# XXXVII explained — Eugene Onegin

> Chapter companion for Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin.

## What happens

Onegin abandons the social whirl of Saint Petersburg, retreating into isolation and attempting to write, but finds himself unable to produce anything due to his disgust with labor and lack of inspiration.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Aristocratic Malaise

Onegin's flight from society and his inability to engage in productive work illustrate his ennui and dissatisfaction with aristocratic life.

### The Role of Literature and Art

Onegin's failed attempt at writing and the narrator's commentary on the writer's set highlight the challenges and social perceptions of literary creation.

## Character check-ins

### Eugene Onegin

Flees from the delights of society and isolates himself, attempting to write but failing due to disgust with labor.

### Alexander Pushkin

Narrator who comments on the set of writers, acknowledging his own membership in that group.

## Key lines

> He thought to write, but labour long / Inspired him with disgust and so / Nought from his pen did ever flow

Onegin considered writing, but the prolonged effort disgusted him, and he never produced anything.

_Illustrates Onegin's creative paralysis and lack of discipline._

## Links

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