Resurrection

Nekhlyudov and the advocate arrive at the Senate, where Maslova’s appeal is scheduled to be heard. The grandeur of the building contrasts with the cold formality of the process.

While the Senators discuss a libel case, Nekhlyudov notices his friend Selenin, now a prosecutor. The debate over the libel ruling reveals tensions between Senators Wolf and Selenin, the latter growing uncharacteristically passionate.

Nekhlyudov learns that Maslova’s case may be decided informally, over tea and cigarettes, without hearing arguments. He anxiously awaits as her case is quietly pushed forward.

The Senate reviews Maslova’s case. Each Senator is biased—the president is preoccupied with memoir-writing and imagined slights, Bay is a melancholy liberal, Wolf pushes for reversal, and Skovorodnikov is driven by spite and personal discomfort with moral earnestness.

After a dismissive conversation about another scandalous case, Fanarin makes a strong argument for appeal, but the Senators remain unmoved. Selenin speaks against revision, and the final vote hinges on Skovorodnikov, who opposes the appeal out of disdain for Nekhlyudov’s moral motives. The sentence is upheld.

Nekhlyudov is outraged by the Senate’s adherence to legal form over moral clarity. The advocate suggests submitting a personal petition to the Emperor, offering to draft it. Wolf approaches and offers a dismissive apology.