# XX explained — The Little Demon

> Chapter companion for The Little Demon by Fyodor Sologub.

## What happens

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. Ershova, through a sorceress and a red-haired boy, returns the cursed hat to Peredonov's household, terrifying him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Madness and Paranoia

Peredonov blinds the court cards to stop them staring at him, hallucinates figures at night, and fears betrayal from Varvara and others.

### Hypocrisy and Social Facade

Peredonov hangs Pushkin's portrait to appear loyal, hides forbidden books, and pretends drunkenness after the assault, while the headmaster publicly reprimands him but privately tolerates corruption.

### Pervasive Evil

Ershova's superstitious revenge, Grushina's manipulation, and the general malice of townspeople create an atmosphere of pervasive ill will.

## Character check-ins

### Peredonov

Attends the club, is struck by Goudayevsky, confronts the headmaster, blinds card faces in paranoia, and is terrified by the return of the hat.

### Varvara

Steals and burns the first forged letter at Grushina's insistence, lies to Peredonov about it, and receives the cursed hat from a red-haired boy.

### Pavel Volodin

Bleats about aristocrats at the housewarming; Peredonov blames him for the broken spectacles.

### Grushina

Insists Varvara steal and burn the first forged letter; comments on the headmaster's supposed malice.

### The Headmaster

Summons Peredonov, reprimands him for visiting students' homes and the club incident, suggests he leave the school.

### Ershova

Finds the hat Peredonov left, takes it to a sorceress, and arranges its return via a red-haired boy.

### Goudayevsky

Strikes Peredonov at the club, spreads rumors about the whipping incident, and is discussed by the town.

### Liudmilla

Her name is linked with Sasha Pilnikov in town rumors; Sasha is teased about their relationship.

## Key lines

> Peredonov gathered together all the cards he had and put out the eyes of all the kings, queens and knaves, so that they should not stare at him.

In a paranoid fit, Peredonov blinded all the court cards to prevent them from watching him.

_Illustrates his escalating madness and fear of being observed._

> Varvara burnt it over a candle at Grushina’s.

Varvara destroyed the forged letter by burning it at Grushina's house.

_Key plot point: removal of evidence to prevent detection of the forgery._

> He met Varvara herself in the dark hall of Peredonov’s house. He stuck the hat into her hand and ran away so quickly that Varvara had not time to recognise him.

The red-haired boy shoved the cursed hat into Varvara's hands in the dark hallway and fled before she could identify him.

_Climactic moment of Ershova's revenge, terrifying Peredonov._

## Links

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