Individualism vs. Society

The novel contrasts Sanine's radical individualism and rejection of social conventions with the suffocating expectations of family, honor, and morality that torment characters like Lida and Yourii.

Sanine's return and his nonconformist attitude challenge the rigid social norms of the provincial town.

Sanine's return highlights his independent, self-directed life, which clashes with his mother's and sister's conventional expectations.

Sanine's refusal to conform to expected social roles and his critique of the 'military cloister' mentality highlight the tension between personal freedom and societal pressure.

Sanine champions the 'blackguard' as an individual who defies social conventions, contrasting with Novikoff's conventional proposal and Lida's conflicted feelings.