# XV explained — What Is to Be Done?

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

## What happens

Lopukhóf visits the Rozalsky home, engaging Marya Alekséyevna in a calculatedly amiable conversation about his supposed quarrel with his sweetheart's parents. He arranges to stay for dinner, bribing Marya Alekséyevna with expensive wine and a pie to allay her suspicions about his relationship with Vera.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Bourgeois Society

Lopukhóf's calculated bribery of Marya Alekséyevna with wine and a pie exposes the mercenary and hypocritical nature of bourgeois family negotiations.

## Character check-ins

### Marya Alekséyevna

Suspicious of Vera and Lopukhóf's sudden return together, she scrutinizes them but is gradually won over by Lopukhóf's flattery and expensive gifts.

### Dmitri Sergéitch Lopukhóf

Feigning weariness and a quarrel with his sweetheart's parents, he orchestrates a dinner bribe to secure Marya Alekséyevna's goodwill and distract her from his true intentions.

### Viéra Pavlovna

Returns home with Lopukhóf, appearing pale and silent, which prompts her mother's intense observation.

### Matrióna

Sent by Lopukhóf to make purchases for the dinner, including wine and a pie.

## Key lines

> He went into the kitchen and sent Matrióna to make the purchases. "Let's have a regular picnic today, Marya Alekséyevna. I want to drink away my quarrel with those parents."

Lopukhóf goes to the kitchen and dispatches Matrióna to buy supplies, declaring to Marya Alekséyevna that they should celebrate with a picnic to forget his dispute with his sweetheart's family.

_Lopukhóf uses the pretense of a quarrel to justify his extravagant spending and bribe Marya Alekséyevna._

> Marya Alekséyevna's face, which at the first mention of dinner became black with rage, put off its decided expression when he spoke of Matrióna, and assumed a look of eagerness.

Marya Alekséyevna's anger at the suggestion of dinner quickly turns to interest when Lopukhóf mentions involving Matrióna and contributing money.

_Her reaction highlights her greed and the transactional nature of her hospitality._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/what_is_to_be_done_se/chapters/xv
- 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