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Part 2, Chapter 6, Section 4
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
After Pyotr leaves Andrey, he goes to see the writer Karmazinov. Karmazinov recently gave Pyotr the manuscript he plans to read at the literary gathering at Yuliya’s gala and is expecting a visit from Pyotr. When Pyotr enters, Karmazinov asks if he wants lunch. Karmazinov asks as a formality, expecting Pyotr to decline, but Pyotr asks for coffee and a cutlet. Karmazinov then asks Pyotr what he thought of the manuscript. Pyotr says he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Karmazinov reminds him of the manuscript he gave Pyotr, and Pyotr refers to it by a different title. He then takes the crumpled manuscript from his back pocket. Pyotr says he forgot about it and didn’t read much of it. Karmazinov is taken aback. He’s not sure if Pyotr is playing games with him or if Pyotr is genuinely stupid.
Pyotr again shows how he manipulates people to put them off-balance and get what he wants. In this case, he denigrates Karmazinov’s work, which surprises Karmazinov, who is used to enjoying effusive flattery due to his status as a literary celebrity. Karmazinov seems to recognize the possibility that Pyotr is up to something. But recognizing Pyotr’s attempts at manipulation doesn’t seem to comfort or help Karmazinov, who remains off-balance during the interaction despite realizing that Pyotr may have ulterior motives.
Themes
Karmazinov and Pyotr then begin talking about the manifestos that have been appearing recently. Karmazinov says that the propaganda has already been successful because people are frightened of it. He says that well-off Russians have already begun to emigrate, just as rats are the first off a sinking ship. He says that the essence of the Russian revolutionary idea is a disavowal of honor. Karmazinov says he has a surprise for the ball, but he won’t tell Pyotr what it is. In a light tone, Karmazinov asks Pyotr when everything he’s plotting will happen. Pyotr feigns ignorance, and Karmazinov asks again. Pyotr pauses and then says that it will start at the beginning of May and end by October. Karmazinov voluminously thanks Pyotr. Pyotr thinks that the warning will give the rat Karmazinov time to get off the ship. He’s sure that Karmazinov won’t inform on them.
This passage clarifies several things about the revolutionary actions Pyotr is planning. First, he has a timeline for the proposed actions. Second, the possibility of revolution is especially frightening to the wealthiest and most well-off people in Russia, who stand to lose their status, their money, and perhaps their lives if the revolution goes into action. Karmazinov’s statement that the essence of the revolutionary idea is a disavowal of honor suggests, as expressed earlier in Shatov and Nikolay’s previous conversation, that many people consider the revolution as incompatible with morality.
Themes
