Resurrection · Chapter
XLII explained
Nekhlúdoff, with strained politeness, asks an officer for permission to visit Máslova in the women's ward.
What happens
Nekhlúdoff, with strained politeness, asks an officer for permission to visit Máslova in the women's ward. He is led to a smaller, similarly divided interviewing room where prisoners and visitors communicate through wire nets. He spots Máslova standing behind Theodosia, dressed in a white prison dress, and calls for her.
Themes in this chapter
Injustice of the Legal System
The dehumanizing prison visiting system, with wire nets and warders, reflects the cold, bureaucratic cruelty of the legal system.
Characters to notice
- Prince Dmitri Ivanovich Nekhludoff
Nekhlúdoff approaches the officer with strained politeness, asks to see Máslova, and is led to the women's interviewing room.
- Katerina Maslova
Máslova is seen standing behind Theodosia in the women's ward, wearing a white dress, unaware that Nekhlúdoff has come to see her.
- Theodosia Birukoff
Theodosia is a fair-haired prisoner speaking to her husband through the net, with Máslova standing behind her.
Key passages
“Well, but I must do what I came here for,” he said, trying to pick up courage.”
Nekhlúdoff steels himself to fulfill his purpose.
He gathers his resolve to face the prison visit.
“The decisive moment was approaching.”
The critical moment was drawing near.
Nekhlúdoff feels the weight of the impending encounter.