# Sexual Freedom and Hypocrisy in Sanine

> Theme guide for Sanine by Mikhail Artsybashev.

Artsybashev explores the tension between natural sexual desire and societal shame, as seen in Sina's guilt after her affair, Lida's pregnancy, and Sanine's advocacy for fulfilling desires without moral judgment.

## Where it surfaces

- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/ii): Novikoff's jealous outburst and Sanine's blunt remarks about female beauty reveal the hypocritical attitudes toward female sexuality and desire.
- [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/iii): Sanine openly discusses adultery and desire as natural, while Sarudine's seduction of Lida and Novikoff's frustrated proposal highlight the tension between societal norms and personal impulses.
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/vii): Lida grapples with the consequences of her sexual encounter, feeling both shame and a defiant assertion of her right to pleasure, while recognizing the societal hypocrisy that condemns women for the same desires men freely express.
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xiv): Yourii condemns the double standard that condemns female sexuality while excusing male promiscuity, yet struggles with his own desires and ideals of purity.
- [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xvii): Sarudine's initial passion turns to disgust and a desire to discard Lida, exposing the hypocrisy of male sexual freedom versus female vulnerability.
- [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xx): Sanine argues that Lida's affair was a natural expression of passion and beauty, condemning societal double standards that condemn women while excusing men's debauchery.
- [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xxi): Yourii's self-contempt over his sexual instincts and Sina's hidden desires reveal the tension between natural urges and societal repression.
- [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xxiii): Lida intellectually believes her actions were natural and praiseworthy, yet she is consumed by shame and fear of societal judgment, highlighting the hypocrisy surrounding sexual freedom.
- [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xxvii): Sarudine and Volochine's conversation objectifies women and reduces them to mere physical attributes, revealing a hypocritical and degrading attitude toward sexuality.
- [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xxxv): Sanine argues against hypocritical chastity, advocating for open acknowledgment of natural desires.
- [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xxxvi): Yourii experiences both lustful thoughts and tender emotions towards Sina, highlighting the tension between desire and societal expectations.
- [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xxxvii): Yourii's internal conflict between desire and moral restraint, and his disgust at acting 'like an animal,' highlights the tension between natural impulses and societal hypocrisy.
- [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xxxviii): Sina's internal conflict between ecstasy and shame after her affair with Yourii, and her passionate encounter with Sanine, highlight the tension between sexual desire and societal judgment.
- [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xxxix): Sina's submission and lack of disgust, along with Sanine's tender passion, reflect a naturalistic approach to intimacy free from conventional moral judgment.
- [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/chapters/xl): Sina's experience of a passionate night is followed by societal condemnation and self-loathing, while Sanine treats it as a beautiful memory.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/themes/sexual_freedom_and_hypocrisy
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sanine_se/themes