"New people" in N. Chernyshevsky's novel "What to do?" (2)
“NEW PEOPLE” IN CHERNYSHEVSKY’S NOVEL “WHAT TO DO?” Realistic novel Chernyshevsky was consciously oriented towards the tradition of the world utopian literature. The author consistently sets out his point of view on the socialist ideal. But what to do?" is also a deeply didactic novel. The utopia created by the author acts as a model. This is an experience that has already been done, yielding positive results.
Of all the utopian European tradition The novel highlights the fact that Chernyshevsky paints not only a picture of a bright future, but also the ways of approaching it. People who have achieved the ideal are also depicted. The very subtitle of the novel, “From Stories about New People,” indicates their exceptional role.
The author constantly emphasizes the typology of “new people” and talks about the whole group. “These people among others are as if among the Chinese there are several Europeans, whom the Chinese cannot distinguish one from another*. Each hero has common traits for the group - courage, ability to get down to business, honesty.
For Chernyshevsky it is extremely important to show the development of “new people”, their separation from total mass. The only character whose past is examined in careful detail is Verochka. What allows her to free herself from the environment of “vulgar people”? According to Chernyshevsky, labor and education. “We are poor, but we are working people, we have healthy hands. If we study, knowledge will free us; if we work, labor will enrich us.”
Verochka's education (boarding school and piano teacher) was very high for a woman of that time. She was fluent in French and German languages, which gave her unlimited opportunities for self-education.
Kirsanov, Lopukhov and Mertsalov enter the novel as already established people. It is characteristic that doctors (an allegory: their calling is to treat people and society from diseases) appear in the novel while writing a dissertation - work and education merge into one. In addition, the author makes it clear that if both Lopukhov and Kirsanov come from poor and humble families, then they probably have behind them poverty and labor, without which education is impossible. This early acquaintance has difficulty giving the “new person* an advantage over other people.
A characteristic fact is that Vera Pavlovna’s marriage is not an epilogue, but only the beginning of the novel. The main thing is that, in addition to the family, Verochka is able to create a wider association of people. Here the old utopian idea of the commune appears - the phalanstery.
Work gives “new people”, first of all, personal independence, but in addition, it is also active help to other people. The author condemns any deviation from selfless service to work - just remember the moment when Verochka is about to go after Lopukhov, leaving the workshop.
If once labor was necessary for “new people” to receive an education, now the heroes are trying to educate people in the process of labor. Related to this is another important philosophical idea the author’s depiction of the “new people” is their educational activities.
We know Lopukhov as an active promoter of new ideas among young people, public figure. Students call him “one of the best heads in St. Petersburg.” Lopukhov himself considered work in the office at the plant to be very important. “The conversation (with the students) had a practical, useful goal - to promote the development of mental life, nobility and energy in my young friends,” Lopukhov writes to his wife. Naturally, such a person could not limit himself to learning to read and write. The author himself hints at revolutionary work at the factory among the workers: “And you never know what” Lopukhov does, besides teaching literacy.
For readers of that time, the mention of Sunday workers' schools meant a lot. The fact is that by a special government decree in the summer of 1862 they were closed. The government was afraid of the revolutionary work that was carried out in these schools for adults, workers, revolutionary democrats. The original intention was to direct the work in these schools in a religious spirit. It was prescribed to study in them the Law of God, reading, writing and the beginnings of arithmetic. Each school had to have a priest to monitor the good intentions of the teachers. It was precisely such a priest in the “Lyceum of all kinds of knowledge” of Vera Pavlovna that Mertsalov should have been, who, however, was preparing to read the forbidden Russian and universal history, and not the Law of God. The literacy that Lopukhov and other “new people” were going to teach to the worker listeners was also unique. There are examples when progressively minded students explained in class the meaning of the words “liberal,” “revolution,” and “despotism.”
The educational activities of the “new people” are a real approach to the future.
A few words should probably be said about the relationship between “new” and “vulgar” people. In Marya Alekseevna and Polozov, the author sees not only, in Dobrolyubov’s words, “tyrants,” but also practically gifted, active people who, under other circumstances, are capable of benefiting society. Therefore, you can find features of their similarities with children. Lopukhov very quickly gains confidence in Rozalskaya, she respects him business qualities(primarily the intention to marry a rich bride). However, the complete opposite of the aspirations, interests and views of the “new” and “vulgar” people is clearly visible. And the theory of rational egoism gives the “new people” an undeniable advantage.
The novel often talks about selfishness as an internal motivator of human actions. The author considers the most primitive thing to be the selfishness of Marya Alekseevna, who does no harm to anyone without monetary payment. The selfishness of wealthy people is much more terrible. He grows on “fantastic” soil - on the desire for excess and idleness. An example of such egoism is Soloviev, who plays out his love for Katya Polozova because of her inheritance.
The selfishness of the “new people” is also based on the calculation and benefit of one person. “Everyone thinks most of all about himself,” says Lopukhov to Vera Pavlovna... But this is a fundamentally new moral code. Its essence is that the happiness of one person is inseparable from the happiness of other people. The benefit and happiness of the “reasonable egoist” depends on the state of his loved ones and society as a whole. Lopukhov frees Verochka from a forced marriage, and when he is convinced that she loves Kirsanov, he leaves the stage. Kirsanov helps Katya Polozova, Vera organizes a workshop. For heroes, following the theory of reasonable egoism means taking into account the interests of another person with every action. For the hero, the mind comes first; the person is forced to constantly turn to introspection and give an objective assessment of his feelings and position.
As you can see, the “reasonable egoism” of Chernyshevsky’s heroes has nothing to do with selfishness or self-interest. Why is this still the theory of “egoism”? The Latin root of this word “ego” - “I” indicates that Chernyshevsky puts a person at the center of his theory. In this case, the theory of rational egoism becomes the development of the anthropological principle that Chernyshevsky put at the basis of his philosophical idea.
In one of the conversations with Vera Pavlovna, the author says: “...I feel joy and happiness” - that means “I want all people to be happy” - humanly speaking, Verochka, these two thoughts are one.” Thus, Chernyshevsky states that the creation of favorable conditions for the life of an individual is inseparable from improving the existence of all people. This reflects the undoubted revolutionary nature of Chernyshevsky’s views.
Many moral principles of the “new people” are revealed in their attitude to the problem of love and marriage. For them, a person, his freedom is the main thing life value. Love and humane friendship form the basis of the relationship between Lopukhov and Vera Pavlovna. Even a declaration of love occurs during a discussion of Verochka’s position in her mother’s family and the search for a path to liberation. Thus, the feeling of love only adapts to the situation that has arisen (it should be noted that such a statement entered into controversy with many works of the XIX century).
The “new people” also solve the problem of women’s emancipation in a unique way. Although only church marriage is recognized, a woman must remain financially and spiritually independent of her husband during marriage. Starting a family is only one of the milestones on the way to approaching the ideal.
Associated with the “new people” is the theme of the revival of the fallen woman. The meeting with Kirsanov gives Nastya Kryukova the strength to rise from the bottom. Julie, who lives among “vulgar people,” does not have such an opportunity. In addition, a two-way connection is visible: people who are reborn thanks to the support of “new people” themselves join their ranks.
According to Chernyshevsky, only children make a woman happy and a family a family. It is with the upbringing of children and their future that the author connects Vera Pavlovna’s second marriage. It becomes a real bridge to the future.
The heroes of Chernyshevsky’s novel “What to do?” - commoners, new heroes of literature. Underestimating the role of the working class, Chernyshevsky predicts to revolutionary democrats, commoners, victory and the approach of the future.
“...I wanted to portray ordinary
decent people of the new generation.”
Chernyshevsky N. G.
After the abolition of serfdom in 1861, people of a previously unprecedented formation began to appear in Russian society. These were the children of officials, priests, minor nobles and industrialists who came to Moscow and St. Petersburg and others big cities from different parts of Russia to get an education. They willingly absorbed not only knowledge, but also culture in university towns, introducing, in turn, the democratic traditions of their small provincial towns and obvious dissatisfaction with the old noble orders,
They were destined to begin a new era in the development of Russian society. This phenomenon was reflected in Russian literature of the 60s. XIX century, just at this time Turgenev and Chernyshevsky wrote novels about “new people”. The heroes of these works were raznochintsy revolutionaries, who considered the main goal of their lives to be the fight for happy life all people in the future. In the subtitle of the novel “What to do?” N. G. Chernyshevsky we read: “From stories about new people.”
Chernyshevsky “knows not only how new people think and reason, but also how they feel, how they love and respect each other, how they organize their family and daily life and how ardently they strive for that time and for that order of things in which it would be possible to love all people and trustingly extend a hand to everyone.”
The main characters of the novel - Lopukhov, Kirsanov and Vera Pavlovna - are representatives of a new type of people. They, it would seem, do nothing that would exceed ordinary human capabilities. These are ordinary people, and the author himself recognizes them as such people; This circumstance is extremely important; it gives the entire novel a particularly deep meaning.
By nominating Lopukhov, Kirsanov and Vera Pavlovna as the main characters, the author thereby shows readers: this is how ordinary people can be, this is how they should be, if, of course, they want their life to be full of happiness and pleasure. Wanting to prove to readers that they are truly ordinary people, the author brings onto the stage the titanic figure of Rakhmetov, whom he himself recognizes as extraordinary and calls him “special.” Rakhmetov does not participate in the action of the novel, because people like him are only then and there in their sphere and in their place, when and where they can be historical figures. Neither science nor family happiness satisfy them.
They love all people, suffer from every injustice that occurs, experience in their own souls the great grief of millions and give everything they can give to heal this grief. Chernyshevsky’s attempt to introduce a special person to readers can be called quite successful. Before him, Turgenev took on this matter, but, unfortunately, completely unsuccessfully.
The heroes of the novel are people who come from different strata of society, mostly students who study natural sciences and “early got used to making their way with their breasts.”
In Chernyshevsky’s novel, a whole group of like-minded people appears before us. The basis of their activities is propaganda. Kirsanov's student circle is one of the most effective. Young revolutionaries are educated here, the personality of a “special person”, a professional revolutionary, is formed here. To become a special person, you must first of all have enormous power the will to give up all pleasures for the sake of one’s business and drown out all the slightest desires.
Work in the name of the revolution becomes the only, completely absorbing task.
In the formation of Rakhmetov’s beliefs, the conversation with Kirsanov was decisive, during which “he sends a curse to what must die, etc.” After him, Rakhmetov’s transformation into a “special person” began. The power of influence of this circle on young people is already evidenced by the fact that the “new people” have followers (Rakhmetov scholarship recipients).
Chernyshevsky also gave the image of a “new woman” in his novel. Vera Pavlovna, whom Lopukhov “brought” out of the “basement of bourgeois life,” - comprehensively developed person, she strives for perfection: she decides to become a doctor in order to bring even greater benefit to people. Having escaped from her parents' house, Vera Pavlovna frees other women. She creates a workshop where she helps poor girls find their place in life.
All the activities of Lopukhov, Kirsanov, Vera Pavlovna are inspired by faith in the onset of a bright future. They are no longer alone, although their circle of like-minded people is still small. But it was people like Kirsanov, Lopukhov, Vera Pavlovna and others who were needed in Russia at that time. Their images served as an example for shaping the worldview of the revolutionary generation. The author realized that the people described in his novel were his dream. But this dream at the same time turned out to be a prophecy. “Years will pass,” says the author of the novel about the type of new person, “and he will be reborn in more numerous people.”
Chernyshevsky himself wrote best about “new people” and their role in the lives of other people in his novel: “They are few, but with them the life of everyone blossoms; without them it would have stalled, gone sour; There are few of them, but they allow all people to breathe, without them people would suffocate. This is the color the best people, these are the engines of the engines, they are the salt of the earth.”
Without such people, life is impossible, because it must constantly change, transform from year to year. Nowadays, there is also a place for new people who make fundamental changes in life. And in this regard, Chernyshevsky’s novel “What is to be done?” valuable and relevant for modern reader. It helps to evoke an upsurge in a person’s soul, a desire to fight for the public good. The theme of the novel will always be modern and necessary for the development of society.
Following the abolition of serfdom in 1861, people of a previously unprecedented formation began to emerge in Russian society. To Moscow, St. Petersburg and others big cities from different corners Russia to get a good education, children of officials, priests, minor nobles and industrialists came. They were the ones who treated such people. It was they who, with pleasure and joy, absorbed not only knowledge, but also culture within the university walls, introducing, in turn, into the life of the democratic customs of their small provincial towns and obvious dissatisfaction with the ancient noble system.
They were destined to give birth new era development of Russian society. This phenomenon was reflected in Russian literature of the 60s of the 19th century; it was at this time that Turgenev and Chernyshevsky wrote novels about “new people.” The heroes of these works were commoner revolutionaries who considered the main goal of their lives to be the struggle for the happy life of all people in the future. In the subtitle of the novel "What to do?" We read by N. G. Chernyshevsky: “From stories about new people.”
Chernyshevsky “knows not only how new people think and reason, but also how they feel, how they love and respect each other, how they organize their family and everyday life, and how ardently they strive for that time and for that order of things, with whom one could love all people and trustingly extend a hand to everyone."
The main characters of the novel - Lopukhov, Kirsanov and Vera Pavlovna - are representatives of a new type of people. They do not seem to do anything that would exceed ordinary human capabilities. This normal people, and the author himself recognizes them as such people; This circumstance is extremely important; it gives the entire novel a particularly deep meaning.
By nominating Lopukhov, Kirsanov and Vera Pavlovna as the main characters, the author thereby shows readers: this is how ordinary people can be, this is how they should be, if, of course, they want their life to be full of happiness and pleasure. Wanting to prove to readers that they are truly ordinary people, the author brings onto the stage the titanic figure of Rakhmetov, whom he himself recognizes as extraordinary and calls “special.” Rakhmetov does not participate in the action of the novel, because people like him are only then and there in their sphere and in their place, when and where they can be historical figures. Neither science nor family happiness satisfy them.
They love all people, suffer from every injustice that occurs, experience in their own souls the great grief of millions and give everything they can give to heal this grief. Chernyshevsky’s attempt to introduce a special person to readers can be called quite successful. Before him, Turgenev took on this matter, but, unfortunately, completely unsuccessfully.
The heroes of the novel are people who come from different strata of society, mostly students who study natural sciences and “early got used to making their way with their breasts.”
In Chernyshevsky’s novel, a whole group of like-minded people appears before us. The basis of their activity is propaganda; Kirsanov’s student circle is one of the most effective. Young revolutionaries are educated here, the personality of a “special person,” a professional revolutionary, is formed here. To become a special person, you must, first of all, have enormous willpower in order to give up all pleasures for the sake of your business and drown out all the slightest desires.
Work in the name of the revolution becomes the only, completely absorbing task. In the formation of Rakhmetov’s beliefs, the conversation with Kirsanov was decisive, during which “he sends a curse to what must die, etc.” After him, Rakhmetov’s transformation into a “special person” began. The power of influence of this circle on young people is evidenced by the fact that the “new people” have followers (Rakhmetov scholarship recipients).
Chernyshevsky also gave the image of a “new woman” in his novel. Vera Pavlovna, whom Lopukhov “brought” out of the “basement of bourgeois life,” is a comprehensively developed person, she strives for perfection: she decides to become a doctor in order to bring even greater benefit to people. Having escaped from her parents' house, Vera Pavlovna frees other women. She creates a workshop where she helps poor girls find their place in life.
All the activities of Lopukhov, Kirsanov, Vera Pavlovna are inspired by faith in the onset of a bright future. They are no longer alone, although their circle of like-minded people is still small. But it was people like Kirsanov, Lopukhov, Vera Pavlovna and others who were needed in Russia at that time. Their images served as an example for shaping the worldview of the revolutionary generation. The author realized that the people described in his novel were his dream. But this dream at the same time turned out to be a prophecy. “Years will pass,” says the author of the novel about the type of new person, “and he will be reborn in more numerous people.”
The writer himself wrote well about the “new people” and their significance in the life of the rest of humanity in his own work: “They are few, but with them the life of all blossoms; without them it would stall, it would turn sour; they are few, but they give all people to breathe, without them people would suffocate. They are the color of the best people, they are the engines of engines, they are the salt of the earth."
Without similar people life is unthinkable because it must always change, being modified over time. Nowadays there is also a field of activity for new people making radical changes in life. Chernyshevsky's novel "What to do?" invaluable and topical in this regard for the current reader, helping to intensify the rise in the human soul, the desire to fight for the social good. The problem of the work will be eternally modern and necessary for the formation of society.
Ivan Vladimirovich, it seems that not so long ago the phrase “new Russian” arose, implying a crimson jacket, a gold chain, financial wealth And complete absence culture...
I think the new Russians appeared in 1917. They, in fact, created everything that we are made of. for a long time trying to get out. They bred a tribe that remains to this day and still rules.
Their children received great opportunities, money, they distributed property in a unique way. Neither Abramovich nor Khodorkovsky belong to this category. Now this tribe, as if in contrast to itself, has created a new generation - bandits who have become heroes of our time.
And the so-called " middle class"who created the country - engineers, teachers, intelligentsia - was turned into a disrespected class.
The middle class is normal people who want to get an education and with its help earn normal money. Not only through trade, exchange or clean business, but to receive money for your knowledge, talents, craft.
This is the generation that I greet with all my might.
- This means that new people, new people are the same notorious “middle class”.
Exactly. The same middle class that has now begun to emerge. Which is still very difficult to survive. Fortunately, more and more such people are appearing, but, unfortunately, the state and society do not notice them. They are not taken into account by any ratings.
I know them personally
- Do you know any new people?
Most of my friends belong to the middle class. These people are the flower of the nation, they create culture, science, and normal business.
Let's try to determine the characteristics of a new person: a representative of the middle class - a person with income, a good education, hardworking... By the way, how do your "new" friends cope with failures?
Only an idiot is always happy. Naturally, anything happens in their lives. But these people are certainly full of self-confidence and strength.
I don't want to paint them all with one stroke. These are normal, responsible people who have enough mental strength to go to theaters, listen good music, dance, drink, travel, truly love your family.
- How difficult is it to be a new person? What does it take to succeed in our country?
I have a friend who is an architect. At Soviet power, as a young guy, he received some awards, but naturally, he was given little to build. Now he has an excellent architectural bureau. Good projects. His buildings are located in Moscow.
Of course, not everyone can achieve this, but there is still some kind of air for these people. It's illogical that there is so little of it.
I have friends who are involved in the television business, making some films. These are also middle class people.
- Well, how did they achieve something: through friends, with the help of money?
Many of them rallied and somehow helped each other.
I was very glad that the technical intelligentsia, especially the young ones, turned out to be more enterprising, more capable of survival, and more active. They did not despair, they did not become despondent (although I do not blame the desperate at all).
By the way, in my opinion, among the new people there are very few people of art. Mostly they are either doctors or businessmen. Businessmen, by the way, are also different. I know the most worthy oligarchs who created their capital from scratch, without outside help.
In general, in our country there is only one thing you can simply do - die.
One thing amazes me: it’s mostly some Komsomol guys who “make their way into the people” here.
- And why?
And this is probably a question of our culture and history. The whole country enjoys watching films about bandits who became heroes of our real life. Yes, “Once Upon a Time in America” is also about bandits, but the emphasis is placed differently, it clearly states what is what.
I think it doesn’t matter with our consciousness. Because we choose our own bandits to power... It all starts with ourselves.
- More than once I have heard this addressed to the new generation: they are pragmatic.
Partly yes.
This is probably what is needed now.
Who will be screwed by life?
- Have the new Russians, in the sense of “nouveau riche”, already outlived their usefulness?
They are still there. The most successful guys have some kind of rudeness, like: we achieved everything, we succeeded, but you didn’t succeed, which means you’re stupid. That's twenty to thirty percent. They pretend to be the masters of life. But all this will pass, life will be ruined. It happens. This is a normal process.
Why am I so lax towards this generation - does anyone say anything to them? Does at least one channel convey any message to them? declares any human values? We ourselves tried to explain to them that not everything in life is measured by money, that there are other values?
- What are the values of new people?
Family. Dignity. Word of honor. Friendship.
For example, when choosing an activity that offers large dividends, but with dishonest and unworthy people, they will choose less money and decent people. This happens to my friends almost every day.
As for family, these people live with people they love, not people they tolerate. They try to do everything possible for their loved ones.
- Do you think the new people are free?
Of course, money gives you some freedom. But up to a certain point, after which they give wild lack of freedom. Therefore freedom is something else. For example, a completely poor person who professes a certain faith does not feel deprived.
Freedom, it is within us. It starts with self-respect. In our country this is not easy, because if you don’t respect others, you don’t respect yourself.
-Are you a prosperous person yourself? Can you consider yourself one of the new people?
Quite prosperous. In general, if I complain about something, then after a few minutes I understand that I am wrong, because thousands, hundreds live much worse than me.
And if I don’t have something, it doesn’t mean that I’m poor or that I was offended. It means I didn't do something. So I didn't need it that much.
Composition
In the novel by G.N. Chernyshevsky, a special place belongs to the so-called “new people”. They are in between ordinary people, immersed in their own selfish interests (Marya Alekseevna), and a special person of the new time - Rakhmetov.
Chernyshevsky’s “new people” no longer belong to the dark old world, but they have not yet entered another. Vera Pavlovna, Kirsanov, Lopukhov, and Mertsalovs found themselves at this intermediate stage. These heroes are already solving family and family problems in a different way. public life. They gradually discard the conventions of the old world and choose their own path of development. In order to decide on such a path of development, which consists of reading, observing life, “no sacrifices are required, no hardships are asked...” “Intermediate” heroes prefer a peaceful path intellectual development, awakening of the ordinary person, accessible to the majority. At the height at which Vera Pavlovna, Kirsanov, Lopukhov stand, “all people must stand, can stand.” And this can be achieved without sacrifice or hardship.
However, Chernyshevsky knows that, in addition to development, reading and observation of life, a heroic struggle against tyranny and despotism, social inequality and exploitation is needed. “The historical path,” says G.N. Chernyshevsky, “is not the sidewalk of Nevsky Prospekt; it goes entirely through fields, sometimes dusty, sometimes dirty, sometimes through swamps, sometimes through wilds. He who is afraid of being covered with dust and getting his boots dirty, do not take up social activities».
According to the author, not everyone is ready for such a struggle. Therefore, Chernyshevsky divides “new people” into “ordinary” (Lopukhov, Kirsanov, Vera Pavlovna, Mertsalovs, Polozova) and “special” (Rakhmetov, “a lady in mourning”, “a man of about thirty”).
Identification of these two types among positive characters The novel has its own philosophical and socio-historical reasons. But the writer does not contrast “special” people with “ordinary” people, leaders revolutionary movement ordinary figures, but outlines the connection between them. So, Lopukhov saves Vera Pavlovna from unequal marriage, creates a family with her based on freedom, mutual understanding, and trust. The heroine herself does not want to go through life like her mother Marya Alekseevna. She does not want to live in constant lies, selfishness, and the struggle for existence by any means. Therefore, in Lopukhov she finds her salvation.
The heroes commit a fictitious marriage. They are organizing their economic activity. Vera Pavlovna starts a sewing workshop and hires dressmakers who live together. Describing in detail the activities of Vera Pavlovna in the workshop, G. N. Chernyshevsky emphasizes new character relations between workers and the mistress. They don't wear as much economic character, how many are based on achieving a common goal, mutual assistance, good attitude towards each other.
The atmosphere in the workshop is reminiscent of a family. The writer emphasizes that Vera Pavlovna thus saved many of her charges from death and poverty (for example, Masha, who later became her maid). Here we see the enormous importance G.N. Chernyshevsky assigns to the role of labor. According to the writer, work ennobles a person, therefore “new people” should strive to direct their work for the benefit of others, thereby protecting them from the harmful influence of destructive passions. Chernyshevsky included in the sphere of activity of “ordinary” people educational work V Sunday schools ah (Kirsanov and Mertsalov’s teaching in a group of sewing workshop workers), among the advanced part of the student body (Lopukhov could spend hours talking with students), at factory enterprises (Lopukhov’s classes in the factory office).
The name of Kirsanov is associated with the plot of a clash between a common doctor and the “aces” of a St. Petersburg private practice - in an episode of the treatment of Katya Polozova, as well as the theme scientific activity. His experiments on the artificial production of protein are welcomed by Lopukhov as “a complete revolution in the whole question of food, the whole life of mankind.”
These scenes reflected the writer's socialist views. Although time has shown that in many ways they turned out to be utopian and naive. The author of the novel himself deeply believed in their progressive role. At that time, the opening of Sunday schools, reading rooms, and hospitals for the poor was widespread among progressive youth.
Thus, G.N. Chernyshevsky accurately noticed and reflected the new positive trends of the era using the example of Vera Pavlovna’s workshop. The “new people” in his novel resolve their personal, intra-family conflicts differently. Although outwardly their family seems prosperous, friendly, and quite successful, in reality everything is different. Vera Pavlovna respected her husband very much, but never felt anything more for him. Unexpectedly for herself, the heroine realized this when she met best friend her husband - Kirsanov. Together they took care of Lopukhov during his illness.
Vera Pavlovna has completely different feelings for Kirsanov. comes to her real love, which plunges her into absolute confusion. But in this episode key role doesn't play love story between Kirsanov and Vera Pavlovna, and Lopukhov’s act. He does not want to interfere with his wife’s happiness; he cannot build a family on a lie. So he's like true man modern time, withdraws himself, stages suicide.
Lopukhov commits such a brave act because he does not want to cause his wife unhappiness or be the cause of her moral torment. Vera Pavlovna was inconsolable for a long time. Only Rakhmetov managed to revive her to life. There were no obstacles to the development of love for Kirsanov. As a result, Chernyshevsky's heroes create real family, based not only on mutual respect, but also on deep feeling.
The life of a new person, according to G.N. Chernyshevsky, should be harmonious in social and on a personal level. Therefore, Lopukhov is not left alone either. He saves Mertsalova from death and marries her. And in this marriage he finds well-deserved happiness. Moreover, G. N. Chernyshevsky goes further, depicting ideal relationship between people, without mutual enmity, anger, hatred. At the end of the novel we see two happy families: Kirsanovs and Lopukhovs, who are friends with each other.
Describing the life of “new people,” the writer focuses our attention on the economic and personal side of the heroes’ lives. With their help, he proves that the unjust, inhumane principles of life of the old world are outdated, and in society there is a desire for renewal, new relationships between people.
