Demons

Main Characters and Their Development

• Stepan Trofimovich Verkhovensky — an intellectual of the old school, a teacher of European cultural ideals, living with Varvara Petrovna. Under the influence of events, he reveals his impotence in the face of new ideas and the impulses of the younger generation.
• Nikolai Vsevolodovich Stavrogin — the central figure of the novel, possesses a magnetic personality and ambiguous intentions. Throughout the narrative, he evolves as a complex and enigmatic character, whose actions and motives provoke debate and various interpretations.
• Pyotr Stepanovich Verkhovensky — the son of Stepan Trofimovich, an active revolutionary seeking power through destruction and chaos. He organizes a secret society and aims to use each character to achieve his goals.
• Shatov — an intellectual contemplating the revival of Russia through national ideas. His conflict with Pyotr Stepanovich leads to a tragic outcome, highlighting his struggle for ideals of truth and justice.
• Kirillov — a philosopher around whom the ideology of suicide as an act of will revolves. His fate is intertwined with the destinies of other characters and embodies the pinnacle of philosophical thought on free will.
• Darya Pavlovna — a character who serves as a link between the characters, whose story unfolds gradually and adds depth to the context of the novel's events.