Motifs of shame and sin in the novel structure of ‘Demons’ by F. M. Dostoevsky

The article is dedicated to the motifs of shame and sin in the novel ‘Demons’ by F. M. Dostoyevsky. Being implemented in the plot action, these motifs create ‘personal areas’ of the characters, among which we find Nikolai Stavrogin, Pyotr Verkhovensky, bishop Tikhon and Marya Lebyadkina. The object of the article is to investigate the dynamics of plot-forming motifs of shame and sin and reveal their representation in personal sphere of the novel. Motifs of shame and sin determinate main characteristics and actions of characters in the novel ‘Demons’ by F. M. Dostoevsky. In most characters’ personality shame is represented as a negative factor that attests their deviation from God and faith and completely submits them to the field of sin. Absorption by sinfulness in its turn leads to the self-destruction and spiritual degradation. The main translator of motifs of shame and sin is Nikolai Stavrogin, who is the central character of the novel. Shame is the feeling that he is totally afraid of and at the same time - that he craves for in order to rehabilitate. However, he sinks so deep into sinfulness, that a way for redemption, requiring denying his own pride, is closed for him. When bishop Tikhon convicts Stavrogin in pride, the motif of shame becomes apparent. In the end, driving by the feeling of self-abasement, showing up while despicable acts are committed, Stavrogin comes up to the self-killing. For Pyotr Verkhovensky shame as a fear of social reprehension becomes fundamental for the ethics of revolutionary organization. The feeling of shame is also a driving factor for nihilists, unwilling to confront orders of their unprincipled leader. What is more, obsessed with harmful ideas, Verkhovensky is trying to replace God by himself, which is the most heavy sin, according to Bible. Based on violence, shamelessness and unbelief, relations between Stavronin and Verkhovensky determine plot development. Both of them crossed the borders of morality, abdicating family, Motherhood and God and this is a triad, forming the basics of sinfulness, according to F. M. Dostoevsky. To sum up, the basic opposition of fictional reality of ‘Demons’ is holiness vs sinfulness, which is represented in the main characters of the novel. F. M. Dostoyevsky;s ideas about a salvation of Russian spirit correlates with images of bishop Tikhon and Marya Lebyadkina. The semantic field of sin is expanded by motifs of shame and guilt in a relation with the problems of faith and unbelief, enhancing tragic fate of fictional characters. Based on the ‘negative’ values, such as pride, lust for power and perfidy, the ideology of nihilists connects them with demonic sphere. Only with strong connection with God, motherhood and fellow countrymen overcoming sinfulness is possible. Represented in the fictional composition, the confrontation between ‘saints’ and ‘sinners’ creates a polyphonic structure of the narrative, related to the ideological and conceptual system of F. M. Dostoevsky’s oeuvre.