A House of Gentlefolk · Chapter
XVII explained
Lavretsky visits the Kalitin household to say goodbye before departing for his village.
What happens
Lavretsky visits the Kalitin household to say goodbye before departing for his village. He encounters Lisa on her way to church and asks her to pray for him. Marya Dmitrievna discusses Panshin's courtship of Lisa, but Lavretsky remains reserved. He then visits Marfa Timofyevna, who expresses her dislike for Panshin and gives Lavretsky a silver rouble for a memorial service for Glafira Petrovna.
Themes in this chapter
Religion and Spirituality
Lisa's devotion to churchgoing and her promise to pray for Lavretsky highlight her deep religious faith, which Marfa Timofyevna contrasts with her own laxity.
Social Class and Identity
Marfa Timofyevna's pride in her Pestov lineage and her disdain for Panshin's social climbing reflect class consciousness; Nastasya Karpovna's modest fortune and dependence on Marfa Timofyevna illustrate the precarious position of poor nobility.
Love and Marriage
Marya Dmitrievna's matchmaking for Lisa with Panshin contrasts with Marfa Timofyevna's disapproval, setting up tensions around courtship and marital suitability.
Characters to notice
- Fedor Ivanitch Lavretsky
Visits the Kalitins to say goodbye before leaving for his village; asks Lisa to pray for him; listens to Marya Dmitrievna's gossip about Panshin; visits Marfa Timofyevna and receives a rouble for a memorial service.
- Lisa Mihalovna
Meets Lavretsky on the steps as she is going to church; agrees to pray for him; described as religious by Marfa Timofyevna.
- Marya Dmitrievna Kalitin
Complains of a headache and restless night; speaks to Lavretsky about Panshin's courtship of Lisa and her maternal efforts; dismisses Lavretsky as a 'dolt' after he leaves.
- Marfa Timofyevna Pestov
Surrounded by her little court; expresses dislike for Panshin; gives Lavretsky a silver rouble for a memorial service for Glafira Petrovna; speaks of Lisa's religiosity.
- Nastasya Karpovna Ogarkov
A widow living with Marfa Timofyevna; blushes when teased about being in love with Panshin; described as having a soft heart for young men.
- Vladimir Nikolaitch Panshin
Discussed as a suitor for Lisa; Marya Dmitrievna praises him; Marfa Timofyevna dislikes him and says he cannot fascinate everyone.
Key passages
“a service sung too for Glafira Petrovna; here’s a silver rouble for you. Take it, take it, I want to pay for a service for her. I had no love for her in her lifetime, but all the same there’s no denying she was a girl of character. She was a clever creature; and a good friend to you.”
Marfa Timofyevna gives Lavretsky a silver rouble to pay for a memorial service for Glafira Petrovna, admitting she did not like her but acknowledging her strength of character and loyalty to Lavretsky.
Marfa Timofyevna's complex feelings toward Glafira Petrovna reveal her respect for strong-willed individuals despite personal dislike.
“And Lisa’s not going to marry Panshin; don’t you trouble yourself; that’s not the sort of husband she deserves.”
Marfa Timofyevna reassures Lavretsky that Lisa will not marry Panshin, as he is unworthy of her.
Marfa Timofyevna's blunt dismissal of Panshin as a suitor underscores her protective attitude toward Lisa.
“The heart of another, you know, is a dark forest, and a girl’s more than any.”
Marfa Timofyevna remarks that understanding another person's heart is difficult, especially a young girl's.
This proverb-like statement reflects the theme of the inscrutability of human emotions, particularly in romantic contexts.
