The Costume of Stepan Trofimovich

Abstract

The article examines the costume of Stepan Trofimovich Verkhovensky, the main character of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel Demons. Unlike clothes, the costume is associated with theatricality, acting, and performing or with playing a role. During the novel Stepan Trofimovich “plays different roles” and Varvara Petrovna determines his costume. Other heroes from the novel are also costumed (especially the young generation or young “demons”), who play their roles on the stage of Skvoreshniki. Stepan Trofimovich sometimes accepts, sometimes renounces his role; he protests and withstands the costume intended for him. Analysing his behaviour and costume, the article concludes that Stepan Trofimovich, in the end of his life journey, frees himself from the role that was intended for him. In the very end he “stepped off the stage” of Skvoreshniki and found himself “naked” on the eternal path when he took off his “civil” and fake costume.

Keywords

• fyodor dostoevsky
• demons
• stepan trofimovich
• costume
• role