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Part 3, Chapter 2, 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
While the fire is raging, Liza and Nikolay have a conversation in the great hall of Varvara’s estate, Skvoreshniki. Nikolay tells Liza that he has sent someone to determine what is happening but that he’s heard that the neighborhood across the river is on fire. Nikolay and Liza go back and forth, contentiously discussing whether they can stay together. Liza says that it’s impossible because Nikolay is married. Pyotr then enters and says he must speak to Nikolay. Nikolay leaves the room to talk to him.
This passage provides a window into the ongoing love affair between Nikolay and Liza. It also points to the impacts of Nikolay’s approach to life. Nikolay married Marya to entertain himself and his friends. His impulse to disregard norms of morality and propriety has led to serious, irreversible consequences, as Marya has been murdered, apparently as a result of becoming mixed up in Nikolay’s attempts to scorn established norms.
Themes
