# XVI explained — The Little Demon

> Chapter companion for The Little Demon by Fyodor Sologub.

## What happens

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 friendship grows intimate, awakening premature desires in Sasha, who becomes close with all three sisters.

## Themes in this chapter

### Desire and Obsession

Liudmilla's all-consuming thoughts of Sasha, her dreams, and her elaborate schemes to be alone with him illustrate her obsessive desire.

### Corruption of Innocence

Liudmilla's actions awaken premature and vague desires in Sasha, corrupting his youthful innocence.

## Character check-ins

### Liudmilla

Obsessed with Sasha, she schemes to meet him alone, scents him, and initiates a pattern of intimate visits.

### Sasha Pilnikov

Becomes the object of Liudmilla's attention, enjoys her company, and begins to develop premature desires.

### Olga Kokovkina

Detained by Liudmilla's sisters after Mass, allowing Liudmilla to visit Sasha alone.

### Darya

One of Liudmilla's sisters, helps in the plot and later teases Liudmilla about her cowardice.

### Valeria Routilov

Another sister, participates in the greeting and kisses Sasha, but shows less interest in him.

## Key lines

> The dark-eyed boy occupied all Liudmilla’s thoughts. She often talked about him with her own family and with acquaintances, sometimes unseasonably.

Liudmilla was completely preoccupied with the dark-eyed boy, frequently discussing him with family and friends, even at inappropriate times.

_Highlights Liudmilla's obsession with Sasha._

> Liudmilla loved perfumes, ordered them from Peterburg and consumed a great deal of them.

Liudmilla had a passion for perfumes, which she ordered from St. Petersburg and used abundantly.

_Shows Liudmilla's refined tastes and her use of scent as a tool of seduction._

> Without noticing it herself Liudmilla had awakened in Sasha premature though as yet vague inclinations and desires.

Unconsciously, Liudmilla stirred in Sasha early and indistinct romantic and sexual feelings.

_Indicates the theme of corruption of innocence._

## Links

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