# IV explained — Futility

> Chapter companion for Futility by William Gerhardie.

## What happens

The narrator and others see Nina, Fanny, and Vera off at the Nicholas Station on a cold November morning. Nikolai Vasilievich pleads with Nina not to go, but Fanny insists she must. The narrator asks Nina to marry him, and she agrees. The train departs with the three sisters.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Illusion

The narrator's marriage proposal to Nina feels oddly like a business transaction, hinting at illusion in romantic commitment.

### Futility and Meaninglessness

Nikolai Vasilievich's repeated pleas to Nina not to go are futile, as she departs anyway.

## Character check-ins

### Nikolai Vasilievich

Presents a pitiable sight at the station, pleading with Nina not to leave.

### Nina Bursànova

Agrees to marry the narrator but departs with the sisters for Moscow.

### Fanny Ivanovna

Intervenes to insist Nina must go, showing a practical resolve.

### Vera

Bids farewell to the departing sisters with no excess of emotion.

## Key lines

> “Nina,” he said. “Yes?” She turned round. “Don’t go.” “I must.” “You won’t come back. She will keep you.” She shook her head. “Don’t go, Nina.” “Don’t go,” I said. She stood thoughtful, in indecision. “Don’t, Nina,” cut in Nikolai Vasilievich. She did not answer. “Nina,” he said again. “No, she must,” intervened Fanny Ivanovna. “This is all nonsense! She will go and come back quickly. Won’t you, Nina?” “Yes,” said Nina.

At the station, Nikolai Vasilievich begs Nina not to leave, but Fanny Ivanovna insists she must go and will return soon.

_Shows the tension between Nikolai's desperation and Fanny's practical insistence._

> “Nina, will you marry me?” She looked flippant and humorous and yet there was just a trace of seriousness in her look. “Yes.” I felt relieved⁠—oddly as I might feel if I had just concluded a satisfactory business transaction.

The narrator proposes to Nina, and she agrees with a mix of humor and seriousness; he feels a businesslike relief.

_Highlights the transactional and ambiguous nature of their engagement._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/futility_se/chapters/iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/futility_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/futility_se/chapters