# XLVI explained — Resurrection

> Chapter companion for Resurrection by Leo Tolstoy.

## What happens

The chapter depicts a morning in the women's prison, where the inmates discuss the impending flogging of two prisoners, Vasíliev and Nepómnishy, for resisting solitary confinement. Máslova, dull and depressed, is called to see a visitor and prepares to meet Nekhlúdoff, promising to plead for the Menshóvs.

## Themes in this chapter

### Injustice of the Legal System

The arbitrary flogging of Vasíliev for defending a fellow prisoner highlights the brutality and lack of due process within the prison system.

### Social Class and Inequality

The contrast between the prisoners' suffering and the authorities' power underscores class divisions, with Vasíliev's education and firmness making him a target.

## Character check-ins

### Katerina Maslova

Sits dull and depressed, drinks vodka for courage, and is called to see a visitor (Nekhlúdoff).

### Korableva

Sews and discusses the flogging of Vasíliev, pours vodka for Máslova.

### Theodosia Birukoff

Puts away tea things, recalls witnessing a flogging in her village.

### Khoroshavka

Relates how Scheglóff was flogged without a sound.

### Menshoff

Mentioned as the old woman (Menshóva) who asks Máslova to tell Nekhlúdoff about her son Mítri and the fire.

## Key lines

> Now, mind, and don’t forget to tell him about us,” the old woman (Menshóva) said, while Máslova was arranging the kerchief on her head before the dim looking-glass. “We did not set fire to the house, but he himself, the fiend, did it; his workman saw him do it, and will not damn his soul by denying it.

Menshóva urges Máslova to tell Nekhlúdoff that they are innocent of arson, claiming the real culprit was the husband himself, witnessed by his workman.

_Menshóva pleads for justice through Máslova's connection to Nekhlúdoff._

> He’s not been a-rioting, or anything,” Korabléva said, referring to Vasíliev, as she bit tiny pieces off a lump of sugar with her strong teeth. “He only stuck up for a chum, because it’s not lawful to strike prisoners nowadays.”

Korabléva defends Vasíliev, explaining he only intervened to protect a fellow prisoner from an illegal beating.

_The prisoners sympathize with Vasíliev's resistance against unjust treatment._

## Links

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