Individual vs. Society

Where it surfaces

• I

  Shubin's critique of social conventions and his focus on personal artistic expression contrast with Bersenyev's more philosophical and self-effacing outlook.

• IV

  Bersenyev's pursuit of a professorship represents a socially sanctioned path, while Shubin's artistic temperament chafes against societal expectations and personal relationships.

• VI

  Elena's solitary struggle and her desire for active well-doing set her apart from her family and society's expectations.

• IX

  Shubin feels isolated and misunderstood because of his artistic nature, contrasting with societal expectations of sincerity and depth.

• XI

  Insarov's disciplined, solitary routine and his unbending will set him apart from the more socially playful Shubin and the contemplative Bersenyev.

• XII

  Elena's internal conflict between her idealized heroic expectations and the real, unassuming Insarov highlights the tension between personal ideals and social reality.

• XIII

  Insarov's secretive actions with Bulgarian visitors and his departure without explanation highlight his role as an individual driven by a cause that sets him apart from the social norms of the Stahov household.

• XVI

  Elena feels isolated and constrained by her family and social expectations, longing to break free and find her own path.

• XVIII

  Elena defies her family's expectations and societal norms to follow Insarov, choosing personal devotion over social duty.

• XIX

  Elena's internal conflict between her personal happiness and the expectations of her family and social circle is central to the chapter.

• Chapter XX

  Shubin's self-caricature and his comments about 'self-castigation' reflect his internal struggle between personal expression and societal expectations of artistic dignity.

• XXI

  Elena feels torn between her love for Insarov and her obligations to her family and country, experiencing guilt and alienation.

• XXII

  Elena's private letter reveals her inner conflict between societal expectations (represented by Kurnatovsky) and her personal devotion to Insarov.

• XXIII

  Elena's defiance of social norms by secretly visiting Insarov and planning to elope without a proper passport.

• XXIV

  Insarov's struggle to obtain a passport legally and his resort to an attorney highlight the tension between personal desires and societal constraints.

• XXVII

  Elena's determination to meet Insarov privately defies the social norms of propriety and familial oversight.

• Chapter XXXIII

  Elena defies societal expectations and her father's wrath to marry Insarov and leave for Bulgaria, prioritizing her own convictions over social norms.

• Chapter XXXIV

  Insarov's critique of Lupoyarov and the younger generation reflects the tension between genuine individual commitment and societal posturing.