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Part 3, Chapter 1, 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
Anton arrives at Stepan’s house, but Stepan won’t let him in. Through the door, Stepan says he is done with all people. Anton keeps knocking, but Stepan doesn’t budge and eventually walks away from the door, leaving Anton alone. Stepan then writes a letter to Darya. In the letter, Stepan says that Darya wasn’t there to see him stand up to the young revolutionaries and tell them exactly what they are: fools. He writes that he plans to leave town forever, and he does not want Darya to think that he doesn’t appreciate her and isn’t grateful to her.
Stepan seems to have finally taken action and shown a different side of himself. While he has previously been portrayed as a vain man prone to histrionics who lives off Varvara’s goodwill, he now seems determined to show honor and integrity. This passage also seems to close the storyline around Darya and Stepan’s engagement and potential marriage and shows that they will not in fact be married.
Themes
