# XL explained — Eugene Onegin

> Chapter companion for Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin.

## What happens

The narrator reflects on the cynical and disillusioned nature of those who have lived and suffered, noting that Onegin's sarcastic and bitter conversation, initially off-putting, eventually becomes familiar.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Aristocratic Malaise

Onegin's cynical and contemptuous attitude toward life and others exemplifies the aristocratic ennui and disillusionment.

## Character check-ins

### Eugene Onegin

Onegin's speeches are described as sarcastic, half-vicious, and full of gloomy epigrams, reflecting his jaded worldview.

### Alexander Pushkin

The narrator (Pushkin) recounts his initial aversion to Onegin's manner of speaking, which he later grew accustomed to.

## Key lines

> He who hath lived and living, thinks, Must e’en despise his kind at last; He who hath suffered ofttimes shrinks From shades of the relentless past.

A person who has experienced life and reflects on it inevitably ends up despising humanity; one who has suffered often recoils from memories of the unforgiving past.

_The narrator generalizes about the psychological effects of experience and suffering._

> Onegin’s speeches I abhorred At first, but soon became inured To the sarcastic observation, To witticisms and taunts half-vicious And gloomy epigrams malicious.

I initially detested Onegin's way of speaking, but I quickly grew accustomed to his sarcastic remarks, half-malicious jokes, and dark, spiteful epigrams.

_The narrator describes his changing reaction to Onegin's cynical conversation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters/xl
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/eugene_onegin_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/eugene_onegin_se/chapters