# VII explained — Futility

> Chapter companion for Futility by William Gerhardie.

## What happens

An evening of dramatic revelations unfolds at the Bursanov home, beginning with a tense family discussion about Magda's desire for a divorce. Fanny Ivanovna receives a letter from Germany that stirs deep emotion, followed by the unexpected arrival of Eisenstein, who weeps over Magda's decision to leave him. The scene culminates in the revelation that Vera is Eisenstein's daughter, causing her anguish. The chapter ends with another bell, signaling yet another dramatic intrusion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Dysfunction

The chapter is steeped in family conflict: Magda's divorce, Fanny's painful past, Eisenstein's emotional outburst, and Vera's shocking revelation of her parentage.

### Love and Illusion

Eisenstein's claim that he speculates for Magda's sake is met with Nina's skepticism, exposing the illusion of selfless love.

## Character check-ins

### Nikolai Vasilievich

Present at home, retreats to his study when Eisenstein arrives, drawing a line at the visit.

### Fanny Ivanovna

Receives a painful letter from Germany, then confronts Eisenstein and orders him to leave her house.

### Nina Bursànova

Acts as intermediary between Fanny and Mama, confronts Eisenstein about his speculation with her mother's money, and leaves the room in frustration.

### Eisenstein

Arrives uninvited, weeps over Magda's departure, reveals that Vera is his daughter, and is eventually expelled by Fanny.

### Vera

Sits mute in the corner, learns she is Eisenstein's daughter, and later weeps, expressing hatred for him.

### Sonia

Comments on how horribly Eisenstein cried, then follows the narrator out of the room.

## Key lines

> But Mama does want a divorce herself, Fanny Ivanovna,”⁠—from Nina. “She didn’t before,” said Fanny Ivanovna. “She does now,” said Nina. “I wonder why?” “I don’t really think, Fanny Ivanovna, that you have any right to know that.”

Nina tells Fanny that her mother now wants a divorce, but Fanny questions the change and Nina asserts that Fanny has no right to know the reason.

_Reveals the ongoing marital conflict and the power dynamics between Fanny and Nina._

> Listen.⁠ ⁠… ‘Dear Fanny⁠ ⁠… and Nikolai! ’ And Nikolai! And Nikolai! ⁠ ⁠… Do you hear: And Nikolai! ⁠ ⁠…”

Fanny reads aloud from a letter that includes greetings to both her and Nikolai, emphasizing the inclusion of his name with sorrow and reproach.

_Highlights Fanny's emotional pain and her sense of being wronged by Nikolai._

> Vera! Vèrochka!” he cried. “You, my daughter⁠—” “S‑s‑s‑sh!” Fanny Ivanovna hissed like a serpent. “You must not!”

Eisenstein addresses Vera as his daughter, but Fanny hisses at him to stop, trying to prevent the revelation.

_The dramatic disclosure of Vera's parentage and Fanny's attempt to suppress it._

## Links

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