# IV explained — The Little Demon

> Chapter companion for The Little Demon by Fyodor Sologub.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters