The Little Demon · Chapter
IV explained
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 plan altogether, sus
What happens
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 plan altogether, suspecting Routilov of bewitching him and performing a counter-charm. The sisters mock him as he leaves.
Themes in this chapter
Desire and Obsession
Peredonov's erotic reveries and vacillating desire for each sister, followed by paranoid rejection, highlight his obsessive yet fickle nature.
Madness and Paranoia
Peredonov fears being bewitched, attacked, or poisoned, and performs a superstitious ritual to protect himself, underscoring his growing irrationality.
Characters to notice
- Peredonov
Waits in the garden, vacillates between the three Routilov sisters, performs a counter-charm against bewitchment, and ultimately refuses to marry.
- Liudmilla
One of the Routilov sisters; laughs at Peredonov's indecision and shouts gibes after him.
- Darya
One of the Routilov sisters; offers to make pancakes and later mocks Peredonov.
- Valeria Routilov
The youngest sister; initially chosen by Peredonov, then rejected; shows anger at his indecision.
- Ardalyon
Routilov brother; arranges the meeting, grows irritated with Peredonov's changes of mind, and eventually goes to play cards.
Key passages
“He imagined Valeria in all the bewitchment of the bridal night—undressed, bashful but happy. All slenderness and subtlety.”
Peredonov fantasizes about Valeria on their wedding night, picturing her naked, shy, and joyful, emphasizing her slim and delicate figure.
Reveals Peredonov's coarse, erotic imagination and his objectification of women.
“Peredonov twirled round on his heels, spat on each side of him and mumbled: 'Chure-churashki. Churki-balvashki, buki-bukashkii, vedi-tarakashki. Chure menya. Chure menya. Chure, chure, chure. Chure-perechure-raschiure.'”
Peredonov spins around, spits to both sides, and recites a folk charm to ward off Routilov's supposed bewitchment.
Highlights Peredonov's superstition and paranoia, treating magic as a practical defense.
“'Kislyai Kislyaevitch! (Sour Sourson!)' exclaimed Liudmilla, laughingly.”
Liudmilla mockingly calls Peredonov 'Sour Sourson,' a pun on his indecisive and sour demeanor.
Illustrates the sisters' contempt and mockery of Peredonov's behavior.