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Part 3, Chapter 5, Section 5
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
Marie is afraid that she might die during childbirth, but Arina soothes her and tells Shatov to leave the room. Eventually, a baby is born, and Marie is overjoyed. Shatov comes into the room and is ecstatic. He says the baby will never be sent to a foundlings’ home on his account and says that he will be the baby’s father. When Arina leaves, she’s convinced that Shatov is dedicated to being a father and won’t pose a threat to the Society and tells Virginsky as much. After Arina leaves, Marie orders Shatov around but then grabs him and kisses him on the forehead. After she does that, she exclaims that Nikolay is a scoundrel. The next night, Shatov goes to meet Erkel. Marie can’t believe Shatov is leaving her, but Shatov assuages her concerns by saying this will be the last time he ever has to leave her.
Shatov again embraces the new life that seems to be unfolding before him when he exclaims his intention to be the child’s father and start a family with Marie. Marie’s comments that Nikolay is a scoundrel suggest that Nikolay is the baby’s father. Earlier, Nikolay alluded to an affair between him and Marie before he returned to the provincial town. Arina also follows up her own investigation into Shatov’s possible state of mind by telling Virginsky that he doesn’t seem to be a threat to the revolutionary faction. It remains to be seen how the revolutionary faction responds to Arina’s opinion.
Themes
