Rudin Annotated

Ivan Turgenev commences his novel with an introduction to local society in a provincial backwater. Several scenes are presented with the sole purpose of introducing the reader to the various characters of the novel and the type of life they lead, isolated from the intellectual currents of the cities and fellow members of the nobility. Daria Lasunskaia is the center of social life in the area; her favor or disfavor determines one's position in society. She rules her household with the same heavy hand; her daughter is being reared very strictly at home, under the guidance of Daria and a prissy French governess. Natalia Lasunskaia, however, has a mind of her own; she reads current tracts about philosophy and social issues and seems ready to revolt against her narrow upbringing. Mikhailo Lezhniov is a neighboring landowner, as yet unmarried, and a university graduate who also loves working the land. He is an honest, direct person who does not like society life, especially the constricted sort found at Daria's estate. A number of minor local personages are introduced in the initial scenes: unmarried women, eccentric bachelors, tutors, and hangers-on. The picture presented is not flattering; life in the Russian provinces is boring, shaped by social constraints. The almost daily gatherings at Daria's are oppressive but represent the only social intercourse available to the local gentry. Into this stagnant world appears Dmitri Rudin, ostensibly on business, but actually a vagabond who travels about from estate to estate until his hosts tire of him. Rudin is an idealistic radical whose stock-in-trade is witty conversation, full of social commentary and philosophical observation. The local gentry is electrified by his presence, which breathes life into their gatherings. Daria is amused by his wittiness, Natalia reveres him as an idealist and begins to fall in love with him, and other members of the circle react favorably to him as a breath of fresh air. The minority opinion is represented by one local landowner who resents not being the wittiest member of the circle any longer, and by Mikhailo Lezhniov, who remembers Rudin from university days. In fact, Rudin is intelligent and witty; he is superior to most of the local nobility, but his comments are delivered with gentleness and wit in order not to offend. Lezhniov does not explain his lack of interest in Rudin to his neighbors, and Rudin continues to dazzle the members of Daria's social circle. In a real sense, he is earning his keep by doing so; as long as he is viewed as a welcome addition to society and keeps its members amused and entertained, he will be supported by Daria, at whose home he is staying. This situation begins to unravel as Natalia falls in love with Rudin. Rudin has recognized in her a desire for learning and freedom and is flattered by her attention. He encourages not only the infatuation but also her desire to revolt against her narrow intellectual training in the provinces and against the social mores of the nobility. With his apparent approval, Natalia declares her love to Rudin, stating that she is ready to run away with him and endure whatever fate has in store for them in their search for truth and freedom. At this point Rudin loses courage and delivers a homily on resignation to fate; since Daria will not allow the marriage, he cannot put Natalia in such an uncomfortable position. Despite Rudin's protestations, Natalia begins to see what Lezhniov has...