Resurrection · Chapter
LVIII explained
Nekhlúdoff visits Máslennikoff at his home to request Máslova's transfer to the prison hospital and to report the unjust imprisonment of 130 people for passport violations.
What happens
Nekhlúdoff visits Máslennikoff at his home to request Máslova's transfer to the prison hospital and to report the unjust imprisonment of 130 people for passport violations. Máslennikoff, distracted by his social obligations, responds evasively and becomes defensive when Nekhlúdoff inquires about corporal punishment in the prison. Frustrated by the indifference and hypocrisy, Nekhlúdoff leaves abruptly without taking leave of the guests.
Themes in this chapter
Injustice of the Legal System
Nekhlúdoff confronts Máslennikoff about the unjust imprisonment of 130 people for passport violations and the use of corporal punishment, highlighting systemic failures.
Hypocrisy of Religion and Morality
Máslennikoff's preoccupation with social pleasantries and his evasive responses to serious injustices underscore the moral hypocrisy of the upper class.
Characters to notice
- Prince Dmitri Ivanovich Nekhludoff
Visits Máslennikoff to advocate for Máslova's hospital transfer and to report the unjust detention of 130 prisoners; leaves in disgust after encountering social hypocrisy.
- Maslennikoff
Receives Nekhlúdoff at his home, responds evasively to his requests, and becomes anxious when questioned about corporal punishment.
- Katerina Maslova
Referenced as the woman Nekhlúdoff is seeking to have transferred to the prison hospital.
Key passages
““Fool!” Nekhlúdoff could not refrain from saying, especially because in the word “comrade” he felt Máslennikoff’s condescension towards him, i.e., while Máslennikoff was filling this position, morally most dirty and shameful, he still thought himself a very important man, and wished, if not exactly to flatter Nekhlúdoff, at least to show that he was not too proud to call him comrade.”
Nekhlúdoff called Máslennikoff a fool, sensing condescension in his use of 'comrade'—as if Máslennikoff, despite holding a morally corrupt office, considered himself important and wanted to appear gracious.
Nekhlúdoff's internal reaction to Máslennikoff's letter reveals his contempt for the man's hypocrisy.
““That’s the Procureur’s business,” Máslennikoff interrupted, angrily. “There, now, you see what it is you call a prompt and just form of trial. It is the business of the Public Prosecutor to visit the prison and to find out if the prisoners are kept there lawfully. But that set play cards; that’s all they do.””
Máslennikoff angrily deflects responsibility to the Public Prosecutor, criticizing the very system Nekhlúdoff had praised, noting that officials neglect their duties in favor of card games.
Máslennikoff's outburst reveals the dysfunction within the legal system and his own complicity.