A House of Gentlefolk · Chapter
XXXV explained
This chapter details the upbringing of Lisa Mihalovna, contrasting it with Lavretsky's.
What happens
This chapter details the upbringing of Lisa Mihalovna, contrasting it with Lavretsky's. After her father's death, Lisa is raised by the governess Mademoiselle Moreau and her nurse Agafya Vlasyevna. Agafya, a woman with a remarkable and penitent past, deeply influences Lisa with her devout religious teachings, instilling in her a profound sense of faith, duty, and love for God. The chapter concludes with Lisa at nineteen, a charming and serious young woman whose peaceful inner life is first disturbed by Lavretsky.
Themes in this chapter
Religion and Spirituality
Agafya's devout teachings shape Lisa's soul, instilling a deep, personal love for God and Christ, and a sense of holy awe that defines her character.
Duty and Morality
Lisa is described as 'penetrated through and through by a sense of duty' and a dread of hurting anyone, reflecting the moral foundation laid by her upbringing.
The Past and Memory
Agafya's past—her rise, fall, and penitence—is recounted in detail, showing how her history and the seeds she planted in Lisa's heart remain deeply rooted.
Characters to notice
- Lisa Mihalovna
The chapter focuses on Lisa's education and upbringing, detailing her serious nature, her religious devotion shaped by Agafya, and her quiet growth to age nineteen.
- Marya Dmitrievna Kalitin
Lisa's mother, who boasts of educating her children but is indolent and only superficially attentive, dressing Lisa up and praising her before visitors.
- Marfa Timofyevna Pestov
After Lisa's father dies, Lisa comes under Marfa Timofyevna's charge; she later tries to temper Lisa's religious zeal, considering excessive prostrations unladylike.
- Agafya Vlasyevna
Lisa's nurse, whose remarkable story of rise, fall, and penitence is recounted. She deeply influences Lisa with her devout religious teachings and quiet humility.
- Mademoiselle Moreau
Lisa's French governess, a frivolous and sceptical woman with little influence on Lisa, who cannot dislodge the deeper influence of Agafya.
- Fedor Ivanitch Lavretsky
Mentioned at the end as the first to break in upon Lisa's peaceful inner life.
Key passages
“She was very charming, without being aware of it herself. Her every movement was full of spontaneous, somewhat awkward gracefulness; her voice had the silvery ring of untouched youth, the least feeling of pleasure called forth an enchanting smile on her lips, and added a deep light and a kind of mystic sweetness to her kindling eyes.”
Lisa is naturally charming and unaware of her own appeal, with movements that are gracefully awkward, a youthful voice, and a smile that lights up her eyes with a mystical sweetness.
Describes Lisa's innocent and unconscious charm at age nineteen.
“Penetrated through and through by a sense of duty, by the dread of hurting anyone whatever, with a kind and tender heart, she had loved all men, and no one in particular; God only she had loved passionately, timidly, and tenderly.”
Lisa is deeply governed by duty and a fear of causing harm, loving everyone generally but reserving her passionate, timid, and tender love for God alone.
Summarizes Lisa's moral and spiritual core before Lavretsky's arrival.