for flattering and cozying up to Andrey, and, for that matter, Yuliya. By getting Andrey and Yuliya on his side, Pyotr is able to wield political influence to try and downplay the threat the revolutionary faction poses to the town and the established government. He also buys the revolutionary faction at least six days when it can continue planning without concern that governmental authorities will interfere.
Themes
Andrey agrees to the plan. He says he’ll give Pyotr six days to investigate, and he plans not to punish Shatov. Andrey then shows Pyotr an anonymous letter he received the day before. The letter says that a vast conspiracy is on the verge of being carried out and that a revolutionary group with 100 or more members in its ranks is planning to hunt down generals and take down the government. The group advocates godlessness as well. The letter is signed “The Repentant Freethinker Incognito.” Andrey tells Pyotr that he thinks the letter must be a joke, and Pyotr agrees. Pyotr then asks Andrey if he can take the letter. He tells Andrey that he’ll look into it and figure out where it came from and what it means. Andrey gives Pyotr the letter and thanks him for his help.
Pyotr’s manipulation of Andrey proves successful, showing how Pyotr gains political influence in order to advance the goals of the revolutionary faction he leads. Pyotr also uses that influence to successfully diffuse an anonymous attempt to denounce the revolutionary faction to authorities. That shows that Pyotr has effectively infiltrated the government—he’s the one who alerts Andrey about his own plot to overthrow the government. This gives him power and allows him to control the narrative.
Themes
