# Liputin — Demons character guide > Liputin in Demons by Fyodor Dostoevsky. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Liputin, that rascal Liputin, that beast Liputin **First appearance:** 0001-demons ## Snapshot A petty official whose unctuous piety conceals a talent for mischief, he keeps one ear to the revolutionary underground and the other to every scandal in town. ## Who they are Liputin is a provincial functionary who has insinuated himself into both the governor's circle and the secret revolutionary cell, playing each against the other while collecting gossip like currency. When Stavrogin publicly kisses his wife at a party, Liputin turns the humiliation into a calculated display of wit, sending his servant to Stavrogin with a message that anticipates the reply before it is spoken. His self-serving cleverness makes him a barometer of the town's shifting loyalties and a quiet engine of the intrigue that builds toward catastrophe. ## In the story ### [I: Introductory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-i-introductory) Present at discussions, makes cynical remarks about the emancipation and the peasantry. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-viii) Elderly provincial official and liberal; known for his wit, malicious liveliness, and scandalmongering; a regular member of Stepan Trofimovitch's circle. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-ix) A member of the circle; makes cynical remarks about the emancipation and the peasantry; agrees with Stepan Trofimovitch's views. ### [II: Prince Harry. Matchmaking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-ii-prince-harry-matchmaking) A local liberal who invites Stavrogin to his party; after Stavrogin kisses his wife, he reacts obsequiously and later sends a servant with a message. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-ii) Invites Stavrogin to his wife's birthday party despite the scandal, and later cleverly uses the incident to gain credit by sending a witty message to Stavrogin. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-iii) A Fourierist and moneylender who correctly guessed Stavrogin's condition and later receives a visit from him. ### [III: The Sins of Others](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-sins-of-others) Described as a regular spy and gossip, envious and agitated about the secrets of Stepan Trofimovitch. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-i) A gossipy and envious figure who eagerly shares town news and may know more about Stepan's situation than he admits. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-ii) Referenced as the one who calls Karmazinov 'the great writer.' ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-iii) Arrives at Stepan Trofimovitch's room, causing the latter to exclaim 'I am lost!' ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-iv) Brings Kirillov uninvited, enjoys Stepan Trofimovitch's discomfort, and teases Kirillov about his radical ideas. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-v) Gossips about Lebyadkin's abuse of his sister and hints at secrets involving Varvara Petrovna. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-vi) Spreads rumors about Stavrogin's madness and involvement with Lebyadkin, and accuses Kirillov of concealing knowledge. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-viii) Kirillov mentions Liputin's slyness, impatience, and tendency to fantasize, referring to the morning's misunderstandings. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-ix) Squeals to identify the narrator, reveals Lebyadkin's infatuation and new status as landowner. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-i-v) Referenced as having reported on the Lebyadkins' destitution and the captain's drinking. ### [I: Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-ii-i-night) Knew every detail of the Sunday events by Monday evening; spreads rumors about Pyotr Verhovensky's past. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-ii-i) Knows every detail of the Sunday events by Monday evening, suggesting firsthand knowledge. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-ii-ii) Informs the narrator of Pyotr Stepanovitch's departure and that the Lebyadkins have moved to the riverside quarter. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-ii-ii) Referred to as a traitor by Lebyadkin, who admits to having drunkenly confided in him. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-ii-ii) Mentioned as having traveled to the X province and neighboring province six weeks prior, where he saw the same manifestoes that later appear in the town. ### [VII: A Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-ii-vii-a-meeting) Participates in the debate, questioning the practicality of mass violence and slyly supporting the vote for a formal meeting. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-ii-i) Member of the quintet, present at the gathering. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-ii-ii) Questions the feasibility of mass violence and engages in a debate with Verhovensky about the practical benefits of revolution. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-iii-ii) Steward who reads Lebyadkin's scandalous poem, causing public outrage. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-iii-iv) Listens greedily from behind the scenes during Stepan Trofimovitch's speech. ### [II: The End of the Fête](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-iii-ii-the-end-of-the-f-te) Arranged the literary quadrille with the help of the lame teacher; the narrator is advised to go to him for information. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-iii-iii) Helped arrange the literary quadrille; his steward's rosette was removed but he remains present. ### [IV: The Last Resolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-iii-iv-the-last-resolution) Accompanies Pyotr Stepanovitch to Kirillov's house via a secret path, expresses doubts about the manifesto and the network, but is coerced into printing the manifestos using Shatov's press. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-iii-i) Leads the accusation against Pyotr Stepanovitch at the meeting, demanding openness and questioning the connection to Stavrogin. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-iii-ii) Resents Pyotr Stepanovitch's overbearing manner but is forced to obey; he is tasked with printing the manifesto. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-iii-iii) Witnesses the altercation between Fedka and Pyotr, follows Pyotr afterward, and is present during the visit to Kirillov. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-iii-iv) Liputin is consumed by panic and indecision, having prepared a false passport for escape. He is paralyzed by the realization that he is being moved by an external power and ultimately submits to the plan, appearing at the meeting with Shatov despite his fears. ### [V: A Wanderer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-iii-v-a-wanderer) Accompanies Pyotr Verhovensky to Kirillov's during the time Shatov is caring for Marie. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-iii-ii) Mentioned as being with Verhovensky at Kirillov's during the time Shatov is caring for Marie. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-iii-i) Participates in the ambush and uses a child's clay whistle for the signal. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/chapters/part-iii-iii) Mentioned as a potential threat who might betray Pyotr Stepanovitch's departure. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/characters/liputin - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/demons_se/characters