II: Prince Harry. Matchmaking explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Corruption of Youth and Innocence

  Stavrogin's transformation from a fragile, dreamy boy into a reckless bully illustrates the corruption of youthful potential through indulgence and moral decay.

• Hypocrisy and Vanity in Society

  The townspeople's hatred of Stavrogin, despite his courtesy, and Varvara Petrovna's concern for appearances over substance highlight societal hypocrisy.

• The Mask and Identity

  Stavrogin's polite exterior masks his inner turmoil and destructive impulses, while Stepan Trofimovitch's public persona contrasts with his private deterioration.

Characters to notice

• Varvara Petrovna Stavrogin

  Deeply attached to her son and Stepan Trofimovitch; distressed by her son's scandals and critical of Stepan Trofimovitch's decline.

• Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch Stavrogin

  Varvara Petrovna's son; educated by Stepan Trofimovitch, later becomes a scandalous figure, engaging in reckless and insulting behavior.

• Stepan Trofimovitch Verhovensky

  Tutor to young Stavrogin; now deteriorated, slovenly, and tearful, struggling with Varvara Petrovna's reproaches and his own insecurities.

• Liputin

  A local liberal who invites Stavrogin to his party; after Stavrogin kisses his wife, he reacts obsequiously and later sends a servant with a message.

• Lizaveta Nikolaevna Tushin

  Mentioned in connection with the Drozdovs; Varvara Petrovna asks about Darya Pavlovna in relation to her.

• Darya Pavlovna

  Mentioned as being with the Drozdovs; Varvara Petrovna inquires about her.

• Ivan Shatov

  Mentioned as irascible but bon; Varvara Petrovna expresses dislike for him.

• Karmazinov

  Mentioned as not visiting Stepan Trofimovitch, contributing to his sense of decline.

Key passages

• “He did not hesitate to make a friend of this little creature as soon as he had grown a little older. It somehow came to pass quite naturally that there seemed to be no discrepancy of age between them.”

  Stepan Trofimovitch treated the young Stavrogin as an equal, blurring the line between teacher and child.

  Highlights the unconventional and emotionally intense bond between tutor and pupil.

• “Stepan Trofimovitch succeeded in reaching the deepest chords in his pupil’s heart, and had aroused in him a vague sensation of that eternal, sacred yearning which some elect souls can never give up for cheap gratification when once they have tasted and known it.”

  Stepan Trofimovitch instilled in Stavrogin a profound, almost spiritual longing that made him disdain ordinary pleasures.

  Explains the source of Stavrogin's inner conflict and his later reckless behavior.

• “The young man had suddenly taken to riotous living with a sort of frenzy. Not that he gambled or drank too much; there was only talk of savage recklessness, of running over people in the street with his horses, of brutal conduct to a lady of good society with whom he had a liaison and whom he afterwards publicly insulted.”

  Stavrogin's wild behavior was marked by extreme cruelty and public humiliation rather than typical vices like gambling or drinking.

  Describes the specific nature of Stavrogin's scandals that shocked society.

• “I imagine that he was hated for his pride. Even our ladies, who had begun by adoring him, railed against him now, more loudly than the men.”

  The narrator suggests that Stavrogin's pride was the root of the widespread hatred against him, turning even his former admirers against him.

  Reveals the social dynamics and the fickleness of public opinion.

• “He could not endure solitude, and was always craving for amusement. One had always to repeat to him some gossip, some local anecdote, and every day a new one.”

  Stepan Trofimovitch had become dependent on constant social stimulation and gossip to stave off his loneliness.

  Illustrates Stepan Trofimovitch's decline and his need for external validation.