Marya Alekséyevna

What Is to Be Done?

Represents the oppressive bourgeois family structure Vera seeks to escape.

Part I: The Life of Viéra Pavlovna in Her Parents’ Family

Viéra's domineering and pragmatic mother, who schemes to secure a wealthy match for her daughter.

I

Viéra's domineering mother, who uses manipulation and threats to secure a wealthy match for her daughter.

II

Marya Alekséyevna is unaware of the restaurant scene; she is at home, angry with Vera and snoring after drinking rum punch.

III

Tries to force the sleigh ride, becomes furious at Viéra's defiance, then considers compromise.

IV

Initially suspicious of Julie and Serge, but becomes grateful after learning of Storeshnikof's plot; reveals her mercenary nature.

V

Mentioned as the mother whose drugging was part of Storeshnikof's original scheme.

VI

Marya Alekséyevna does not complain about Viérotchka's refusal of the sleigh ride after learning that Storeshnikof is not as foolish as she thought.

VII

Eagerly accepts the proposal on Vera's behalf, then becomes furious and threatening when Vera refuses.

IX

Wavers between believing Viérotchka is a cunning intriguer and fearing she truly refuses Storeshnikof; beats her husband Pavel for revealing the refusal.

Part II: First Love, and Legal Marriage

Vera's mother, who schemes to marry Vera to Storeshnikof for financial gain.

I

Viérotchka's mother, who is scheming to marry her daughter to a rich man and is described as flattering the bridegroom and planning to oust his mother.

II

Mentioned in connection with her 'bibliographical investigations' into Lopukhóf's books.

Chapter III

Fawns over the officer Storeshnikof, invites Lopukhóf to Vera's birthday party, forms a favorable opinion of him due to his frugality.

IV

Wants to give a great party to show off the bridegroom but compromises on a small gathering; hosts the birthday party.

V

Mentioned as Vera's tipsy mother who inadvertently developed Vera's ideas about living by deceit and theft.

VI

Scheming and calculating, she interrogates Lopukhóf about his fictional bride, believing him a fortune-hunter and planning to flatter him to reduce his lesson fee.

VII

Displays cunning and suspicion, testing Lopukhóf's intentions by examining the books he brings and negotiating a lower price for lessons.

VIII: The Temptation of Hamlet

Eavesdrops on Viéra and Lopukhóf's conversation, approving of Lopukhóf's rational advice.

IX

Depicted as a vulgar, self-interested woman who misinterprets Lopukhóf's rational egoism as identical to her own crude pragmatism; her drunken confession and scheming are central to the chapter's farcical tone.

XI

Returns during the conversation and is later placated by Lopukhóf's deliberate loss at cards.

XIII

Vera's mother, who is forcing a wealthy suitor on her and would likely oppose the governess arrangement.

XIV

Mentioned as the mother whose consent is required for Viérotchka to leave home; her potential suspicions are a concern for the couple.

XV

Suspicious of Vera and Lopukhóf's sudden return together, she scrutinizes them but is gradually won over by Lopukhóf's flattery and expensive gifts.

XVI

Mámenka is mentioned as a source of pressure and scrutiny, driving Viérotchka's distress.

XVII

Gets drunk on ale and champagne, becomes sentimental, and is manipulated into believing Vera will marry Storeshnikof.

Chapter XX

Vera's mother, who is deceived by Vera's excuse to go to the Nevsky Prospekt and is left behind when Vera escapes.

XXI

Viéra's mother, who is confronted by Viéra at Ruzanof's store.

XXII

Flies into a public rage after Vera's departure, attacks a peddler, returns home to beat servants, then devises a strategic cover story with her husband.

XXIII

Plots revenge, then pragmatically assesses her losses and negotiates with Lopukhóf, ultimately dreaming of his wealth.

XXIV: A Word of Praise for Marya Alekséyevna

The narrator delivers a direct, ironic eulogy of her practical intelligence and moral limitations, acknowledging her as a product of her environment.

II

Reconciles with Vera after learning of her connection to a general; hosts a cold meeting.

III: Viéra Pavlovna’s Second Dream

Appears in the dream to defend her actions and conjure a vision of an alternative life.

XXIII

Mentioned as having acknowledged Lopukhóf as a 'monopolist,' but not directly present in the chapter.

VI

Mentioned in a simile comparing Pólozof's new regard for Kirsánof to her earlier view of Lopukhóf.