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Part 3, Chapter 5, 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
Now that Marie is with him, Shatov stops thinking about the Society and their affronts and crimes. Marie has no money with her and says that she has come to town to look for work. Shatov thinks she seems ill. He offers her meat to eat, but she brushes him off. He suggests getting a doctor, but Marie says she doesn’t need any help. Shatov says he doesn’t understand what’s happening. Marie starts crying out in pain, and Shatov asks what’s wrong. Marie says that she’s experiencing labor pains. Shatov had no idea she was pregnant. He says that he’ll go find a midwife and sell his revolver to pay for the midwife’s assistance. Marie says she doesn’t need a midwife but just a peasant woman to assist with the birth. Shatov runs out of his apartment to look for help.
Marie’s arrival also contributes to Shatov’s sense that he will now be able to have a fresh start in life. Previously, he has been depicted as someone who is often alone and dissatisfied with life. He has felt virtually imprisoned by the revolutionary faction and has been living for months hearing that they are making threats to his life. Now, though, Shatov can envision a future with his wife Marie. When Shatov learns that Marie is pregnant, that opens up the possibility that Shatov will become a father and he and Marie will form their own family.
Themes
