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Part 3, Chapter 1, 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
The gala is divided into two sections, a literary reading with a ball to follow. Because the ticket prices are so expensive, rumors begin that a banquet lunch will be offered as well. When the gala is about to start, the crowd grows restless as it takes Yuliya and Andrey much longer than expected to arrive and begin the proceedings. After they arrive, Lebyadkin drunkenly wanders onstage, eliciting cries and mocking cheers. Liputin ushers him offstage and returns.
Despite months of planning, the gala gets off to a rocky start when Lebyadkin wanders on stage. The novel has previously established that Lebyadkin tends to add to the chaos of any situation. Considering that the revolutionary faction seems intent on destabilizing the status quo, Lebyadkin’s presence may work in their favor.
Themes
Liputin tells the audience he has an introductory poem to read, and the poem is intended as a joke. He begins to read the poem, and some people shout that Lebyadkin wrote it. People in the audience laugh, but by the end of the poem, they are scandalized by its irreverence. Anton is sure that Liputin read the poem intentionally to stir up controversy and prepare the audience for an upheaval later in the gala. Immediately after Liputin leaves the stage, Karmazinov takes the stage to read his farewell poem, which minimizes the fallout from the offensive poem Liputin read.
The gala continues in a clumsy fashion. The audience’s reaction to the poem Liputin reads makes it clear that the audience is on edge and, so far, is getting something than what they signed up for. Karmazinov’s presence momentarily subdues the agitation. Notably, though, Karmazinov has previously been established as a satirical character who cares more about people’s adoration of him than putting other people at ease.
Themes
Anton confronts Liputin backstage. Liputin says there was nothing to the poem. He had been handed it just before taking the stage and thought it would be a joke. He asks Anton what business it is of his anyway. Anton feels like something bad is about to happen, but he doesn’t know who to talk to about it. Stepan is busy preparing for his reading and is not available. Anton thinks that once whatever is going to happen takes place, he’ll simply take off the rosette designating him as a steward and leave the gala.
Anton’s assertion that Liputin intentionally read an offensive poem and his premonition that something bad will happen points to the atmosphere pervading the town. Everyone feels like the revolutionary faction is at work behind the scenes, but no one can pinpoint exactly what they are doing or what their goals are.
Themes
