# The Little Demon — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Little Demon by Fyodor Sologub.

- [Translators’ Preface](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/translators-preface.md): The translators' preface introduces the novel The Little Demon as a fusion of comedy and tragedy, comparing it to Gogol's Dead Souls. It argues that the protagonist Peredonov is a universal character found everywhere, no
- [Author's Preface to the Second Russian Edition, 1908](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/author-s-preface-to-the-second-russian-edition-1908.md): Sologub introduces his novel The Little Demon, explaining its composition history from 1892 to 1902 and its publication in 1905 and 1907. He addresses two critical responses: one claiming the novel is a self-portrait of 
- [Author's Preface to the Fifth Russian Edition, 1909](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/author-s-preface-to-the-fifth-russian-edition-1909.md): In this preface, the author reflects on rumors about Peredonov's fate after his confinement for killing Volodin. Some say he was released and joined the police or became a literary critic, while others claim a different 
- [Dialogue to the Seventh Russian Edition, 1913](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/dialogue-to-the-seventh-russian-edition-1913.md): A brief dialogue between the author and his soul, reflecting on the hate and abuse directed at the author of 'The Little Demon.' The soul is dismayed by the hostility, but the author suggests the hate stems from fear of 
- [Author's Introduction to the English Edition](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/author-s-introduction-to-the-english-edition.md): Fyodor Sologub expresses both pride and apprehension about the English translation of his novel, warning readers not to see it as a mere portrayal of Russian life but as a universal exploration of the human inclination t
- [The Little Demon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/the-little-demon.md): Peredonov descends further into paranoia and madness, haunted by the elusive nedotikomka and increasingly suspicious of everyone around him. His delusions intensify as he perceives threats from all sides, leading to erra
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/i.md): After Mass, the townspeople disperse, revealing a veneer of peace that belies underlying tensions. Peredonov claims Princess Volchanskaya promised him an inspector's job if he marries his cousin Varvara, but friends like
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/ii.md): Peredonov returns home to Varvara, who is preparing jam tarts. He suspects her of poisoning his coffee and taunts her about the Princess's promise and his intention to marry Marta. After spitting in her face, Volodin arr
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/iii.md): Peredonov and Ershova dance wildly in the yard, then Peredonov returns inside where Volodin has vandalized the landlady's parlour with a noose and paper. They perform a mock funeral and dance a quadrille. Peredonov throw
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/iv.md): Peredonov waits in the dark garden for the Routilov sisters, changing his mind repeatedly about which sister he wants to marry—first Valeria, then Liudmilla, then Darya—before ultimately deciding to abandon the marriage 
- [V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/v.md): Peredonov, paranoid about being reported for possessing forbidden books, hides them in the stove. He plays cards poorly, losing to the Prepolovenskys who cheat. He obsesses over enemies who might block his inspectorship,
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/vi.md): Peredonov visits Vershina's garden and is persuaded to accompany Marta and Vladya to their village. During the cart ride, he makes offensive remarks about Poles, Jews, and Russians, insults Marta's appearance, and threat
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/vii.md): Peredonov, paranoid and suspicious, attends church and interacts with schoolboys and colleagues, then receives a forged letter from the Princess promising him the inspector position. He shows it to Vershina, who question
- [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/viii.md): Peredonov visits the Mayor, Skouchayev, to seek his support against the rumors and slanders spreading about him, including accusations of not attending church and living immorally with Varvara. Skouchayev, though initial
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/ix.md): Peredonov visits District Attorney Avinovitsky to discuss his fears of enemies and rumors that might jeopardize his inspector appointment. Avinovitsky offers protection and suspects blackmail, while Peredonov suspects Gr
- [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/x.md): Peredonov visits Ivan Kirillov and the Marshal of the Nobility, Aleksandr Veriga, seeking support for an inspector position and attempting to counter rumors about himself. He fails to gain clear assurances and feels oppr
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xi.md): Peredonov visits the Police Commissioner Minchukov to complain about rumors and insinuate that young officials, including Volodin, are plotting against him. Meanwhile, Varvara learns from Grushina that the new student Sa
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xii.md): Peredonov attends Vespers in the school chapel, obsessively watching the students and misinterpreting their behavior. He fixates on Sasha Pilnikov, who appears girlish to him. After Vespers, he avoids home and wanders th
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xiii.md): Peredonov visits Headmaster Khripatch to accuse Sasha Pilnikov of being a disguised girl, claiming it will demoralize the school. Khripatch dismisses the accusation with mechanical laughter but Peredonov spreads the rumo
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xiv.md): Liudmilla Routilov, driven by curiosity and the rumor that Sasha Pilnikov is a disguised girl, visits Kokovkina's home to see him. She flirts with Sasha, teases him, and later describes him to her sisters as a real boy. 
- [XV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xv.md): Peredonov and Volodin visit Nadezhda Adamenko to propose marriage on Volodin's behalf. The proposal is awkward and comical, with Peredonov acting as matchmaker and Volodin making a clumsy declaration. Nadezhda, amused an
- [XVI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xvi.md): Liudmilla, obsessed with Sasha, devises a plan to meet him alone by having her sisters detain Kokovkina after Mass. She visits Sasha, scents him with lilac perfume, and begins a pattern of frequent visits. Their friendsh
- [XVII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xvii.md): Liudmilla's sensual and playful relationship with Sasha deepens as she brings him to her home, feeds him dates, introduces him to perfumes, and engages in wrestling and tickling. The chapter explores her innocent yet pro
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xviii.md): Peredonov, caught in the rain, seeks shelter at the home of the notary Goudayevsky, where he complains about the son Antosha's behavior. The parents argue violently over disciplining the boy, and Peredonov is drawn into 
- [XIX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xix.md): Peredonov's erratic behavior alarms Headmaster Khripatch, who consults the school physician and confronts Peredonov about noisy lessons and grade discrepancies. After the confrontation, Peredonov is followed by the venge
- [XX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xx.md): Peredonov is assaulted by Goudayevsky at the club, then summoned by the headmaster for his misconduct. Varvara steals and burns the first forged letter. Peredonov blinds the eyes of all court cards in a paranoid fit. Ers
- [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxi.md): Peredonov visits Vershina and Marta, revealing a letter from the Princess that confirms his marriage to Varvara, dashing Vershina's hopes for Marta. Marta feels relieved. Later, Peredonov encounters a policeman and Volod
- [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxiii.md): Peredonov, consumed by paranoia and rivalry with Volodin, attempts to have his hair styled in the 'Spanish style' but is thwarted by the hairdresser. He marries Varvara in a tense, chaotic ceremony attended by mocking fr
- [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxiv.md): Peredonov's paranoia deepens as he fears the nedotikomka and imagines enemies everywhere. He and Varvara anxiously await return visits from the town's elite, especially the Headmaster and his wife. Peredonov's irrational
- [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxv.md): Peredonov's paranoia intensifies as he becomes convinced that the Princess is hiding in playing cards and that spies are everywhere. He burns the cards, sees the Princess rise from the flames, smears glue on the floor to
- [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxvi.md): Sasha is fascinated by Liudmilla, experiencing a mix of shame, fear, and impatience. They go for a walk where Liudmilla provocatively shows her feet and stockings, leading Sasha to kiss her feet. Later, Liudmilla dresses
- [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxvii.md): Peredonov's madness deepens as he hallucinates and slanders colleagues, students, and townspeople. He fixates on Sasha Pilnikov, accusing him of immoral relations with Liudmilla, while the townspeople gossip but increasi
- [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxviii.md): Sasha is discovered by his landlady Kokovkina while cross-dressing at Liudmilla's house. Kokovkina scolds him but is eventually softened. Meanwhile, Varvara and Grushina send an anonymous letter to the headmaster Khripat
- [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxix.md): The masked ball at the Club House is a chaotic, drunken affair where costumes range from the absurd to the scandalous. Peredonov sits isolated, perceiving everything as hostile. The Routilov sisters mock him, while Volod
- [The Masked Ball and the Fire](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxx.md): At the masked ball, the Geisha (Sasha in disguise) is attacked by a mob led by the Ear of Corn and others. Bengalsky rescues her, discovers she is a boy, and takes her to the Routilovs. Meanwhile, Peredonov, haunted by t
- [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxxi.md): Sasha's aunt Ekaterina Ivanovna arrives in town after receiving alarming letters about her nephew. She confronts the Routilov sisters, who skillfully deny any wrongdoing and convince her that the rumors are the work of t
- [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxxii.md): Peredonov learns from Vershina that the letters from the Princess were forged by Grushina at Varvara's request. Enraged but unable to confront his wife, he becomes increasingly paranoid and haunted by the nedotikomka. He
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/endnotes.md): This section provides translator's notes and explanations for various cultural, literary, and linguistic references in the text, including Russian folk tales, fables, puns, historical figures, and customs.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters