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Part 3, Chapter 4, 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 group of five simultaneously believes that Shatov intends to inform on them and that Pyotr is manipulating them. For his part, Pyotr is alarmed that Nikolay has fled and is worried about what Nikolay might do next. Pyotr is also genuinely convinced that Shatov will inform on them. He thinks that Marya and Liza’s recent deaths will impel Shatov to go to the authorities. Pyotr also personally dislikes Shatov, which might be the main motivating factor behind Pyotr’s decision to advocate for his murder.
The group of five, for their part, are aware of Pyotr’s attempts to manipulate them, showing that they are not members of an unruly mob acting in unthinking loyalty to an all-powerful ruler. Instead, they are still, on some level, rational actors who question the plan proposed to them by their leader. The novel will then examine if, and how, Pyotr might be able to convince those people to do what he wants them to.
Themes
Liputin is upset. He feels strongly connected to the revolutionary cause and doesn’t like being manipulated by Pyotr and can’t stand Pyotr’s arrogance. Pyotr and Liputin go together to see Aleksey. On the way, Pyotr stops to eat a steak, which annoys Liputin even more. The two get into an argument about the Society’s next steps forward. At one point, Liputin says that he would be within his rights to form a new society. Pyotr walks away toward Aleksey’s house. Liputin considers turning his back on Pyotr in that moment but ultimately follows him.
This passage shows again that members of the revolutionary faction are perhaps more aware than anyone of Pyotr’s tendency to manipulate others to get what he wants. The passage also shows that Liputin genuinely believes in the causes the faction supports, while Pyotr attempts to exploit those causes—and the people like Liputin who genuinely believe in them—to gain power for himself.
Themes
