Features of the genre of the novel by N.G. Chernyshevsky "What is to be done?"
I. Introduction
The novel as a leading genre in Russian literature of the mid-19th century. (Turgenev, Goncharov, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy). Features of the Russian novel: attention to the problem of personality, focus on moral and ethical problems, wide social background, developed psychologism.
II. main part
1. All of these features are inherent in the novel "What is to be done?" In the center of the novel are the images of "new people", primarily the image of Vera Pavlovna. The author traces the formation and development of Vera Pavlovna's personality, the formation of her self-awareness, the search for and acquisition of personal happiness. The main problematic of the novel is ideological and moral, connected with the affirmation of the philosophy and ethics of the "new people". The novel quite fully presents the social and everyday way of life (especially in the chapters "The Life of Vera Pavlovna in the Parental Family" and "First Love and Legal Marriage"). The characters of the main characters, especially Vera Pavlovna, are revealed by the author through the image of their inner world, that is, psychologically.
2. Genre originality of the novel "What is to be done?":
so what to do?" - first of all, a social novel, for it the problem of the relationship between the individual and society is extremely important. Outwardly, it is built like a love novel, but, firstly, in the love story of Vera Pavlovna it is precisely the connection between personality and living conditions that is emphasized, and secondly, the problem of love itself is for Chernyshevsky a part of a wider problem - the position of a woman in society: what it was what it is now and how it should and can be;
b) in the novel "What is to be done?" There are also features of a family and everyday novel: it traces in detail the everyday arrangement of the family life of the Lopukhovs, Kirsanovs, Beumont, down to the location of the rooms, the nature of everyday activities, food, etc. This side of life was important to Chernyshevsky because in the problem of the emancipation of a woman the family life plays a very significant role: only with a change in it can a woman feel equal and free;
c) Chernyshevsky introduces elements of a utopian novel into his work. Utopia is an image of people’s life, happy and devoid of internal contradictions, as a rule, in a more or less distant future. Such a utopian picture is presented by most of the "Fourth Dream of Vera Pavlovna", in which Chernyshevsky in detail, down to the smallest details (palaces made of glass and aluminum, furniture, dishes, winter gardens, the nature of work and rest), paints a picture of the future happy life of mankind. Utopian pictures of this kind are important for Chernyshevsky from two points of view: firstly, they give him the opportunity to express his social and moral ideal in a visual form, and secondly, they are designed to convince the reader that new social relations are indeed possible and achievable;
d) Chernyshevsky's novel can also be characterized as a journalistic one, since, firstly, it is devoted to topical problems of our time (the “women's question”, the formation and development of the intelligentsia of different ranks, the problem of reorganizing the social system in Russia), and secondly, the author does not once directly speaks out about these topical problems, addresses the reader with appeals, etc.
III. Conclusion
So, the genre originality of Chernyshevsky's novel is determined both by the general features of the Russian novel (psychologism, ideological and moral problems, etc.), and the original combination in one work of genre features inherent in different types of novel.
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Characteristics of the literary hero Acts in the work not only as a narrator, but also as a character. He not only describes his heroes, but also enters into an argument with possible opponents. In this regard, he often mentions the discerning reader. On the thought of Vera Pavlovna about why he and Lopukhov became very close on the very first evening, A. remarks: “No, this is not at all strange, Vera. These people, like Lopukhov, have magic words that attract every grieved, offended creature to them. It is their bride who tells them such words. ” A. clearly has sympathy for new people. He gives them a detailed description, tells about their life views. The author says the following about his talent: “I have not a shadow of artistic talent. I even speak the language poorly ”,“ I am not one of those artists who have some kind of spring in every word, I retell what people thought and did, and nothing more; if any action, conversation, monologue in thoughts is needed to characterize a person or position, I tell it, even if it did not respond in any way in the further course of my novel. " Also from A.'s hints, we understand that he is directly related to the revolutionary organization. Therefore, the revolutionary characters of the “new people” are especially close to him.
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The novel by N. G. Chernyshevsky "What is to be done?" created by him in the chamber of the Peter and Paul Fortress in the period from 12/14/1862 to 04/04/1863. 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 the relationship of three young people before Lopukhov's alleged suicide, in Vera's first 3 dreams.
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 an uncomplicated love story, which hides the social, philosophical and economic problems of that 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 hired labor here, women workers have their share of the 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 his last year and begins to engage 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 his own death in order to allow Kirsanov and Vera, who love each other, to unite their fates. 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 is the husband of Vera Pavlovna, Lopukhov's best friend. 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 of the novel, although little space is allotted to him in the novel. In the ideological outline of the narrative he played a 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 future life in serving people and prepares 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 is the ideal image of a 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 of the new generation, of whom 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.
History of creation
Chernyshevsky himself called these people a type that "was recently born and is rapidly disintegrating", is a product and a sign of the times.
These heroes are characterized by a special revolutionary morality, based on the educational theory of the 18th century, the so-called "theory of reasonable egoism." This theory is that a person can be happy if his personal interests coincide with public ones.
Vera Pavlovna is the main character of the novel. Her prototypes are Chernyshevsky's wife Olga Sokratovna and Marya Aleksandrovna Bokova-Sechenova, who fictitiously married her teacher, and then became the wife of the physiologist Sechenov.
Vera Pavlovna managed to escape from the circumstances that surrounded her since childhood. Her character was tempered in a family where her father was indifferent to her, and for her mother she was just a profitable commodity.
Vera is as entrepreneurial as her mother, thanks to which she manages to create sewing workshops that give good profits. Vera Pavlovna is smart and educated, balanced and kind to her husband and girls. She is not a prude, not hypocritical and smart. Chernyshevsky admires Vera Pavlovna's desire to break outdated moral foundations.
Chernyshevsky emphasizes the similarity between Lopukhov and Kirsanov. Both doctors, engaged in science, both from poor families and achieved everything with hard work. For the sake of helping an unfamiliar girl, Lopukhov refuses a scientific career. He is more rational than Kirsanov. This is evidenced by the plan of the imaginary suicide. But Kirsanov is capable of any sacrifice for the sake of friendship and love, avoids communication with a friend and beloved in order to forget her. Kirsanov is more sensitive and charismatic. Rakhmetov believes him, embarking on the path of improvement.
But the main character of the novel (not according to the plot, but in theory) is not just a "new man", but a "special man" the revolutionary Rakhmetov. He generally refuses egoism as such, from happiness for himself. A revolutionary must sacrifice himself, give his life for those he loves, live like the whole people.
He is an aristocrat by birth, but has broken with the past. Rakhmetov earned money as a simple carpenter, barge haule. He had the nickname "Nikita Lomov", like a hero-barge haule. All funds Rakhmetov invested in the cause of the revolution. He led the most ascetic lifestyle. If the new people are called Chernyshevsky salt of the earth, then revolutionaries like Rakhmetov are "the color of the best people, engines of engines, salt of the salt of the earth." The image of Rakhmetov is covered with an aura of mystery and understatement, since Chernyshevsky could not say everything directly.
Rakhmetov had several prototypes. One of them is the landowner Bakhmetev, who in London transferred almost all his fortune to Herzen for the cause of Russian propaganda. Rakhmetov's image is collective.
Rakhmetov's image is far from ideal. Chernyshevsky warns readers against admiration for such heroes, because their service is unrequited.
Stylistic features
Chernyshevsky makes extensive use of two means of artistic expression - allegory and silence. Vera Pavlovna's dreams are full of allegories. The dark basement in the first dream is an allegory of the lack of freedom of women. Lopukhov's bride is a great love for people, real and fantastic dirt from the second dream - the circumstances in which the poor and the rich live. The huge glass house in the last dream is an allegory of the communist happy future, which, according to Chernyshevsky, will surely come and give joy to everyone without exception. The silence is associated with censorship prohibitions. But a certain mystery of images or plot lines does not spoil the pleasure of reading at all: "I know more about Rakhmetov than I say." The meaning of the ending of the novel, which is interpreted in different ways, the image of a lady in mourning, remains vague. All songs and toasts of a funny picnic are allegorical.
In the last tiny chapter, "A Change of Scenery," the lady is no longer in mourning, but in smart clothes. In a young man of about 30, the liberated Rakhmetov is guessed. This chapter depicts the future, albeit the near-term.
To understand why, why and what was written the novel by N. G. Chernyshevsky "What is to be done?" The noble revolution "from above" was defeated, and representatives of the so-called "commoners" took the lead. These people already had completely different ideals and goals. Belinsky, Pisarev, Dobrolyubov and people of their circle become the rulers of thoughts. Chernyshevsky occupies a special place among them.
In many ways, the utopian ideas of Nikolai Gavrilovich were based on the idealization of communal land tenure in Russian villages under serfdom. It was from this that his thoughts began about the possibility for Russia, where there is public ownership of land, bypassing the bourgeois path of development, to come to socialism. And this was considered by the advanced people of that time, almost the ultimate goal of mankind. But for this we need people of a new type, whom Chernyshevsky deduces in the famous novel. Characteristics of the heroes of the novel "What is to be done?", Its summary, history of creation and essence - all this is in the article.
People of the past and the future
Although the Decembrists had already become mythological heroes by that time, the nobles as a whole for the author are none other than vulgar people. This is exactly how the composition of the work is built: from vulgar people to new ones, from them to higher ones, and at the end - dreams. Dynamics consists in moving from the past through the present to the future. The past is characters like Serge and Solovtsov. They have no basis, since they are not busy with business, and one of the women of the novel, Julie, calls the idle life vile. Another thing is the bourgeoisie, the bourgeoisie. They still work to get a livelihood. These are the Rozalskys, headed by Marya Alekseevna. She is not up to entertainment, she is active, but everything is subject to the calculation of personal benefit. Even to the departure of her daughter, she reacts by shouting: "Robbed!" Nevertheless, Chernyshevsky devotes praise to this image of the novel "What is to be done?" a whole chapter. Why? The answer to this question is given in the second dream of Vera Pavlovna. But before that, many events take place in the work. Read the summary of the novel "What to do" below.
Detective start
Although the content of the novel "What to do" is short, we will try to convey in maximum detail the entire atmosphere that reigns in it. So, it all starts as in a detective novel. A tenant disappears from a St. Petersburg hotel. He leaves a note, from the content of which they conclude that the young man has committed suicide. It’s not true, but it’s not a joke either. He did indeed end the life he had led before. Then, gradually, new heroes of the novel "What is to be done?" NG Chernyshevsky does not hesitate, violating the literary tradition, to interrupt the narration with a conversation with readers. They are different, and he sometimes argues with them, then agrees, discusses the heroes of the work, their actions. Then he returns to the plot again. He is, in fact, uncomplicated.
Love in the name of revolution
Vera, the daughter of Marya Alekseevna, marries Alexei Lopukhov against her mother's will. The marriage is fictitious, this is the girl's only chance to find freedom. Then she meets Kirsanov, who becomes her true love. And Alexei himself arranges her happiness with someone who seems to have become his rival. He does this in an unusual way. He's playing his own suicide. The love line in the novel takes an important place. Thanks to this feeling, Vera gets rid of the bourgeois existence, and the subsequent love of Lopukhov and Katya Polozova brings them a feeling of the fullness of life. But this is not the feeling that was described then in traditional novels. It is subordinated to the most important thing in human life, the revolution. That is why these people are "new" for Chernyshevsky. But they are only a transitional stage to people "higher", which is Rakhmetov.
Higher man
Chernyshevsky himself wrote that he knew only eight people like the main literary hero he created. But he comes to the capital of the empire, not standing out in any way from the mass of the same well-educated young people from aristocratic families. Changes in Rakhmetov's inner world are taking place at an incomprehensible speed. Already during the conversation with Kirsanov, his reaction to the "injustices of this world" is indicative. He is indignant, cries, speaks of the need to immediately change the existing order of things. And he starts with himself. Rakhmetov not only “goes to the people”, he does not educate people, but lives with them, works as a barge haule, earning the nickname of the mythical Nikita Lomov, a carpenter, not at all shying away from the most difficult physical labor. So the famous lying on nails is simply the most extreme manifestation of his desire to remake his nature, to prepare the psyche and body for the difficult trials that are inevitable when preparing for the revolution.
Change the world to make a person better
Rakhmetov in the novel "What is to be done?" It seems that their ideals are based on the same, but they have no concept of human imperfection. It is not people who are to blame, but the reality around them. It is worth rebuilding it on the basis of brotherhood and common service for the good of all members of society, and the best qualities will appear in people. A kind of heaven on earth will come. In the same vein, love problems and family relationships will be resolved. The dependence of a woman on a man is where these problems are rooted in What Is to Be Done? As soon as the representatives of the two sexes become equal, the excessive concentration of women on love will disappear.
Two years alone
Rakhmetov himself in the novel "What is to be done?" refuses feelings in favor of the work of his life. What it is is not very clear. Chernyshevsky speaks of this only in hints. This is understandable, given the history of the creation of Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?"
After the publication of the proclamation addressed to the peasants, its alleged author was arrested and imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress. An investigation began, which lasted two years. Hunger strikes, protests, solitary confinement of Alekseevsky Ravelin. In such conditions, the story of the creation of the novel "What is to be done?" In four months Chernyshevsky wrote a novel full of allegories and false plot moves. Readers with a taste for a different type of work were simply unable to grasp the theme of What Is to Be Done? And most importantly, why was all this created? The work caused them first of all irritation, which was experienced, for example, by Turgenev. The novel caused him simply "physical disgust." A similar feeling was experienced by the censors, especially since the novel was passed on to freedom in four parts. The first thing that attracted attention was the love collisions in the relationships of the heroes. When it was realized what the author was actually calling for, it was already too late, the magazine with publications had time to disperse throughout the country.
Reasonable selfishness as the goal of life
What is the essence of the novel "What is to be done?" What is he calling for? Towards building a happy society of the future. It is shown in the fourth dream of Vera Pavlovna. The Society of the Future in What Is to Be Done? is a society where the interests of everyone are organically and voluntarily combined with the interests of everyone. There is no separation between mental and physical labor, and the person's personality has found harmony and completeness. Here an important role is played by such a concept introduced by Chernyshevsky as "reasonable egoism." This is not the spirit of satisfying one's own, often exaggerated, needs, which, according to Rakhmetov, permeates the life of "vulgar" people, but something else, reminiscent of the pleasure of a good deed in the name of those who need more than you. Superficially, an ideal that differs little from the Christian commandments. No wonder Karl Max called "What to do?" the gospel of Russian social democracy. With this, perhaps, Chernyshevsky's novel attracted Russian youth of the 19th century. Brought up, be that as it may, in Orthodox traditions, they did not see here a contradiction to the country's way of life. But many have overlooked the need to improve themselves. And here again it is necessary to return to Rakhmetov.
Good for the people and the rejection of happiness
Chernyshevsky divides his life path into three stages. First, it is theoretical training. He reads a lot, but categorically denies the use of books that "chew" the truth given in works similar to the works of the German materialist philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach. Only such books can be useful, the rest is wasted time. The second thing that is necessary is an introduction to the life of the people. Rakhmetov became his own for people like the maid Masha. For the rest, even those like Lopukhov and Kirsanov, he is still incomprehensible and even a little scary. The third stage is professional revolutionary activity. Rakhmetov disappears from time to time, strange people gather at his place. Among them, many are devoted to their leader in soul and body. The author, of course, could not write more about this side of his life. Well, one more thing: Rakhmetov considered it impossible for himself to have an alliance with a woman. Including because at any moment he can be arrested and taken out of ordinary life. In such a rejection of love, there is not even a hint of sacrifice. This is the same "reasonable egoism." If it is necessary to achieve a good goal, then it is good for him too. There were very few such people at all times, and Chernyshevsky considers it possible for all members of society to have such qualities. This is one of the manifestations of the utopianism of the famous Social Democrat.
A new society is a matter for the future, but not so distant, if you start taking the first steps towards building it now. The author tries to prove this by talking about the fate of women working in the workshops of Vera Pavlovna. Everything in them is based on cooperation, that is, "from each according to his capabilities, to each according to his needs." In this later thesis, one can also see the influence of Chernyshevsky's novel. His "Tales of New People", which is the second title of the novel, is largely visionary. It was people like Rakhmetov, ascetics who were ready to sacrifice themselves and others in order to achieve a great goal, who became the heroes of the next era. But Chernyshevsky did not see much in the near future of Russia. He does not regard the proletariat, on which the Bolsheviks have relied, as an essential force. The peasant revolution is what, in his opinion, should shake up the country.
Dreams about the future
The dreams of Vera Pavlovna are the main connecting links between the parts of the novel. In the already mentioned second, she sees two parts of the field. On one side, wheat was richly yielded, on the other, only dirt. Again, you can see the analogy with Jesus' parable about the tares. But the conclusions are different. Sacrifice by order, according to the "commandments", for the "new" people is unacceptable. Dirt is an allegory for the lives of people like Serge who appeared in a dream. It is not useful for anything, and it is not useful to anything. There will be no place for him in a new life. If we remember the very first dream, then this is an allegory of the acquired freedom and the desire to make others free. Dreams in a novel are not only foresight and a show of the future. They are used to analyze the psychological state of a character. In the third in a row, Vera Pavlovna guesses that she does not like Lopukhov. On this score, it is interesting to read the opinion about the novel of the "bodies of political investigation". One of the harmful ideas of the novel there is declared precisely the idea of freedom of marriage. "A woman can freely live in harmony with her husband and lover at the same time." This seems unacceptable to the censors, and here it is difficult to argue with them.
Why remember about Chernyshevsky
The work of Chernyshevsky has not been studied in schools for a long time, and indeed, few people even know a brief summary of the novel "What is to be done?" It can be classified as a "forgotten" literature. In its artistic merit, it really is incomparable with the books authored by the majority of Nikolai Gavrilovich's contemporaries. There was a time when Rakhmetov was compared to Prince Myshkin. Indeed, it makes sense. Two "ideal" heroes appeared in the reader's everyday life almost simultaneously. One personified humility and forgiveness, the other - an irreconcilable struggle for a better future, which should ennoble every person. The revolutionary prevailed over the Christian, but the time has come to realize the impossibility of changing consciousness by living conditions. Nevertheless, Chernyshevsky managed to achieve his goal, and it is important to know how.
He showed in the novel people who are independent of the rules and even the laws of life. They, above all Rakhmetov, change themselves of their own free will, but in the name of the good of others. It is the need for this that the author strove to convey to the readers. Therefore, there is a lot of talk about the fact that the main thing in his work is journalism, not artistry. It is unlikely that Chernyshevsky himself would deny this. The task of art is to ennoble man. Something like this sounded his statement in earlier works. He achieved the effect by mixing a variety of stylistic and compositional elements in the novel. As soon as the genre of his main work was not determined, none of them was finally recognized as correct. Originality was largely predetermined by the need to bypass censorship. Allegories, conversations with the reader, Aesopian language. It is especially used in the last chapter. After all, the novel ends optimistically. "Change of scenery" means the victory of the revolution. Everyone is happy, including Rakhmetov himself, who did not consider himself entitled to even dream of a future for himself. His dance at a wedding means that the time has come when even an "iron" man can reflect on his own life.
This concludes our retelling of the summary of the novel "What is to be done?" The only thing that can be said with certainty is that the work should not be forgotten. You need to read it and think about what the author wanted to say.