# XXIII explained — The Little Demon

> Chapter companion for The Little Demon by Fyodor Sologub.

## What happens

Peredonov, consumed by paranoia and rivalry with Volodin, attempts to have his hair styled in the 'Spanish style' but is thwarted by the hairdresser. He marries Varvara in a tense, chaotic ceremony attended by mocking friends and uninvited drunkards led by Mourin. After the wedding, Varvara grows more assertive, and they make awkward social visits, while Peredonov remains haunted by the nedotikomka and fears Volodin will replace him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Madness and Paranoia

Peredonov's delusions intensify: he sees a 'terrible vision' of a fortress and muzhiks, imagines a cat turned into a man, and is tormented by the nedotikomka during the wedding.

### Hypocrisy and Social Facade

The wedding is a farce of secrecy and mockery; Varvara's social visits are marked by ridiculous pride and awkwardness, while guests behave disrespectfully.

### Provinciality and Pettiness

The petty schemes of Grushina (paying boys to throw rubbish), the hairdresser's ignorance of the 'Spanish style,' and the town's gossipy curiosity highlight provincial narrowness.

## Character check-ins

### Peredonov

Paranoid and dejected, tries to distinguish himself from Volodin by getting a Spanish-style haircut, marries Varvara amid fear and hostility, and remains haunted by the nedotikomka.

### Varvara

Marries Peredonov, becomes more assured and independent, makes social visits with a ridiculous hat, and shows pride and awkwardness.

### Pavel Volodin

Peredonov's rival; conducts himself sedately at the wedding, crossing himself with profundity, and is suspected by Peredonov of plotting to take his place.

### Grushina

Arranges for boys to throw rubbish at the newlyweds, sniggers at the secrecy of the wedding, and enjoys creating an ignominious spectacle.

### Liudmilla

One of the Routilov sisters; laughs during the wedding ceremony, and her laughter sounds like untameable furies to Peredonov.

### Mourin

Bursts into the church with a drunken crowd after the wedding, embraces Peredonov, and demands champagne.

## Key lines

> He’s always inventing new notions. He sees devils. If he only drank less gin, the cursed tippler!

Varvara complains that Peredonov constantly comes up with strange ideas and sees devils, blaming his heavy drinking.

_Highlights Varvara's exasperation and Peredonov's deteriorating mental state._

> The eye-bird flew by. One eye and two wings, and nothing more.

Peredonov mutters a nonsensical observation about a bird with a single eye and two wings, reflecting his disordered perception.

_Illustrates Peredonov's paranoid and hallucinatory thinking during the carriage ride._

> They’ve dabbed pieces of gold on the sky and they’re falling off. Who ever saw such a waste!

Peredonov complains about the golden sunset sky, seeing it as a wasteful mess of falling gold pieces.

_Shows Peredonov's hostile and distorted view of the world, even of natural beauty._

## Links

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