# Chapter XXIV explained — The Little Demon

> Chapter companion for The Little Demon by Fyodor Sologub.

## What happens

Peredonov's paranoia deepens as he fears the nedotikomka and imagines enemies everywhere. He and Varvara anxiously await return visits from the town's elite, especially the Headmaster and his wife. Peredonov's irrational fears lead him to hide knives and avoid meat. He fabricates scandalous stories about the Princess to Routilov and Volodin, while also suspecting her of plotting against him. The Headmaster and his wife finally visit, but their condescending attitude leaves Varvara feeling inadequate and uncertain about their social standing.

## Themes in this chapter

### Madness and Paranoia

Peredonov's irrational fears—hiding knives, avoiding bridges, and imagining the nedotikomka—dominate the chapter, illustrating his descent into madness.

### Hypocrisy and Social Facade

The Headmaster's wife treats Varvara with false graciousness while maintaining social distance, highlighting the hypocrisy of provincial social rituals.

## Character check-ins

### Peredonov

Plagued by paranoid fears of the nedotikomka and enemies; hides knives, avoids meat, and fabricates stories about the Princess.

### Varvara

Anxiously awaits return visits, encourages Peredonov's delusions out of spite, and feels socially inadequate after the Headmaster's wife visits.

### Pavel Volodin

Credulously listens to Peredonov's absurd stories about the Princess and engages in paranoid discussions.

### Liudmilla

Mentioned as one of the Routilov sisters; Routilov is present at Peredonov's home.

### Nikolai Khripatch

Visits with his wife; maintains a distant, formal demeanor and refuses Peredonov's Madeira.

### The Headmaster's Wife

Pays a condescending visit to Varvara, treating her with gracious contempt and hinting at social distance.

## Key lines

> Peredonov began to think about the billiard balls: “Who needed them? Has the nedotikomka devoured them? Perhaps that’s why I haven’t seen it today,” thought Peredonov. “It must have gorged itself and be asleep somewhere now.”

Peredonov wonders if the nedotikomka ate the billiard balls, which would explain why it hasn't appeared today—it must be full and sleeping.

_Illustrates Peredonov's paranoid and magical thinking about the nedotikomka._

> Without any visible cause he began to be afraid of one or another object. An idea somehow came into his head—and tormented him for several days—that they would cut his throat; he was afraid of everything sharp and hid the knives and the forks.

For no clear reason, Peredonov becomes terrified that someone will slit his throat, so he hides all sharp objects like knives and forks.

_Highlights Peredonov's escalating irrational fears and paranoia._

> He said quite gravely: “The Princess! Why she sold rotten apples in the market and managed to get hold of a Prince.”

Peredonov claims with a straight face that the Princess once sold rotten apples in the market and somehow snagged a Prince.

_Demonstrates Peredonov's tendency to fabricate absurd and slanderous stories about the Princess._

## Links

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