Demons · Chapter
VI explained
Varvara Petrovna and Stepan Trofimovitch spend the winter in Petersburg, where she attempts to connect with literary and progressive circles.
What happens
Varvara Petrovna and Stepan Trofimovitch spend the winter in Petersburg, where she attempts to connect with literary and progressive circles. Her salon attracts a chaotic mix of writers and radicals who espouse extreme ideas, mock her, and eventually demand control of her proposed magazine. Stepan Trofimovitch is publicly humiliated at a reading, and the chapter ends with their retreat from Petersburg, disillusioned.
Themes in this chapter
Social and Political Upheaval
The chapter vividly portrays the clash between old aristocratic culture and the new radical movements, with discussions of abolishing the army, navy, family, and religion, and the demand to hand over the magazine to a cooperative.
Hypocrisy and Vanity in Society
The literary men are described as incredibly vain, openly proud of their vanity, and abusive of one another, while Varvara Petrovna is treated with contempt despite her patronage.
The Failure of Idealism
Stepan Trofimovitch's cherished ideas are dragged into the street by ignorant fools, and his attempt to defend Pushkin and patriotism ends in public humiliation, symbolizing the collapse of his idealistic vision.
Characters to notice
- Varvara Petrovna Stavrogin
Hosts literary salons in Petersburg, embraces new ideas, and is exploited and mocked by the radicals; she is forced to retreat after a public scandal.
- Stepan Trofimovitch Verhovensky
Initially celebrated at literary gatherings but later hissed and ridiculed for defending art and patriotism; he is taken home in despair.
- General Ivan Ivanovitch Drozdov
An old friend of General Stavrogin, he quarrels with a young radical at Varvara Petrovna's party, leading to a public scandal and caricature.
- Karmazinov
Mentioned as a literary celebrity who, along with others, is cringing before the new radical rabble.
- Lyov Kambek
Referenced in Stepan Trofimovitch's muttered refrain 'Vyek, and vyek, and Lyov Kambek' during the train journey back.
Key passages
“They spent almost the whole winter season in Petersburg. But by Lent everything burst like a rainbow-coloured soap-bubble.”
The winter in Petersburg ended in disappointment, with their hopes dissolving as quickly as a soap bubble.
Sets the tone for the chapter's disillusionment.
“On every face was written that they had only just discovered some extremely important secret.”
Each person seemed to believe they had uncovered a profound truth.
Highlights the self-importance of the literary crowd.
“Boots were of less consequence than Pushkin; of much less, indeed.”
He argued that Pushkin's poetry was far more important than practical concerns like boots.
Stepan Trofimovitch's defense of art against utilitarian values.
“On m’a traité comme un vieux bonnet de coton.”
They treated me like an old cotton nightcap.
Stepan Trofimovitch's lament after being ridiculed.
“Vyek, and vyek, and Lyov Kambek, Lyov Kambek and vyek, and vyek.”
He muttered nonsensically about 'vyek' and Lyov Kambek during the train ride.
Reflects his mental confusion and the absurdity of the situation.