LVII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Injustice of the Legal System

  The advocate explains that no one is at fault for the 130 wrongly imprisoned men, illustrating the systemic evasion of responsibility.

• Social Class and Inequality

  Nekhlúdoff's discomfort at the social gathering contrasts with the frivolity of the upper class, while he seeks justice for the poor and imprisoned.

Characters to notice

• Prince Dmitri Ivanovich Nekhludoff

  Seeks the advocate's help for the Menshóffs and the 130 imprisoned men, then visits Máslennikoff to request Máslova's transfer and the release of the innocent men.

• Fanarin

  The advocate who promises to look into the Menshóffs' case and comments on the impossibility of assigning blame for the 130 men's imprisonment.

• Maslennikoff

  The Vice-Governor, in high spirits after being honored by an important guest; he pulls Nekhlúdoff into the drawing-room before discussing business.

• Missy

  Present at the social gathering, she blushes upon seeing Nekhlúdoff and invites him to visit her mother.

• Anna Ignatievna

  Máslennikoff's wife, hosting the 'at-home' day; she greets Nekhlúdoff with feigned intimacy and praises her husband's kindness.

Key passages

• “Whose fault is it? No one's. Ask the Procureur, he'll say it is the Governor's; ask the Governor, he'll say it is the Procureur's fault. No one is in fault.”

  The advocate states that neither the prosecutor nor the governor will accept blame for the wrongful imprisonment of 130 men.

  Highlights the theme of systemic injustice and the diffusion of responsibility.

• “Every such attention gave him the same sense of delight as is felt by an affectionate dog when its master pats it, strokes it, or scratches its ears.”

  Máslennikoff's joy at the important guest's attention is compared to a dog's pleasure at being petted.

  Illustrates Máslennikoff's servility and the social hierarchy.