Pervasive Evil
The novel explores evil as an inherent, universal human inclination, embodied by the protagonist Peredonov and symbolized by the 'nedotikomka,' a grey beast representing the sum of the world's evil forces.
Where it surfaces
Translators’ Preface
The preface discusses the kingdom of evil within, and how Peredonov's inner spirit creates the Nedotikomka as a symbol of the world's evil forces.
Author's Introduction to the English Edition
Sologub describes the novel as an expression of the all-human inclination towards evil, a universal force that warps the soul.
The Little Demon
The chapter illustrates how evil permeates the provincial society, manifesting in Peredonov's malicious suspicions and the hostile environment around him.
XX
Ershova's superstitious revenge, Grushina's manipulation, and the general malice of townspeople create an atmosphere of pervasive ill will.
Chapter XXV
The nedotikomka and card phantasms embody a relentless, malevolent force that torments Peredonov, reflecting a world saturated with evil.
XXXII
Vershina's malicious revelation, Varvara's complicity, and Peredonov's violent act illustrate the inescapable malevolence in the town.
Provinciality and Pettiness
The story critiques the petty, provincial mindset of small-town life, where gossip, envy, and trivial concerns dominate, and nearly all characters exhibit a lesser form of Peredonov's moral corruption.
Where it surfaces
Translators’ Preface
The preface describes the novel as a criticism of the state of petty 'provinciality' into which human conscience has fallen.
Dialogue to the Seventh Russian Edition, 1913
The dialogue contrasts the refined, European soul with the crude, provincial setting, emphasizing the pettiness and hostility of the local environment.
I
The gossip, scheming, and trivial concerns over marriage and patronage highlight the narrow, petty world of the provincial town.
III
The characters engage in crude pranks, gossip, and petty scheming, such as vandalizing the landlady's house and plotting a forged letter.
V
The petty card games with cheating, the obsession with social standing and the inspectorship, and the vulgar gossip among provincial townspeople.
VI
Peredonov's petty insults, threats, and focus on trivial grievances (e.g., Vladya's cheekiness, freckles) exemplify the narrow-mindedness of provincial life.
Madness and Paranoia
Peredonov's descent into madness is driven by irrational fears, delusions, and paranoia, as he sees enemies everywhere, writes denunciations, and hallucinates the nedotikomka, culminating in murder.
Where it surfaces
Author's Preface to the Fifth Russian Edition, 1909
Peredonov's mental derangement is described as temporary, and rumors swirl about his post-hospital actions, reflecting the theme of unstable sanity.
Author's Introduction to the English Edition
The afflicted soul is borne along disastrous paths towards madness and death, a foreboding of ultimate destruction.
The Little Demon
Peredonov's psychological deterioration is central to this chapter, as his hallucinations and irrational fears drive his actions.
IV
Peredonov fears being bewitched, attacked, or poisoned, and performs a superstitious ritual to protect himself, underscoring his growing irrationality.
V
Peredonov's irrational fear of being reported for his books, his suspicion of Volodin impersonating him, and his belief that the Headmaster and others conspire against him.
VI
Peredonov's mistrust of Roubovsky, suspicion of being informed against, and belief that Vladya is casting a spell reveal his paranoid mindset.
Corruption of Innocence
The idyllic relationship between Sasha and Liudmilla is tainted by the surrounding atmosphere of lies and depravity, showing how innocence becomes obscured and perverted by contact with evil.
Where it surfaces
Translators’ Preface
The preface notes that even the idyllic Sasha-Liudmilla love episode becomes obscured and affected by the surrounding atmosphere of lies.
XVI
Liudmilla's actions awaken premature and vague desires in Sasha, corrupting his youthful innocence.
XVII
Sasha's youthful innocence is gradually drawn into Liudmilla's world of perfumes, tickling, and wrestling, blurring the line between childlike play and adult desire.
XXVI
Sasha's youthful innocence is gradually eroded by Liudmilla's sensual advances and dressing-up games.
XXVIII
Grushina and Varvara spread rumors that Liudmilla has corrupted Sasha; the cross-dressing scene suggests a blurring of boundaries.
The Masked Ball and the Fire
Sasha, a schoolboy, is drawn into a dangerous masquerade and nearly assaulted, symbolizing the corruption of youth.
Hypocrisy and Social Facade
Characters maintain a cheerful, respectable appearance in public while engaging in deceit, manipulation, and moral decay, as seen in Peredonov's pursuit of an inspector's job through false promises and flattery.
Where it surfaces
Author's Preface to the Second Russian Edition, 1908
The author criticizes the public's desire to see nobility even in villains, rejecting the comforting illusion that the novel's dark portrayal does not apply to them.
Author's Preface to the Fifth Russian Edition, 1909
Varvara's efforts to justify Peredonov's murder and the Princess's newfound interest highlight the manipulation of social appearances.
Dialogue to the Seventh Russian Edition, 1913
The hate is described as fear of the author's frankness, suggesting a society that prefers comfortable lies over uncomfortable truths.
I
The opening description of townspeople appearing 'peaceful and amicably—even happily' contrasts sharply with the manipulative and self-serving conversations that follow, exposing the gap between appearance and reality.
II
Varvara and Peredonov maintain a pretense of respectability while engaging in petty cruelty and deceit, and the landlady Ershova demands deference despite her drunkenness.
III
Varvara and Grushina conspire to deceive Peredonov with a forged letter, maintaining a false front to secure his marriage and promotion.
Universality of Human Flaw
Despite its Russian setting, the novel presents Peredonov as a universal character, found in any country or station, reflecting a common human tendency toward evil and spiritual malady.
Where it surfaces
Translators’ Preface
The preface argues that Peredonov is a universal character found in Russia, England, America, and everywhere, transcending national boundaries.
Author's Preface to the Second Russian Edition, 1908
Sologub argues that Peredonovshchina is a widespread phenomenon and that readers may recognize traits of Peredonov in themselves.
Desire and Obsession
Characters are driven by base desires—Peredonov's lust for status and marriage, Volodin's romantic schemes, and the Routilov sisters' flirtations—leading to absurd, tragicomic outcomes.
Where it surfaces
I
Peredonov's fixation on securing an inspector's job and his vacillation between women (Varvara, the Routilov sisters, Marta) reveal his obsessive pursuit of status and comfort.
IV
Peredonov's erotic reveries and vacillating desire for each sister, followed by paranoid rejection, highlight his obsessive yet fickle nature.
XIV
Liudmilla's burning curiosity and subsequent erotic dreams about Sasha illustrate her intense, obsessive desire.
XVI
Liudmilla's all-consuming thoughts of Sasha, her dreams, and her elaborate schemes to be alone with him illustrate her obsessive desire.
XVII
Liudmilla's intense, sensual attraction to Sasha is central, blending innocence with provocative longing as she seeks physical closeness and emotional intimacy.
Chapter XXV
Peredonov's repulsion and allurement toward the Princess, mingled with a corpse-like fantasy, reveal a twisted obsession.
Alienation and Loneliness
Peredonov's soul is warped by a 'morose separation from the world,' causing him to see all objects and people as hostile, and his actions are motivated by a vengeful response to his own grievous loneliness.
Where it surfaces
Author's Introduction to the English Edition
The author emphasizes the soul's grievous loneliness and morose separation from the world as a core affliction.
XXIX
Peredonov sits isolated, perceiving the crowd as hostile and senseless, embodying profound alienation amidst the revelry.
