The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Other Stories · Chapter
The Devil explained
Eugène Irténev, a young landowner, struggles with intense sexual desire.
What happens
Eugène Irténev, a young landowner, struggles with intense sexual desire. He initially resolves not to have relations with peasant women in his own village, but rationalizes the act as necessary for his health. He arranges a secret liaison through his forester, Daniel, with Stepanída, a married peasant woman. After the encounter, he feels temporary relief and vigor, but the affair reignites later when he sees her again, leading to renewed torment and a sense of being irrevocably trapped by his passion.
Themes in this chapter
Moral Philosophy and Virtue
Eugène's internal battle between his principles (inherited family standards) and his physical desires, and his rationalizations for moral compromise.
Hypocrisy and Social Pretense
Eugène's attempt to maintain a respectable exterior as a landowner while secretly arranging a sordid affair, and his self-deception about his motives ('for health’s sake').
Rural Life and the Landowner
Explores the dynamics and temptations of a landowner's life on his estate, including his relationship with the peasantry and the burdens of managing inherited debt.
Characters to notice
- Eugène Irténev
The protagonist; a landowner tormented by desire, rationalizes an affair with a peasant woman, leading to inner conflict and loss of self-control.
- Daniel
The old forester and huntsman; arranges Eugène's meeting with Stepanída, showing a pragmatic, non-judgmental attitude towards such liaisons.
- Stepanída
A married peasant woman; has the affair with Eugène. Her reappearance later rekindles his obsession.
- Mary Pávlovna
Eugène's mother; he consults her about an old debt, revealing his ongoing financial worries.
Key passages
“He knew by report that both his father and grandfather had been quite different in this matter from other landowners of that time... he had decided that he would not do so either; but afterwards... reflecting on the fact that the days of serfdom were now over, he decided that it might be done on the spot.”
Eugène initially vows to uphold his family's more restrained tradition regarding peasant women, but the end of serfdom provides a rationalization for him to break that vow locally.
Highlights the conflict between inherited morality and new social conditions.
“'It will be all right,' thought Eugène. 'Your father, may the kingdom of heaven be his, did not go in for nonsense of that kind.' 'It won't do,' thought Eugène.”
Eugène wavers, first thinking Daniel will help, then fearing his father's disapproval, showing his internal guilt and conflict.
Illustrates his conscience wrestling with his desire.
“He felt that he was lost, irremediably lost... 'I thought I had taken her, but it was she who took me; took me and does not let me go.'”
After re-encountering Stepanída, Eugène feels powerless and enslaved by the passion he thought he could control.
Marks the shift from a calculated act to a consuming obsession.