# Part II: First Love, and Legal Marriage explained — What Is to Be Done?

> Chapter companion for What Is to Be Done? by Nikolay Chernyshevsky.

## What happens

Vera Pavlovna, feeling trapped by her family's plans to marry her off to Storeshnikof, meets Lopukhóf, her brother's tutor. Through discussions about rational egoism and personal freedom, Lopukhóf helps Vera realize she can escape her oppressive home by entering a marriage of convenience based on mutual respect and independence. After a failed attempt to become a governess, Vera agrees to a legal marriage with Lopukhóf, which allows her to leave her family and begin a new life of autonomy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Women's Emancipation

Vera's struggle against her family's plans and her decision to enter a marriage of convenience to gain freedom exemplify the pursuit of women's autonomy.

### Rational Egoism

Lopukhóf's arguments that acting in one's own rational self-interest can lead to ethical outcomes, as seen in his proposal to Vera.

## Character check-ins

### Viéra Pavlovna

The protagonist, seeking freedom from her family's control and an arranged marriage.

### Dmitri Sergéitch Lopukhóf

The tutor who offers Vera a rational and principled path to independence through a legal marriage.

### Marya Alekséyevna

Vera's mother, who schemes to marry Vera to Storeshnikof for financial gain.

### Mikhaïl Ivanuitch Storeshnikof

The wealthy suitor pursued by Vera's mother, but whom Vera rejects.

### Mademoiselle Julie

A friend who warns Vera about Storeshnikof's intentions and supports her independence.

## Key lines

> You are escaping from a bad situation; you want to be free; I can help you to become free.

Lopukhóf offers Vera a way out of her oppressive home by proposing a marriage that will grant her independence.

_This encapsulates the rational egoist approach to marriage as a practical solution for freedom._

> I want to be free; I want to live my own life; I want to be a person, not a thing.

Vera asserts her desire for personal autonomy and to be treated as an individual with her own will.

_This highlights Vera's awakening to her own rights and the theme of women's emancipation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/part-ii-first-love-and-legal-marriage
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters