The Little Demon · Chapter
XIX explained
Peredonov's erratic behavior alarms Headmaster Khripatch, who consults the school physician and confronts Peredonov about noisy lessons and grade discrepancies.
What happens
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 vengeful student Kramarenko, who calls him a scoundrel. Later, Peredonov encounters Vershina and visits her home, where he observes Mourin courting Marta with a generous gift of a hundred-rouble note.
Themes in this chapter
Madness and Paranoia
Peredonov's growing paranoia is evident as he sees informers everywhere, fears poisoning, and exhibits confused, terrified behavior.
Provinciality and Pettiness
The petty concerns of the town are highlighted through grade disputes, gossip, and the trivial pursuit of marriage and money.
Characters to notice
- Peredonov
Shows signs of paranoia and confusion; confronts Headmaster, is followed by Kramarenko, and visits Vershina's home.
- Nikolai Khripatch
Worried about Peredonov's behavior, consults the school physician, and confronts Peredonov about his teaching.
- Kramarenko
Follows Peredonov after being mistreated, calls him a scoundrel and vermin.
- Natalya Vershina
Invites Peredonov in, hosts Mourin and Vitkevitch, and is trying to arrange a match between Marta and Mourin.
- Marta
Receives a hundred-rouble note from Mourin after telling a dream about losing money.
- Mourin
Courts Marta, gives her a hundred-rouble note, and discusses placing his son Vaniushka with Vershina.
Key passages
“He consulted the school physician and asked him whether Peredonov were not out of his mind. The doctor laughingly replied that Peredonov had no mind to be out of, and that he was simply acting stupidly.”
Khripatch asked the doctor if Peredonov was insane, but the doctor joked that Peredonov had no mind to lose and was just being foolish.
Highlights the dismissive attitude toward Peredonov's mental state.
“Kramarenko also paused and continued to look at Peredonov. They stood facing one another on the loose pavement of the deserted street, beside the grey, depressing fence. Kramarenko trembled and said in a hissing voice: 'Scoundrel!'”
Kramarenko stopped and stared at Peredonov; on a quiet, gloomy street, he hissed 'Scoundrel!' at him.
Shows the direct confrontation and Kramarenko's open hostility.
“Mourin stood in front of Marta and said in a persuasive voice: 'My dear Marta Stanislavovna, believe me, I give it with all my heart—please take it! And if you don't want to take it for nothing, then take it for looking after Vaniushka.'”
Mourin urged Marta to accept the hundred-rouble note as payment for caring for his son Vaniushka.
Illustrates Mourin's courtship through generosity.