Yama · Chapter
XII explained
Likhonin awakens after rescuing Liubka, filled with shame and regret.
What happens
Likhonin awakens after rescuing Liubka, filled with shame and regret. He tries to reframe their relationship as one of friendship and brotherhood, but Liubka, misunderstanding his intentions, feels used. The chapter explores Likhonin's internal conflict and the awkward morning after, including an encounter with the grumbling servant Alexandra.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy of Society
Likhonin's internal conflict between his chivalrous ideals and his actual behavior highlights the gap between professed morality and real actions.
Illusion of Reform and Redemption
Likhonin's attempt to 'rescue' Liubka by reframing their relationship as friendship or brotherhood is shown as naive and ultimately self-deceptive.
Class and Economic Determinism
Liubka's peasant background and lack of education prevent her from understanding Likhonin's abstract ideals, revealing the class divide that shapes their interactions.
Characters to notice
- Likhonin
Wakes with shame and self-loathing after taking Liubka; tries to redefine their relationship as platonic friendship.
- Liubka
Sits quietly waiting; shows affection but is confused and disappointed by Likhonin's rejection of a romantic relationship.
- Sergei Ivanovich Platonov
Mentioned as the 'equivocal reasoner' who Likhonin blames for his chivalrous outburst.
- Alexandra
The grumbling old servant who disapproves of Liubka's presence and mutters about 'first cousins' from Kashtanovaya Street.
Key passages
“With pain at soul, with malice and repulsion toward himself and Liubka, and, it would seem, toward all the world, Likhonin without undressing flung himself upon the wooden, lopsided, sagging divan and even gnashed his teeth from the smarting shame.”
Likhonin is tormented by shame and self-disgust after his night with Liubka, throwing himself onto the couch fully clothed and grinding his teeth.
Opens the chapter with Likhonin's intense emotional turmoil.
“All these words about friendship, brotherhood and comradeship she could not understand with her brain of a hen and her simple peasant soul.”
Liubka, due to her simple peasant background, cannot grasp Likhonin's talk of platonic friendship and brotherhood.
Highlights the class and educational gap between them.
“First cousin! We know these first cousins! There's lots of 'em walkin' around Kashtanovaya Street. There, these he-dogs can never get enough!”
Alexandra scoffs at Likhonin's claim that Liubka is his cousin, implying she knows the real reason for her presence.
Shows the servant's cynical awareness of the situation.