Oblomov - Part 4 (chapters 1-6) + Conclusions

[Amalie]

Those of you who has reached the end already, here you go.

Share your final thoughts with others.

[Janith]

We all got a little bit of Oblamov in us, but I can't help thinking what a loser he is. He had doors open for a great life which we would have done anything to get . Had an amazing friend, a good woman, a devoted servant and wealth. Yet he chose to be so miserable and in the end, parishes like a bum . As much as I enjoyed this novel, sometimes I asked myself , what's wrong with this guy. Is it Oblamovism or plain stupidity ? . For example , the way he gave up his woman ..

[Nikita]

I don't think Oblomov's life is miserable.

Different kinds of flowers need different kinds of soil. So do people. If Oblomov didn't follow Stoltz's way of living doesn't mean he lived his life wrong. In the end he found a good recipe for his life and really enjoyed it. To a great extent, it was thanks to Agafia who suits him much better than Olga in this respect.

Of course we all want to be Stoltz because it is the personality type which is universally praised. But we need a courage to discover and admit who we really are, not who others want us to be. And so is Oblomov — accepts and follows his life's true path despite its' unattractive look.

[Janith]

Nikita wrote: "I don't think Oblomov's life is miserable.

Different kinds of flowers need different kinds of soil. So do people. If Oblomov didn't follow Stoltz's way of living doesn't mean he lived his life wro..."

Quite true. Stoltz is bit too perfect and mainstream. I prefer Oblamove so much over him. that's why I wanted him to do better. But then again, if it ended well for Oblamove as I wished, this book wouldn't have looked that great like it is now. But do you believe doing nothing is Oblamove's life's true path ?. If so why he was unhappy ?. True, he realized Olga deserves better and Stoltz can give him what he couldn't offer. but deep inside, he mourned coz she's the one single thing he really loved. Isnt it tragic ?

[Nikita]

In the end, I don't see Oblomov unhappy with his life. Yes, he was disappointed while facing financial problems and unfair neighbors. And it's worth noting that he was defenseless against them without Stoltz.

But then Chapter IX of part 4 from the very first words describes calm and peaceful place which his household have become. There Oblomov appears pretty much content with his life and even consider it ideal.

And in this final chapter of Oblomov's life I found no hints that Olga is "the one single thing he really loved". Please, don't get me wrong, I don't criticize. It fascinates me every time when different people perceive the same information differently and every of them is right.

P.S. Defending Oblomov's worthiness I recalled an interesting article about ants. The research found that around 20% of ants in colony remain lazy no matter what.

[Janith]

Nikita wrote: "In the end, I don't see Oblomov unhappy with his life. Yes, he was disappointed while facing financial problems and unfair neighbors. And it's worth noting that he was defenseless against them with..."

Its always a great pleasure to listen to a different opinion :). And I dont disagree with you. Thre're no right or wrong opinions when it comes to reviewing a book. Its the way we look at things. Yes , Agafia took care of Oblamov so well in the end, making sure that he doesn't have a single worrisome thought. But you remember the part where Stoltz promised his wife a last attempt at bringing Oblomov to a normal life, but without success. That means they knew Oblamov's life was still miserable even under the great care of Agafia, coz his problem has always been Oblomovism. I think , Oblamove knew it better than anyone. It was like a cancer growing inside him. You can take care of a cancer patient so well, making him feel good (like Agafia did) but in the end no matter what, the cancer kills him. But what Olga tried to do was to cure the cancer for good. And she was the only one who could do it in my opinion. I wanted to see Oblamov riding a horse one day with Olga by his side. And see where Zakhar landed after Oblamov's death (a different matter entirely) . He was starving when Stoltz found him. I thought they all deserved better. And Oblamov reminds me more of a sloth than an ant lol :D