# XXXII explained — A House of Gentlefolk

> Chapter companion for A House of Gentlefolk by Ivan Turgenev.

## What happens

Lavretsky endures painful days in a fever of anxiety, waiting for news of his wife's death. He visits the Kalitins daily but finds Lisa changed—she avoids him and seems embarrassed. After a tense exchange, he attends an evening service arranged at Lisa's request, observing her fervent prayer. He leaves feeling bewildered, sensing something in Lisa he cannot penetrate, and is haunted by her enigmatic look.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Spirituality

The evening service is arranged at Lisa's desire; she prays steadfastly and fervently, while others show varying degrees of devotion, highlighting the role of faith in the characters' lives.

### Love and Marriage

Lavretsky's anxious waiting for news of his wife's death and his growing feelings for Lisa are central; Lisa's avoidance and embarrassment suggest inner conflict related to love and duty.

### Fate and Free Will

Lavretsky feels helpless, waiting for fateful news; Lisa's enigmatic look and her avoidance of Lavretsky hint at forces beyond their control shaping their destinies.

## Character check-ins

### Fedor Ivanitch Lavretsky

In a continual fever, waiting for news of his wife's death; feels disgusted with himself; visits the Kalitins daily; tries to sit near Lisa but is rebuffed; leaves in bewilderment.

### Lisa Mihalovna

Avoids Lavretsky, shows embarrassment and secret tremor; arranges an evening service; prays steadfastly and fervently; gives Lavretsky an enigmatic, questioning look.

### Marya Dmitrievna Kalitin

Sulky with Lavretsky, receives him condescendingly; stands languidly during the service, bored.

### Marfa Timofyevna Pestov

Begins to keep watch over Lisa; looks worried during the service.

### Vladimir Nikolaitch Panshin

Treats Lavretsky with exaggerated politeness.

### Christopher Theodor Gottlieb Lemm

Entrenched in misanthropy, hardly bows to Lavretsky.

## Key lines

> Painful days followed for Fedor Ivanitch. He found himself in a continual fever. Every morning he made for the post, and tore open letters and papers in agitation, and nowhere did he find anything which could confirm or disprove the fateful rumour.

Lavretsky suffered through agonizing days, feverishly checking the mail each morning for any news that might confirm or deny the rumor about his wife.

_Highlights Lavretsky's anxious state and the uncertainty driving his actions._

> Lisa seemed to avoid him. When she happened to be left alone with him, instead of her former candour there was visible embarrassment on her part, she did not know what to say to him, and he, too, felt confused.

Lisa appeared to be avoiding Lavretsky; when they were alone, she was visibly embarrassed and unsure what to say, and he felt equally awkward.

_Shows the growing tension and change in Lisa's behavior toward Lavretsky._

> Lisa remained standing in her place motionless; from the concentrated expression of her face it could be seen that she was praying steadfastly and fervently.

Lisa stood still, her face showing deep concentration as she prayed with steady devotion.

_Illustrates Lisa's intense spirituality and inner focus during the service._

> He felt there was something in Lisa to which he could never penetrate.

Lavretsky sensed a part of Lisa that he could never fully understand or reach.

_Captures Lavretsky's sense of mystery and emotional distance from Lisa._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxxii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters