Oblomov, Part One, Chapter 2

A parade of characters calls on Ilya Ilyich

This was such a lively chapter, filled with dialogue and humour, as a series of callers attempt to get Ilya Ilyich out of the house and all fail miserably. I’m reminded of myself in some ways, but I generally do end up going out and am all the better for having done so. I just need some time to recover.

This chapter reads very much like a play. I can imagine the set, with callers entering stage left, one by one, and engaging in conversation as Ilya Ilyich reclines in his dressing gown and rejects every invitation to Catherine Palace to celebrate May Day. His conversation with Penkin was particularly interesting and I would imagine it gives us an insight into the author’s thoughts on art and humanity, or art for art’s sake as Tolstoy might have put it.

“No, it's not!” said Oblomov heatedly. “Show us your thief, your prostitute, your pompous idiot! But where's the human being, where's the humanity in all this? You're just writing from the head,” Oblomov was spluttering. “You don't understand, the idea is not complete without the heart, it's love that brings it to life! Stretch out your hand to the sinner to raise him up, or shed bitter tears over him if he is doomed, but don't gloat! Love him, try to see yourself in him and treat him as you would yourself; then I will read you and respect your work.”

In fact Ilya Ilyich becomes quite passionate as he delivers this speech. Art comes from the heart, else why bother with it?

Video discussion of Chapter 2

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Oh yeah, I was going to use chat threads, wasn’t I? I’ll see if I can figure that out.