The Possessed: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Possessed: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the complex and morally ambiguous figures found in Fyodor Dostoevsky's exploration of nihilism and existential despair. The central character, Nicholas Stavrogin, embodies the duality of human nature, exhibiting both noble traits and heinous acts, while struggling with his own philosophical nihilism. His relationship with others is tumultuous; he marries the mentally challenged Maria Lebyatkin out of a sense of duty but ultimately allows her and her brother to be murdered. Varvara Stavrogin, Nicholas's mother, is a proud and domineering figure who manipulates those around her to protect her son, showcasing the lengths a parent will go to out of love, albeit complicated by her inability to express affection.
Other significant characters include Stepan Trofimovich Verkhovensky, an ineffectual intellectual whose moral failings and past abandonment of his son echo throughout the narrative, and Peter Stepanovich Verkhovensky, his son, who embodies cruelty and ambition, orchestrating violence to assert his power. The play also features Ivan Shatov, who experiences a spiritual awakening and rejects radicalism, and Lisa Drozdov, a tragic figure whose love for Nicholas leads to her demise. Each character's struggle reflects broader themes of morality, power, and the search for meaning, creating a rich tapestry of human experience amidst turmoil. This analysis invites readers to contemplate the intricate relationships and philosophical undercurrents that define Dostoevsky's work.
The Possessed: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Albert Camus
First published: Les Possédés, 1959 (English translation, 1960)
Genre: Play
Locale: Russia
Plot: Existentialism
Time: The late nineteenth century
Nicholas Stavrogin (stav-ROH-gihn), who is strong, intelligent, handsome, and an aristocrat by birth. He is capable of the most noble actions and the most heinous crimes. In a gesture of remarkable generosity, he has married the crippled, feebleminded Maria Lebyatkin and supports her and her drunkard brother, Captain Lebyatkin. Later, he allows the two to be murdered by the convict Fedka, although he could have prevented the crime easily. He seduces a number of women, including Lisa Drozdov, Dasha Shatov, and Maria Shatov, each of whom he is incapable of loving. An extraordinarily charismatic man, Nicholas allows himself to be exploited as the figurehead of a local terrorist group organized by Peter Verkhovensky. Profoundly nihilistic, Nicholas is tortured by his inability to believe in any political doctrine or moral order. He hangs himself in despair at the end of the play.
Varvara Stavrogin (vahr-VAH-rah), a proud, domineering, and sensitive woman, incapable of showing love or affection, although hers is a very passionate nature. Through wealth and influence, she manipulates others to protect her son, Nicholas. Although she is in love with Stepan Verkhovensky, she arranges his marriage with Dasha Shatov as a way of keeping Dasha away from Nicholas, whom Dasha loves. Varvara confesses her love for Stepan only when the latter is dying at the end of the play.
Stepan Trofimovich Verkhovensky (steh-PAHN troh-FIHmoh-vihch vehr-khoh-VEHN-skee), an aging, ineffectual, and vain intellectual. He is generally well-intentioned, but never at the expense of his own comfort or pleasure. He abandoned his son, Peter, at an early age and spent a large part of the latter's inheritance. When the play opens, he is living off of Varvara Stavrogin. He is the former tutor of Nicholas, Dasha, and a number of the members of his son's terrorist group.
Peter Stepanovich Verkhovensky (steh-PAH-noh-vihch), Stepan's son. He is cruel, arrogant, devious, and ultimately murderous. Although he claims to be seeking equality for all, his real desire is to confirm his own power by manipulating others to commit crimes at his behest. Thus, he has Fedka kill the Lebyatkins and later has the members of his terrorist group execute one of their former comrades, Shatov. At the end of the play, when the members of the group either have gone crazy or are being punished for their participation in the execution, Peter escapes to Europe, feeling no remorse whatsoever.
Ivan Shatov (SHAH-tov), a student friend of Stavrogin and a former revolutionary. Shatov has renounced his radical leftist politics and has embraced Russia and Christianity. His refusal to submit further to Peter's authority infuriates the latter, who orders his murder on the grounds that Shatov will betray the group to the police.
Alexey Kirilov (ah-lehk-SAY kih-RIH-lov), an engineer who is obsessed with suicide as a means of proving his own freedom. He allows Peter to manipulate him into claiming responsibility, in a suicide note, for Shatov's death. The ploy fails when one of the terrorist group, Lyamshim, cracks and tells the authorities what really happened.
Lisa Drozdov (DROZ-dov), a beautiful noblewoman who loves Nicholas and gives herself to him even though she knows that he will ruin her. At the play's end, she is killed by a mob seeking vengeance against Nicholas, whom they hold responsible for the Lebyatkins' deaths.
Maria Lebyatkin (leh-BYAH-tkihn), Nicholas' wife, a virgin, cripple, and victim, along with her brother, of Fedka, the assassin.
Dasha Shatov, Ivan's sister and one of Nicholas'mistresses.
Maria Shatov, Ivan's wife and one of Nicholas' mistresses. She has his illegitimate child.
Liputin, Lyamshin, Shigalov, and Virginsky, members of Peter's terrorist group.