A House of Gentlefolk · Chapter
XII explained
After burying his father, Lavretsky goes to Moscow to remedy his defective education, enrolling in the physics and mathematics faculty.
What happens
After burying his father, Lavretsky goes to Moscow to remedy his defective education, enrolling in the physics and mathematics faculty. Despite his robust appearance, he is inwardly shy and inexperienced, especially with women. At the theatre, he sees Varvara Pavlovna Korobyin and is instantly captivated. Through his only friend, Mihalevitch, he learns her identity and, after several days of hesitation, agrees to be introduced to her family.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Lavretsky's sudden, intense infatuation with Varvara Pavlovna at the theatre marks the beginning of a romantic pursuit that will shape his destiny.
Fate and Free Will
The chance appearance of Mihalevitch in Varvara Pavlovna's box strikes Lavretsky as 'curious and significant,' suggesting a fateful turn in his life.
Characters to notice
- Fedor Ivanitch Lavretsky
Enters Moscow University to make up for his flawed education; is socially awkward and inexperienced with women; becomes infatuated with Varvara Pavlovna after seeing her at the theatre.
- Glafira Petrovna
Entrusted with managing Lavretsky's estate after his father's death.
- Mihalevitch
Lavretsky's only university acquaintance; an enthusiast and poet; introduces Lavretsky to the Korobyin family.
- Varvara Pavlovna Lavretsky
First seen at the theatre; described as a beautiful, intelligent young woman who captivates Lavretsky.
- Pavel Petrovitch Korobyin
Varvara Pavlovna's father, a retired general with a dull dignity.
Key passages
“He recognised the defects of his education, and formed the resolution, as far as possible, to regain lost ground.”
He acknowledged the shortcomings of his upbringing and decided to make up for them as best he could.
Lavretsky's self-awareness and determination to improve himself after his father's death.
“With his intellect, clear and sound, but somewhat heavy, with his tendencies to obstinacy, contemplation, and indolence he ought from his earliest years to have been thrown into the stream of life, and he had been kept instead in artificial seclusion.”
His mind was sharp but sluggish, and he was naturally stubborn, reflective, and lazy; he should have been immersed in real life early on, but was instead isolated.
Narrator's analysis of Lavretsky's character and the detrimental effects of his upbringing.
“Robust, rosy-cheeked, bearded, and taciturn, he produced a strange impression on his companions; they did not suspect that this austere man, who came so punctually to the lectures in a wide village sledge with a pair of horses, was inwardly almost a child.”
His strong, bearded, and silent appearance made him seem odd to his classmates, who never guessed that this stern-looking man was emotionally immature.
Contrast between Lavretsky's outward maturity and inner innocence.
“The skillfully constructed barriers were broken down at last; he was in a shiver and a fever, and the next day he went to Mihalevitch.”
The carefully built defenses around his heart finally collapsed; he was trembling and feverish, and the next day he sought out Mihalevitch.
Lavretsky's emotional breakthrough after seeing Varvara Pavlovna.