Understanding Oblomov: Laziness as Existential Rebellion
Oblomov by Ivan Goncharov
“Oblomov” was first published in 1859. This novel is considered Ivan Goncharov’s masterpiece and has become one of the classics of Russian literature. The plot follows the life of Il’ja Ilič Oblomov, a lazy and indolent young aristocrat who prefers to sleep and postpone every task. Oblomov is in St. Petersburg, the vibrant heart of Russian social life in the first half of the 19th century. Despite this, he is almost completely resistant to the city’s lively pulse and remains at home, succumbing to the sad quiet of his excessive laziness. The dynamism of the city starkly contrasts with the protagonist’s inertia. He prefers to stay closed in his home, spending entire days in idleness.
The Characters and the Term “Oblomovism”
The term “Oblomovism” was coined in reference to the protagonist of Goncharov’s novel and signifies an attitude of apathy, inertia, and lack of will. Oblomovism is characterized by a sort of indolence and laziness, often accompanied by a strong sense of melancholy and dissatisfaction. One of the main themes of the novel is the critique of Russian society of the time, marked by a parasitic aristocratic class that lived on the fringes of work and responsibility.
Goncharov masterfully portrays Oblomov’s melancholy and frustration, symbolizing the decadence of the Russian nobility. The tone of the novel is calm and reflective, with a subtle undertone of irony and sarcasm. The characters in “Oblomov” are deeply related to the message and meaning of the book. The figure of Oblomov embodies the archetype of the idle aristocrat, while secondary characters, such as his friend Stolz and his lover Ol’ga, represent the forces attempting to rouse the protagonist from his lethargy.
Even love, for Oblomov, is something to “suffer” and that compels him to act, albeit reluctantly. This sentiment is encapsulated in Oblomov’s words: “Life is duty and obligation, so love is also a duty. It’s as if God sent it to me,” he said, looking up at the sky, “and told me to love.” Despite meeting Olga, a young, energetic, and determined woman who tries to help him change his lifestyle and overcome his laziness, Oblomov ultimately fails to completely free himself from his inertia.
Oblomov’s Bed as a Symbolic Element
Another protagonist of the novel is Oblomov’s bed, a symbolic element that represents the search for a safe haven from the dynamism of the outside world. For Oblomov, the bed is where he can escape the fatigue and commitment of daily life, a sanctuary from which to observe the world without having to actively participate. The bed thus becomes a symbol of his inactivity and his inability to face life’s challenges and difficulties. In a sense, the bed is his prison, keeping him ensnared in a world of dreams and self-absorption, preventing him from confronting reality. Yet, it also serves as a place of protection and safety for Oblomov, where he can find solace from his fears.
Oblomov’s Existential Dilemma
So far, we have discussed Oblomov in negative terms. If Il’ja Ilič were solely a negative character, the novel would be didactic, but it would not present a significant existential dilemma.
Oblomov is a thinker, one who reflects deeply and astutely on himself and life.
Despite being mired in his inertia, Oblomov manages to articulate ideas and insights that resonate with the reader, offering profound reflections on universal themes and the human condition. His acumen and introspection in observing and analyzing himself and the world around him are among the most intriguing and captivating aspects of the character.
The complexity of Oblomov also lies in his humanity and vulnerability.
Despite his flaws, Il’ja Ilič is a character with whom the reader can empathize, as he represents the fears, insecurities, and contradictions that we all encounter. His struggle to find a balance between action and reflection, between aspiration and reality, mirrors our own.
The great existential dilemma that the character poses concerns the balance between contemplation and action, between introspection and participation in life.
Goncharov, through Oblomov, invites us to ponder how we can reconcile our reflective nature with the imperative to act and engage with the world. Oblomov is not a purely negative figure but a complex and multifaceted character who embodies both human weaknesses and strengths. He is a memorable character. “Oblomov” can offer insights into our modern lives, where we often feel overwhelmed and powerless. The novel encourages us to consider our approach to work and responsibilities and the need to find a balance between rest and commitment, between reflection and dynamism, between contemplation and activity.
Conclusion
What struck me most about the novel is the psychological depth of the characters, the complexity of the protagonist’s soul, and the realistic depiction of Russian society at the time. Goncharov has crafted a literary work of significant cultural importance, which continues to inspire and provoke thought. For me, it’s one of those books that has profoundly influenced my life. I hope that sharing this can make it equally stimulating for those who choose to read it.
This was one of the lucid, conscious moments in Oblomov’s life. Horror possessed him when there arose before him a clear and vivid idea of what human destiny was meant to be as compared with his own existence, when the problems of life awakened within him and whirled through his mind like frightened birds roused suddenly by a ray of sunlight in a slumbering ruin. It grieved and hurt him to think that he was undeveloped, that his spiritual forces had stopped growing, that some dead weight hampered him; he bitterly envied those whose lives were rich and full, while he felt as though a heavy stone had been thrown onto the narrow and pitiful path of his existence. It hurt his timid mind to grasp that many sides of his nature had never been awakened, others barely so, and none had developed fully. And yet he was painfully conscious that something fine and good lay buried in him and was, perhaps, already dead or hidden like gold in the depths of a mountain, although it was high time for the gold to be current coin. But the treasure was deeply buried under a heavy load of rubbish and dirt. It was as though the treasures bestowed on him by the world and life had been stolen from him and hidden in the depths of his own soul. Something hindered him from flinging himself into the arena of life and using his will and intellect to go full speed forward. It was as though some secret enemy had laid a heavy hand upon him at the beginning of his journey and thrown him far back from the right road. And it did not seem that he could ever find his way to the straight path from the thick jungle. The forest around him and in his mind grew thicker and darker; the path was more and more overgrown; clear consciousness awakened more and more seldom, and his slumbering forces were roused but for a moment. His mind and will had been paralyzed, hopelessly, it seemed. The events in his life had dwindled down to microscopic proportions, but even so they were more than he could cope with; he did not pass from one to another, but was tossed to and fro by them as by waves; he had not the strength of will to oppose one course or to follow another rationally. He felt bitter at having to confess all this to himself. Fruitless regrets for the past, burning reproaches of conscience went through him like stings; he struggled hard to throw off the burden of these reproaches, to find someone else to blame and turn the sting against. But against whom?
Oblomov
by Goncharov Ivan Alexandrovitch
This article has been tranlsated from italian with the help of ChatGPT — English & Italian Translator
Translated from italian article Oblomov di Ivan Goncharov
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