The Possessed: personer, tidslinje og steder

The narrator describes Stepan Trofimovitch’s dependence on Varvara Petrovna and questions his belief that the authorities persecute him.

Stavrogin returns after military disgrace, commits public assaults, then recovers and apologizes.

Stepan Trofimovitch demands an explanation of his uncertain engagement while resenting Varvara Petrovna’s silence.

Shatov rejects Liza’s publishing proposal, and she privately seeks a meeting with Lebyadkin’s sister.

Varvara Petrovna questions her guests about Marya Timofyevna as accusations and disputed payments deepen the confusion.

Pyotr Stepanovitch gains influential friends and admits to Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch that his foolish manner conceals deliberate manipulation.

Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch announces plans to reveal his marriage, but Marya Timofyevna rejects him as an impostor.

Stavrogin survives three exchanges with Gaganov while deliberately avoiding killing him.

Yulia Mihailovna turns suspicion of Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch into admiration and invites Stepan Trofimovitch to give a charitable reading.

Liza kneels before a damaged icon and donates her diamond earrings while spectators mock.

Pyotr implicates Shatov and Kirillov while asking for six days without interference.

At Virginsky’s gathering, radicals submit to a test about reporting a planned political murder.

Pyotr reveals his plan to spread disorder and present Stavrogin as a hidden claimant to power.

Officials seize Stepan Trofimovitch’s books and papers, leaving him frightened of arrest and losing Varvara Petrovna’s respect.

Lembke orders workers flogged, and Stavrogin publicly acknowledges his marriage to Lebyadkin’s sister.

Yulia Mihailovna’s charity fête opens amid resentment, and Liputin’s insulting poem intensifies the disorder.

Stepan Trofimovitch announces his departure while Pyotr urges Yulia Mihailovna to attend the ball despite the morning’s disgrace.

Liza leaves Stavrogin after learning about the planned killings, then suffers an attack near the victims’ house.

Pyotr secures the quintet’s agreement to kill Shatov and make Kirillov accept responsibility.

Shatov welcomes his estranged wife and accepts an arrangement to recover a hidden printing press.

Pyotr shoots Shatov during an ambush, directs the disposal of his body, and prepares to leave town.

Stepan Trofimovitch accepts help from peasants and meets Sofya Matveyevna Ulitin, who cares for him during his fever.

Lyamshin’s confession exposes the conspiracy, and Darya Pavlovna and Varvara Petrovna discover Stavrogin has hanged himself.