The Possessed (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky
- First Published: 1871
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Psychological realism
- Time of Work: Mid-nineteenth century
- Setting: Russia
- Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction
- Subjects: Social reform, Revolutionaries, Murder or homicide, Nineteenth century, Riots, Patriotism, Russia or Russian people, Parties
- Locales: Russia
Characters Discussed
Stepan Trofimovitch Verhovensky (steh- PAHN troh-FIH-mo-vihch vehr-hoh- VEHN-skih), a former professor of history, a free thinker, a mild liberal, and an old-fashioned, dandified intellectual. The protégé of Varvara Petrovna Stavrogina, a wealthy provincial aristocrat, he has lived for years on her country estate, first as the tutor of her impressionable son, later as the companion and mentor of his temperamental, strong-willed friend. At times he and his patroness quarrel violently, but usually their relationship is one of mutual understanding and...
[The entire page is 2031 words long]
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