# XIX: Viéra Pavlovna’s Third Dream explained — What Is to Be Done?

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

## What happens

Viéra Pavlovna experiences a troubling dream in which a mysterious visitor (appearing as Bosio and de Merrick) forces her to read from a diary she does not remember writing. The diary reveals her growing doubts about her love for her husband, Dmitri Lopukhóf, suggesting that her feelings are based on gratitude for rescuing her rather than genuine passion. She wakes in distress, seeking reassurance from Lopukhóf, who comforts her. The dream exposes her subconscious questioning of her marriage and her emerging emotional needs.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Viéra's dream interrogates the nature of her love for Lopukhóf, distinguishing between gratitude and genuine romantic passion.

### Women's Emancipation

Viéra's internal conflict reflects her struggle for emotional autonomy and the right to define her own desires beyond societal expectations.

## Character check-ins

### Viéra Pavlovna

Protagonist who experiences a disturbing dream questioning her love for her husband.

### Dmitri Sergéitch Lopukhóf

Viéra's husband, who comforts her after her nightmare.

### Aleksandr Matvéitch Kirsánof

Mentioned as the one who failed to get opera tickets, hinting at his growing presence in Viéra's thoughts.

### Rakhmétof

Briefly mentioned in the diary as a student who spoke with Lopukhóf during a picnic.

### Bosio

Appears in Viéra's dream as a visitor who forces her to read her diary.

## Key lines

> I dreamed that I did not love thee.

Viéra confesses her nightmare about losing love for her husband.

_This line encapsulates the central conflict of the chapter._

> He is a noble man, a generous man; he is my saviour! But generosity gives rise to respect, confidence, and readiness to act in unanimity, friendship. A saviour is requited by gratefulness, by devotion; that is all.

Viéra's diary suggests her feelings for Lopukhóf are based on gratitude rather than romantic love.

_Key insight into Viéra's emotional state._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/xix-vi-ra-pavlovna-s-third-dream
- 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