XXI explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• The Past and Memory

  Lavretsky listens to Anton's tales of bygone times, discovers family heirlooms and portraits, and reflects on his ancestors, highlighting the weight of history and personal memory.

• Art and Creativity

  Lavretsky's growing friendship with Lemm centers on a shared passion for classical music, with Lemm playing his compositions and Lavretsky ordering a piano, underscoring the redemptive power of art.

• Nature and the Rural Idyll

  Lavretsky's quiet life in the countryside, the descriptions of the garden, and the spring night's witchery during the carriage ride evoke a pastoral, contemplative setting.

Characters to notice

• Fedor Ivanitch Lavretsky

  Settles into his aunt's house, restores order, and begins a quiet rural life. He listens to Anton's stories, discovers family portraits, and reconnects with the Kalitins, forming a friendship with Lemm.

• Anton

  The old servant tells Lavretsky lengthy stories about the past, including tales of Glafira Petrovna and the family history, and asks about Lavretsky's wife.

• Glafira Petrovna

  Though deceased, her household goods and stories about her prudence and past suitor are recounted by Anton, and Lavretsky finds her preserved belongings.

• Christopher Theodor Gottlieb Lemm

  The old musician is present at the Kalitins' and later spends hours with Lavretsky discussing music. He is touched by Lavretsky's interest and agrees to visit him, though he feels shy and constrained in company.

• Lisa Mihalovna

  Plays the piano very correctly during the evening at the Kalitins', impressing Lemm and Lavretsky.

• Marya Dmitrievna Kalitin

  Hosts the evening, laughs at Lemm's conducting, but retires early, finding Beethoven too agitating.

• Vladimir Nikolaitch Panshin

  Present at a later evening at the Kalitins', talks about his expedition and mimics country gentry, causing Lemm to retreat into silence.

• Piotr Andreitch

  Lavretsky's grandfather, mentioned in old papers and Anton's stories as having built a stone palace but not managing his wealth well.

Key passages

• “His days passed monotonously; but he was not bored though he saw no one; he set diligently and attentively to work at farming his estate, rode about the neighbourhood and did some reading.”

  Lavretsky's days were routine and solitary, yet he found contentment in farming, riding, and occasional reading.

  Describes Lavretsky's settled, peaceful life after arriving at his aunt's estate.

• “Lavretsky found also some old calendars and dream-books, and the mysterious work of Ambodik; many were the memories stirred by the well-known; but long-forgotten Symbols and Emblems.”

  Among his aunt's belongings, Lavretsky discovered old calendars, dream interpretation books, and a work by Ambodik, which evoked forgotten memories.

  Highlights the theme of memory and the past through discovered objects.

• “It was so long since anyone had shown him any sympathy, and Lavretsky was obviously interested in him, he was plying him with sympathetic and attentive questions.”

  Lemm, unaccustomed to kindness, was deeply moved by Lavretsky's genuine interest and thoughtful questions.

  Shows the developing bond between Lavretsky and Lemm, rooted in mutual appreciation for music.

• “Even when he was sitting in the carriage, the old man was still shy and constrained; but the warm soft air, the light breeze, and the light shadows, the scent of the grass and the birch-buds, the peaceful light of the starlit, moonless night, the pleasant tramp and snort of the horses—all the witchery of the roadside, the spring and the night, sank into the poor German’s soul.”

  Though initially reserved, Lemm was gradually soothed by the enchanting spring night, with its scents, sounds, and gentle light, as they rode together.

  Illustrates the theme of nature's restorative power and Lemm's emotional response to the rural idyll.