Goncharov (1812-1891) is perhaps not the most famous nineteenth century Russian writer, but he is most certainly one of the great Realists. He didn’t write much; some stories, a travel journal and three novels. One of those novels made him world famous, and according to some people it is the ultimate novel in Russian literature: Oblomov.
Oblomov
Oblomov is a man in his thirties, he lives with his servant Zakhar and his cook Anisha in a St Petersburg apartment. He spends most of his time sleeping or daydreaming in bed. His favourite piece of clothing is his robe, and although Zakhar polishes his boots every day, it’s the slippers that are always exactly there where his feet land when he finally gets up, that he prefers to wear. Oblomov refuses to make a fuss and dreads anything that could possibly endanger his peace and quiet.
His estate Oblomovka, situated in the far east of Russia, needs urgent attention, but Oblomov can’t even get himself to reply to a letter that his neighbour sent him, let alone travel all the way to Oblomovka. As a result of his indecisiveness and generosity people take advantage of him. His peasants lie about the earnings of his estate and his friends, and even Zakhar, steal from him. His good friend Stolz tries (in vain) to bring Oblomov back to life.
What is Oblomovism?
Stolz calls it ’Oblomovism’. It’s the result of an extremely idyllic childhood in Oblomovka, and Oblomov tries very hard to recreate that carefree idylle in the present time. Immediately after the novel was published in 1859, Oblomovism became a household term in Russia and abroad. If you look it up in the Oxford dictionary you’ll find that it means ”sluggish or languorous inertia; supineness, indecision, procrastination”.
”What is Oblomovism” is a famous essay that literary critic Dobrolyubov wrote in 1859. He stated that Oblomovism was a social problem, it stood for the ancient aristocracy that was afraid of reforms such as the abolition of serfdom. Stolz, being half German, doesn’t catch the contagious Oblomovism and stands for progress and modernisation. Contrary to the superfluous man (of which Oblomov is the ultimate example) he is decisive and takes responsibility for his own life. Oblomovism is often seen as symbolic for the slow and ancient Russian society, some even go as far as to call it Russia’s national disease.
Style
Goncharov uses the third person narrator. He uses mainly dialogue to characterise the characters and almost doesn’t let the narrator judge. Goncharov is at his best in describing domestic scenes. The personal environment is also used to characterise. He writes with a fantastic sense of humour that gives his work a light and airy quality. Because of this his work is rarely sentimental.
Masterwork
Oblomov is an undisputed masterwork. Thanks to its layers it can be read at several levels; if you (don’t want to) know nothing of the social problems in nineteenth century Russia, you simply read an amusing character study of an eternal procrastinator. Many of the issues in the novel are still relevant, xenophobia for instance.
Influence
The impact of the novel was enormous. Goncharov had been working on it since 1847, but it was finished and published in 1859, on the eve of major reforms, like the abolition of serfdom in 1861. The timing was perfect, because the sluggish society was a hot topic in 1859.
In short
Goncharov uses a sense of humour to address social issues, and that is a whole lot more palatable than the methods that Tolstoy and Dostoevsky used. His dreamy writing style is pleasant, but he doesn’t take you to the highs and lows that Tolstoy and Dostoevsky take you to.
We can easily say that Oblomov had a ’Stolz-effect’ on society. But if we are to believe Goncharov there is no cure for such deeply ingrained Oblomovism…
Books used:
Geschiedenis van de Russische literatuur – Karel van het Reve
Geschiedenis van de literatuur in Rusland 1700-2000 – Emmanuel Waegemans
Oblomov – Ivan Goncharov
Photos from Wikipedia and Eldritchpress
sorry
doesn’t let the narrator JUDGE
this is a typically excellent post (in my humble opinion)
the word I would use to describe it is PITHY
so much about the novel is said
and communicated in a few paragraphs
well said
what would require a tedious
monograph from your average critic
and, of course, it makes one eager to
read the novel
thanks!
from an inveterate procrastinator (it takes one to know one)
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Love the image you use to illustrate this! One of the books that’s been on the TBR for decades and which I really should get on to soon…. (I’ve obviously been procrastinating for far too long!)
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One of my favourite books; read during my first Russian phase. I really must re-read it as I remember if fondly.
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Hey Roger, thanks for pointing out the typos.
Oblomov is a good read, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!
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Thank you! I assume you mean the illustration in the middle. It’s from an old Russian edition of Oblomov.
Oblomov has a TBR too, complete with a layer of dust;-) I think you will enjoy getting to know him a bit better.
Happy reading!
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Hey Jonathan, same here! I read it a couple of times a long time ago. For the purpose of this blogpost I read it again, and guess what, I still love it:-)
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Have you read anything else by him? A couple of years ago The Same Old Story was published by Alma Classics. It looks quite good.
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Was it? I have read a story called The St Petersburg plague, it has been translated into Dutch, quite amusing. I’m sure The Same Old Story is also worth reading. I’ll check the Alma website.
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A most interesting post… Oblomovism was a whole new thing from me so I thank you for teaching us about it.
I´d say that a feeling of trying to find the lost time (such as in Proust´s novel) seem to show up there- You say: “It’s the result of an extremely idyllic childhood in Oblomovka, and Oblomov tries very hard to recreate that carefree idylle in the present time”. I couldn´t avoid thinking of the Involuntary Memory and Proust´s madeleine which brings him back to the past, when he was a kid in His aunt´s house as they were drinking tea. The episode in question appears in the first novel of seven, it is called “Remembrance of Things Past”: “Swann´s Way”.
Excellent post and a pleasant reading dear Elisabeth… Thank you so much for sharing!. Love & best wishes 😀
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How wonderful that he used a sense of humor to be able to reach readers to discuss societal issues. It sounds like it was a successful effort! Great spotlight on the writer here 🙂
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“a sense of humour to address social issues” Probably the best way to get your point across!
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Thank you, Amalia. I haven’t read Proust, but judging by your comment I should definitely do so. I always love to find connections.
I do believe that Oblomov was trying to find the lost time, he was unfit to deal with the realities and responsibilities of adulthood.
Always good to hear from you, hugs from Holland 🌷 to Argentina 🍂
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Thank you so much, Christy. Humour is often a good way to address tricky issues and Goncharov cleverly used it.
Have a great day 😊
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Yes, it works very well in this case. Thanks and have a nice day 😊
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One of my favorite professors in undergrad LOVED this book. He would be so happy you blogged about it. I need to read it. I’ve meant to for years but haven’t got around to it yet! 🙂
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Yes, it is a book to be loved, and Oblomov is a lovable character. Good to hear that one of your professors loves it too! And perhaps you will too.. once you get around to it.. 😊
Happy reading, Natalie!
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Hi, Elisabeth
Have you heard of a book by Elif Batuman: “The Possessed: Adventures With Russian Books and the People Who Read Them” (2010)?
According to a review of a newly published novel of hers (New York Times, March 27):
In “The Possessed,” Batuman detailed how her obsession with Russian novels carried her afield — to graduate school, to Samarkand and St. Petersburg, to mastering old Uzbek, with its 70 words for duck and 100 words for crying. A staff writer for The New Yorker, she continues to report from this territory, where political or romantic ideals battle it out with shabby realities, and her investigations are frequently sparked by fiction.
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Hey Roger,
Yes, I have read Elif Batuman’s The Possessed, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I also read that she has recently published her second book, and I’m curious about that one too. Thanks for pointing it out, though!
Elisabeth
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Reblogged this on Life in Russia.
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Thank you! I really appreciate that 😊
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It was my pleasure, like the post. Russia hasn’t changed much.
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Good!
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Ah poor manatee – they are not that lazy 🙂
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😊
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