What Is to Be Done? · Chapter
XXVII explained
Viéra Pavlovna awakens to find her husband Lopukhóf and Masha packing valises for his trip to Riazan.
What happens
Viéra Pavlovna awakens to find her husband Lopukhóf and Masha packing valises for his trip to Riazan. Despite her desire to accompany him, Lopukhóf gently persuades her to wait for a letter from him, emphasizing the importance of freedom and health. At the railway station, they share an emotional farewell, with Lopukhóf reaffirming their mutual love and the principle that happiness requires freedom.
Themes in this chapter
Freedom and Individuality
Lopukhóf explicitly states that happiness requires freedom, urging Vera not to restrain herself for his sake.
Love and Marriage
The farewell scene highlights a marriage based on mutual affection and respect for each other's autonomy.
Characters to notice
- Viéra Pavlovna
Emotionally distressed as Lopukhóf departs; she insists on going with him but is persuaded to wait.
- Dmitri Sergéitch Lopukhóf
Packs for his trip to Riazan, calmly manages the farewell, and speaks of freedom and health.
- Masha
Assists with packing the valises and is present during the departure preparations.
Key passages
“But there is no happiness without freedom. You would not want to restrain me, nor I you. And if you began to use restraint on yourself on my account, you would grieve me; so don’t do it.”
True happiness cannot exist without freedom; neither of us should restrict the other, and if you sacrifice your own desires for me, it would only cause me sorrow.
Lopukhóf articulates the core rational egoist principle that personal freedom is essential for genuine happiness in their relationship.