# Chapter XXXVIII explained — Resurrection

> Chapter companion for Resurrection by Leo Tolstoy.

## What happens

On a Sunday morning, Máslova awakens in the women's ward to the harsh routine of prison life. The women prepare for mass, enduring the stench, quarrels, and the callousness of the jailers. After inspection, the prisoners file into the prison church, a lavishly decorated space funded by a wealthy merchant, where the convicts—women, men, and those in chains—take their places for the service.

## Themes in this chapter

### Injustice of the Legal System

The chapter depicts the dehumanizing prison routine and the stark contrast between the ornate church and the suffering of the convicts, highlighting systemic injustice.

### Hypocrisy of Religion and Morality

The prisoners are forced to attend a lavish church service while enduring brutal conditions, underscoring the hypocrisy of religious observance in the face of social cruelty.

## Character check-ins

### Katerina Maslova

Máslova wakes with dread, participates in the morning routine, and goes to church with the other women.

### Korableva

Korabléva is already awake and calls Máslova at the whistle.

### Theodosia Birukoff

Theodosia tries to quiet a screaming baby and walks with Máslova in the column to church.

### Euphemia Botchkova

Bótchkova is seen by Máslova in front and is pointed out as her enemy.

## Key lines

> Oh, dear! life again,” thought Máslova, with horror, involuntarily breathing in the air that had become terribly noisome towards the morning.

Máslova wakes in horror, dreading another day and inhaling the foul morning air.

_This captures Máslova's despair and the oppressive prison atmosphere._

> The prison church had been rebuilt and ornamented by a rich merchant, who spent several tens of thousands of roubles on it, and it glittered with gay colours and gold.

The prison church was lavishly renovated by a wealthy merchant at great expense, shining with bright colors and gold.

_Highlights the contrast between the prisoners' suffering and the opulence of the church._

## Links

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