Nepedia
Back to Discover
Advanced Reader
🎨

Oblomov

arts Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Oblomov is a famous novel written by the Russian author Ivan Goncharov.

Oblomov 1915
Oblomov 1915

It was first published in 1859. The book introduces us to Ilya Ilyich Oblomov, a young nobleman. In Russian literature, he represents the "superfluous man." This is a symbolic character who possesses potential but fails to act. Oblomov is defined by his extreme sloth, or laziness. He is unable to make important decisions or take significant actions. In fact, during the first 50 pages, he only moves from his bed to a chair. This character has left a lasting mark on Russian culture and language.

Writing this masterpiece was a long and difficult process for Goncharov. He first conceived the idea in the mid-1840s. In 1849, he published a short story titled "Oblomov's Dream." This piece eventually became Chapter 9 of the novel. The character of Oblomov actually evolved from an earlier figure named Nikon Ustinovich Tiazhelemko. This older character appeared in 1838 in a handwritten magazine. His name evoked the Russian idea of being "heavy" or "slow to move." Goncharov worked on the novel for many years despite several interruptions. These delays included the death of his mother and a long naval voyage.

Oblomov 1915
Oblomov 1915

Goncharov's journey was quite expansive and physically demanding. He joined a voyage on the naval frigate Pallas. This ship traveled to the far east of Russia. After the voyage ended in August 1854, he spent six months exploring Siberia. He eventually made his way back to St. Petersburg. Although he was not writing during the trip, he discussed Oblomov in his letters. When he resumed writing in February 1855, he felt exhausted. He also struggled with a demanding new job as a censor. Finally, in the summer of 1857, he found his momentum in Marienbad. He completed the novel by the end of August.

The plot explores the tension between different ways of living. The story begins with Oblomov in his bedroom. He receives news that his country estate, Oblomovka, is in financial trouble. He must visit to make major decisions, but he cannot leave his bed. Through a dream, we learn about his childhood in Oblomovka. There, his parents protected him from all work and chores. They often pulled him away from school for trivial reasons. This upbringing created a person who cannot handle responsibility.

Oblomov 1915
Oblomov 1915

This lifestyle is contrasted with his friend, Andrey Ivanovich Stoltz. Stoltz was born to a German father and a Russian mother. His father taught him the importance of efficiency and practicality. Stoltz is a disciplined and hard-working man. He attempts to reform Oblomov by solving his financial problems. Stoltz even modernizes the Oblomovka estate by investing in new infrastructure. Later in the story, Stoltz meets Olga Ilyinsky. She is a young woman who falls in love with Oblomov. She tries to help him change his ways through their engagement. However, Oblomov's apathy is too strong, and she eventually breaks it off.

While Stoltz and Olga find happiness together, Oblomov faces many hardships. He is swindled by men named Taranteyev and Ivan Matveyevich. These men act as "friends" but are actually parasites. They eventually blackmail Oblomov out of his income for over a year. This leaves him living in a state of penury, or extreme poverty. Oblomov eventually finds a different kind of peace by marrying his landlady, Agafia Matvievna. She cares for him exactly as his mother once did. He lives in a second Oblomovka, avoiding all worrisome thoughts. He even refers to his condition as "Oblomovitis."

Goncharov uses a unique narrative style to tell this story. The narrator begins as a traditional third-person observer. At first, the narrator is mostly invisible and lets characters speak. However, the narrator becomes more judgmental as the book progresses. He criticizes the family for being too protective of Ilya. He also calls the dishonest friends "parasites." This creates a sense of moralizing, though the narrator remains somewhat unreliable. The characters reveal themselves mostly through dialogue. This allows the reader to see their personalities through their own speech.

Title page for the program of Spike Milligan's Oblomov
Title page for the program of Spike Milligan's Oblomov

Ultimately, the novel connects to broader themes of human development. Goncharov's other works also explore different stages of life. His stories focus on how infancy and childhood influence adulthood. Oblomov's life shows the result of a childhood without discipline. He eventually dies in his sleep, fulfilling his wish to sleep forever. After his death, Stoltz adopts Oblomov's son, also named Andrey. This final connection shows how the characters' lives remain intertwined. The book remains a significant study of how our past shapes our future.

759 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (2)
File:Oblomov 1915.jpg
Oblomov 1915.jpg
File:Title page for the program of Spike Milligan's Oblomov.jpg
Title page for the program of Spike...
More to explore

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.