What Is to Be Done? · Chapter
XXVI explained
Vera Pavlovna, in great emotional turmoil, writes a letter to her husband Lopukhóf confessing her love for another man.
What happens
Vera Pavlovna, in great emotional turmoil, writes a letter to her husband Lopukhóf confessing her love for another man. Lopukhóf finds the letter, remains calm, and distracts her by discussing his new position as acting manager of a factory with a higher salary. He then announces a planned visit to his parents in Riazan, giving her space. Later, he invites friends over, including Rakhmétof, to ease the tension.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Vera's confession of love for another man while married to Lopukhóf highlights the tension between personal desire and marital commitment.
Rational Egoism
Lopukhóf's calm, reasoned response to Vera's letter and his focus on practical affairs exemplify the rational egoist approach to emotional crises.
Characters to notice
- Viéra Pavlovna
In extreme emotional distress, writes and destroys letters confessing her love for another man, then is calmed by Lopukhóf's practical talk.
- Dmitri Sergéitch Lopukhóf
Finds Vera's letter, remains composed, distracts her with news of his promotion, and decides to visit his parents to give her space.
- Rakhmétof
Appears among the guests invited by Lopukhóf to help Vera through the evening.
- Masha
Takes notes from Lopukhóf to invite friends and is mentioned as having been sent on errands.
Key passages
“My dear, never was I so strongly attached to thee as I am now. If I could only die for thy sake! Oh, how happy I would be to die, if it would only make thee happier! but I cannot live without him.”
Vera writes to Lopukhóf that she loves him deeply but cannot live without another man, expressing guilt and helplessness.
This is Vera's confession of her love for Kirsánov, setting the stage for the central conflict.
“Of course, my dear; your words must not be taken seriously, because you were too much excited. These things are not so easily decided.”
Lopukhóf dismisses Vera's letter as a product of excitement, indicating he will handle the matter rationally.
Lopukhóf's response shows his commitment to rational discussion rather than emotional reaction.