Alexander Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin: A Chapter-by-Chapter Summary

The masterpiece of Russian literature, the novel Eugene Onegin by Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, was written over the period of 1823–1831. This work, in the apt words of Belinsky, became a true “encyclopedia of Russian life” in the early 19th century, capturing its spirit and customs.

Pushkin’s novel in verse, while belonging to realism, still preserves echoes of the romantic influences that affected the author in its early chapters. Two intertwined plot lines create the unique fabric of the work. The main one is the tragic love story of Eugene Onegin and Tatyana Larina, and the second, equally important, is the story of the friendship between Onegin and Lensky.

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Time and Space of the Novel

The action of the novel unfolds during the period from 1819 to 1825. The reader is transported to picturesque Russian landscapes: the estates of Onegin and the Larins, and also immersed in the atmosphere of metropolitan life in St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Key Characters

• Eugene Onegin: A young nobleman, 26 years old, who received a refined French education, a society dandy distinguished by his eloquence and social graces, prone to philosophical reflection.
• Tatyana Larina: The Larins’ elder daughter, a quiet, serious girl of seventeen, immersed in books and preferring solitude.
• Vladimir Lensky: A young landowner, a poet, a dreamy nature. At the beginning of the novel, he returns to his native village after studying in Germany.
• Olga Larina: The Larins’ younger daughter, Vladimir Lensky’s beloved and fiancée, always cheerful and charming, the complete opposite of her older sister.

Other Characters

• The Author: Pushkin himself, on whose behalf the narration in the novel is conducted, and who also introduces lyrical digressions.
• Olga and Tatyana Larina’s Mother: Known in the work as Pachette (likely Polina or Praskovya).
• Filipyevna: Tatyana’s nurse.
• Princess Alina: Tatyana and Olga’s aunt, their mother’s sister.
• Zaretsky: Onegin and Lensky’s neighbor, Vladimir’s second in the duel with Eugene, a former card player who became a “peaceful” landowner.
• Prince N.: Tatyana’s husband, an “important general,” Onegin’s youth friend.

Brief Summary

The novel in verse Eugene Onegin begins with a short author’s address to the reader, where Pushkin characterizes his work:

Here is a colorful collection of chapters, Full of laughter and sadness, Folk and ideal, The careless fruit of my amusements.

Chapter One

In the first chapter, the reader meets the hero of the novel—Eugene Onegin, the heir of a wealthy family, rushing to his dying uncle. The young man was born in St. Petersburg; his father lived in debt and often hosted balls, which eventually led to the loss of their fortune.

When Onegin grew up and entered society, high society warmly welcomed him, as he perfectly commanded French, danced the mazurka, and easily held conversations on any topic. But neither sciences nor social brilliance interested Eugene most—his true talent was the “science of tender passion“; he could turn any lady’s head while remaining on friendly terms with her husband and admirers.

Eugene Onegin led the life of an idle society man. He spent his days strolling along the fashionable boulevards of St. Petersburg, and dedicated his evenings to visiting luxurious salons, where he was invited by influential people in the city. The author emphasizes that Onegin meticulously cared for his appearance, sometimes standing in front of the mirror for several hours to achieve the perfect look. After the balls, Eugene returned home when the rest of St. Petersburg’s residents were rushing to work. The young man would only wake up around noon to begin a new day.

“Until morning his life is ready, Monotonous and varied.”

However, was Onegin happy?

“No: feelings cooled early in him; The noise of society bored him.”

Gradually, the hero was overcome by “Russian melancholy” (khandra), and like Childe Harold, gloomy and melancholic, he appeared in society—”nothing touched him, he noticed nothing.”

The young Eugene alienates himself from society, retires to his house, and tries to engage in writing on his own, but without success, as this “hard work was tiresome for him.” After this, the hero begins to read diligently but realizes that literature cannot save him either: “like women, he abandoned books.” From a sociable, worldly man, Eugene turns into a withdrawn young man prone to “caustic dispute” and “biting joke.”

Onegin and the narrator (who, according to the author, met the main character at this time) planned to leave St. Petersburg abroad, but their intentions were changed by the death of Eugene’s father. The young man had to use all his inherited property to pay off his father’s debts, so he remained in St. Petersburg. Soon, Onegin was informed that his uncle was dying and wished to say goodbye to his nephew. When the hero arrived, his uncle had already passed away. It turned out that the deceased had left Eugene a huge estate as inheritance: lands, forests, factories.

Chapter Two

Eugene settled in a picturesque rural corner; his house was located by the river, surrounded by an orchard. Wishing to occupy himself somehow, Onegin decided to introduce new rules on his lands: he replaced corvée (forced labor) with “an easy quitrent.” Because of this, the neighbors began to regard the hero with suspicion, considering him “the most dangerous eccentric.” At the same time, Eugene himself avoided the neighbors, deliberately shunning acquaintance with them.

At the same time, the young landowner Vladimir Lensky returned from Germany to one of the nearest villages. Vladimir was a romantic nature:

“With a soul, as if from Göttingen, A handsome man, in the prime of his years, A devotee of Kant and a poet.”

Lensky wrote poems about love, was a dreamer, and hoped to unravel the mystery of the meaning of life. In the village, Lensky, “by ancient custom,” was received as a desirable groom.

Among the villagers, Onegin’s detached figure attracted Lensky’s special attention, and over time, Vladimir and Eugene became friends:

“They converged. Wave and stone, Poems and prose, ice and flame.”

Vladimir read his works to Eugene and reflected on philosophical questions. Onegin listened to Lensky’s fervent speeches with a smile but was in no hurry to enlighten his friend, understanding that life itself would do that for him. Gradually, Eugene notices that Vladimir is in love. Lensky’s chosen one was Olga Larina, whom the young man had known since childhood, and their parents predicted a quick wedding for them.

The author characterizes the Larina family. Olga, the younger daughter, was

“Always modest, always obedient, Always, like morning, cheerful, As a poet’s life, simple-hearted, As a kiss of love, sweet.”

In sharp contrast to Olga, the older sister Tatyana appears as a completely different personality:

“Wild, mournful, silent, Like a forest deer, fearful.”

The girl found no joy in usual girlish amusements, preferring to read novels by Richardson and Rousseau,

“And often all day alone She sat silently by the window.”

Tatyana and Olga’s mother, in her youth, harbored feelings for another man—a guards sergeant, a dandy, and a gambler—but her parents, without asking their daughter, married her off to Larin. Initially, the woman was sad, but then she immersed herself in household chores, “grew accustomed and became content,” and tranquility reigned in their family. After living a measured life, Larin grew old and died.

Chapter Three

Lensky’s evenings were now invariably spent at the Larins’ house. Eugene was surprised by his friend’s choice, who found solace in the circle of a “simple, Russian family,” where conversations did not go beyond household concerns. Lensky, on the other hand, confessed that domestic comfort was dearer to him than social vanity. Intrigued, Onegin, wanting to see his friend’s fiancée, accepts his invitation to visit the Larins.

On the way back, Onegin shares his impressions of the visit with Vladimir. He liked the acquaintance with the Larina family; however, it was not Olga, in whose features “life was not reflected,” who captured his attention. His gaze was fixed on Tatyana—”mournful and silent, like Svetlana.” News of Onegin’s visit to the Larins’ house did not go unnoticed, giving rise to a wave of rumors about a possible courtship between Eugene and Tatyana. Tatyana herself, gripped by a feeling previously unknown, realizes that she has fallen in love with Onegin. The girl begins to see the heroes of her favorite novels in him, dreams of him, wandering “in the forest silence” with books about love.

One sleepless night, Tatyana, sitting in the garden, asked her nurse to tell her about her youth, wondering if she had ever been in love. The nurse recounted that she was married off by arrangement at the age of 13 to a younger man, so the old woman does not know what love is. Thoughtfully gazing at the moon, Tatyana decided to write a letter to Onegin confessing her love in French, as it was customary to write letters exclusively in that language at the time.

In her message, the girl wrote that she would have kept silent about her feelings if she were sure she could see Eugene at least occasionally. Tatyana reasoned that if Onegin had not settled in their village, perhaps her fate would have turned out differently. But she immediately denied this possibility:

“It is the will of heaven: I am yours; My whole life was the pledge Of a true meeting with you.”

Tatyana, in her letter, confesses that it was Onegin’s image that was imprinted in her dreams, and it was of him she dreamed. In conclusion of the letter, the girl entrusts her fate to Onegin:

“I await you: with a single glance Revive the heart’s hopes, Or interrupt the heavy dream, Alas, with a deserved reproach!”

In the morning, Tatyana asks her nurse to deliver the message to Eugene. Onegin remained silent for two days, but then Lensky assured her that Eugene had promised to visit the Larins. When Onegin arrived, Tatyana, gripped by fear, ran into the garden. After calming down a little, she went out into the alley and saw Eugene standing before her “like a formidable shadow.”

Chapter Four

Eugene, disillusioned with his past relationships with women, was touched by Tatyana’s letter and did not want to betray the trust of this innocent girl.

Meeting Tatyana in the garden, Eugene broke the silence first. The young man confessed that her sincerity deeply touched him, and now he wants to “repay” the girl with his “confession.” Onegin tells Tatyana that if fate had destined him for the role of father and husband, he would not look for another bride but would choose her as a “companion for mournful days.” However, Eugene “is not created for bliss.” He loves Tatyana like a brother, but his “confession” gradually turns into a sermon to the girl:

“Learn to control yourself; Not everyone will understand you, as I do; Inexperience leads to trouble.”

Analyzing Onegin’s action, the author notes with a touch of irony that Eugene treated the girl quite nobly.

In the garden, Tatyana was in a melancholy mood, suffering from her unrequited love. Among the neighbors, there were rumors that it was time for the girl to get married. Meanwhile, the relationship between Lensky and Olga developed, and the young people spent more time together.

And Eugene Onegin led the life of a recluse, enjoying walks and reading. One winter evening, Lensky came to visit him. Eugene asked his friend about Tatyana and Olga. Vladimir said that in two weeks, his wedding with Olga would take place, which he was very happy about. In addition, Vladimir mentioned that the Larins had invited Onegin to Tatyana’s name day.

Chapter Five

Tatyana adored the Russian winter, especially the Epiphany evenings when girls told fortunes. She believed in dreams, omens, and divination. One Epiphany evening, Tatyana went to bed, placing a maiden’s mirror under her pillow.

The girl dreamed that she was walking through the snow in the gloom, and before her roared a river, over which a “trembling, perilous footbridge” was thrown. Tatyana does not know how to cross it, but suddenly a bear appears from the other side of the stream and helps her. The girl tries to run away from the bear, but the “shaggy lackey” follows her. Unable to run further, Tatyana falls in the snow. The bear picks her up and brings her to a “poor” hut, where, according to him, his godfather lives. Waking up, Tatyana finds herself in the entryway, behind the door of which she hears “a scream and the clinking of a glass, as at a large funeral.” Peeking through the crack, the girl sees Onegin among the monsters sitting at the table. When Tatyana opens the door slightly, the monsters reach for her, but Eugene drives them away. Then Onegin and Tatyana sit on a bench, and Eugene puts his head on the girl’s shoulder. Suddenly, Olga and Lensky appear, and Eugene kills Vladimir. In horror, Tatyana wakes up and tries to interpret her dream using the fortune-teller Martin Zadeka’s book.

A multitude of guests gathered at Tatyana’s house; everyone is having fun, greeting each other, and crowding. Lensky and Onegin arrive. Eugene is seated opposite the birthday girl. Tatyana is confused and afraid to raise her eyes to Onegin, barely holding back tears. Noticing her agitation, Eugene became angry and decided to take revenge on Lensky, who had brought him to the celebration. When the dancing began, Onegin only invites Olga to dance, not letting her go even between dances. Observing this, Lensky “flares up in jealous indignation.” Even when Vladimir wants to invite his fiancée to dance, it turns out she is already promised to Onegin.

“Lensky, unable to bear the blow,”—Vladimir leaves the celebration, intending to resolve the situation with a duel.

Chapter Six

Onegin, noticing Vladimir’s departure, cooled towards Olga and hurried to leave the evening reception. At dawn, his peace was disturbed by the visit of Zaretsky, who brought a challenge to a duel from the offended Lensky. Eugene accepted the challenge, but in solitude, remorse began to torment him—his joke at his friend’s feelings was not worth so much distress. The duel was scheduled at the mill before the first rays of the sun.

On the eve of the fatal morning, Lensky decided to visit Olga, expecting to see confusion on her face. However, the girl met him with genuine joy, dispelling his jealousy and annoyance. Lensky spent the entire evening in scattered thoughts. Returning home, Vladimir occupied himself with inspecting the pistols. Thoughts of his beloved Olga inspired him to write poems, in which he asked her to come to his grave in case of a tragic outcome of the duel.

In the morning rush, Eugene missed his alarm clock, which resulted in his lateness for the duel. Vladimir’s second was Zaretsky, and Onegin was represented by monsieur Guillot. At Zaretsky’s command, the opponents took their positions, and the duel began. Eugene shot first, but Lensky managed to take aim, but Onegin forestalled him and mortally wounded his friend. Vladimir died on the spot, and Eugene gazed in horror at his comrade’s body.

The author reflects on Lensky’s fate, not ruling out that he was born “for the good of the world or for glory.” A simple monument to Vladimir was erected in the shade by the stream.

Chapter Seven

After the tragic duel, Onegin leaves the village. Olga did not grieve for Lensky for long, after which she fell in love with a Uhlan and married him. The newlyweds left with her husband for his regiment.

Tatyana’s heart still trembled at the thought of Onegin. A night walk through the endless fields involuntarily led the girl to the porch of his house. The welcoming yard people cordially greeted the guest and escorted her into the house. Tatyana, as if enchanted, wandered through the rooms, pausing in each for long minutes. From that day on, visits to Eugene’s house became a desired tradition for her. Studying her beloved’s books, trying to decipher his thoughts from the marginal notes, the girl gradually began to understand Onegin’s true nature—not an angelically beautiful young man, but rather a mysterious, mournful, and dangerous skeptic, in the depth of whose soul a demonic spark lurked.

Meanwhile, at the Larins’ house, conversations about Tatyana’s marriage became more frequent. Her mother was anxious, seeing how her daughter invariably rejected all suitors. In search of a solution, someone close suggested taking the girl to Moscow, to the famous “bride fair.”

With the first cold weather, the Larina family, gathering their belongings, set off for Moscow. They stayed with an elderly relative—Princess Alina. A series of visits began—the Larins called on numerous Moscow acquaintances and distant relatives. However, Tatyana was bored and melancholy everywhere. Finally, she was brought to a ball, where many suitors, fops, and dashing Hussars gathered. While everyone was spinning in the whirl of the dance, Tatyana, “unnoticed by any eye,” stood by the column, indulging in memories of village life. Suddenly, one of the aunts drew her niece’s attention to a “distinguished general of advanced years.”

Chapter Eight

Two years flew by. The narrator again meets Onegin at one of the lavish receptions. Eugene

“Languished in the idleness of leisure, Without rank, wife, without important affairs, And his life smoldered aimlessly.”

Before this, Onegin had long tried to find himself in travels, but that too bored him. And now, like Chatsky, “he returned from distant lands and immediately went to a ball.”

At the social reception, the attention of all present is attracted by an elegant lady accompanied by a general. Her attire is distinguished by its modesty and simplicity. To his surprise, Eugene recognizes his former beloved Tatyana Larina in her, who is now the wife of his acquaintance, the Prince. Despite their past, Tatyana maintains her dignity, while Onegin is speechless upon meeting her.

Soon, Eugene receives an invitation from the Prince, Tatyana’s husband. Going to visit, he eagerly awaits the meeting; however, Tatyana, majestic and restrained, seems not to notice his presence. Unable to bear it, Onegin writes her a passionate letter, in which he confesses his feelings and entrusts himself to fate.

But the letters remain unanswered. The man writes again, and again—silence. Onegin, as if caught in a trap, is bound by a familiar melancholy. He again turns his study into a refuge, seeking solace in books. Among the lines, dreams are born of “mysteries of the heart, of the shadows of the past.”

And then, one spring day, uninvited, as if driven by an unknown force, Onegin arrives at Tatyana’s. He sees her sobbing over his letter, and his heart clenches with pain. The man kneels before her, begging for forgiveness. But Tatyana, restraining the trembling in her voice, asks him to stand up. She reminds Eugene of that day in the garden when, humiliated and confused, she listened to his cold words. Now it is her turn to speak. She confesses that back then, her heart burned with love, but in his soul, she found nothing but indifference. And yet, she bears no ill will, seeing nobility in his action. Tatyana understands: the fact that she has become a brilliant lady attracted his attention. Saying goodbye, she pronounces:

“I confess my feelings (what is there to hide?), But I am already devoted to another; I will be faithful to him forever“

And Tatyana leaves. Eugene is “as if struck by thunder” by her words.

“However, a sudden sound of spurs was heard, And Tatyana’s husband appeared, And here our hero, In his bitter moment, Reader, we now leave, For long… forever…”

And How Did It All End?

• Eugene Onegin: Having been rejected by Tatyana, experiences deep disappointment and the collapse of his hopes.
• Tatyana Larina: Having rejected the romance with Onegin, remains faithful to her husband until the end of her days.
• Vladimir Lensky: Dies in a duel at Eugene Onegin’s hand.
• Olga Larina: After marrying a military man, leaves her ancestral home forever and follows her husband to his regiment.
• Tatyana Larina’s Husband: Leads a calm, happy family life with Tatyana.
• Tatyana Larina’s Mother: After marrying off both daughters, lives out her days on the family estate.

Conclusion

The novel in verse Eugene Onegin is striking in its depth of thought and the multifaceted nature of the described events, phenomena, and characters. By depicting the way of life and traditions of cold, “European” St. Petersburg, conservative Moscow, and the village—the center of folk culture—the author unfolds a broad panorama of Russian life before the reader. This brief summary of the plot of Eugene Onegin allows for an acquaintance only with the main episodes of the novel in verse; therefore, for a deeper understanding, it is recommended to read the full version of this masterpiece of Russian literature.