In 1871-1872, the work of the famous Russian writer F.M. Dostoevsky's “Possessed.”
A summary of the novel is given in this article. The author’s case was prompted by the murder of student Ivanov, which caused a huge resonance in society. The novel is one of the most politicized works of the writer. He was filmed several times: in 1988, 1992 and 2006.
Conflict brewing
The work takes place in one of the provincial towns. The novel "Demons", the brief content of which you are reading, begins with a description of the idealist Stepan Trofimovich Verkhovensky and his platonic relations with a certain Varvara Petrovna Stavrogina. Around the protagonist of the novel, a liberal-minded youth is curling, delighted with the “poses” and “phrases” of the idealist. At this time, the arrival of the demoted guardsman Nikolai Stavrogin is expected, which for many is a "mysterious" person. He is known for his carousing and unbridled behavior. His mother, Varvara Petrovna Stavrogin, dreams of marrying him to Lisa Tushina, the daughter of her friend. And she wants to see her ward Stepan Trofimovich as the husband of her pupil Daria Shatova. But it soon turns out that the son of Stavroginoy, who unexpectedly arrived, is already married to Khromonozhka - Marya Timofeevna Lebyadkina. When this became known, Shatov, Daria’s brother, gives a slap to his son Stavrogin.
"Fermentation" of views among the people
Soon, Stepan Trofimovich’s son Petro Verkhovensky appears at Stavrogin’s and invites him to take part in the secret meeting of a certain revolutionary society that dreams of renouncing God and anarchism. Nikolai appears at Shatov, a former revolutionary, disappointed in the ideas of this group, and warns him that they want to kill him. Atheistic and anarchist sentiments are intensifying in the city: people burn icons, mock church rituals. Amid this chaos, a holiday is being prepared organized by the wife of the local governor, Yulia Mikhailovna. In a difficult period in the history of Russia, Dostoevsky wrote his novel “Demons”. Its summary is unlikely to convey the fullness of the ideological conflict that reigned at that time.
Shatov accused of treason
Revolutionary Pyotr Verkhovensky appears in the governor's house and announces that he is ready to uncover the state conspiracy. To the head of the city, Von Lembke, he says that Shatov is involved in the atrocities that are happening on the streets. Pointing to the revolutionary who was disappointed in his ideas, in vain, he goes to him and invites to the next meeting of "ours." Soon, all the conspirators gather at the "secret veche", at which Peter accuses Shatov of treason. His goal is to bring confusion on the streets of the town. To prevent betrayal in the ranks of his supporters, he decides to seal the secret society with blood, and Ivan Pavlovich should become the victim. Peter shares his crazy plans with Stavrogin. In the novel "Demons," a summary of which is given here, Verkhovensky is an absolute evil.
Bloody denouement
Events are unfolding fast. The festive day, announced by Julia Mikhailovna, is coming. At this time, it becomes known that the district of Zarechye is on fire. This is clearly arson. They also report that Captain Lebyadkin, his sister, the former wife of Stavrogin, and the servants were killed. The governor hurries to the fire. There he feeds a log. Lisa, who had spent the night with Stavrogin the night before, learns from Verkhovensky that Nikolai knew about the planned murder of people and did not warn anyone. She runs to the place of conflagration. Someone in the crowd recognizes it as “Stavrogin”. She is beaten half to death. Lisa is not able to save. Meanwhile, the anarchist Verkhovensky continues to do his dirty deed. He informs Shatov and, using the support of the governor's house, offers to remove him. Soon, five attacked Ivan Pavlovich. Among them is Peter Verkhovensky. He kills him.
In the novel "Demons", a brief summary of the chapters of which can be read within 20 minutes, more than 500 pages. But I believe that it will be very useful to analyze in detail the original work. It does not lose relevance in our days. The work “Demons”, a brief summary of which is given here, describes a difficult period in the history of our country, when terrorist and radical thoughts appeared in the people.