The Petty Demon

Summary

The novel "The Petty Demon" by Fyodor Sologub tells the story of a provincial teacher, Ardalion Borisovich Peredonov, who gradually descends into madness. Peredonov dreams of securing an inspector's position and believes his beloved Varvara will help him achieve this. Varvara deceives him by claiming she has received a letter from a princess promising him a promotion. Meanwhile, Peredonov begins to experience hallucinations and becomes increasingly suspicious and aggressive. His behavior instills fear and hatred in those around him. Ultimately, his madness leads to tragic consequences when he kills an innocent person, mistaking them for an enemy. The novel explores themes of moral decay, hypocrisy, and the destructive influence of petty passions on the human soul.