Resurrection

In the morning, Nekhlyudov wakes with a renewed commitment to lease his land to the local peasants at a reduced rate. He meets with the peasants, who express bitterness and skepticism. The discussion devolves into disputes over who should be included in the lease agreement. The contract is signed, but Nekhlyudov feels a sense of failure at having not managed to earn the peasant’s gratitude, reflecting, “So it turned out that he had deprived himself of a great deal, and yet had not fulfilled the hopes of the peasants” (272).

Nekhlyudov visits Panovo, the estate where he first met Maslova, with two goals: To offer the land to the peasants, and to learn the truth about Maslova’s child. He finds the estate in disrepair, with the buildings decaying, though the garden is overgrown and blooming.

He meets the bailiff, a former seminary student, and asks about Maslova’s aunt, Matryona Kharina, who runs an illegal tavern in the village. Nekhlyudov plans to visit her and asks the bailiff to gather the peasants for a meeting.

Nekhlyudov walks through the village, observing the harsh conditions of peasant life: Barefoot children, carts of manure, sagging huts, and people hardened by poverty. He stops at a poor household, where a man and woman candidly describe their hunger and debt. Despite their hospitality, Nekhlyudov feels ashamed and uncomfortable. As he leaves, two boys offer to escort him to Matryona.

Nekhlyudov speaks to the two young boys who tell him about the poorest families, including a woman whose husband was imprisoned for cutting Nekhlyudov’s birch trees. They lead him to Matryona’s hut, where Maslova gave birth.

Matryona is wary at first but becomes friendly when she recognizes Nekhlyudov. He asks about the child, and Matryona confirms the baby was sent to a foundling hospital by a woman who trafficked in infant care. The child died shortly after arriving.

After leaving Matryona’s hut, Nekhlyudov is swarmed by villagers asking for money. He gives away all he has with him but is left overwhelmed and heartsick.

He witnesses a dispute at the bailiff’s house over cows that wandered into the estate’s meadow. The bailiff refuses to return the cows unless the owners pay a fee or work it off. Nekhlyudov intervenes to resolve the conflict, then retreats into the garden to reflect.

Nekhlyudov realizes that the peasants’ suffering stems from land inequality. Inspired by Henry George’s ideas, he resolves to give up his profits from the land at Panovo and to revise the lease at Kuzminskoye. After dinner, he explains his plan to the bailiff, who misunderstands and assumes Nekhlyudov seeks personal gain. When corrected, the bailiff loses interest. Nekhlyudov writes down his thoughts and prepares to meet the peasants.

Nekhlyudov meets with the peasants to offer them his land under a new arrangement: They would set their own rent and the proceeds would form a communal fund. Despite his clear explanation, the peasants mistrust his intentions. Their experience with landlords has taught them that such offers are always self-serving. They refuse the offer, preferring to continue under the old terms.

Nekhlyudov is disappointed but plans to meet with some of the peasants individually. As two peasants lead a herd of horses to graze illegally, they discuss the meeting with cynical amusement, certain Nekhlyudov’s offer is another form of exploitation.

After the peasants reject his land offer, Nekhlyudov feels peaceful rather than discouraged. He reflects on his youth, his past sins, and the injustices he has witnessed—poverty, abuse, and suffering. He is struck by the idea that the moral path forward is difficult but simple: He must give up the land, remain committed to Maslova, and investigate the legal system’s cruelty. However, as he goes to bed, his resolve falters because “in spite of the best intentions he could not bear it” (300).

The next morning, Nekhlyudov meets with a small group of chosen peasants to explain his land redistribution plan. The discussion is more thoughtful and productive than the previous meeting. While some remain suspicious, others show curiosity and cautious support. Nekhlyudov introduces Henry George’s ideas about communal land ownership and taxation, which resonate with several of the men.

After considering the proposal, the commune agrees to accept, encouraged by the explanation that Nekhlyudov is acting for the good of his soul. Word spreads that he is giving away money to the poor, and Nekhlyudov is overwhelmed by the resulting crowd. He visits his late aunts’ house, finding a photo of himself and Maslova looking “pure, lovely, and full of the joy of living” (307). He leaves feeling invigorated.

Returning from the countryside, Nekhlyudov finds his home full of trivial activity, unchanged and disconnected from the suffering he has witnessed among the peasants. Disgusted by the absurdity of his former lifestyle, he moves into a modest lodging near the prison and resumes his work.

Walking through the city, he is struck by a new awareness: The well-fed town-dwellers are displaced peasants, with some profiting from urban life, while others are worn down by it. He encounters Shenbok, who boasts about exploiting a wealthy ward’s land for personal gain. The conversation ends awkwardly, and Nekhlyudov reflects on how close he once came to being like Shenbok.

Nekhlyudov visits the advocate, who discusses several legal matters with him. He expresses outrage at the baseless prosecution of the Menshovs and offers to defend them for free. He advises Nekhlyudov to personally deliver Fedosia’s petition to the Emperor.

Nekhlyudov also brings up a new case involving peasants exiled for reading and interpreting the Bible. The advocate confirms this is possible under existing laws and cynically explains how judges and prosecutors wield arbitrary power, applying the law as they see fit. Nekhlyudov is now aware that he is misaligned with the detached intellectual circles of people like the advocate.

As he passes through the city on his way to the prison, Nekhlyudov observes a new building under construction and reflects on the suffering of laborers who build luxurious homes for the wealthy. His coachman disagrees, viewing the building project as a source of income for the workers. Their conversation turns to landlessness and poverty, revealing that the coachman’s family has only one desyatin of land per man and is subjected to a French landowner who refuses to lease land.

Nekhlyudov visits Maslova at the prison hospital before leaving for Petersburg. She appears changed—distant and guarded—but lights up when he reaffirms his commitment, though she continues to refuse his proposal.

He gives her a photo of them from Panovo, which she later studies with quiet longing. When a fellow nurse remarks on how much she has changed, Maslova is abruptly reminded of her past and overcome with shame, bitterness, and fresh anger toward Nekhlyudov.

In Petersburg, Nekhlyudov must address four cases: Those for Maslova, Fedosia, Doukhova, and the individuals exiled for studying the Bible. He stays with his aristocratic Aunt Katerina Ivanovna. When he explains his connection to Maslova, Katerina Ivanovna is shocked and amused, calling him a “terrible simpleton.” Katerina Ivanovna offers to help, and she arranges a note to a general and an appeal via her friend Mariette. Despite her mockery, she admires his sincerity.

Count Ivan Mikhailovich, a former Minister who still holds prestige though no formal power, listens to Nekhlyudov’s appeals. He gives Nekhlyudov notes of recommendation, addressed to a Senator named Wolf and to a member of the Petitions Committee.

Nekhlyudov visits Mariette, wife of the gendarme official Chervyanski. Although disgusted by the need to seek favors from those complicit in state oppression, he plays his part. Mariette accepts the letter from Ivanovna and agrees to speak to her husband. She enjoys the interaction and asks Nekhlyudov to visit again, so long as he comes “without interested motives” (337).

Nekhlyudov visits the Senate and learns that Maslova’s appeal has been assigned to Senator Wolf. At the Senate office, he overhears details of a duel that resulted in a young officer’s death. Nekhlyudov visits Senator Wolf, who promises to consider Maslova’s case on Wednesday, but emphasizes that the Senate deals only with technical legality, not justice.

Nekhlyudov dines with Katerina Ivanovna and her family, where conversation centers on a recent duel. Most express sympathy for the officer who killed a fellow soldier, assuming leniency from the Emperor, while Katerina Ivanovna voices disapproval. Nekhlyudov, disturbed by the contrast between the officer’s treatment and that of the peasant prisoners, shares his thoughts but feels out of place.

Later, guests gather to hear a sermon from a preacher named Kiesewetter, who speaks tearfully about sin, salvation, and Christ’s blood. The emotional audience, including aristocrats and servants, respond with tears and displays of devotion. Disgusted by the performance, Nekhlyudov leaves.

Nekhlyudov is visited by the Moscow advocate, who has come to attend Maslova’s Senate hearing. They discuss the personalities of the three senators who will judge the case. Nekhlyudov also receives a note from Mariette, informing him that Shustova can be released immediately.

Nekhlyudov visits Baron Vorobyov to advocate for Fedosia’s case. The Baron, affable at first, becomes dismissive when he hears Mikhailovich is also involved. As Nekhlyudov leaves, he reflects on the polished, well-fed bureaucrats and the contrast between their lives and those of the prisoners and peasants.

Nekhlyudov visits the General in charge of political prisoners to discuss the cases of Doukhova’s friends, the political prisoners Gurkevich and Shustova. The General, obsessed with regulations “from above,” remains unmoved by the suffering and deaths of prisoners, whom he views as ungrateful and immoral. Unable to reason with him, Nekhlyudov leaves feeling suffocated.