# XIV: Nástenka’s Story explained — What Is to Be Done?

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

## What happens

Nástenka visits Viéra Pavlovna to confess her past and express gratitude to Sáshenka, who rescued her from a life of degradation. Viéra listens sympathetically as Nástenka recounts her initial shameless behavior, her encounter with a student who refused her advances, and his subsequent kindness in examining her health and offering her a new life. Nástenka describes the profound love and comfort she experienced with him, emphasizing his modesty and the deep emotional peace she found.

## Themes in this chapter

### The New People

Sáshenka embodies the rational, compassionate 'new person' who rescues Nástenka through education, medical care, and genuine love.

### Love and Marriage

Nástenka's narrative explores the transformative power of love, emphasizing emotional peace and mutual respect over physical passion.

## Character check-ins

### Nástenka

Confesses her past as a 'bad girl' and shares her story of redemption through Sáshenka's love.

### Viéra Pavlovna

Listens compassionately to Nástenka's confession, drawing parallels to her own difficult past.

### Sáshenka Pribuitkova

The student who rescued Nástenka, examined her health, and later loved her with modesty and devotion.

## Key lines

> I have been a very bad girl, Viéra Pavlovna. I have been a very bold girl; I had not the slightest shame, and I used to be always drunk.

Nástenka admits to Viéra that she once led a dissolute life, marked by shamelessness and heavy drinking.

_This confession sets the stage for her story of redemption._

> He examined my chest. 'No,' says he, 'you must not drink at all; you have very weak lungs.'

Sáshenka, after examining Nástenka, warns her that alcohol is damaging her already frail lungs.

_His medical concern marks the beginning of his efforts to save her._

> And how he loved me! how he loved me! Akh! what a delight it was! No one can imagine it, except the one who has experienced it.

Nástenka exclaims that the depth of Sáshenka's love is beyond description, known only to those who have felt such devotion.

_This highlights the emotional core of her story._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/xiv-n-stenka-s-story
- 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