# XXIII explained — Eugene Onegin

> Chapter companion for Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin.

## What happens

The narrator reflects on the difficulty of describing Onegin's fashionable attire in Russian verse, acknowledging his tendency to use foreign words and his respect for the Russian Academy's dictionary.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Role of Literature and Art

The narrator's meta-commentary on poetic language and the struggle to authentically capture contemporary life in verse.

## Character check-ins

### Eugene Onegin

The subject of the narrator's commentary on dress and style.

### Alexander Pushkin

The narrator who self-consciously discusses his poetic choices and use of foreign words.

## Key lines

> On this artistical retreat Having once fixed your interest, I might to connoisseurs repeat The style in which my hero dressed;

In this artistic setting, having captured your attention, I could describe to experts the way my hero dressed.

_The narrator proposes to detail Onegin's fashion for knowledgeable readers._

> Though I confess I hardly dare Describe in detail the affair, Since words like pantaloons, vest, coat, To Russ indigenous are not;

I admit I hesitate to describe it fully, because words like pantaloons, vest, and coat are not native to Russian.

_The narrator expresses reluctance due to the foreign origin of fashion terms._

> And also that my feeble verse— Pardon I ask for such a sin— With words of foreign origin Too much I’m given to intersperse, Though to the Academy I come And oft its Dictionary thumb.

I also ask forgiveness for my weak verse, which too often mixes in foreign words, even though I frequently consult the Academy's dictionary.

_The narrator apologizes for using loanwords, despite his scholarly efforts._

## Links

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