What Is to Be Done? · Chapter
IV explained
Julie and Serge visit Vera's home under the pretense of piano lessons.
What happens
Julie and Serge visit Vera's home under the pretense of piano lessons. Julie reveals the wager and Storeshnikof's intentions to Vera, exposing Marya Alekséyevna's complicity. Julie warns Vera of her mother's future schemes and offers her protection, arranging a secret meeting.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Bourgeois Society
Marya Alekséyevna's mercenary attitude and her initial willingness to overlook Storeshnikof's behavior for financial gain illustrate the corrupting influence of bourgeois values.
Freedom and Individuality
Julie's unconventional lifestyle and her advice to Vera to avoid a kiss without love emphasize the theme of personal freedom and authentic emotional expression.
Characters to notice
- Mademoiselle Julie
Visits Vera to warn her about Storeshnikof's wager and her mother's potential future schemes; reveals her own unconventional lifestyle but offers genuine help.
- Viéra Pavlovna
Receives Julie's warning and advice; shows innocence and gratitude, weeping and kissing Julie.
- Marya Alekséyevna
Initially suspicious of Julie and Serge, but becomes grateful after learning of Storeshnikof's plot; reveals her mercenary nature.
- Serge
Accompanies Julie as interpreter; engages Marya Alekséyevna in conversation to gather information about Storeshnikof.
- Mikhaïl Ivanuitch Storeshnikof
Discussed as the villain who made a wager and invited Vera for a sleigh ride with malicious intent.
Key passages
“My friend! my dear child! may God spare you from knowing what I am feeling now, when, for the first time in many years, pure lips touch mine. Die, but don't give a kiss without love!”
Julie expresses her emotional turmoil and advises Vera to never kiss without genuine love.
Highlights Julie's own tragic experience and her protective advice to Vera.
“No, your mother was not his accomplice, and now she is very indignant with him. But I know such people as your mother very well. They can't long hold out in their dislike of people who have money. She will soon be on the lookout for a husband for you again, and what will be the end of it all, God knows.”
Julie warns Vera that her mother's anger will fade and she will soon seek a wealthy husband for her again.
Reveals Julie's insight into Marya Alekséyevna's mercenary nature and foreshadows future conflicts.