# Christopher Theodor Gottlieb Lemm — A House of Gentlefolk character guide > Christopher Theodor Gottlieb Lemm in A House of Gentlefolk by Ivan Turgenev. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Lemm, C. T. G. Lemm, Monsier Lemm, the poor German **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Snapshot An elderly German music teacher in the Kalitin household, whose fierce devotion to beauty and music masks a tender, hopeless attachment to the young Lisa. ## Who they are Lemm is a proud, impoverished composer and piano teacher who has spent decades in Russia, his cantata unfinished and his life narrowed to the Kalitins' drawing room. He adores Lisa with a chaste, almost paternal passion, yet he is sharp-tongued about the mediocrity around him and quick to defend her taste against Panshin's shallow brilliance. His judgments cut through the social pleasantries of the household, and his blunt honesty about Lisa's soul becomes a quiet catalyst for Lavretsky's growing intimacy with her. ## Relationships ### [Fedor Ivanitch Lavretsky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/fedor_ivanitch_lavretsky) _friendship_ Lemm, an elderly German musician, finds a kindred spirit in Lavretsky, who appreciates his art and melancholy. ### [Lisa Mihalovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/lisa_mihalovna) _friendship_ Lemm adores Lisa for her purity and musical sensitivity, composing a cantata inspired by her. ### [Vladimir Nikolaitch Panshin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/vladimir_nikolaitch_panshin) _rivalry_ Lemm resents Panshin's superficial musical talent and his arrogant dismissal of true art. ### [Fedor Ivanitch Lavretsky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/fedor_ivanitch_lavretsky) _friendship_ Lemm, an elderly German musician, finds a kindred spirit in Lavretsky, who appreciates his art and melancholy. ### [Lisa Mihalovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/lisa_mihalovna) _friendship_ Lemm adores Lisa for her purity and musical sensitivity, composing a cantata inspired by her. ### [Vladimir Nikolaitch Panshin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/vladimir_nikolaitch_panshin) _rivalry_ Lemm resents Panshin's superficial musical talent and his arrogant dismissal of true art. ### [Lisa Mihalovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/lisa_mihalovna) _friendship_ Lemm adores Lisa for her purity and musical sensitivity, composing a cantata inspired by her. ### [Vladimir Nikolaitch Panshin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/vladimir_nikolaitch_panshin) _rivalry_ Lemm resents Panshin's superficial musical talent and his arrogant dismissal of true art. ### [Fedor Ivanitch Lavretsky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/fedor_ivanitch_lavretsky) _friendship_ Lemm, an elderly German musician, finds a kindred spirit in Lavretsky, who appreciates his art and melancholy. ## In the story ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/iv) Old music teacher, displeased with Panshin's song, leaves the room after Panshin's condescending remarks about his cantata. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/v) The chapter is a full biography of Lemm, detailing his birth, struggles, musical career, and current life as a poor, aged musician living near the Kalitin house. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/vi) Enters briefly, leaves due to headache, dismisses Panshin as a dilettante, and accepts Lisa's apology. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxi) The old musician is present at the Kalitins' and later spends hours with Lavretsky discussing music. He is touched by Lavretsky's interest and agrees to visit him, though he feels shy and constrained in company. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxii) Expresses his creative frustration, desires to compose a song about pure stars and love, but feels he lacks poetic talent. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxiii) Expresses strong disapproval of Panshin as a match for Lisa, calling him a dilettante, and shows deep admiration for Lisa. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxv) Mentioned as being bewildered and alarmed by the loud argument, having locked himself in his room. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxvi) Presents a new song that is unsuccessful, causing him embarrassment and sadness. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxvii) Disappears after the angling; the next day he is scowling and silent. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxviii) Lemm asks for horses to return to town, packs his belongings, and departs with Lavretsky; they part coolly. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxxii) Entrenched in misanthropy, hardly bows to Lavretsky. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxxiv) Lemm plays a magnificent, passionate composition that moves Lavretsky deeply, revealing his love-inspired genius. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xxxvii) Receives Lavretsky late at night, agrees to deliver a note to Lisa, and returns with her reply. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/chapters/xliv) Meets Lavretsky on the street after the farewell; they exchange grim words about death. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters/christopher_theodor_gottlieb_lemm - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_house_of_gentlefolk_se/characters