Eugene Onegin · Chapter
II explained
The narrator introduces Eugene Onegin, a young man born in St.
What happens
The narrator introduces Eugene Onegin, a young man born in St. Petersburg who has inherited his uncle's estate. The chapter sets up Onegin's character and background as a fashionable society figure.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Convention
Onegin's status as a fashionable society figure born in St. Petersburg highlights the importance of social class and urban sophistication.
Characters to notice
- Eugene Onegin
Introduced as the hero of the narration, a madcap young man who inherits his uncle's estate and was born in St. Petersburg.
- Alexander Pushkin
The narrator references himself and his work 'Friends of Liudmila and Ruslan', establishing his authorial presence.
Key passages
“Thus mused a madcap young, who drove Through clouds of dust at postal pace, By the decree of Mighty Jove, Inheritor of all his race.”
A reckless young man traveled quickly by post-horse, having inherited his family's entire estate by fate's decree.
Introduces Onegin as the heir to his uncle's estate, setting the plot in motion.
“Onegin, O my gentle readers, Was born beside the Neva, where It may be ye were born, or there Have shone as one of fashion’s leaders.”
Onegin was born in St. Petersburg along the Neva River, where many readers might also have been born or been prominent in society.
Establishes Onegin's urban, fashionable background in St. Petersburg.