Demons (Penguin Classics)

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He invites Kirillov, and subsequently Shatov, to a meeting of the local branch of the society to be held later that day. The conspirators succeed in transforming her Literary Fête for the benefit of poor governesses into a scandalous farce.

This, from a Russian nationalist and defender of Tsarist autocracy, and a ‘renegade’ from the revolutionary politics of his youth no less, should give the lie to the idea that only Marxists have true foresight into the future, despite what Alan Woods and his lackeys in the IMT claim.He is depicted as an emotionally unstable man-child who cannot discipline his own son, and whose behaviour serves to corrupt the younger generation.

Varvara Petrovna stops him imperiously and, indicating Marya, demands to know if she is his lawful wife.With this work, Dostoevsky would launch a biting critique of the revolutionary ideologies that he foresaw would lead Russia to ruin if pursued to their logical conclusions. He abandons his aristocratic lifestyle and wanders into the countryside to be among the humble and godly peasantry, and, like Shatov, rediscovers his lapsed Christian faith. Varvara Petrovna is elated and almost triumphant to hear that her son's actions had a noble foundation rather than a shameful one. In the din that breaks out after their departure, the strongest voice is that of Pyotr Stepanovich, and he manages to persuade Varvara Petrovna to listen to his explanation for what has occurred. Introducing this grandiose attitude into the membership is a very good way of conning them into thinking that their efforts are having a real-world impact.