Resurrection · Chapter
XLVII explained
Nekhlúdoff visits the prison to have Máslova sign a petition for appeal.
What happens
Nekhlúdoff visits the prison to have Máslova sign a petition for appeal. He observes the inspector's distress and the tense atmosphere among the prison staff. Máslova appears bold and cheerful, signs the petition, and Nekhlúdoff prepares to speak with her privately.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This scene is the dramatic climax because it forces Nekhlúdoff to confront the central moral crisis of the nov…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Injustice of the Legal System
The chapter highlights the bureaucratic and emotional toll on prison staff and the precarious position of prisoners like Máslova, underscoring systemic flaws.
Characters to notice
- Prince Dmitri Ivanovich Nekhludoff
Arrives at the prison with the petition, observes the inspector's agitation, and guides Máslova through signing.
- Katerina Maslova
Brought to the office, she signs the petition with a bold and cheerful demeanor, though briefly frightened by the inspector.
- The Officer
The inspector, visibly distressed and weary, speaks of the heavy duties of his position and mentions a recent convict fight.
Key passages
“Mine are heavy, heavy duties”
The inspector laments the burden of his responsibilities.
Reflects the moral weight and exhaustion of prison administration.
“I could at one time”
Máslova indicates she used to know how to write.
Shows her past education and current diminished circumstances.
