Ivan Goncharov’s Oblomov: A Chapter-by-Chapter Summary

The masterpiece of Russian literature, the novel Oblomov, appeared on the pages of the journal Otechestvennye Zapiski (Notes of the Fatherland) in 1859. This work, which became the pinnacle of I. A. Goncharov’s career, was conceived by the author back in 1849. At that time, a fragment of the future novel, the chapter “Oblomov’s Dream,” was published in the Literary Collection. The path to completing the novel was long and intermittent; Goncharov only put the final period on his creation in 1858.

Oblomov is an integral part of a trilogy, which also includes the novels The Precipice and A Common Story. Following the traditions of Realism, Goncharov addresses a sharp social problem of that era in the novel—Oblomovshchina (Oblomovism). The author reveals the tragedy of the “superfluous man” and the gradual fading of personality with poignant depth, exploring all facets of his hero’s existence and spiritual world.

If you wish to familiarize yourself with the plot of Goncharov’s Oblomov or refresh your memory of its main events, this chapter-by-chapter summary will be very useful.

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Setting and Time

The main events of the novel take place in St. Petersburg during the 1840s and 1850s. The action begins in Oblomov’s apartment on Gorokhovaya Street, then shifts to the Vyborg Side and a dacha near St. Petersburg. During the protagonist’s sleep, the action moves to his childhood in the Oblomovka estate, set in the 1820s.

Main Characters

• Ilya Ilyich Oblomov: A nobleman and landowner in his thirties, a lazy and soft-hearted man who spends all his time in idleness. He possesses a subtle poetic soul and is prone to constant daydreaming, which he substitutes for real life.
• Zakhar Trofimovich: Oblomov’s faithful servant, who has waited on him since childhood. He greatly resembles his master in his laziness.

Central Characters of the Novel Oblomov:

• Andrei Ivanovich Stolz: The complete opposite of Oblomov, although he grew up alongside him since childhood. This active and determined man is firmly grounded, lives by reason rather than dreams, and always strives for self-improvement.
• Olga Sergeyevna Ilyinskaya: A refined and intelligent young woman who captivates Oblomov’s heart. Despite her tenderness, Olga has a sober view of life. Ultimately, fate links her to Stolz, becoming his wife.
• Agafya Matveyevna Pshenitsyna: The landlady of the house where Oblomov finds his peace. This simple woman, caring and submissive, surrounds him with motherly affection and sincerely attaches herself to him, later becoming his wife.

Secondary Characters

• Mikhei Andreyevich Tarantyev: An acquaintance of Oblomov, a clever schemer who never misses an opportunity to profit at someone else’s expense.
• Ivan Matveyevich Mukhoiyarov: Pshenitsyna’s brother, a civil servant who inherited his friend Tarantyev’s passion for gain and ability to exploit people.
• Volkov, Sudbinsky (a civil servant), the writer Penkin, and Alekseyev, Ivan Alekseyevich form Oblomov’s circle of acquaintances.

Oblomov: A Journey into the Soul

Part One: Seclusion

Chapter 1: The Reign of Chaos

The novel Oblomov opens with a vivid scene: Ilya Ilyich himself, drowning in the chaos of his own apartment. The dirt and disorder reigning in his abode are seemingly unnoticed by the master. Goncharov recounts how the day before, Oblomov received a letter from his estate manager, urging him to bring order to the ancestral estate—Oblomovka. However, instead of taking decisive action, the master merely indulges in dreams and endless plans. After morning tea, Oblomov summons his servant Zakhar, and they discuss the urgent need to change their place of residence. The fact is that Ilya Ilyich has long failed to pay the rent or the suppliers, and the patience of the landlord, as well as the merchants, is at an end.

Chapter 2

One after another, Oblomov’s friends visit his house: Volkov, Sudbinsky, and Penkin. They share their stories and invite the protagonist to go somewhere, but Oblomov refuses, and the visitors leave empty-handed.

Then Alekseyev appears—a man of no definite character and weak will, whose name no one can even accurately remember. He suggests Oblomov go to Ekateringof, but Ilya Ilyich does not want to leave his bed. Oblomov shares his problem with Alekseyev: a letter from the estate manager reports serious losses this year (2,000 rubles), which greatly distresses the protagonist.

Chapter 3

Tarantyev visits Oblomov, presenting a striking contrast to the quiet and inconspicuous Alekseyev. While the latter was a silent observer, patiently enduring the prolonged silence, Tarantyev burst in like a whirlwind, stirring up the calm and forcing Ilya Ilyich to emerge from the embrace of slumber, at least briefly.

Fearing a cold, Ilya Ilyich, wrapped in a blanket, asks the guest not to approach. Tarantyev, wasting no time, starts persuading Oblomov to change his residence, describing the charms of his godmother’s apartment on the Vyborg Side. The conversation smoothly transitions to the letter from the estate manager, which worries Ilya Ilyich. The shrewd Tarantyev, seizing the opportunity to profit, asked for a monetary reward for his “useful” advice, simultaneously declaring the estate manager a fraud and advising Oblomov to replace him and complain to the governor.

The narrative plunges us into Oblomov’s past, transporting us twelve years back, when he, full of youthful hopes, began his career as a collegiate secretary in St. Petersburg. With the inheritance received after his parents’ death, Ilya Ilyich bought an estate far from the capital. The energy of youth allowed him to make plans and strive for achievements, but over the years, the enthusiasm faded, replaced by the realization of his own inertia. The service, which he had imagined as a kind of caring family, turned out to be full of surprises and demanded unseen alacrity from him. He tried to meet expectations for two years, but a fatal mistake—sending an important document to the wrong address—forced him to leave the service. Without waiting for a reprimand, Oblomov stopped showing up for work under the pretext of illness, confirmed by a medical certificate, and soon resigned entirely. Ilya Ilyich’s romantic interests were brief and left no deep trace in his soul. Friends gradually disappeared from his life, and servants were dismissed. Inactivity became an inseparable part of his existence. And only his faithful childhood friend Stolz occasionally dragged Oblomov out of his voluntary confinement.

Chapter 6

Education was more of a punishment than a joy for Oblomov. Reading seemed tedious to him, yet poetry invariably held his interest. For him, there was a gulf between learning and life; he was easily deceived and believed everything he was told. Long journeys were alien to him—the only trip in his life was a journey from the ancestral estate to Moscow. Spending most of his time on the sofa, he tirelessly reflected on life, made plans, experienced emotional moments, and imagined himself in the roles of great people, but all this remained within the confines of his thoughts.

Chapter 7

Characterizing Zakhar, the author presents him as a lazy, clumsy, and thieving servant, as well as a gossip who was not averse to drinking and having fun at his master’s expense. Without malicious intent, he often invented stories about his master, yet harbored a special, sincere love for him.

Chapter 8

The moment Tarantyev disappeared behind the door, Oblomov, as if driven by a sudden impulse, rushed to the sofa. In his imagination, he already envisioned scenes of an idyllic future: a cozy estate filled with the laughter of friends and the gentle glances of a wife. The sweet languor of anticipation enveloped him, giving him a fleeting sense of serene happiness. Interrupting these daydreams, Oblomov struggled to rise from the sofa, intending to have breakfast. The thought of the need to write to the governor flashed through his mind, and he even picked up a pen, but the words were clumsy and awkward on the paper. Frustrated, Ilya Ilyich tore up the sheet, postponing the correspondence for better times. Zakhar suddenly appeared, reminding the master of the need to move. He insisted that Oblomov temporarily leave the apartment to allow the servants to comfortably move the belongings. However, Ilya Ilyich, with his characteristic stubbornness, rejected the idea, instructing Zakhar to settle all matters with the landlord and leave them alone. The argument with Zakhar and the burdensome reflections on the past tired Oblomov, and he fell asleep.

Chapter 9. In Morpheus’s Embrace

The world of dreams transported Oblomov to his serene childhood, spent in the cozy cocoon of Oblomovka—a true earthly paradise. Images dear to his heart floated before his mind’s eye: his mother’s smile, the gentle hands of the old nanny, the hustle of servants bustling in the kitchen. He seemed to feel again the aroma of freshly baked pies and the warmth of a summer day in which he carelessly frolicked on the grass. The nanny’s fairy tales, epics, and legends awakened dreams of heroic deeds in him, turning little Ilyusha into a brave warrior. The dream transported him to his adolescence—ages 13-14, when he found himself at Stolz’s boarding school in Verkhlyovo. Learning was difficult for him, for the proximity of Oblomovka, its measured life, like the flow of a quiet river, relentlessly drew him back. Memories surfaced of numerous relatives for whom existence seemed an endless series of holidays and rituals: births, weddings, wakes… A peculiarity of the Oblomov ancestral nest was thriftiness bordering on stinginess. For the sake of economy, they were ready to tolerate any inconvenience, whether it be a shabby sofa or a worn-out armchair. The days flowed in lazy idleness: silent sitting, interrupted by yawns or empty talk. Accidents, changes, bustle—all this was alien to the inhabitants of Oblomovka. Any question, even the most trivial, was resolved agonizingly slowly, and sometimes postponed indefinitely. Parents certainly understood the importance of education for their son, dreaming of seeing him as an educated man, but the foundations of Oblomovka proved stronger. Ilya was often kept home under fabricated pretexts, indulging all his whims.

Chapters 10 and 11

While Oblomov was in a deep sleep, his faithful servant Zakhar went into the courtyard to complain about his master to the other house servants. However, when they expressed unflattering opinions about Oblomov, a sense of pride awoke in Zakhar, and he began to diligently praise both his master and himself.

Returning home, Zakhar attempted to wake Oblomov, as he had requested to be done by evening. But Ilya Ilyich, grumbling at his servant, tried his best to continue sleeping. This amusing scene greatly entertained Stolz, who had arrived and was standing in the doorway.

Part 2

Chapters 1 and 2

The second part of Ivan Goncharov’s novel Oblomov tells the story of Andrei Ivanovich Stolz. His father was German, and his mother was Russian. While his mother saw in her son the model of a nobleman, his father raised him by his own method, teaching him agronomy and taking him to factories. From his mother, Andrei inherited a love for books and music, and from his father, practicality and the ability to work hard. As a child, Stolz was active and lively—he could wander off for several days and return home dirty and worn out. Frequent visits from princes, which filled the estate with fun and noise, also contributed to the viveliness of his childhood. Continuing the family tradition, his father sent Andrei to university. Returning after his studies, Stolz did not stay in Verkhlyovo, as his father sent him to St. Petersburg with a hundred rubles in assignats.

Stolz’s life was the embodiment of order and practicality. He shunned daydreaming like the plague and bowed to no authorities. At the same time, he possessed enviable physical strength and an attractive appearance. Stolz moved along his chosen path with unwavering confidence and persistence, always guided by reason and a rational approach. For Oblomov, Andrei was not just a schoolmate but a true friend, capable of calming any emotional storm.

Chapter 3

Returning to Ilya Ilyich’s abode, Oblomov complains to Stolz about the disorder in his estate. Andrei Ivanovich suggests opening a school there, but Ilya Ilyich believes it is too early for the peasants. Oblomov also mentions the need to move and a lack of funds. Stolz sees no problem in changing residence and is surprised at how Oblomov has sunk into idleness. He orders Zakhar to dress Ilya Ilyich to take him out of the house. Furthermore, Andrei Ivanovich tells the servant to drive Tarantyev away with every visit, as he constantly asks Oblomov for money and clothes with no intention of returning them.

Chapter 4

Stolz, like an indefatigable beekeeper, spent a whole week leading Oblomov through the noisy and colorful hives of metropolitan society. But instead of honey, Ilya Ilyich found only tiring fuss there. Everything was repellent to him: the need to spend days in tight boots, the deafening chatter, and the eternal rush. In moments of frankness, Oblomov confessed to his friend that his soul yearned for the peace and silence of his native Oblomovka. However, when Stolz asked why Ilya Ilyich did not go there immediately, a multitude of reasons and excuses came to mind. Enthusing about the charms of the Oblomov idyll, Ilya Ilyich heard the bitter truth from his friend: “This is not life, but Oblomovshchina!” Stolz reminded him of his youthful dreams, his duty to himself, and the necessity of working, not indulging in idleness. In the end, the friends agreed that Oblomov needed a change of scenery: first, to travel abroad, and then to a quiet village.

Chapters 5–6

Stolz’s phrase “now or never” deeply resonated with Oblomov, awakening in him a thirst for change. He enthusiastically began preparing for a trip to Paris: he processed documents, acquired everything necessary. However, fate intervened. At a social gathering arranged by Stolz, Ilya Ilyich met Olga Sergeyevna Ilyinskaya. This meeting turned his world upside down, making his heart beat faster. The passion that flared up for Olga eclipsed all other desires, and the trip to Paris was forgotten.

Oblomov’s days were now filled with communicating with the charming Olga. He spent every free minute with her and soon rented a dacha next door to her aunt’s property to be closer to the object of his passion. In Olga Sergeyevna’s company, Ilya Ilyich felt constrained and insecure. Her presence agitated him, leaving him speechless. He could only silently admire her beauty, listening with a pounding heart to her enchanting singing. One day, absorbed in Olga’s singing, Ilya Ilyich could not restrain the feelings overwhelming him and confessed his love. Coming to his senses, he hurriedly retreated in embarrassment.

Tormented by remorse for his lack of restraint, Oblomov assured Olga Sergeyevna at their next meeting that his words were merely a momentary impulse, inspired by the magic of music. The girl reassured him, saying she did not attach importance to this involuntary act and had already forgotten everything.

Chapter 7

Changes affected not only Ilya himself but also his entire usual way of life. Zakhar, his faithful servant, married Anisya—a lively and energetic woman who began making her own adjustments to the established order in Oblomov’s house.

Meanwhile, Ilya Ilyich, returning from a visit to Olga Sergeyevna, was in confusion. He had been invited to a family dinner at the girl’s aunt’s house. Oblomov was plagued by doubts, comparing himself to Stolz and worrying whether Olga was flirting with him. However, during their personal meeting, the girl behaved reservedly and seriously with him.

Chapter 8

Ilya Ilyich spent the entire day at the house of Olga’s aunt—Marya Mikhailovna, a woman who skillfully managed her life. The relationship between the aunt and niece was special, as Marya Mikhailovna was an authority figure for Olga.

Spending the whole day languishing in the boring company of Olga’s aunt and Baron Langwagen, Oblomov eagerly awaited his beloved’s appearance. Finally, Olga Sergeyevna honored them with her presence. Despite the girl’s cheerfulness, her singing this time did not touch Ilya Ilyich’s soul; it lacked yesterday’s heartfelt sincerity. Disappointed, Oblomov headed home.

The change in Olga gave him no peace. But Olga’s meeting with Zakhar gave Oblomov a ray of hope: Olga Sergeyevna herself scheduled a meeting with him in the park. Their conversation touched upon the theme of a meaningless, empty existence. Ilya Ilyich confessed that his life was like a withered garden, devoid of bright colors. Speaking about their feelings for each other, Oblomov realized that Olga reciprocated his feelings. This tender gesture—her hand in his—spoke for itself. Walking beside her, the happy Ilya Ilyich repeated to himself: “All this belongs to me! Mine!”

Chapter 9

The couple in love is overwhelmed with happiness. For Olga Sergeyevna, love breathed meaning into all aspects of her life: books, dreams, every moment. For Oblomov, this time became a time of awakening: he lost his habitual idleness, constantly thinking about Olga, who tried in every way to bring him out of his state of inactivity, encouraging him to read books and visit guests.

Discussing their feelings, Oblomov asks Olga why she does not constantly tell him she loves him. The girl replies that she loves him with a special love, where a brief separation causes regret, and a long one causes pain. Speaking about her emotions, she relied on her imagination and believed in it. Oblomov, however, needed nothing more than the image he had created, with which he was in love.

Chapter 10

At the dawn of a new day, Oblomov was gripped by unprecedented feelings—doubts. The worm of misunderstanding stirred in his soul: why these burdensome ties, this love of Olga’s, so sudden and inexplicable? Ilya Ilyich began to imagine an error in the girl’s feelings, an annoying delusion that would soon dissipate like morning mist. In emotional turmoil, Oblomov decided to pour out his soul on paper. In a letter to Olga, he wrote that their mutual affection, having crossed permissible boundaries, began to irreversibly change their lives and distort their characters. And those fiery “I love you, I love you, I love you” that broke from Olga’s lips yesterday were merely the result of enchantment, a mistake… After all, he, Oblomov, was only a pale shadow of the ideal she painted in her dreams. In closing the letter, he bitterly bids the girl farewell, leaving her alone with reality.

Handing the letter to Olga’s maid and knowing she would pass through the park, Oblomov hid in the shade of the bushes, deciding to wait for her. The girl walked, dissolving in tears—he saw her in such a state for the first time. Unable to bear it, Oblomov caught up with her. She was upset and gave him back the letter, reproaching him that yesterday he needed her “I love you,” and today—her “tears.” The girl accused him of not truly loving her, but merely showing selfishness—Oblomov only spoke of feelings and self-sacrifice, but in reality, it was not so. Standing before Oblomov was an offended woman.

Ilya Ilyich begs Olga Sergeyevna to return to their former relationship, but she resolutely rejects his request. Walking beside his beloved, he realizes his mistake and admits to the girl that the letter was unnecessary. Olga Sergeyevna gradually calms down and says that in the letter, she saw all his tenderness and love for her. She had already recovered from the offense and was considering how to smooth over the situation. Taking the letter from Oblomov, she pressed his hands to her heart and happily ran home.

Chapters 11–12

Stolz writes to Oblomov asking him to settle affairs in the village, but Ilya Ilyich, consumed by his feelings for Olga Sergeyevna, postpones solving the problems. The lovers spend a lot of time together, but Oblomov is burdened by the fact that they meet in secret. He tells Olga about this, and the lovers discuss whether they should officially declare their relationship.

Part 3

Chapters 1–2

Tarantyev tries to extort money from Oblomov, citing the rent for an apartment for his acquaintance, even though Oblomov was not living in it. But Ilya Ilyich, having changed his attitude toward him, refuses the request.

Oblomov, inspired by the imminent officialization of his relationship with Olga, goes to her. However, the girl, approaching the matter practically, says that to announce their relationship, he must first settle the affairs in Oblomovka and build a house there, and for now, they should rent an apartment in the city.

Following Tarantyev’s advice, Oblomov goes to the apartment he proposed, where he finds his belongings in disarray. There, he is met by Tarantyev’s acquaintance, Agafya Matveyevna, who asks him to wait for her brother, as he is handling the matter. Unwilling to wait, Oblomov leaves the apartment, asking her to convey that he no longer needs it.

Chapter 3

The romance with Olga, like a fading flower, loses its former freshness, plunging Ilya Ilyich into a painful abyss of uncertainty. In hopes of rousing her beloved, Olga persuades him to sort out the apartment issue. The meeting with the landlady’s brother turns into an unpleasant surprise: it turns out that the apartment stood empty during the time Oblomov’s things were stored, and now Ilya Ilyich owes eight hundred rubles. The hero’s indignation is replaced by a forced agreement to find the funds. However, finding only three hundred rubles in his wallet, Oblomov futilely tries to recall where his summer income had gone.

Chapter 4

Ultimately, Ilya Ilyich moves in with Tarantyev’s caring godmother, Agafya Matveyevna, who surrounds him with familiar comfort and peaceful languor. Finding the strength, Oblomov sends a letter to the estate manager. Meanwhile, meetings with Olga Sergeyevna do not cease, and the hero is even honored to be invited to the Ilyinskys’ box at the theater.

One day, Zakhar asks Ilya Ilyich if he has found a new place to live and when the wedding is planned. Oblomov is surprised, as he believed his close relationship with Olga Sergeyevna was a secret. However, Zakhar reports that the Ilyinsky family’s servants have long been gossiping about it. Ilya Ilyich assures his servant that they are just rumors, explaining how burdensome and expensive wedding preparations and finding a new home are.

Chapters 5–6

Olga Sergeyevna schedules a secret meeting with Oblomov in the park, wearing a veil to conceal their meeting from her aunt. It becomes difficult for Ilya Ilyich that Olga has to deceive her relatives. The girl suggests he open up to her aunt right now, but Oblomov prolongs the moment, as he wants to first receive a letter from the village. Refusing to visit Olga until the issues with his estate are resolved, Ilya Ilyich sends word through his servant the following evening that he is ill.

Chapter 7

Oblomov spent seven days within the walls of his house, passing the time in conversations with the landlady and her restless children. On the long-awaited day off, Olga Sergeyevna persuaded her aunt to go to Smolny, as their meeting with Ilya Ilyich was scheduled there. At the same time, the Baron delighted Olga with the news that she could return to her ancestral estate in a month. The thought of how happy Oblomov would be to learn that the fate of Oblomovka was decided and they could go there immediately warmed her heart. However, Olga Sergeyevna was in no hurry to inform Ilya Ilyich about her inheritance, cherishing the hope that love itself would complete what was started and drive the laziness from her beloved’s soul.

One day, Olga Sergeyevna decided to visit Oblomov and immediately realized that his illness was just an invention. With a slight reproach in her voice, she noted that Ilya Ilyich had been idle and deceiving her all this time. The girl suggested Oblomov accompany her and her aunt to the opera. Inspired by the upcoming meeting and the letter from the village, Oblomov gladly agreed.

Chapters 8, 9, 10

A letter from a neighboring landowner appears at Oblomov’s doorstep, in which he complains about the deplorable state of affairs in Oblomovka, indicating a practically complete lack of profit. The situation requires the owner’s immediate personal presence to rectify it. Ilya Ilyich sadly realizes that because of this, he is forced to postpone his wedding for at least a year.

Oblomov shares the received letter with his fiancée’s brother, Ivan Matveyevich, seeking advice. He suggests sending his acquaintance, Zaterty, in Oblomov’s stead to settle the problems on the estate.

Ivan Matveyevich and Tarantyev, satisfied with their “successful deal,” discuss how cleverly they fooled Oblomov, expecting to profit handsomely from it.

Chapters 11–12

Ilya Ilyich Oblomov, tormented by doubts and hesitation, comes to Olga Sergeyevna with the news that a man has been found who can solve their problems, and they will not have to part. However, the question of the wedding will have to be postponed for another year until everything is completely settled. Olga, who had hoped that Ilya was about to propose to her, is shocked by this news and faints. Coming to, she accuses Oblomov of his indecisiveness, saying that even in a year, he will not be able to order his life and cease her torment. The lovers part ways.

Distraught and exhausted, Oblomov wanders through the city for a long time in complete confusion, and returning home, spends the night in motionless silence. In the morning, the servants find him with a fever.

Part 4

Chapter 1

Twelve months flew by unnoticed. Oblomov remained living under the cozy roof of Agafya Matveyevna. The faithful Zaterty, having finally sorted out the affairs in the estate, sent the master a substantial sum. Ilya Ilyich was immensely glad that everything resolved itself, and money flowed freely without the need for his personal intervention. Gradually, Ilya’s emotional pain subsided, and a new feeling quietly crept in—love for Agafya Matveyevna. The woman herself, without realizing it, reciprocated his feelings. She surrounded Oblomov with warm care, seeing in him not just a man, but a true master deserving of reverence.

Chapter 2

On Ivan Kupala’s Day, Agafya Matveyevna’s house shone with festive lights. Stolz was among the guests. At the festive table, Andrei Ivanovich informed Ilya Ilyich of the news: Olga had gone abroad with her aunt. The girl told her friend everything and, judging by all accounts, still cannot forget her hapless lover. Stolz did not miss the opportunity to reproach Oblomov for sinking back into the swamp of “Oblomovshchina.” Andrei Ivanovich tried to take his friend with him, and Ilya Ilyich, not wanting to spoil the holiday, agreed, promising to visit Stolz later.

Chapter 3

The arrival of Stolz plunged Ivan Matveyevich and Tarantyev into real horror. Oblomov’s friend could easily expose their machinations with the quitrent (obrok), which they had appropriated, leaving Ilya Ilyich in the dark. To keep everything secret, the schemers decided to resort to blackmail, hinting to Oblomov that they had supposedly seen him with Agafya Matveyevna.

Chapter 4

The narrative takes us back a year, to enchanting Paris, where fate unexpectedly brings Stolz together with Olga and her aunt. Noticing a change in the girl, he becomes concerned and begins to spend all his free time with her. He opens up the world of fascinating books to her, shares his thoughts and feelings, and then invites them on a journey through picturesque Switzerland. It is there, among the majestic mountains, that Stolz realizes he is in love with Olga. The girl, in turn, reciprocates his feelings, but the previous unsuccessful experience of love gives her no peace. Seeing her worries, Stolz asks her to tell him what is clouding her heart. Learning about her feelings for Oblomov, he casts aside his anxieties and proposes marriage to Olga. After some deliberation, Olga agrees, trusting her heart and the power of new love.

Chapter 5

Time, like stagnant water, dragged on in Oblomov’s house. A year and a half had passed since glasses clinked on his name day, and he sank deeper and deeper into the abyss of apathy. Idleness, like a spider’s web, entangled him more tightly, and laziness became not a guest, but the rightful mistress of his life. Financial affairs, which once caused him some concern, now became an incomprehensible mystery. Agafya Matveyevna’s brother, who took on the responsibility of managing his wallet, only occasionally cast a shadow of worry over the idyll of idleness. Ilya Ilyich, like a child who does not know how to count money, was only surprised that his once full cup of prosperity was becoming shallow. Ivan Matveyevich’s wedding completely ended his well-being: the caring Agafya Matveyevna, secretly from her Ilya Ilyich, was forced to pawn the family pearls to protect the peace of her beloved master from worldly troubles.

Chapters 6–7

Stolz is a guest in Oblomov’s house. Ilya Ilyich asks him for news of Olga. Stolz shares that his wife is doing well and that she has become his wife. Oblomov congratulates his friend. They continue their conversation at the table, and Ilya Ilyich begins to complain about the lack of funds, and Agafya Matveyevna is forced to manage the household herself because there are insufficient funds for servants. Stolz is surprised, as he regularly transfers money to Oblomov. Oblomov mentions a debt to the landlady. When Stolz tries to clarify the details of the loan with Agafya Matveyevna, she assures him that Ilya Ilyich owes her nothing.

Stolz draws up a document confirming Oblomov’s lack of debt and goes to Ivan Matveyevich to settle the situation and force him to relinquish any claims against Ilya Ilyich.

Andrei, full of energy and a desire to tear his friend out of the shackles of apathy, dreamed of taking Ilya with him. However, Oblomov, enveloped in a sleepy tenderness for Agafya Matveyevna, only asked for a delay, a short respite of one month. Saying goodbye, Stolz could not help but warn his friend: his feelings for the landlady were obvious, like bright noon.

Meanwhile, a conflict with the cunning Tarantyev was brewing. The deception he had conceived was revealed, and the enraged Ilya Ilyich, unable to restrain himself, slapped the rogue and drove him out of the house.

Chapter 8

Years flowed by in a series of days, and Stolz had not been in St. Petersburg for several years. His life with Olga Sergeyevna was filled with quiet happiness and understanding. Together they faced hardships, supporting each other in sorrow and joy. And one day, in conversation, Olga Sergeyevna recalled Oblomov. Stolz, smiling thoughtfully, noted that she did not love the real Ilya Ilyich, but the one whose best traits he himself unconsciously presented to her. Touched by his words, Olga Sergeyevna asked him not to forget Oblomov and to be sure to visit him together when the opportunity arose.

Chapter 9

Silence and peace reigned on the Vyborg Side. After the active Stolz put the affairs in Oblomovka in order, Ilya Ilyich found not only financial stability but also abundance in the kitchen: the storerooms were overflowing with various dishes, and Agafya Matveyevna’s wardrobe was replenished with new outfits. However, Oblomov himself, true to his habits, spent his days on the sofa, watching Agafya Matveyevna bustle about. This measured life seemed to him a natural continuation of the familiar Oblomov way of life.

But one day, after his afternoon rest, the idyll was interrupted by a sudden apoplectic stroke that struck Oblomov. The doctor was adamant: urgent changes in lifestyle were necessary—more movement and a strict diet. However, Ilya Ilyich, alas, did not heed the recommendations. He retreated into oblivion more and more often, as if escaping from reality.

One fine day, the energetic Stolz crossed Oblomov’s threshold, intending to tear his friend out of the clutches of laziness. But Oblomov, wrapped in the cozy world of his home, had no intention of leaving. Then Andrei Ivanovich, as a final card, mentioned that Olga was waiting for them in the carriage. Imagine his surprise when Oblomov, shattering all hopes, introduced Agafya Matveyevna as his wife and little Andryusha, named after his friend, as his son. Oblomov was not going to leave this house, which had become his family nest. Broken and disappointed, Stolz left his friend, bitterly noting to Olga that Ilya Ilyich’s property had been completely swallowed by “Oblomovshchina.”

Chapters 10–11

Five years flew by unnoticed. Three years ago, Ilya Ilyich passed away—his heart stopped after another stroke. The house came under the management of Agafya Matveyevna’s brother and his wife. Stolz, as he promised, took little Andrei in. Agafya Matveyevna, consumed by longing for her deceased husband and son, flatly refused to leave the house that preserved the memory of her beloved Ilya.

And one day, fate brought Stolz face to face with the degraded Zakhar, begging for alms on the street. Andrei Ivanovich offered the old servant shelter and care, but the faithful Zakhar would not hear of leaving the place where his master rested.

Stolz’s curious interlocutor asks where Oblomov went and what became of him. To this, Andrei Ivanovich, significantly pursing his lips, replies: “The fault lies with… Well, what else can it be called—Oblomovism!”

What is the Outcome of the Story?

• Oblomov – dies in the prime of his life, struck down by a second apoplectic stroke, the bitter consequence of his sedentary lifestyle.
• Stolz – finds family happiness with Olga, who becomes not only his beloved wife but also a faithful friend. After Oblomov’s death, he takes Oblomov’s son, Andryusha, to raise.
• Olga Ilyinskaya – unites her life with Stolz and becomes his devoted wife. She finds peace and happiness in marriage, dedicating herself to raising children.
• Agafya Pshenitsyna – after Oblomov’s death, makes the difficult decision to entrust her son Andryusha to Stolz’s care. She subsequently lives with her brother’s family.
• Andrei (Oblomov’s son) – finds a new home and family after his father’s passing, where he receives a decent upbringing and education.
• Zakhar – becomes a tramp, completely sinking to the bottom after the death of his master, Oblomov, and his wife, Anisya.
• Anisya – dies of cholera shortly thereafter.
• Tarantyev – continues his shady dealings with Mukhoiyarov, gradually succumbing to harmful habits.
• Mukhoiyarov – settles with his family in the home of his widowed sister, Agafya, and takes control of the household.

Conclusion

Ivan Goncharov’s novel Oblomov represents a deep exploration of the unique Russian phenomenon known as Oblomovism — a national trait characterized by laziness, fear of change, and the substitution of real activity with daydreaming. The author meticulously analyzes the causes of Oblomovism, seeing them in the hero’s pure, gentle, undiscriminating soul, which yearns for tranquility and a monotonous, stagnant happiness. Of course, a compressed retelling of Oblomov cannot fully reveal all the issues examined by Goncharov, so we strongly recommend that readers become acquainted with this 19th-century literary masterpiece in its entirety.