Demons alludes to a lot of historical events and figures, but it also touches on those who were left behind over time despite their contributions to communism. Therefore, Demons shed light on what happens when the original ideas and philosophies of communism become distorted when newer generations use them for personal gain.
In the historical background for the book, Dostoevsky wrote this book in response to the killing of someone wanting to leave a radical political group in Russia. And among this main reason, there is also the fact that revolutionaries who used the philosophies and ideas from their elders would eventually turn on those who taught them and inspired them. This is due to the nature of self interest that arises from totalitarian movements. A quote I want to focus on from the novel revolves around our main character meeting one of their favorite authors.
“I met Karmazinov, the “great writer”, as Liputin styled him. I had been reading Karmazinov since childhood. His novellas and stories were known to the whole of the previous generation and even to ours; as for me, I reveled in them; they were the delight of my adolescence and youth. Later I grew somewhat cold to his pen; the tendentious novellas he had been writing lately I liked less than his first, original creations, in which there was so much ingenious poetry; and his most recent works I even did not like at all.” (Dostoevsky, 84)
This exactly alludes to how former philosophies and philosophers of communism / socialism have been left behind. Yes they are still studied to this day but history has taught us that totalitarian movements were rooted in those philosophies but over time became corrupted by self interest and personal gain. Like Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels who created the philosophy of Socialism. Lenin and eventually Stalin both based their visions of Russia on socialism which created Communism, but the amount of bloodshed that resulted from their movements did not adhere to Marx’s and Engels’ philosophy.
And going back to a previous reading of ours Animal Farm, where Major represents the original philosophy or the elder as well. He preaches his philosophy and wisdom and hopes that in the future those who absorb his wisdom (Snowball and Napoleon) can build a better society based on it. In a way, Snowball is the one who wanted to fully realize Major’s vision of Animal Farm. He had no self interest and made decisions based on what was best for everyone. Napoleon on the other hand was different and was driven more by self interest which led to the bloodshed of his own on Animal Farm. This is an exact parallel to Lenin’s and Stalin’s movements in Russia which were originally based on Marx’s and Engels’ philosophies. But overtime, they became distorted because of personal gain. Many people died because of it including those who were for the regime. A betrayal amongst their own, just like what Dostoevsky is writing about. “If you are not with me, then you are against me.” (Anakin Skywalker, Revenge of the Sith, 2005)
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