# XXXI explained — Eugene Onegin

> Chapter companion for Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin.

## What happens

The poet reflects on a moment of passionate memory triggered by a physical touch, then warns himself against praising such deceptive charms.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Rejection

The poet recalls a passionate moment but concludes that such charms are often deceptive, echoing themes of love and disillusionment.

## Character check-ins

### Alexander Pushkin

The poet speaks in first person, recalling a moment of passion and warning against the deceptiveness of charming women.

## Key lines

> Another time, so willed it Fate, Immersed in secret thought I stand And grasp a stirrup fortunate⁠— Her foot was in my other hand.

On another occasion, fate brought me to a moment of intimate contact as I held a stirrup and her foot.

_The poet describes a vivid memory of physical closeness._

> The words and looks of charmers sweet Are oft deceptive⁠—like their feet.

The sweet words and glances of charming women are often as misleading as their feet.

_The poet warns that outward charms can be deceptive._

## Links

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