# XLVI explained — Eugene Onegin

> Chapter companion for Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin.

## What happens

Onegin receives a note that his uncle is dying and reluctantly travels to his estate, feigning sorrow for the sake of inheritance, only to find his uncle already dead.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Aristocratic Malaise

Onegin's dissatisfaction and feigned sorrow for money's sake reflect the emptiness and hypocrisy of aristocratic duty.

## Character check-ins

### Eugene Onegin

Receives the steward's note and reluctantly travels to his uncle's estate, feigning sorrow for inheritance.

## Key lines

> And in reality one day The steward sent a note to tell How sick to death his uncle lay And wished to say to him farewell.

One day, the steward informed Onegin that his uncle was gravely ill and wanted to bid him goodbye.

_The steward's note initiates the action of the chapter._

> Having this mournful document Perused, Eugene in postchaise went And hastened to his uncle’s side, But in his heart dissatisfied, Having for money’s sake alone Sorrow to counterfeit and wail

After reading the sad news, Onegin rushed to his uncle's bedside, but inwardly he was displeased, only pretending to grieve for the sake of inheritance.

_Onegin's hypocrisy and mercenary motives are highlighted._

> He found him on the table laid, A due which must to earth be paid.

He found his uncle laid out on the table, a debt that must be paid to the earth.

_The uncle is already dead, and Onegin's journey is in vain._

## Links

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