# XVII explained — What Is to Be Done?

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

## What happens

Lopukhóf hosts a dinner at the Rozalsky home, plying Marya Alekséyevna with ale and champagne to secure her goodwill. During the meal, he toasts to Vera's wedding, leading Marya Alekséyevna to believe Vera will marry Storeshnikof. Vera, understanding Lopukhóf's ruse, plays along by saying 'yes.' The chapter highlights Lopukhóf's clever manipulation and Marya Alekséyevna's drunken sentimentality.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Bourgeois Society

The chapter satirizes Marya Alekséyevna's greed and gullibility, exposing the hypocrisy and materialism of bourgeois family dynamics.

### Rational Egoism

Lopukhóf's calculated use of alcohol to achieve his goal exemplifies rational self-interest, a key theme in the novel.

## Character check-ins

### Dmitri Sergéitch Lopukhóf

Hosts the dinner, plies Marya Alekséyevna with alcohol, and orchestrates a toast to Vera's wedding as a strategic move.

### Marya Alekséyevna

Gets drunk on ale and champagne, becomes sentimental, and is manipulated into believing Vera will marry Storeshnikof.

### Viéra Pavlovna

Plays along with Lopukhóf's scheme by saying 'yes' to the wedding toast, understanding his hidden intentions.

### Pavel Konstantinuitch Rozalsky

Returns for dinner, takes a nap after eating, and echoes Marya Alekséyevna's sentiments.

### Matrióna

Serves the dinner and samovar, and comments on Lopukhóf's dozing.

## Key lines

> Not everything results as cleverly as it is cleverly planned. Lopukhóf had not dared to hope for such a result when he bought the wine; he only intended to give Marya Alekséyevna a bribe, so that he might not lose her good will by having invited himself to stay to dinner.

Lopukhóf's scheme exceeded his expectations; he had merely aimed to bribe Marya Alekséyevna with wine to keep her favor, but she became far more compliant than he anticipated.

_Highlights Lopukhóf's strategic thinking and the unexpected success of his manipulation._

> “Viérotchka, come to dinner!” shouted Marya Alekséyevna. In fact Pavel Konstantinuitch had returned; the pirog was all ready long ago; it was not the pirog from the confectioner’s, but one that Matrióna had made out of the stuffed beef that they had the day before.

Marya Alekséyevna calls Vera to dinner; Pavel has returned, and the pie is ready—a homemade leftover dish rather than a fancy pastry.

_Illustrates the modest domestic setting and the family's routine._

> “How gay he is! Is there really something in prospect? And how on earth did he manage to become so friendly with her? And he does not even look at me. Akh! how shrewd he is!”

Vera marvels at Lopukhóf's cheerful demeanor and his sudden rapport with her mother, recognizing his cunning.

_Reveals Vera's internal awareness of Lopukhóf's strategy._

## Links

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