RAKHMETOV- SPECIAL PERSON. Chernyshevsky's novel was written during the era of the rise of the revolutionary movement in Russia. The hero of the novel Rakhmetov, like no one else, was suitable for revolutionary activities with his cruelty, asceticism, iron will, hatred of the people's oppressors.
No wonder the Bolshevik leader Lenin put this literary hero as an example to his comrades, saying that only with such people is it possible revolutionary coup in Russia.
So what is this special person, which has attracted and continues to attract the attention of individuals today, thirsting for upheaval for the sake of the common good? Rakhmetov is a nobleman by origin. His father was a very rich man. But the free life did not keep Rakhmetov on his father’s estate. He left the province and entered the Faculty of Science in St. Petersburg.
Rakhmetov easily became close to progressive-minded people in the capital. Chance brought him together with Kirsanov, from whom he learned a lot of new and politically advanced things. I started reading books avidly.
It seems that he measured out a time period for himself and stuck to it exactly - after six months he put the books aside and said: “Now reading has become a secondary matter for me: from this side I am ready for life.” Already in this act of Rakhmetov one can discern something beyond the scope of a normally developing person. Rakhmetov began to accustom his physical essence to obey his spiritual one, that is, he began to order himself and carry out these orders accurately and on time. Then he began to harden the body. He took on the hardest work. He was even a barge hauler.
As it soon turns out, he did all this in preparation for great revolutionary deeds. He brilliantly managed to create himself as a physically powerful and spiritually strong person.
Rakhmetov fanatically followed the path he had chosen once and for all. He ate only what ordinary people ate, although he had the opportunity to eat better. He explained it simply: “This is necessary - it gives respect and love ordinary people. This is useful, it may come in handy.” Apparently, in order to emphasize his extreme revolutionary spirit, Chernyshevsky forced his hero to abandon personal human happiness for the sake of the ideals of the revolutionary struggle. Rakhmetov refused to marry a rich young widow, thereby confirming his will to fight. He explained it this way: “I must suppress love in myself; love for you would tie my hands, they won’t be untied for me any time soon - they’re already tied.”
In my opinion, Chernyshevsky in the image of Rakhmetov portrayed a revolutionary leader, a special person. The author wrote about such people: “This is the color the best people, these are engines of engines, these are the salt of the earth*.
Now, when time has shown the inconsistency of Bolshevik ideas, it is clear to me why the leaders of the October revolution chose Rakhmetov as their ideal. They developed those Rakhmetov-like qualities with which it was convenient for them to carry out cruel deeds: they did not spare themselves, much less others, they carried out orders with the chilling, thoughtless clarity of an iron engine, they treated dissenters as supermen treat subhumans. As a result, the world was shocked. Russia is drenched in blood. Now our society is again on the path to a civilized future. And personally, I dream that in this future of ours there will be fewer “special” people, and more ordinary people: kind, smiling, afraid to sleep on nails so as not to wake up in the past. I want this future to become reality.
The novel “What to do?” Chernyshevsky wrote in 1862 - 1863. The work was created within the framework literary direction"sociological realism". Literary historians classify the novel as a utopia.
Central storyline books is love story with a positive ending. At the same time, the work touches on the social, economic and philosophical ideas of that time, themes of love, relationships between fathers and children, enlightenment, and the importance of human willpower. In addition, the novel contains many hints about the coming revolution.
Main characters
Vera Pavlovna Rozalskaya– a purposeful, freedom-loving girl, “with a southern type of face.” I thought in a new way, I didn’t want to be just a wife, but to do my own thing; opened sewing workshops.
Dmitry Sergeich Lopukhov- physician, first husband of Vera Pavlovna. After his staged suicide, he took the name Charles Beaumont.
Alexander Matveich Kirsanov- friend of Lopukhov, a talented physician, second husband of Vera Pavlovna.
Other characters
Marya Aleksevna Rozalskaya- Vera Pavlovna’s mother, a very enterprising woman who always looked for profit in everything.
Pavel Konstantinich Rozalsky- manager of the Storeshnikovs' house, father of Vera Pavlovna.
Mikhail Ivanovich Storeshnikov- “a prominent and handsome officer,” a womanizer, wooed Vera Pavlovna.
Julie- a Frenchwoman, a woman with a complex past, found herself a Russian lover, helped and sympathized with Vera.
Mertsalov Alexey Petrovich- a good friend of Lopukhov, the priest who married Lopukhov and Vera.
Mertsalova Natalya Andreevna- Mertsalov’s wife, and then Vera’s friend.
Rakhmetov– Lopukhov’s friend, Kirsanova, was straightforward, with bold views.
Katerina Vasilievna Polozova- wife of Beaumont (Lopukhov).
Vasily Polozov- father of Katerina Vasilievna.
I. Fool
“On the morning of July 11, 1856, the servants of one of the large St. Petersburg hotels near the Moscow station railway I was at a loss." The day before, at 9 o'clock in the evening, a certain gentleman stopped with them. In the morning he did not respond. Having broken down the doors, they found a note: “I’m leaving at 11 o’clock in the evening and will not return. I will be heard on Liteiny Bridge, between 2 and 3 am. Don’t have any suspicions about anyone.”
The policeman said that at night a pistol shot was heard on the bridge and the missing gentleman’s cap was found with a bullet through it. The gossips decided that he did this because he was “just a fool.”
II. The first consequence of a stupid case
That same morning at 12 o'clock a young lady was sewing and humming a French song in a low voice. They brought her a letter that brought her to tears. The young man who entered the room read the letter: “I embarrassed your calm. I'm leaving the stage. Don't be sorry; I love you both so much that I am very happy with my determination. Farewell". His hands began to shake. The woman exclaimed: “You have his blood on you!” , “And his blood is on me!” .
III. Preface
The author argues that he “used the usual trick of novelists: he began the story with spectacular scenes taken from the middle or end of it.” He reflects that among his audience there is a share of people whom he respects - “kind and strong, honest and capable,” so he “still needs” and “can already” write.
Chapter 1. The life of Vera Pavlovna in her parents’ family
I
Vera Pavlovna grew up in multi-storey building on Gorokhovaya, which belonged to the Storeshnikovs. The Rozalskys - house manager Pavel Konstantinych, his wife Marya Aleksevna, daughter Vera and “9-year-old son Fedya” lived on the 4th floor. Pavel Konstantinych also served in the department.
From the age of 12, Verochka went to a boarding school and studied with a piano teacher. She sewed well, so she soon sewed the whole family. Because of her dark, “gypsy-like” skin, her mother called her “stuffed animal,” so Vera got used to considering herself ugly. But after some time, her mother stopped driving her around in almost rags, and began dressing her up, hoping to find her daughter a rich husband. At the age of 16, Verochka began giving lessons herself.
Pavel Konstantinich’s boss decided to woo the girl, but it took him too long to get ready. Soon the owner's son Storeshnikov began visiting the Rozalskys and began paying a lot of attention to Verochka. To arrange their marriage, Marya Aleksevna even took expensive tickets to the opera in the same box where the hostess’s son was with his friends, they were heatedly discussing something in French. Verochka felt awkward and, citing a headache, left early.
II
Mikhail Ivanovich dined with other gentlemen in a fashionable restaurant. Among them was one lady - Mademoiselle Julie. Storeshnikov said that Vera was his mistress. Julie, who saw Vera at the opera, noted that she was “gorgeous,” but clearly not Mikhail’s mistress - “he wants to buy her.”
III
When Storeshnikov came to the Rozalskys the next day, Vera deliberately spoke to him in French so that her mother would not understand anything. She said that she knew that yesterday he decided to “expose” her to his friends as his mistress. Vera asked not to visit them and to leave as soon as possible.
IV
Julie, together with Storeshnikov, came to Vera, since the lady needed a piano teacher for her niece (but this was just a fictitious reason). Julie told Marya Aleksevna that Mikhail made a bet on Vera with his friends.
V–IX
Julie considered Vera a good passion for Storeshnikov: “marrying her, despite her low origins and, compared to you, poverty, would greatly advance your career.” Julie also advised Vera to become Storeshnikov’s wife in order to get rid of her mother’s persecution. But Storeshnikov was unpleasant to Vera.
After some thought, Storeshnikov actually made the offer. Vera's parents were delighted, but the girl herself said that she did not want to marry Mikhail. However, Storeshnikov nevertheless asked that instead of a refusal he be given a deferred response. When visiting the girl, Mikhail “was obedient to her, like a child.” “Three or four months passed like this.”
Chapter 2. First love and legal marriage
I
To prepare Vera’s younger brother for entering the gymnasium, his father hired a medical student, Lopukhov. During lessons, 9-year-old Fedya told the teacher everything about Vera and her potential groom.
II
Lopukhov did not live on government support, and therefore did not go hungry or get cold. From the age of 15 he gave lessons. Lopukhov rented an apartment with his friend Kirsanov. In the near future, he was to become a resident (doctor) in one of the “St. Petersburg military hospitals”, and soon receive a chair at the Academy.
III–VI
Marya Aleksevna invited Lopukhov to a “party” - her daughter’s birthday. At the evening, while dancing, Lopukhov got into a conversation with Vera. He promised to help her “break out of this humiliating situation” associated with the upcoming wedding.
At the end of the evening, Verochka thought about how strange it was that they spoke for the first time “and became so close.” She fell in love with Lopukhov, not yet realizing that her feelings were mutual.
VII–IX
Once, in order to finally check Lopukhov whether he had any plans for Vera, Marya Aleksevna overheard a conversation between Vera and Dmitry. She heard Lopukhov telling Vera that cold, practical people were right: “a person is controlled only by calculation of benefit.” The girl replied that she completely agreed with him. Lopukhov advised her to marry Mikhail Ivanovich. What she heard completely convinced Marya Aleksevna that conversations with Dmitry Sergeich were useful for Verochka.
X–XI
Lopukhov and Vera knew that they were being followed. At Vera's request, Lopukhov looked for a position as a governess for her. Kirsanov helped find the right option.
XII. Verochka's first dream
Vera dreamed that she was locked in a damp, dark basement. Suddenly the door opened and she found herself in a field. She began to dream that she was paralyzed. Someone touched her and her illness went away. Vera saw that a beautiful girl with a changing appearance was walking across the field - English, French, German, Polish, Russian, and her mood was constantly changing. The girl introduced herself as the bride of her suitors and asked them to call her “love for people.” Then Vera dreamed that she was walking through the city and freeing girls locked in the basement and healing girls broken by paralysis.
XIII – XVI
The woman to whom Verochka was supposed to become a governess refused because she did not want to go against the will of the girl’s parents. Frustrated Vera thought that if things got really bad, she would throw herself out the window.
XVII – XVIII
Vera and Dmitry decide to get married, discuss later life. The girl wants to earn her own money so as not to be her husband’s slave. She wants them to live as friends, with separate rooms and a common living room.
XIX–XIX
While Lopukhov had business, Vera lived at home. One day she went out with her mother to Gostiny Dvor. Unexpectedly, the girl told her mother that she had married Dmitry Sergeich, sat down with the first cab driver she came across, and ran away.
XX-XIV
Three days before, they actually got married. Lopukhov arranged for his friend Mertsalov to marry them. He remembered that they kiss in church and, so that it would not be too embarrassing there, they kissed beforehand.
Having escaped from her mother, Vera went to the apartment Lopukhov had found for them. Lopukhov himself went to the Rozalskys and reassured them about what had happened.
Chapter 3. Marriage and second love
I
“Things were going well for the Lopukhovs.” Vera gave lessons, Lopukhov worked. The owners with whom the spouses lived were surprised by their way of life - as if they were not a family, but brother and sister. The Lopukhovs entered each other's rooms only by knocking. Vera believed that this only contributed to a strong marriage and love.
II
Vera Pavlovna opened a sewing workshop. Julie helped find her clients. Having gone to her parents, she returned home and did not understand how she could live in “such disgusting straits” and “grow up with a love of goodness.”
III. Vera Pavlovna's second dream
Vera dreamed that her husband and Alexey Petrovich were walking across the field. Lopukhov told a friend that there is “pure dirt,” “real dirt,” from which the ear grows. And there is “rotten dirt” - “fantastic dirt”, from which there is no development.
Then she dreamed of her mother. Marya Aleksevna, with anger in her voice, said that she cared about a piece of bread for her daughter and, if she had not been evil, her daughter would not have been kind.
IV
“Vera Pavlovna’s workshop has settled down.” She initially had three seamstresses, who then found four more. Over the course of three years, their workshop only developed and expanded. “A year and a half later, almost all the girls were already living on the same big apartment, had a common table, stocked up on provisions in the same order as is done on large farms.”
V–XVIII
Once after a walk, Dmitry Sergeich became seriously ill with pneumonia. Kirsanov and Vera kept watch at the patient’s bedside until he recovered. Kirsanov had been in love with Vera for a long time, so before his friend’s illness he very rarely visited them.
Both Kirsanov and Lopukhov “paved their way with their breasts, without connections, without acquaintances.” Kirsanov was a physician, “already had a department” and was known as a “master” of his craft.
While staying with the Lopukhovs during his friend’s illness, Kirsanov understood that he was “stepping onto a dangerous road for himself.” Despite the fact that his attachment to Vera renewed with greater force, he managed to cope with it.
XIX. Vera Pavlovna's third dream
Vera dreamed that she was reading her own diary. From it she understands that she loves Lopukhov because he “brought her out of the basement.” That before she did not know the need for a quiet, tender feeling that does not exist in her husband.
XX – XXI
Vera had a premonition that she did not love her husband. Lopukhov began to think that he would not “keep her love behind him.” After analyzing the latest events, Lopukhov realized that feelings had arisen between Kirsanov and Vera.
XXII – XXVIII
Lopukhov asked Kirsanov to visit them more often. Vera realized her passion for Kirsanov and wrote a note to her husband apologizing that she loved Alexander. The next day, Lopukhov went to visit his relatives in Ryazan. A month and a half later he returned, lived for three weeks in St. Petersburg, and then left for Moscow. He left on July 9, and on July 11, “in the morning, confusion occurred in a hotel near the Moscow railway station.”
XXIX – XXX
An acquaintance of the Lopukhovs, Rakhmetov, volunteered to help Vera. He knew about Lopukhov’s plans and handed over a note where he wrote that he was going to “leave the stage.”
Rakhmetov had the nickname Nikitushka Lomov, named after a barge hauler who walked along the Volga, “a giant of Herculean strength.” Rakhmetov worked hard on himself and acquired “exorbitant strength.” He was quite sharp and straightforward in his communication. Once I even slept on nails to test my willpower. The author believes that with people like Rakhmetov, “everyone’s life blossoms; without them it would have died out."
XXXI
Chapter 4. Second marriage
I–III
Berlin, July 20, 1856. Letter to Vera Pavlovna from a “retired medical student” in which he conveys the words of Dmitry Sergeich. Lopukhov understood that their relationship with Vera would no longer be the same as before, reflected on his mistakes and said that Kirsanov should take his place.
IV–XIII
Vera is happy with Kirsanov. They read and discuss books together. Once during a conversation, Vera said that “a woman’s organization is almost higher than that of a man,” that women are stronger and more resilient than men.
Vera suggested that “you need to have something that cannot be abandoned, which cannot be postponed, - then a person is incomparably stronger.” Vera gave the example of Rakhmetov, for whom a common cause replaced a personal one, while they, Alexander and Vera, only need a personal life.
To be equal to her husband in everything, Vera took up medicine. At that time there were no female doctors yet and for a woman this was a compromising matter.
XIV
Vera and Alexander note that over time their feelings only become stronger. Kirsanov believes that without his wife he would have stopped growing professionally long ago.
XVI. Vera Pavlovna's fourth dream
Vera dreamed of a field covered with flowers, flowering bushes, a forest, and a luxurious palace. Vera is shown three queens, goddesses who were worshiped. The first is Astarte, who was her husband’s slave. The second is Aphrodite, who was exalted only as a source of pleasure. The third is “Purity,” showing a knightly tournament and a knight who loved an inaccessible lady of his heart. Knights loved their ladies only until they became their wives and subjects.
Faith's guide said that the kingdoms of those queens were falling, and now her time had come. Vera understands that she is a guide and new queen she herself appears. The conductor says that it can be expressed in one word - equality. Vera sees in a dream New Russia where people live and work happily.
XVII
A year later, Vera’s new workshop was “completely settled.” The first workshop is run by Mertsalova. Soon they opened a store on Nevsky.
XVIII
Letter from Katerina Vasilievna Polozova. She writes that she met Vera Pavlovna and was delighted with her workshop.
Chapter 5. New faces and denouement
I
Polozova owed a lot to Kirsanov. Her father was a “retired captain or headquarters captain.” After retirement, he began to engage in business and soon created “a fair amount of capital.” His wife died, leaving him a daughter, Katya. Over time, his capital reached several million. But at some point he quarreled with " the right person” and at the age of 60 he remained a beggar (compared to recently, otherwise he lived well).
II–V
When Katya was 17 years old, she suddenly began to lose weight and fell ill. Just a year before the wedding with Vera, Kirsanov was among the doctors who took care of Katya’s health. Alexander guessed that the reason for the girl’s ill health was unhappy love.
“Hundreds of suitors courted the heiress of a huge fortune.” Polozov immediately noticed that his daughter liked Solovtsov. But he was “a very bad man.” Polozov once said a barb to Solovtsov, who began to visit them rarely, but began to send hopeless letters to Katya. Rereading them, she fantasized about love and fell ill.
VI–VIII
At the next medical consultation, Kirsanov said that Polozova’s disease was incurable, so her suffering must be stopped by taking a lethal dose of morphine. Having learned about this, Polozov allowed the girl to do what she wanted. Three months later the wedding was scheduled. Soon the girl herself realized her mistake and broke off the engagement. Her views changed, now she was even glad that her father had lost his wealth and “the vulgar, boring, disgusting crowd had left them.”
IX
Polozov decided to sell the stearin plant and, after a lengthy search, found a buyer - Charles Beaumont, who was an agent of the London firm of Hodchson, Lauter and Co.
X
Beaumont said that his father came from America, was here “a distiller at a factory in the Tambov province,” but after the death of his wife he returned to America. When his father died, Charles got a job in a London office that deals with St. Petersburg and asked for a position in Russia.
XI – XII
Polozov invited Beaumont to dinner. During the conversation, Katya expressed that she wanted to do something useful. Beaumont advised her to meet Mrs. Kirsanova, but then tell her how her affairs were.
XIII – XVIII
Beaumont began to visit the Polozovs very often. Polozov considered him a good match for Katerina. Katerina and Charles fell in love with each other, but did not show their passion and were very restrained.
Charles proposed to Catherine, warning that he was already married. The girl realized that it was Vera. Katerina gave him consent.
XIX – XXI
The next day, Katerina went to Vera and said that she would introduce her to her fiancé. The Kirsanovs, having learned that it was Lopukhov, were very happy (Dmitry faked suicide, changed his name, went to America, but then returned). “That same evening we agreed: both families should look for apartments that would be nearby.”
XXII
“Each of the two families lives in its own way, whichever one likes best. They see each other like family." “The sewing industry, continuing to get used to itself, continues to exist; there are now three of them; Katerina Vasilievna arranged hers a long time ago.” This year Vera Pavlovna will already “take the medical exam.”
XXIII
Several years passed, they lived just as friendly. The author depicts a scene of festivities. Among the youth there is a certain lady in mourning who says that “you can fall in love and you can get married, only with discernment and without deception.”
Chapter 6. Change of scenery
“- To the Passage! - said the lady in mourning, only now she was no longer in mourning: a bright pink dress, a pink hat, a white mantilla, and a bouquet in her hand.” She had been waiting for this day for more than two years. But the author, not wanting to continue, ends his story.
Conclusion
Chernyshevsky’s novel “What to do?” interesting for its gallery of strong, strong-willed characters - “new” people. These are Vera Pavlovna, Kirsanov, Lopukhov, over whom the image of Rakhmetov seems to rise, standing apart. All these people made themselves and did not stop working on self-development, while trying to invest as much as possible in the “common cause”. In fact they are revolutionaries.
The main character of the book, Vera Pavlovna, does not appear to be an ordinary woman for that time. She decides to go against the will of her parents, is not afraid of society’s condemnation, opening her own workshops, and then becoming a doctor. She inspires other women and people around her to develop themselves and serve the common cause.
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"SPECIAL PERSON" IN THE NOVEL. Images goodies novel "What to do?" Chernyshevsky tried to answer the burning question of the 60s XIX century in Russia: what to do in order to free the country from state-serfdom oppression? We need a revolution with the participation of the people themselves, which will be led by such proven leaders as one of the main characters of the book, Rakhmetov.
Rakhmetov was a hereditary nobleman by origin, the formation of his views on life and rebirth of which began in his early youth, and meeting with “new people” only contributed to the final approval of his revolutionary worldview. Rakhmetov breaks with his class and completely connects his fate with the fate of the people. In order to test himself and more acutely feel the deplorable situation of the masses, to better understand the thoughts and aspirations of the working people, Rakhmetov, in the same strap with the barge haulers, goes all the way along the Volga.
IN author's description Rakhmetov brings to the fore the features characteristic of a revolutionary organizer. Rakhmetov, through an effort of will, suppresses in himself what interferes with his social activities. Personal aspirations and passions, Chernyshevsky believes, do not prevent ordinary revolutionaries from bringing benefits to society: people like Vera Pavlovna, Lopukhov, Kirsanov, who do not pretend to be revolutionary leaders. And Rakhmetov is one of them, but also something more. Chernyshevsky says: “The mass of good and honest people, and there are few of them... These are engines of engines. This is the salt of the earth."
Chernyshevsky, with deep hints, makes it clear to the reader that Rakhmetov is a special person, a leader, busy preparing for the revolution. The author talks about the actions of the hero, which characterize him as an organizer of the fight against the reactionary social system and serve as a means of promoting revolutionary ideas. Rakhmetov is constantly connected with people, especially young people: “... Rakhmetov appeared, and a whole gang of young people gradually gathered behind him.”
Rakhmetov is demanding of those who join the ranks of revolutionaries. But if he is demanding of his comrades, then of himself he is merciless. He knows that he has a thorny challenge ahead of him, and therefore he consistently prepares himself for it morally and physically. Having slept the night on nails, Rakhmetov, smiling broadly and joyfully, explains his action: “A test. Need to". Strict regime Everyday life strengthened his will, gave him physical and moral strength, turned him into a hero - Nikitushka Lomov.
Rakhmetov is gentle and kind in his dealings with ordinary people and comrades who share his beliefs. Vera Pavlovna says about him: “I had a long conversation with the ferocious Rakhmetov. How tender and a kind person! But he is severely merciless and irreconcilable towards those who interfere with people’s happiness, trampling on their human dignity. Severity and intransigence are a sign of the times, characteristic feature revolutionary democrats.
Rakhmetov is a generalized image of a professional Russian revolutionary. It reflects the character traits of outstanding people of the 60s of the last century. Plekhanov, pointing to the generalizing significance of Rakhmetov’s image, said that “each of our outstanding socialists of the 60s and 70s had a considerable share of Rakhmetovism.” The image of Rakhmetov had a huge influence on subsequent generations of Russian revolutionaries.
Perhaps Chernyshevsky is wrong when he speaks of revolution as the only driving force. Don't know. History cannot be rewritten and cannot be changed. But he is right about one thing: a revolutionary must be “with clean hands and a warm heart.” Otherwise, how can one undertake the reconstruction of society?
I. Fool
The novel begins with exact date– July 11, 1856. It was on this day that a young man checked into one of the St. Petersburg hotels. He ordered a modest dinner to his room and asked to be woken up early tomorrow because he had important things to do. However, the next morning the guest did not open the door, no matter how much they knocked on it. I had to call a policeman, who also could not reach the room. I had to break down the door.
The room was empty, but there was a note on the table. It reported that the man left the hotel in the evening. Soon they will hear about him on the Liteiny Bridge, but no one should fall under suspicion.
The policeman realized that the hotel guest was the same person who shot himself on the Liteiny Bridge that night. True, the fact of suicide has not yet been proven, and the body has not been found, but the bullet-ridden cap has already been caught, and many people heard the shot itself.
II. The first consequence of a stupid case
That same morning, at the dacha on Kamenny Island, a young woman, Vera Pavlovna, was sewing a dress and humming a cheerful French song about workers. However, the woman’s mood was not the most rosy; she seemed to have a presentiment of trouble. Soon this happened. The maid brought Vera Pavlovna a letter, from which it became clear that a person dear to her had committed suicide.
Hearing the woman’s sobs, a young man entered the room and immediately rushed to calm Vera Pavlovna. However, she began to push away the comforter and blame him for the death of their mutual friend. Then she laid all the blame on herself.
Within an hour, Vera Pavlovna managed to cope with her emotions, and she decided to leave St. Petersburg. First to Moscow, and then to some Big City, where you can find a job as a governess. She announced this young man, assuring that it would be better for both. The farewell of the young people was emotional and short.
III. Preface
In the preface, the author, in a somewhat ironic form, calls his readers the public. He talks about how ready society is to accept a serious work, do people need it? After all, detective stories and low-grade stories are the most popular romance novels. Accepting this fact, the author knows that there are still people who, in their moral and intellectual development, stand above others. It is for the sake of such readers that he wants to create.
Chapter first. The life of Vera Pavlovna in her parents' family
The main character of the novel is Vera Pavlovna Rozalskaya. Her childhood was spent in St. Petersburg, in a multi-story building on Gorokhovaya Street, next to the Semenovsky Bridge. Vera's father, Pavel Konstantinovich Rozalsky, worked as a manager in the house, and also served as an assistant to the head of the department in one of the departments. Vera's mother Marya Alekseevna gave money as collateral and put together a small “capital”. According to her, five thousand.
The woman raised Vera in strictness. Already at the age of fourteen, the girl was sewing for the whole family. When Vera grew up, her mother began to call her a gypsy because of her dark complexion. The sixteen-year-old girl often looked in the mirror and gradually came to terms with the fact that she was ugly. In fact, this was not the case. Soon Marya Alekseevna stopped calling her daughter a scarecrow and dressing her up in rags. On the contrary, I started buying her expensive and beautiful dresses.
And all because a prudent woman decided to find her Vera a rich groom. At this time, there was a rumor that Pavel Konstantinovich’s boss became interested in Vera. This option was quite acceptable to Marya Alekseevna, but the official thought for too long and could not take the first step.
Then Marya Alekseevna drew attention to the owner’s son - a young officer and social dandy Mikhail Ivanovich Storeshnikov, who sometimes came to their apartment. She instructed her daughter to be more affectionate with her boyfriend, and even organized a trip to the theater, where Vera, Marya Alekseevna and the owner’s son with two friends ended up in the same box. However, Vera, citing a headache, went home. She perfectly understood the intentions of the young womanizer, who only wanted to seduce her.
But Marya Alekseevna did not want to deviate from her plan. She was firmly convinced that sooner or later Storeshnikov would marry her daughter. For this, the enterprising woman was ready to make every effort. From then on, life in her parents' house became unbearable for Vera.
Events unfolded as usual. Mikhail Storeshnikov could no longer give up the idea of possessing Vera. If she does not want to become a mistress, then let her marry him. Given the wealth and position of Mikhail Ivanovich, every girl from ordinary family I couldn’t refuse such a profitable deal. Storeshnikov was also encouraged to get married by his French friend, Julie. The demi-monde lady was sure that having married such an intelligent and beautiful girl, Mikhail will make a brilliant career.
However, Vera refused the offer, which further inflamed Mikhail’s passion. He began to beg the girl not to answer him with a categorical “no,” but to give him a chance to improve and earn her love. Vera Pavlovna agreed, although she warned Storeshnikov that she would not change her decision.
This situation continued for approximately four months. Marya Alekseevna, Pavel Konstantinovich, Verochka, Mikhail Storeshnikov and his mother Anna Petrovna were waiting all these days: when will the matter finally become clear?
Chapter two. First love and legal marriage
A young man, Dmitry Sergeevich Lopukhov, began to appear in the Rozalskys’ house. He was a medical student who made a living by giving private lessons. Since Vera Pavlovna’s nine-year-old brother Dmitry needed a tutor, Lopukhov was invited to help the boy master some disciplines.
Vera did not meet Dmitry right away. At first, she learned from Fyodor that his teacher was a busy man and paid little attention to women, even ones as pretty as his sister. This information from his brother somewhat disappointed Vera; she decided that Dmitry was a rather boring person, although he was not bad-looking.
But soon things happened in the relationship between the two young people. dramatic changes. This happened at Vera Pavlovna’s birthday party, where Lopukhov was also invited. There were few guests, since the birthday girl wanted to celebrate the holiday in a calm atmosphere. Verochka danced her first quadrille with the “official” groom. And during the third quadrille, her partner was Dmitry Lopukhov. The first frank conversation took place between the young people. During the evening they communicated several more times and felt affection for each other.
Lopukhov told Vera that he lives in a rented apartment with his very close friend Alexander Kirsanov, who has dark brown hair and dark blue eyes. Kirsanov has already graduated from the Medical Academy and is considered an excellent doctor, although he has a small medical practice and is more drawn to scientific work.
The next day, Vera Pavlovna decided that Lopukhov could be completely trusted, so she told the student about her plight. Dmitry decided to help the girl and persistently began to look for a position as a governess for her.
Verochka's first dream
Around this time, Vera Pavlovna had her first significant dream, of which there will be four in the novel. In a dream, Vera breaks out of the stuffy basement in which she lay and was sick. She's walking on fresh air, in a beautiful field, he meets a kind, charming woman who helps everyone. Vera promises her new friend that she will also release women from dark and damp basements into freedom.
But the reality turns out to be that no one wants to take responsibility for a girl who is about to leave her parents’ home. Vera meets with Dmitry at the appointed place, but each time the young man cannot tell her anything comforting.
Soon Dmitry clearly understands that in this way he will not be able to get Verochka out of his parents’ house and decides to marry her. Lopukhov proposes to Rosalskaya. Vera Pavlovna agrees, but immediately sets her own conditions, since the marriage is formal. They will not only sleep separately from Dmitry, but will also spend most of their time in different rooms. In addition, Vera Pavlovna does not want Alexander Kirsanov to live with them.
Lopukhov agrees to all the conditions, moreover, he tries to earn as much as possible more money, to new family didn't need anything. Dmitry understands that he needs to rent an apartment for the first time. He manages to find decent and inexpensive housing on Vasilyevsky Island.
The newlyweds were married by Lopukhov’s acquaintance, priest Alexey Petrovich Mertsalov, who once completed a course at the Theological Academy. Before this sacrament, Dmitry invited Vera to kiss so as not to feel particularly awkward during the ceremony. After all, you also need to kiss there, this is the church tradition.
After the wedding, nothing held Vera Pavlovna back in her parents’ home. I just needed to somehow explain myself to my mother. The girl decided that it was best to inform her about this outside the house so that Marya Alekseevna would not hold her daughter by force. Soon a suitable reason was found. When Vera Pavlovna told her mother that she was going for a walk along Nevsky Prospect, Marya Alekseevna volunteered to accompany her. Near Ruzanov’s shop, Vera quickly informed her mother that she was leaving home because she had married Dmitry Sergeevich. The girl quickly jumped into the first carriage she came across.
Chapter three. Marriage and second love
Three months passed after Vera Pavlovna began living in a rented apartment with Dmitry Lopukhov. The owner and landlady of the apartment were, however, surprised by the newlyweds’ relationship. “Darling” and “darling” slept in different rooms, entering each other only by knocking. They were always neatly dressed. Verochka tried to explain to the hostess that such a relationship guarantees a long life. family life, but she hardly agreed with her.
But things were going well in the new family. Vera Pavlovna also contributed to the family budget. She gave private lessons, and soon opened a small sewing workshop. Julie helped her with this.
Vera Pavlovna's second dream
First, Vera Pavlovna saw a field with ears of corn. Her husband and Alexey Petrovich Mertsalov were walking there. They were having a philosophical conversation about dirt. From their judgments it emerged that dirt can be useful and harmful, from which nothing can grow. It all depends on the movement. If it is not there, the dirt stagnates. And where there is stagnation, there is no life. Then the characters in the novel begin to remember their past. Mertsalov talks about his difficult childhood, about how his mother had to work day and night to serve big family. Vera Pavlovna also remembered her mother Marya Alekseevna, who took care of her daughter, gave her an education, clothed her, and fed her. Verochka comes to the conclusion that her mother, although evil, did good for her daughter. And over time evil people will become less and less, they will gradually be replaced by good ones.
The following describes in detail how Vera Pavlovna conducted business, organized work in her sewing workshop in a new way, and attracted all employees to actively participate in the production process. The girls, whom Vera Pavlovna carefully selected, were self-employed, but were co-owners of the workshop and received their percentage of the income. Vera Pavlovna also took care of the rest of her charges. IN free time We walked together and went on picnics. So the three years of Verochka’s marriage and the formation of the workshop flew by successfully and comfortably.
Once, after one picnic, Dmitry Sergeevich felt unwell and turned to Alexander Kirsanov for help. Together they determined that Lopukhov had pneumonia. The disease is not yet dangerous, but measures need to be taken. Since then, Alexander Kirsanov began to often visit the Lopukhovs’ house, reprimanding Vera Pavlovna for the fact that she was very worried, did not sleep at night, which could cause serious harm to her health.
A few years ago, Kirsanov suddenly realized that he had tender feelings for Vera Pavlovna, but immediately decided that he should not create problems for his friend. With an effort of will, he extinguished these feelings. I practically stopped visiting the Lopukhovs’ house. However, now Kirsanov was afraid that a new spark might break out. Indeed, something has changed in the relationship between young people. They felt that they were in love with each other. Both Kirsanov and Vera Pavlovna understood perfectly well that a woman’s “fictitious” marriage to Lopukhov would bring a comfortable and quite prosperous life. But their hearts yearned for love.
Vera Pavlovna's third dream
This dream reveals Vera Pavlovna’s hidden feelings, much of what she was afraid to admit even to herself. Together with famous singer Bosio Vera Pavlovna reads her diary, which, by the way, is in real life never drove. From her notes it becomes clear that a woman experiences many wonderful feelings for her husband: respect, gratitude, trust... However, the love that Vera Pavlovna feels for Alexander Kirsanov is not in this list. A woman really wants to love her husband, but is unable to command her heart.
After some time, Vera Pavlovna decides to tell Dmitry Sergeevich her dream, and then writes a letter to her husband in which she admits that she loves Kirsanov. Vera Pavlovna left this letter in Lopukhov’s office and wanted to pick it up, but didn’t have time. Dmitry Sergeevich was already mentally prepared for such a turn of events, therefore, after Vera’s recognition, he left for Ryazan, and from there to St. Petersburg, where he settled in a hotel on July 11. Now it becomes clear who the man was who shot himself on the Liteiny Bridge at the beginning of the novel. But what happened to Lopukhov? After all, they only found his bullet-ridden cap.
Soon after Vera Pavlovna found out about what had happened and began to pack her things for the trip, a friend of her husband and Kirsanov, student Rakhmetov, came to visit her. Next comes detailed story about this person, his relationship, lifestyle and many interesting character traits. The image of Rakhmetov is mysterious and unsaid, but all critics see in him a future revolutionary, and the author calls Rakhmetov a “special person.”
At the time of the story, Rakhmetov is only 22 years old, however, he has already seen a lot. To develop his will and strengthen his character, the young man slept on nails, helped barge haulers while traveling along the Volga, and ate only beef to maintain physical strength.
Belonging to a noble family and being a rich man, Rakhmetov easily parted with money in favor of the poor, led a Spartan lifestyle, spending only part of his income on himself. The image of Rakhmetov, in the best possible way, personifies the new people to whom Chernyshevsky’s novel is dedicated.
Rakhmetov’s visit to Vera Pavlovna on that fateful day was not accidental. The student brought the woman a note from Lopukhov. In it, Dmitry Sergeevich asks his “darling” to obey this man in everything. Rakhmetov himself calmly and cogently explains to Vera Pavlovna that Rozalskaya has many contradictions with Lopukhov. They have too different tempers, so such a union could not exist for long.
Rakhmetov’s words reassure Vera Pavlovna; she completely agrees with such arguments. After some time, the woman leaves for Novgorod, where she meets Alexander Kirsanov.
Chapter Four. Second marriage
Vera Pavlovna receives a letter from Berlin from a man who calls himself a close friend of Lopukhov. In this message, the stranger allegedly conveys the thoughts of Dmitry Sergeevich. For example, that he and Vera Pavlovna are very different people. There was a separation the best way out from their situation. Lopukhov analyzes all the circumstances of their strange family life.
Vera Pavlovna answers the letter. She analyzes in equal detail the actions of her husband, Alexander Kirsanov, and her own. The relationships within their triangle were distinguished by reasonable selfishness, which corresponded to the lifestyle of her friends, and subsequently Vera Pavlovna herself.
The family life of Rozalskaya and Kirsanov goes on as usual. The couple live on Sergievskaya Street, closer to Vyborg side. In their house there are neutral and non-neutral rooms, which are allowed to be entered only after knocking.
Everyone is working hard because another sewing workshop has opened. However, Vera Pavlovna does not forget about herself, she leads a lifestyle that she likes. My husband is happy to help with this. He is keenly interested in all his wife’s affairs, her mood and well-being. In difficult times, Alexander Kirsanov is ready to lend a man’s shoulder. And his beloved husband helps his wife study medicine. Vera Pavlovna sometimes goes to see her husband at work or at the hospital. In the nineteenth century, women practically did not work as doctors, so Vera Pavlovna’s decision was bold.
In a word, weekdays and holidays in the Kirsanov family are filled with interesting things to do and communication.
Vera Pavlovna's fourth dream
This time Vera Pavlovna sees in a dream historical paintings, in the center of which is the image of a woman in different eras and at different nations. But Vera Pavlovna does not recognize herself in Astarte, Aphrodite, or any other female queen. Nor does she personify herself with the beautiful lady for whom the knights fight at the tournament. Vera Pavlovna understands that love for a woman in past times was ardent, tender, sublime. But she was never free from violence, did not bring real happiness to a woman.
And suddenly Vera Pavlovna sees herself in the image of a female goddess. Her face is illuminated with the radiance of love. Then bright pictures of the future of Russia flash before the woman’s gaze. there in beautiful houses live happy people who work happily and indulge in wild fun in the evenings and on weekends. It is for the sake of such a future that we need to work fruitfully and steadfastly endure all the difficulties and problems of today.
Soon, Vera Pavlovna, in tandem with her associate Natalya Mertsalova, opens her own store on Nevsky Prospekt. Women dream that in a few years they will have many sewing workshops, maybe even more than ten. So several more years passed without any special incidents.
Chapter five. New faces and denouement
At the beginning of the chapter, the author talks in detail about Katerina Vasilyevna Polozova and her father, a retired captain who squandered his estate and retired. On his well-deserved retirement, he decided to go into trading and soon succeeded well in this business, becoming a millionaire. Then, however, he went bankrupt again, but Polozov had some savings left for a comfortable life.
The fatherly feelings of the former captain towards his daughter are somewhat similar to the feelings of Marya Alekseevna. Polozov is also not without tyranny, and many of his actions are aimed only at obtaining his own benefit. He forbids his daughter to meet with the secular womanizer Solovtsov, with whom Katerina Vasilievna is deeply in love.
On this basis, a serious conflict occurs in the Polozov family, as a result of which Katerina Vasilievna had a nervous breakdown and was on the verge of death. Alexander Kirsanov helped the girl get out of this state, opened her eyes to a man who was not worthy of her love. At the same time, Kirsanov was able to convince Polozov that such methods cannot be used to raise an adult daughter, she must be given freedom of choice.
Meanwhile, life in the Kirsanov family goes on as usual. The work of sewing workshops brings not only a constant income, but also provides an opportunity to spend interesting free time. Many people come to visit the Kirsanovs interesting people, among them are mainly young students, like-minded people. They are all hardworking, live by strict rules, and are practical.
One day, among the guests of the Kirsanovs is Katerina Vasilievna Polozova (now Beaumont) with her husband Charles, an agent of an English company. My husband speaks excellent Russian, having spent more than twenty years in Russia. The relationship between Charles and Catherine is based on mutual feelings, but is quite rational, without unnecessary worries and passions.
It soon becomes clear that Charles Beaumont - ex-husband Vera Pavlovna Dmitry Sergeevich Lopukhov. On Liteiny Bridge, he only staged suicide so as not to interfere with the love of Verochka and Kirsanov. Then Lopukhov went to America, where he became an entrepreneur and earned substantial capital.
Both families experience great joy from sharing together and spiritual closeness. They live in the same house, often receive guests, organize holidays and picnics.
At one of these events a lady appears in mourning. Strange woman turns out to be the center of attention of the guests, talks a lot, makes jokes, sings and tells the story of her love.
Chapter six. Change of scenery
The last chapter of the novel is very short and shrouded in an aura of mystery. Two years have passed since the picnic. We see the mysterious lady again, only now not in black, but in bright pink dress and with beautiful bouquet. She goes to the “Passage”, accompanied by familiar young men and a man in his thirties.
Critics have different opinions about this image. There are two main versions.
- A lady in mourning and then in a pink dress is an image of the revolution from Vera Pavlovna’s dreams. A woman transforms when her time comes.
- The mysterious lady is Chernyshevsky’s wife Olga. When her husband was imprisoned, she wore black clothes, and when he was released, she put on a bright festive dress.
The end of the fifth chapter and the sixth are written in a special style, with hints and omissions. The author, most likely, could not speak openly about the impending revolutionary sentiments. Perhaps he didn’t do this on purpose in order to make the reader think and decide for himself.
Chernyshevsky created his novel “What is to be done?” in the era of rise revolutionary movement in the Russian Federation. The hero of the novel, Rakhmetov, was more suitable for revolutionary activity than anyone else. Rakhmetov is distinguished by toughness, asceticism, iron will, and hatred of the people's oppressors. It was not without reason that the leader of the Bolsheviks, V.I. Lenin, set this literary hero as an example to his comrades, saying that only with such people is a revolutionary coup in the Russian Federation possible.
What kind of special person is this, who even today attracts the sensitivity of those who crave social upheaval for the sake of the common good? Rakhmetov is a nobleman by origin. His father was a very rich man. But the free life did not keep Rakhmetov on his father’s estate. He left the province and entered the Faculty of Science in St. Petersburg.
Without difficulty, Rakhmetov became close to progressive-minded people in the capital. Chance brought him together with Kirsanov, from whom he learned a lot of new and politically advanced things. He began to read books voraciously. One gets the feeling that he measured out a time period for himself and stuck to it exactly. After just six months, Rakhmetov put the books aside and said: “Now reading has become a secondary matter for me; in this regard, I am ready for life.” In these words of the hero one can discern something beyond the scope of a normally developing person.
Rakhmetov began to accustom his physical essence to obey the spiritual, that is, he began to order himself and carry out these orders accurately and on time. Then he began to harden the body. He took on the hardest work. Moreover, he was a barge hauler.
He did all this in preparation for great revolutionary deeds. He brilliantly managed to create himself as a physically powerful and spiritually strong person. Rakhmetov fanatically followed the path he had chosen once and for all. He ate only what ordinary people ate, although he had the opportunity to eat better. He explained it simply: “It’s necessary - it gives respect and love from ordinary people. It’s useful, it can come in handy.” Apparently, in order to emphasize his extreme revolutionary spirit, Chernyshevsky forced his hero to abandon personal human happiness for the sake of the ideals of the revolutionary struggle. Rakhmetov refused to marry a rich young widow. He explained it this way: “I must suppress love in myself; love for you would tie my hands, they will not soon be untangled for me - they are already tied.”
A democratic writer, Chernyshevsky in the image of Rakhmetov portrayed a revolutionary leader, a special person. The author wrote about such people: “This is the color of the best people, these are the engines of engines, this is the salt of the earth.”
But the time has come to show the inconsistency of Bolshevik ideas. And now it is clear to me why the leaders of the October Revolution chose Rakhmetov as their ideal. They developed those Rakhmetov-like qualities with which it was convenient for them to carry out cruel deeds: they did not spare themselves, much less others, they carried out orders with the chilling, thoughtless clarity of an iron engine, they treated dissenters as supermen treat subhumans. As a result, Russia was drenched in blood, and the world was shocked by the brutality of revolutionary actions.
Our society is still on the way to a civilized future. And personally, I dream that in this future of ours there will be fewer “special” people, and more ordinary people: kind, smiling, living their own lives. I want this future to become reality.