What to do how to be Chernyshevsky. E-book What to do
The novel by N. G. Chernyshevsky "What is to be done?" created by him in the chamber Peter and Paul Fortress in the period from 14/12/1862 to 4/04/1863 in three and a half months. From January to April 1863, parts of the manuscript were transferred to the commission on the writer's case for censoring. The censorship found nothing reprehensible and allowed the publication. The oversight was soon discovered and the censor Beketov was removed from office, but the novel was already published in the Sovremennik magazine (1863, No. 3-5). The bans on the issues of the magazine did not lead to anything and the book was distributed throughout the country in "samizdat".
In 1905, under Emperor Nicholas II, the ban on publication was lifted, and in 1906 the book was published in a separate edition. The reaction of readers to the novel is interesting, as they are divided in opinions into two camps. Some supported the author, others considered the novel devoid of artistry.
Analysis of the work
1. Socio-political renewal of society through revolution. In the book, the author, due to censorship, could not expand on this topic in more detail. It is given by half-hints in the description of Rakhmetov's life and in the 6th chapter of the novel.
2. Moral and psychological. That a person with the power of his mind is able to create in himself new given moral qualities. The author describes the whole process from small (the fight against despotism in the family) to large-scale, that is, revolution.
3. Women's emancipation, norms of family morality. This topic is revealed in the history of Vera's family, in relationships three young people before Lopukhov's alleged suicide, in the first 3 dreams of Vera.
4. Future socialist society. This is a dream of a beautiful and bright life, which the author unfolds in the 4th dream of Vera Pavlovna. Here is the vision of lightened labor with the help of technical means, that is, the technogenic development of production.
(Chernyshevsky writes a novel in the chamber of the Peter and Paul Fortress)
The pathos of the novel is the propaganda of the idea of transforming the world through revolution, the preparation of minds and the expectation of it. Moreover, the desire to actively participate in it. The main goal of the work is the development and implementation of a new method of revolutionary education, the creation of a textbook on the formation of a new worldview for every thinking person.
Story line
In the novel, it actually covers the main idea of the work. It was not for nothing that at first even the censors considered the novel nothing more than a love story. The beginning of the work, deliberately entertaining, in the spirit of French novels, aimed to confuse the censorship and, along the way, attract the attention of the majority of the reading public. The plot is based on uncomplicated love story, which hides the social, philosophical and economic problems of the time. Aesop's narrative language is permeated through and through with the ideas of the coming revolution.
The plot is as follows. There is an ordinary girl Vera Pavlovna Rozalskaya, whom the selfish mother tries in every possible way to pass off as a rich man. Trying to avoid this fate, the girl resorts to the help of her friend Dmitry Lopukhov and enters into a fictitious marriage with him. Thus, she gains freedom and leaves her parents' house. In search of earnings, Vera opens a sewing workshop. This is not an ordinary workshop. There is no wage labor, women workers have their share of profits, therefore they are interested in the prosperity of the enterprise.
Vera and Aleksandr Kirsanov are mutually in love. To free his imaginary wife from remorse, Lopukhov fakes a suicide (it is with his description that the whole action begins) and leaves for America. There he acquired a new name, Charles Beaumont, became an agent of an English firm and, fulfilling its assignment, came to Russia to acquire a stearic plant from the industrialist Polozov. Lopukhov at Polozov's house meets his daughter Katya. They fall in love with each other, the affair ends with a wedding. Now Dmitry is announced to the Kirsanov family. Friendship begins with families, they settle in the same house. Around them, a circle of "new people" is formed who want to arrange their own and social life in a new way. Lopukhov-Beumont's wife Ekaterina Vasilievna also joins the business, arranges a new sewing workshop. Such is the happy ending.
main characters
The central character of the novel is Vera Rozalskaya. She is especially sociable, belongs to the type of "honest girls" who are not ready to compromise for a profitable marriage without love. The girl is romantic, but, despite this, she is quite modern, with good administrative inclinations, as they would say today. Therefore, she was able to interest the girls and organize a sewing production and more than one.
Another character in the novel is Dmitry Sergeevich Lopukhov, a student at the Medical Academy. Somewhat closed, prefers loneliness. He is honest, decent and noble. It was these qualities that prompted him to help Vera in her difficult situation. For her sake, he drops out of school at last year and begins to practice in private practice. Considered the official husband of Vera Pavlovna, he behaves towards her in the highest degree decent and noble. The apogee of his nobility is his decision to stage own death to give loving each other Kirsanov and Vera to unite their destinies. Just like Vera, he refers to the formation of new people. Smart, adventurous. This can be judged if only because the British firm entrusted him with a very serious matter.
Kirsanov Alexander husband of Vera Pavlovna, best friend Lopukhov. He is very impressed by his attitude towards his wife. He not only loves her dearly, but is also looking for something to do for her in which she could fulfill herself. The author feels deep sympathy for him and speaks of him as a courageous person who knows how to carry on to the end the work he has undertaken. At the same time, the person is honest, deeply decent and noble. Not knowing about the true relationship of Vera and Lopukhov, falling in love with Vera Pavlovna, disappears from their house for a long time, so as not to disturb the peace of his loved ones. Only Lopukhov's illness compels him to appear for the treatment of a friend. The fictitious husband, realizing the state of the lovers, imitates his death and makes room for Kirsanov next to Vera. Thus, lovers find happiness in family life.
(In the photo, the artist Karnovich-Valois in the role of Rakhmetov, the play "New People")
A close friend of Dmitry and Alexander, the revolutionary Rakhmetov is the most significant hero the novel, although little space is allotted to it in the novel. In the ideological outline of the narrative, he fell special role and is devoted to a separate digression in chapter 29. The person is extraordinary in all respects. At the age of 16, he left the university for three years and wandered around Russia in search of adventure and character education. This is a person with already formed principles in all spheres of life, in material, physical and spiritual. At the same time, he has an ebullient nature. He sees his further life in serving people and preparing for this, tempering his spirit and body. He even refused his beloved woman, because love can limit his actions. He would like to live like most people, but he cannot afford it.
In Russian literature, Rakhmetov became the first practical revolutionary. Opinions about him were completely opposite, from indignation to admiration. This - perfect image revolutionary - hero. But today, from the standpoint of knowledge of history, such a person could only arouse sympathy, since we know how accurately history has proved the truth of the words of the Emperor of France Napoleon Bonaparte: "Revolutions are conceived by heroes, performed by fools, and scoundrels use its fruits." Perhaps the voiced opinion does not quite fit into the framework of the image and characteristics of Rakhmetov formed for decades, but this is really so. The above does not in the least detract from the qualities of Rakhmetov, because he is a hero of his time.
According to Chernyshevsky, using the example of Vera, Lopukhov and Kirsanov, he wanted to show ordinary people new generation, of which there are thousands. But without the image of Rakhmetov, the reader could have a deceptive opinion about the main characters of the novel. According to the writer, all people should be like these three heroes, but the highest ideal that all people should strive for is the image of Rakhmetov. And with this I completely agree.
I. Fool
The novel begins with exact date- July 11, 1856. It was on this day that a young man settled in one of the St. Petersburg hotels. He ordered a modest dinner in the room and asked to be woken up early tomorrow to have important things to do. However, the next morning, the guest did not open the door, no matter how many knocks on it. I had to call a policeman, who also could not get through to the number. I had to break down the door.
The room was empty, but there was a note on the table. It reported that the man had left the hotel in the evening. Soon they will hear about him on Liteiny Bridge, but no one should fall under suspicion.
The policeman realized that the guest of the hotel was the very man who had shot himself that night on the Liteiny Bridge. True, the fact of suicide has not yet been proven, and the body has not been found, however, the shot-through cap has already been fished out, and many have heard the shot itself.
II. The first consequence of the stupid case
On the same morning, at the dacha of Kamenny Island, a young woman, Vera Pavlovna, sewed a dress and sang 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 it happened. The maid brought Vera Pavlovna a letter, from which it became clear that the person dear to her had taken his own life.
On the woman's sobbing, a young man entered the room, who immediately rushed to calm Vera Pavlovna. However, she began to repulse the comforter and blame him for the death of their mutual friend. Then she laid the blame on herself.
Within an hour, Vera Pavlovna managed to cope with her emotions, and she decided to leave Petersburg. First to Moscow, and then to some Big City where you can find a job as a governess. She announced this to the young man, assuring that it would be better for both. The young people's farewell was emotional and short.
III. Foreword
In the preface, the author, in a somewhat ironic manner, calls his readers the public. He discusses how ready society is to perceive a serious work, do people need it? After all, the most popular are detectives and low-grade romance novels... Accepting this fact, the author knows that there are still people who, in their moral and intellectual development stand above the rest. For the sake of such readers, he wants to create.
Chapter first. The life of Vera Pavlovna in the parental family
The main character of the novel is Vera Pavlovna Rozalskaya. Her childhood was spent in Petersburg, in multi-storey 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 clerk in one of the departments. Vera's mother Marya Alekseevna gave money on bail and made a small "capital". According to her, five thousand.
The woman brought up Faith in severity. Already at the age of fourteen, the girl sheathed the whole family. When Vera grew up, her mother began to call her a gypsy for 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 began to buy her expensive and beautiful dresses.
And all because the calculating woman decided to find a rich groom for her Vera. At this time, there was a rumor that the boss of Pavel Konstantinovich was interested in Vera. This option was quite acceptable for Marya Alekseevna, but the official thought too long and could not take the first step.
Then Marya Alekseevna drew attention to the master's son - a young officer and fashionable dandy Mikhail Ivanovich Streshnikov, who sometimes came to their apartment. She instructed her daughter to be more affectionate with her boyfriend, even organized a trip to the theater, where Vera, Marya Alekseevna and the master's son with two friends were in the same box. However, Vera, referring to 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 retreat from her plan. She was firmly convinced that sooner or later Streshnikov would marry her daughter. For this, an enterprising woman was ready to make every effort. Since then, life in parental home became unbearable for Vera.
Events unfolded as usual. Mikhail Streshnikov could no longer give up the idea of possessing Vera. If she does not want to become a mistress, then let him marry him. Given the wealth and position of Mikhail Ivanovich, each girl from ordinary family could not refuse such a profitable party. Storeshnikova and his French friend Julie pushed to marry. The lady of the half-world was sure that by marrying such an intelligent and beautiful girl, Mikhail would 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 Streshnikov that she would not change her decision.
This situation lasted for about four months. Marya Alekseevna, Pavel Konstantinovich, Verochka, Mikhail Streshnikov and his mother Anna Petrovna have been 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 worked as a private tutor for a living. Since Vera Pavlovna's nine-year-old brother Dmitry needed a tutor, Lopukhov was invited to help the boy in mastering some disciplines.
Vera did not meet Dmitry immediately. At first, she learned from Fyodor that his teacher was a busy man, he paid little attention to women, even to such pretty ones as his sister. This information from her brother somewhat disappointed Vera, she decided that Dmitry is a rather boring person, although he is not bad-minded.
But soon in the relationship of the two young people, dramatic changes took place. It happened at Vera Pavlovna's birthday party, where Lopukhov was also invited. There were not many guests, since the birthday girl wanted to celebrate the holiday in a relaxed atmosphere. Verochka danced the first square dance with the "official" groom. And during the third square dance, her partner was Dmitry Lopukhov. The first thing happened between the young people. straight Talk... During the evening, they talked several more times and felt an affection for each other.
Lopukhov told Vera that he lives in a rented apartment with his very close friend Alexander Kirsanov, who has dark blond hair and dark blue eyes. Kirsanov has already graduated from the Medical Academy, is considered an excellent doctor, although he has a small medical practice, and is more inclined towards 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 place for her as a governess.
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 walks on fresh air, in a beautiful field, there he meets a kind, charming woman who helps everyone. Vera promises her new friend that she will also release women from dark and damp cellars to freedom.
And the reality is that no one wants to take responsibility for the girl who is going to leave the parental home. Vera meets with Dmitry at the agreed 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 Vera out of the parental home and decides to marry her. Lopukhov makes an offer to Rosalskaya. Vera Pavlovna agrees, but immediately sets out her own conditions, since the marriage is formal. They will not only sleep with Dmitry separately, but also most spend 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 Vasilievsky Island.
The newlyweds were married by Lopukhov's acquaintance, priest Alexei Petrovich Mertsalov, who once graduated from the course at the theological academy. Before this sacrament, Dmitry invited Vera to kiss so as not to feel special awkwardness during the ceremony. After all, there, too, you need to kiss, such is the church tradition.
After the wedding, Vera Pavlovna was no longer kept in her parents' house. Only it was necessary to somehow explain to my mother. The girl decided that it would be best to inform her about this outside the house, so that Marya Alekseevna would not restrain her daughter by force. Soon a suitable excuse was found. When Vera Pavlovna told her mother that she was going for a walk along Nevsky Prospekt, Marya Alekseevna volunteered to keep her company. Near Ruzanov's shop, Vera quickly informed her mother that she was leaving home, since she had married Dmitry Sergeevich. The girl quickly jumped into the first carriage she saw.
Chapter three. Marriage and second love
Three months have passed since Vera Pavlovna began to live in a rented apartment with Dmitry Lopukhov. The owner and hostess of the apartment were, however, surprised by the relationship of the newlyweds. "Sweetheart" and "sweetheart" slept in different rooms, they entered each other only at a knock. They were always neatly dressed. Vera tried to explain to the hostess that such a relationship guarantees a long family life, but she hardly agreed with her.
But things in the new family were going well. Vera Pavlovna also contributed to the family budget. She gave private lessons, and soon opened a small sewing workshop. Julie helped her in this.
Vera Pavlovna's second dream
First, Vera Pavlovna saw a spike field. Her husband and Alexei Petrovich Mertsalov were walking there. They had a philosophical conversation about dirt. From their judgments it came out that dirt can be useful and harmful, from which nothing can grow. It all depends on the movement. If not, the dirt stagnates. And where there is stagnation, there is no life. Then the heroes of the novel begin to remember their past. Mertsalov talks about a 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, educated her, dressed and fed her. Vera 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.
Further, it tells in detail about how Vera Pavlovna did business, organized work in her sewing workshop in a new way, and attracted all employees to actively participate in the production process. The girls, who were carefully selected by Vera Pavlovna, did not work for hire, but were co-owners of the workshop, receiving their own percentage of the income. Vera Pavlovna also took care of the rest of her wards. V free time walked together, went to picnics. So successfully and comfortably passed the three years of Verochka's marriage and the establishment of the workshop.
Somehow, after one picnic, Dmitry Sergeevich felt unwell and turned to Alexander Kirsanov for help. Together they determined that Lopukhov had developed pneumonia. The disease is not yet dangerous, but measures must be taken. Since then, Alexander Kirsanov began to often visit the Lopukhovs' house, reprimanded Vera Pavlovna for being very worried, not sleeping 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 he 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 flare up. 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 the “fictitious” marriage of a woman to Lopukhov brings a comfortable and well-to-do life. But their hearts yearned for love.
Vera Pavlovna's third dream
In this dream, Vera Pavlovna's secret feelings are manifested, 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, in real life never led. From her notes it becomes clear that a woman has many wonderful feelings for her husband: respect, gratitude, trust ... However, this list does not include the love that Vera Pavlovna has for Alexander Kirsanov. A woman really wants to love her husband, but she cannot command her heart.
After a while, 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, wanted to pick it up, but did not have time. Dmitry Sergeevich was already mentally prepared for such a turn of affairs, therefore, after Vera's confession, he left for Ryazan, and from there - to St. Petersburg, where he settled on July 11 at a hotel. Now it becomes clear who the man was who, at the beginning of the novel, shot himself on the Liteiny Bridge. But what happened to Lopukhov after all? After all, they found only his shot-through cap.
Soon after Vera Pavlovna found out about what had happened and began to pack her things for the journey, a friend of her husband and Kirsanov, a 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 him as 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. In order to develop will and temper character, the young man slept on nails, helped the barge haulers on a journey along the Volga, to maintain physical strength he ate only beef.
Belonging to a noble family and being a rich man, Rakhmetov easily parted with money in favor of the poor, led a Spartan lifestyle, spent 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 that fateful day was not accidental. The student brought the woman a note from Lopukhov. In it, Dmitry Sergeevich asks his "sweetheart" to obey this person in everything. Rakhmetov himself calmly and reasonedly explains to Vera Pavlovna that Rozalskaya has many contradictions with Lopukhov. They have too different tempers, therefore, such an alliance could not exist for a long time.
Rakhmetov's words reassure Vera Pavlovna, she completely agrees with such arguments. After a while, 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... Parting was the best way out of their situation. Lopukhov analyzes all the circumstances of their strange family life.
Vera Pavlovna answers the letter. She analyzes in the same detail the actions of her husband, Alexander Kirsanov, and her own. Relationships within their triangle were distinguished by reasonable egoism, which corresponded to the lifestyle of her friends, and later of Vera Pavlovna herself.
The family life of Rozalskaya and Kirsanov goes on as usual. The couple live on Sergievskaya Street, closer to the Vyborg side. Their house has neutral and non-neutral rooms, which are allowed to enter 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. The spouse is happy to help with this. He is keenly interested in all the affairs of his wife, her mood and well-being. V Hard time Alexander Kirsanov is ready to lend a man's shoulder. And the beloved spouse helps his wife to study medicine. Vera Pavlovna sometimes goes to her husband to work, to the hospital. In the nineteenth century, women practically did not work as doctors, so Vera Pavlovna's decision was bold.
In a word, everyday life and holidays in the Kirsanov family are filled with interesting things and communication.
The fourth dream of Vera Pavlovna
This time Vera Pavlovna sees in a dream historical pictures, in the center of which is the image of a woman in different eras and at different nations... But, neither in Astarte, nor in Aphrodite, nor in another woman-queen, Vera Pavlovna does not recognize herself. Nor does she personify herself with the beautiful lady, for whom the knights are fighting in the tournament. Vera Pavlovna understands that love for a woman in the past was ardent, tender, sublime. But she was never free from violence, did not bring a woman real happiness.
And suddenly Vera Pavlovna sees herself in the form of a woman-goddess. Her face is illuminated with the radiance of love. Then before the eyes of the women sweep bright pictures the future of Russia. there in beautiful houses live happy people who are happy to work, and in the evenings and on weekends indulge in stormy fun. It is for the sake of such a future that we need to work fruitfully, 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. Several more years passed in this way without any special incident.
Chapter five. New faces and denouement
At the beginning of the chapter, the author tells in detail about Katerina Vasilyevna Polozova and her father, a retired captain, who wasted his estate and retired. On a well-deserved retirement, he decided to go into trade and soon succeeded well in this business, becoming a millionaire. Then, however, he went bankrupt again, but on comfortable life some of Polozov's savings remained.
The paternal feelings of the former captain for his daughter are somewhat similar to those of Marya Alekseevna. Polozov is also not devoid of tyranny, and many of his actions are aimed only at obtaining his own benefit. He forbids his daughter to meet with the secular ladies' man Solovtsov, with whom Katerina Vasilievna is deeply in love.
On this soil in the Polozov family, serious conflict, as a result of which Katerina Vasilievna had a nervous breakdown, and she was on the verge of death. Alexander Kirsanov helped the girl get out of this state, opened his 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 makes it possible to spend your free time in an interesting way. Many people come to visit the Kirsanovs interesting people, among them, 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 firm. The spouse speaks excellent Russian, since he spent more than twenty years in Russia. The relationship between Charles and Catherine is based on mutual feelings, however, it is quite rational, without unnecessary worries and passions.
It soon becomes clear that Charles Beaumont is ex-husband Vera Pavlovna Dmitry Sergeevich Lopukhov. On Liteiny Bridge, he only faked suicide, so as not to interfere with the love of Vera and Kirsanov. Then Lopukhov went to America, where he became an entrepreneur and earned substantial capital.
Both families experience great joy in communication 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. A strange woman is in the center of attention of the guests, she talks a lot, pours 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 acquaintances of young men and a man of about thirty.
Critics rate this image differently. There are two main versions.
- A lady in mourning, and then in a pink dress - the image of the revolution from the dreams of Vera Pavlovna. A woman is transformed when her time comes.
- The mysterious lady is Olga Chernyshevsky's wife. When her husband was imprisoned, she wore black clothes, and when he was released, she put on a bright holiday 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 did not do this on purpose in order to make the reader think and decide on their own.
In St. Petersburg in the summer of 1856, in a hotel room, they find a note from a guest: they say, I ask you not to blame anyone for anything, they will soon hear about me on Liteiny Bridge. Typical suicide note!
And in fact, soon a man is shooting at Liteiny Bridge - in any case, a shot-through cap was fished out of the water.
At a dacha on a stone island, a young lady who is sewing, singing a revolutionary French song, receives a letter from a maid that makes her cry. The young man tries to console her, but the lady blames him for the death of the one who sent this posthumous letter: this man leaves the stage because he loves Vera and his friend too much.
Therefore, the name of the young lady is Vera. Her father is the manager of a large tenement house, the mother is a usurer and a usurer (gives money on bail). High ideals are alien to mama, she is stupid, evil and thinks only of benefits. AND the only goal her - to give Vera in marriage to a rich man. You need to lure the suitors! For this, Vera is dressed up, taught to music, taken to the theater.
When the son of the owner of the house begins to look after the girl, the mother in every possible way pushes her towards him.
Although a licentious young man is not at all going to marry a pretty swarthy girl with beautiful black hair and expressive black eyes. He dreams of an ordinary affair, but Vera pushes him away. The girl is decisive and very independent: from the age of fourteen she sews the whole family, from sixteen she gives lessons at the boarding house, where she herself studied. However, life with her mother is unbearable, and it was impossible for a girl to leave home without parental permission in those days.
And now fate comes to the aid of a freedom-loving girl: a teacher, a medical student Dmitry Lopukhov, is hired to her brother Fedya. At first Vera is shy, but then conversations about books and music, about what justice is, help their friendly rapprochement. Lopukhov is trying to find her a place as a governess, but not a single family wants to take responsibility for a girl who does not want to live at home. Then Lopukhov offers Vera a fictitious marriage. She happily agrees.
For the sake of saving Vera, Lopukhov even quits the course shortly before its completion and earns money with private lessons and translations. So he manages to rent a decent apartment.
Here Verochka has a dream. This is not an ordinary dream - like the other four dreams, it has essential in the structure of the novel. The girl sees that she was released from the damp and cramped basement. A beautiful woman meets her - the embodiment of love for people. Vera Pavlovna promises her to help release other girls from the basements.
The mother is furious, but she cannot do anything: the daughter is married!
Young people live in different rooms, they don't go to each other without knocking. This is great companionship, but not conjugal love. Vera Pavlovna does not sit on the neck of her savior: she gives private lessons, runs the household. And now, at last, he opens his sewing workshop. This is very important - this is how she fulfills her promise made in a dream. Girls don't just get paid for their jobs: they get a share of the income. In addition, the workers are very friendly: they spend their free time together, go to picnics.
Vera Pavlovna has a second dream: about a field on which ears of corn grow. In addition to the ears, there are two types of mud on the field: real and fantastic. Real mud can give rise to something necessary, useful, but nothing worthwhile will come from fantastic mud. This dream helps Vera Pavlovna understand and forgive her mother, whom only the circumstances of her life made so embittered and greedy. However, her worries about "real dirt" helped Vera to learn and stand on her own feet.
Alexander Kirsanov begins to frequent the Lopukhov family. He is a graduate of the medical faculty, a man who paved the way in life with his chest.
Kirsanov entertains Vera Pavlovna when Lopukhov is busy, takes her to the opera, which they love very much.
Vera Pavlovna feels a little uneasy. She tries to make her relationship with her husband more passionate - but the anxiety does not leave her. Kirsanov, without explaining anything, ceases to visit the Lopukhovs. He fell in love with his friend's wife - and is trying to overcome his feeling: "out of sight - out of mind." However, soon Kirsanov still has to visit the Lopukhovs: Dmitry fell ill, and Alexander began to treat him.
Vera Pavlovna realizes that she herself is in love with Kirsanov. This helps her to understand the third dream: / a certain woman, something similar to opera singer Bosio helps Vera to read the pages of her diary, which she never actually kept. Last Pages Vera's diary is afraid to read, but Bosio reads them aloud to her: yes, the feeling that the heroine has for her husband is just gratitude.
Smart, decent, "new" people are unable to find a way out of the situation, and in the end Lopukhov decides on a trick: a shot at Liteiny Bridge.
Vera Pavlovna is in despair. But here Rakhmetov appears to her with a letter from Lopukhov. It turns out that Lopukhov did not commit suicide at all - he simply decided not to interfere with his wife and friend to link their lives.
Rakhmetov is a "special" person. Once Kirsanov recognized in him a "higher nature" and taught him to read "the necessary books." Rakhmetov was very rich, but he sold his estate, appointed his special scholarships, and he himself lives the life of an ascetic. He does not drink wine, does not touch women.
Once he even slept for a while, like a yogi, on nails in order to test his willpower. He has a nickname: Nikita Lomovoy. This is due to the fact that he walked with the barge haulers along the Volga in order to better know the life of the people.
Chernyshevsky only hints at the main work of Rakhmetov's life, but the quick-witted reader will realize that this is a revolutionary, "the engine of engines, the salt of the salt of the earth."
Having received an explanation of what had happened from Rakhmetov, Vera Pavlovna left for Novgorod, where a few weeks later she was married to Kirsanov.
After a while, they receive greetings from abroad - Lopukhov reports that he is quite pleased with life, since he has long wanted to live in seclusion.
Kirsanovs live busy life, work a lot. Vera Pavlovna now has two workshops. With the help of Kirsanov, she begins to study medicine. In her husband, the heroine found both support, and loving friend who cares about her interests.
The fourth dream of Vera Pavlovna -. it historical gallery female types different times and peoples: a slave woman, beautiful lady- also, in fact, a toy of the fantasy of a knight in love ...
Vera Pavlovna sees herself: her features are illuminated by the light of love. The woman of the future is equal and free. She also sees the structure of the future society: huge houses made of crystal and aluminum, everyone is happy with free labor. We need to work for this wonderful future right now.
The Kirsanovs gather a society of "new people" - decent, hardworking and professing the principles of "reasonable egoism." The Beaumont family soon entered the circle of these people. Once Ekaterina, then Polozova, received sensible advice from Kirsanov about the relationship with the applicant for her hand: the richest bride in Petersburg almost married a rascal. But now she is happily married to "an agent of the English firm" Charles Beaumont. However, he speaks excellent Russian - allegedly until the age of twenty he lived in Russia, where he returned again.
The astute reader has already guessed that this is, of course, Lopukhov. The families soon became so friends that they began to live in the same house, and Catherine Beaumont also arranges a workshop, although she has enough own funds... However, she wishes to be useful to people and society, to build their lives according to the laws of creative labor.
The circle of “new people” is growing, and faith in a happy future for Russia is growing.
Year of writing: 1863
Year of publication of the book: 1867
Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?" became widely known during the life of the author. But it was first published already four years after it was written and was published in Paris. In Russia, he had previously been published only in separate chapters in the Sovremennik magazine. Even during the life of Chernyshevsky "What is to be done?" it became possible to read in more than 10 languages of the world. The influence of this novel is felt in, and many others literary works... N Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?" was filmed twice in TV shows in Russia and Italy, and to top it off, we can add that the book "What is to be done?" Chernyshevsky is included in the curriculum of many educational institutions.
Roman Chernyshevsky "What to do?" summary
If we consider the novel "What is to be done?" Chernyshevsky's summary, then the plot begins to unfold because a note is found in one of the rooms of a St. Petersburg hotel. She asks no one not to blame for what will soon happen on the Liteiny Bridge. And soon it turns out that at night on the Liteiny Bridge a young man was shot dead, whose cap was soon found in the water.
Further in the novel by Chernyshevsky "What is to be done?" you can read about how Vera Pavlovna receives a letter from the maid. In it, the writer expounds that due to the love he has for both of them, he leaves the stage. Vera Pavlovna is sobbing and does not know who to blame herself or to comfort her who has entered young man.
Further, if briefly the novel "What is to be done?" Chernyshevsky read, then you will learn the story of Vera Pavlovna. She was born in Petersburg. Her father is the manager of the house, and her mother is engaged in usury. After Vera grew up, the main goal of her mother was to get her daughter in marriage. She considers the ideal option of officer Streshnikov, who only wants to seduce the girl. Not harboring any feelings for him, Vera is forced, at the insistence of her mother, to lure the ladies' man. But this cannot go on forever and the life-stick of the main character of the novel "What is to be done?" Dmitry Sergeevich Lopukhov becomes Chernyshevsky. He was hired as a teacher at their home. Quickly enough, Vera gets close to him and in order to save the girl Dmitry Sergeevich makes her an offer.
After that, in the novel by Chernyshevsky "What is to be done?" you can read about how faith has her first dream. In it, she is released from the basement and talks with a beauty whose name is love for people. Dmitry Sergeevich and Vera Pavlovna rent an apartment, and they even have to explain to the landlady why they sleep in different rooms. Vera Pavlovna reads a lot, runs a household and even organizes a sewing commune. After that, she has a second dream in which she sees growing ears and two types of mud - fantastic and real. Real is caring for the bare essentials, and fantastic is caring for the superfluous.
If further the novel "What is to be done?" Chernyshevsky to read, then you will learn how Alexander Matveyevich Kirsanov increasingly begins to appear in the Lopukhovs' house. This young doctor achieved everything on his own, distinguished by determination and courage. Gradually, feelings begin to appear between Vera and Alexander. Unwilling this in his relationship with his friend's wife, he stops visiting the Lopukhovs' house. But when Vera's husband fell ill, he helps treat Dmitry Sergeevich. Soon, the main character of the novel "What is to be done?" Chernyshevsky has a third dream. In it, a woman helps Vera read her own diary. It says that she is grateful to Lopukhov, but does not feel love for him. 
The solution to this situation, which has developed in NG Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?" But soon after this news, Vera Pavlovna comes special person in the novel by Chernyshevsky - Rakhmetov. This young man comes from a wealthy family, but he gave all his wealth to the fellows. He worked as a barge haule, traveled and read a lot. He tried to be as close to the people as possible and not succumb to temptations. It is this special person from Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?" brings a message that radically changes the mood of Vera Pavlovna. And a week later in Novgorod, the girl is married to Kirsanov.
Soon main character novel by N. Chernyshevsky "What is to be done?" receives a letter from someone close friend Lopukhov, who writes that after parting with Vera, he began to feel much easier. Indeed, before his solitary nature was weighed down by the sociable Vera Pavlovna. Now he is much better. And Vera herself also lives very happily because their life with Kirsanov is in many ways similar to life with Lopukhov. Vera has a lot of free time to read, begins to study medicine and opens another sewing commune. Soon she has a fourth dream in which Vera sees the progress of women from the ancient world... The new people in Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?", In her opinion, will live in the houses of their cast iron, aluminum and crystal. They will work during the day and have fun in the evening. And this is the future and should be loved.
Further in the novel "What is to be done?" You can read Chernyshevsky about how Ekaterina Vasilievna Polozova appears in their house, among other "new people". Kirsanov helped her a lot, revealing the true intentions of her fiancé. She soon meets Charles Beaumont, who is an agent for an English firm. Soon they get married, and when they meet the Kirsanov family, they recognize Lopukhov in Beaumont. Soon, these two families settled in the same house, and Ekaterina Vasilievna created her own sewing commune. Thus, the circle of "new people" in Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?" is expanding.
The novel "What is to be done?" on the site Top books
Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?" reading is so popular that the book has appeared in ours more than once. And thanks to its presence in the curriculum, the book is periodically included in our rating. And given the consistently high interest in the novel by Chernyshevsky "What is to be done?" download, the book will be presented in the ratings of our site more than once.
His novel "What is to be done?" the famous Russian writer Nikolai Gavrilovich Chernyshevsky created during the period when he was imprisoned in one of the chambers of the Peter and Paul Fortress. The novel was written from December 14, 1862 to April 4, 1863, that is, the work, which became a masterpiece of Russian literature, was created in just three and a half months. Starting from January 1863 and until the author's final stay in custody, he handed over the manuscript in parts to the commission that dealt with the writer's case. Here the work was censored, which was approved. Soon the novel was published in 3, as well as 4 and 5 issues of the magazine "Sovremennik" for 1863. For such an oversight the censor Beketov lost his position. This was followed by the bans of all three issues of the magazine. However, it was already too late. Chernyshevsky's work spread throughout the country with the help of "samizdat".
And only in 1905, during the reign of Emperor Nicholas II, the ban was lifted. Already in 1906, the book "What is to be done?" published in a separate edition.
Who are the new heroes?
The reaction to Chernyshevsky's work was mixed. Readers, based on their opinion, were divided into two opposite camps. Some of them believed that the novel was devoid of artistry. The latter fully supported the author.
However, it is worth remembering that before Chernyshevsky, writers created images “ extra people". Pechorin, Oblomov and Onegin are a striking example of such heroes, who, despite the existing differences, are similar in their “clever uselessness”. These people, "pygmies of deed and titans of the word," were split natures, suffering from a constant discord between will and consciousness, deed and thought. In addition, their characteristic feature served moral exhaustion.
This is not how Chernyshevsky presents his heroes. He created images of "new people" who know what they need to desire, and are also able to carry out their own plans. Their thought goes next to deed. Their consciousness and will are not at odds with each other. Heroes of Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?" are represented by bearers of a new morality and creators of new interhuman relations. They deserve the main attention of the author. No wonder even a summary of the chapters "What to do?" allows us to see that by the end of the second of them the author “dismisses from the stage” such representatives of the old world - Marya Alekseevna, Streshnikov, Serge, Julie and some others.
The main problematic of the essay
Even a very short summary of "What to do?" gives an idea of the issues that the author raises in his book. And they are as follows:
- The need for socio-political renewal of society, which is possible through a revolution. Due to censorship, Chernyshevsky did not expand on this topic in more detail. He gave it in the form of half-hints when describing the life of one of the main characters - Rakhmetov, as well as in the 6th chapter.
- Psychological and moral problems. Chernyshevsky argues that a person, using the power of his mind, is able to create in himself new, given to him moral qualities. At the same time, the author develops this process, describing it from small, in the form of a struggle against despotism in the family, to the most ambitious, which found expression in the revolution.
- Problems of norms of family morality and female emancipation. This topic the author reveals in the first three dreams of Vera, in the history of her family, as well as in the relationship of young people and the alleged suicide of Lopukhov.
- Dreams of light and wonderful life, which will come with the creation of a socialist society in the future. Chernyshevsky covers this topic thanks to fourth dream Vera Pavlovna. The reader sees here the lightweight work, which has become possible thanks to the development of technical means.
The main pathos of the novel is the propaganda of the idea of transforming the world by making a revolution, as well as its expectation and preparation for this event. the best minds... At the same time, the idea is expressed about active participation in the upcoming events.
What main goal put before himself Chernyshevsky? He dreamed of developing and implementing the latest technique, allowing for the revolutionary education of the masses. His work was supposed to be a kind of textbook, with the help of which every thinking person would begin to form a new worldview.
The entire content of the novel "What is to be done?" Chernyshevsky is divided into six chapters. Moreover, each of them, except for the last, is further subdivided into small chapters. In order to emphasize the particular importance of the final events, the author speaks about them separately. To do this, the content of the novel "What is to be done?" Chernyshevsky includes a one-page chapter entitled "Change of Scenery".
The beginning of the story
Consider a summary of Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?" Its plot begins with a note found, which a strange guest left in one of the rooms of a St. Petersburg hotel. It happened in 1823, on July 11. The note says that soon they will hear about its author on one of the bridges of St. Petersburg - Liteiny. At the same time, the man asked not to look for the guilty. The incident happened the same night. A man shot himself on the Liteiny Bridge. A perforated cap that belonged to him was fished out of the water.
Further, a summary of the novel "What is to be done?" introduces us to a young lady. On the morning when the event described above happened, she is at a dacha located on Kamenny Island. The lady sews, singing at the same time a bold and lively French song, which speaks of a working people, whose release will require a change of consciousness. The name of this woman is Vera Pavlovna. At this moment, the maid brings the lady a letter, after reading which she begins to sob, covering her face with her hands. The young man who entered the room makes attempts to calm her down. However, the woman is inconsolable. She pushes the young man away. At the same time she says: “His blood is on you! You're covered in blood! I am the only one to blame ... ".
What was said in the letter that Vera Pavlovna received? We can learn about this from the presented summary "What to do?". In his message, the writer indicated that he was leaving the stage.
The appearance of Lopukhov
What further we learn from the summary of Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?" After the events described, a story follows that tells about Vera Pavlovna, about her life, as well as about the reasons that led to such a sad outcome.
The author says that his heroine was born in St. Petersburg. This is where she grew up. The lady's father - Pavel Konstantinovich Vozalsky - was the manager of the house. The mother was engaged in giving money on bail. The main goal of Marya Alekseevna (mother of Vera Pavlovna) was the beneficial marriage of her daughter. And to resolve this issue, she made every effort. The angry and close-minded Marya Alekseevna invites a music teacher to her daughter. Buys Vera nice clothes, goes to the theater with her. Soon on swarthy beautiful girl the owner's son, officer Storeshnikov, draws attention. The young man decides to seduce Vera.
Marya Alekseevna hopes to force Streshnikov to marry her daughter. To do this, she requires Vera to be in favor of the young man. However, the girl perfectly understands the true intentions of her boyfriend and in every possible way refuses signs of attention. Somehow she even manages to mislead her mother. She pretends to be supportive of the ladies' man. But sooner or later the deception will be revealed. This makes Vera Pavlovna's position in the house simply unbearable. However, everything was suddenly resolved, and at the same time in the most unexpected way.
Dmitry Sergeevich Lopukhov appeared in the house. This graduate medical student was invited by Vera's parents to her brother Fedya as a teacher. At first, young people were very wary of each other. However, then their communication began to take place in conversations about music and about books, as well as about a fair direction of thought.
Time has passed. Vera and Dmitry felt sympathy for each other. Lopukhov learns about the plight of the girl and makes attempts to help her. He is looking for a place of governess for Vera. Such work would allow the girl to live separately from her parents.
However, all of Lopukhov's efforts were unsuccessful. He could not find such owners who would agree to take a girl who had run away from home. Then the young man in love takes another step. He leaves his studies and begins to engage in textbook translation and private lessons. This allows him to start receiving sufficient funds. At the same time, Dmitry makes an offer to Vera.
First dream
Vera has her first dream. In it, she sees herself emerging from a dark and damp basement and meeting an amazing beauty who calls herself love for people. Vera talks to her and promises to release girls from such basements, who are locked in them, as she was locked.
Family well-being
Young people live in a rented apartment, and everything is going well for them. However, the landlady notices the oddities in their relationship. Vera and Dmitry call each other only "cute" and "cute", they sleep in separate rooms, entering them only after knocking, and so on. All this is surprising to a stranger. Vera tries to explain to the woman that this is a completely normal relationship between spouses. After all, this is the only way not to get bored with each other.
The young wife runs the house, gives private lessons, reads books. Soon she opens her own sewing workshop, in which the girls are self-employed, but receive part of the income as co-owners.
Second dream
What else we learn from the summary of Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?" In the course of the plot, the author introduces us to Vera Pavlovna's second dream. In it, she sees a field with ears growing on it. There is also dirt. And one of them is fantastic, and the second is real.
Real dirt means caring for what is most needed in life. It was with this that Marya Alekseevna was constantly burdened. On this, ears can be grown. Fantastic dirt is a concern for the unnecessary and unnecessary. The ears will never grow on such soil.
The emergence of a new hero
The author shows Kirsanov as a strong-willed and courageous person, capable not only of decisive action, but also of subtle feelings. Alexander spends time with Vera when Dmitry is busy. Together with his friend's wife, he goes to the opera. However, soon, without explaining any reasons, Kirsanov ceases to come to the Lopukhovs, which greatly offends them. What appeared true reason this? Kirsanov's love for a friend's wife.
The young man reappeared in the house when Dmitry fell ill in order to cure him and help Vera in leaving. And here the woman realizes that she is in love with Alexander, which is why she is in complete confusion.
Third dream
From the summary of the work "What is to be done?" we learn that Vera Pavlovna has a third dream. In it, she reads the pages of her diary with the help of some unknown woman... From him she learns that she is only grateful to her husband. However, at the same time, Vera needs a gentle and quiet feeling, which she does not have for Dmitry.
Solution
The situation in which there were three decent and smart people, at first glance, seems insoluble. But Lopukhov finds a way out. He shoots himself on the Liteiny Bridge. On the day when Vera Pavlovna received this news, Rakhmetov came to her. This old acquaintance of Lopukhov and Kirsanov, who is called "a special person".
Acquaintance with Rakhmetov
In a summary of the novel "What to do" " special person"Rakhmetov appears to be the author of a" higher nature ", which Kirsanov helped to awaken in his time by familiarizing himself with the necessary books. The young man comes from a wealthy family. He sold his estate and distributed the proceeds for it to fellows. Now Rakhmetov adheres to a harsh lifestyle. In part, this was prompted by his unwillingness to possess what does not have common man... In addition, Rakhmetov set himself the goal of educating his own character. For example, to test his physical capabilities, he decides to sleep on nails. In addition, he does not drink wine and does not make acquaintances with women. In order to get closer to the people, Rakhmetov even walked with barge haulers along the Volga.
What else is said about this hero in Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?" Summary makes it clear that Rakhmetov's entire life consists of sacraments, which have a clearly revolutionary sense. The young man has many things to do, but none of them are personal. He travels around Europe, but three years later he is going to Russia, where he will certainly need to be.
It was Rakhmetov who came to Vera Pavlovna after receiving a note from Lopukhov. After his persuasion, she calmed down and even became cheerful. Rakhmetov explains that Vera Pavlovna and Lopukhov had very different characters. That is why the woman reached out to Kirsanov. Soon Vera Pavlovna left for Novgorod. There she married Kirsanov.
The dissimilarity of the characters of Vera and Lopukhov was also mentioned in a letter that soon arrived from Berlin. In this message, some medical student who supposedly knew Lopukhov well, conveyed Dmitry's words that he began to feel much better after the separation of the spouses, as he always strove for solitude. And this is precisely what the sociable Vera Pavlovna did not allow him.
The life of the Kirsanovs
What then tells its reader the novel "What is to be done?" Nikolai Chernyshevsky? The summary of the work makes it possible to understand that the love affairs of the young couple settled well for the general pleasure. The Kirsanovs' lifestyle is not much different from that of the Lopukhov family.
Alexander works hard. As for Vera Pavlovna, she takes baths, eats cream and is already engaged in two sewing workshops. The house, as before, has neutral and common rooms... However, the woman notices that her new spouse doesn't just let her lead the lifestyle she likes. He is interested in her affairs and is ready to come to the rescue in difficult times. In addition, the husband perfectly understands her desire to master some urgent occupation and begins to help her in the study of medicine.
Fourth dream
Acquainted briefly with Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?", We move on to the continuation of the plot. It tells us about the fourth dream of Vera Pavlovna, in which she sees amazing nature and pictures from the life of women of different millennia.
First, the image of a slave appears before her. This woman obeys her master. After that, in a dream, Vera sees the Athenians. They begin to worship a woman, but at the same time they do not recognize her as their equal. Then the following image appears. This is a beautiful lady for the sake of which the knight is ready to fight in the tournament. However, his love immediately passes after the lady becomes his wife. Then, instead of the face of the goddess, Vera Pavlovna sees her own. It is not distinguished by perfect features, but at the same time it is illuminated with the radiance of love. And here comes the woman who was in the first dream. She explains to Vera the meaning of equality and presents pictures of citizens future Russia... They all live in a house built of crystal, cast iron and aluminum. In the morning these people work, and in the evening they start having fun. The woman explains that this future must be loved and should be strived for.
Completion of the story
How does N. G. Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?" The author tells his reader that guests often come to the Kirsanovs' house. The Beaumont family soon appears among them. When meeting with Charles Beaumont, Kirsanov recognizes him as Lopukhov. The two families are so close to each other that they decide to live further in the same house.