The Little Demon · Character
Varvara
Peredonov's cousin and would-be wife, who trades on a princess's phantom promise to keep a paranoid man tethered to her.
supporting
Also known as Varvara Dmitrievna, Varvara Dmitrievna Maloshina, Varya, Vara
First appearance: I
As a supporting figure in The Little Demon, Varvara is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Listed among the characters depicted in the novel.
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Varvara wants the marriage, and she wants the inspector's post she claims Princess Volchanskaya will arrange once the knot is tied—though the princess, inconveniently, is never quite findable. She listens to gossip…
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See Varvara in ICharacter Web
7 connectionsA slice of how Varvara sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Extended cast of townspeople
- Protagonist
- Peredonov's social circle
- Merchant and local acquaintances
+2 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the climax because Sasha’s internal conflict—between shame and obsessive desire—peaks into…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingIn the story
Varvara appears across 20 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- Author's Preface to the Second Russian Edition, 1908
- Author's Preface to the Fifth Russian Edition, 1909
- The Little Demon
- I
- II
- III
- V
- VII
- +12 more
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Varvara unlock in the free preview.
See Varvara in I