# IV explained — Resurrection

> Chapter companion for Resurrection by Leo Tolstoy.

## What happens

Nekhlúdoff, after finishing his coffee, goes to his study to find the court summons and struggles with writing a reply to Princess Korchágin. He reflects on his artistic failures and his indecision about marrying Missy, weighing the pros and cons. He ultimately decides to delay the decision and heads to the court to fulfill his public duties.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Inequality

Nekhlúdoff's reflections on Missy's 'good breeding' and his awareness of class distinctions highlight the theme of social class and inequality.

### Moral Awakening and Redemption

Nekhlúdoff's internal struggle with his artistic failure and his decision to fulfill his public duties 'conscientiously' hints at a nascent moral awakening.

## Character check-ins

### Prince Dmitri Ivanovich Nekhludoff

Nekhlúdoff is the central character in this chapter, grappling with his artistic doubts, his indecision about marrying Missy, and his preparations to attend court.

### Missy

Missy is the woman Nekhlúdoff considers marrying; he reflects on her qualities and his mixed feelings about the match.

### Prince Korchagin

Prince Korchágin is mentioned as the father of Missy; Nekhlúdoff had visited their home the previous day.

## Key lines

> He had often had this feeling, of late, and explained it by his too finely-developed aesthetic taste; still, the feeling was a very unpleasant one.

Recently, he frequently experienced this unpleasant sensation, which he attributed to his overly refined artistic sensibility.

_Nekhlúdoff's discomfort with his artistic stagnation is described._

> It was in favour of marriage in general, that besides the comforts of hearth and home, it made a moral life possible, and chiefly that a family would, so Nekhlúdoff thought, give an aim to his now empty life.

Marriage appealed to him because it promised domestic comfort, moral structure, and a purpose for his otherwise aimless existence.

_Nekhlúdoff's reasoning for considering marriage is summarized._

## Links

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