The Devils (The Possessed)

Devils, also known as Demons or The Possessed, is a novel by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky, published over the course of 1871-1872. The story portrays the complex psychological drama of a small town that is taken over by political revolutionaries, leading to a string of deaths and a breakdown of the usual social order. The novel wrestles with many of the elements common to Dostoevsky’s major works: the problem of free will, the prevalence of social injustice and corruption, and the dangers of radicalism. In tracing the rise and fall of the charismatic Stavrogin and his followers, Dostoevsky explores the psychology of extremism and addresses some of the pressing ideological issues of his own day.

This guide uses the Oxford World Classics edition of Devils, translated by Michael R. Katz.

Content Warning: The source material contains discussions and depictions of abuse, suicide, sexual abuse of a minor, and domestic and political violence throughout.

Plot Summary

Stepan Trofimovich Verkhovensky is an academic whose career has been cut short. Now, he is employed by a wealthy widow named Varvara Petrovna Stavrogina. Stepan is in love with Varvara after spending 20 years in her employ. He was originally a tutor to her son, Nikolai Vsevolodovich Stavrogin. After a trip to Switzerland, Varvara is concerned about scandalous rumors surrounding her son’s behavior. He allegedly had a relationship with a young woman named Liza, who is set to return to the local town with her family. Worried also that Stavrogin may be embroiled in an affair with her protégé, Dasha, Varvara tries to organize a marriage between Dasha and Stepan, much to Stepan’s distress. The marriage allows him to settle a delicate financial issue with his estranged son, Peter. He writes letters, complaining that he is marrying Dasha to cover up Stavrogin’s indiscretions.

Stavrogin is also alleged to have been romantically involved with a woman with a disability named Marya, who is the sister of a former army officer with alcoholism named Lebyadkin. Marya and her brother are recent arrivals in the town. One day, Varvara takes Marya back to her home and asks her about Stavrogin. When both Stavrogin, Peter, and Lebyadkin arrive, the scene descends into chaos. Stavrogin offers to take Marya away without clarifying their relationship while Peter promises to explain everything. He wins Varvara’s trust by assuring her that her son is acting nobly toward Marya. In the course of the conversation, Peter reveals his father’s comments about Stavrogin’s indiscretions, causing Varvara to banish Stepan from her home. The scene ends with Shatov, an associate of Peter, punching Stavrogin in the face without an explanation. Stavrogin, unexpectedly, does not react.

Rumor and gossip spread through the town. Peter becomes a popular figure, ingratiating himself with the wife of the new governor, Yulia. Her husband, Von Lembke, is a troubled man who worries about governing the area. He dislikes Peter and fears trouble from radical political activists. Meanwhile, Peter tries to involve Stavrogin in his plot to launch a revolution in Russia. He has a small society of like-minded individuals, but Stavrogin is reluctant to join. At the same time, he asks Kirillov, an acquaintance who is obsessed with his own death, to ask for his help in a duel. The son of a local landowner feels aggrieved with Stavrogin’s past behavior and demands satisfaction. Stavrogin enlists Kirillov as his second. He also visits Shatov, who has correctly guessed that Stavrogin married Marya, and then the Lebyadkins. Marya is relaxed by his presence but then angrily turns on him. He meets a convict named Fedka, who subtly offers to murder Marya and free Stavrogin from his marriage.

The duel takes place the following day and both men escape unharmed, adding to Stavrogin’s reputation. During this time, Peter is very active. He meets with his organization and convinces Yulia to host a literary festival. His group fosters discord among the local factory workers. Peter also knows Kirillov; they have an agreement by which Kirillov plans to die by suicide and leave a confession to any crimes Peter commits. Peter’s attempts to recruit Stavrogin into his organization fail. The factory workers riot and, while dealing with the situation, Von Lembke begins to experience a mental health crisis. Stavrogin publicly reveals his marriage to Marya.

Yulia’s literary event is an embarrassing disaster. It ends when a fire breaks out on the other side of town. While trying to quell the fire, Von Lembke is hit on the head and never recovers. Arson is suspected, particularly when the bodies of Marya and her brother are found. Stavrogin and Liza spend the night together, but she refuses to run away with him. When Peter arrives, Liza overhears them discussing a murder. Stavrogin claims to have known that the fire was a distraction to allow Fedka to murder his wife. He blames himself for doing nothing. Liza runs away, encountering Stepan, who plans to leave the town in disgrace. In the town, Liza is accosted by the townspeople. They blame her for Marya’s murder due to her association with Stavrogin. They murder her.

That night, Peter convinces his group to murder Shatov, even though his estranged wife has just returned to town and given birth to a baby boy. They kill Shatov but their crime is quickly uncovered, even though Kirillov wrote a confession before dying by suicide. Peter flees to Saint Petersburg while most of the group is arrested. Shatov’s wife and child die of exposure. Stepan leaves the town on foot but catches a fever and dies with Varvara at his bedside. Stavrogin flees. He invites Dasha to join him but, by the time she reads his letter, he has already died by suicide as well.