Quotes from Oblomov
13 notable lines from Ivan Goncharov · 1859
One morning, in a flat in one of the great buildings in Gorokhovaia Street, the population of which was sufficient to constitute that of a provincial town, there was lying in bed a gentleman named Ilya Ilyitch Oblomov.
Quotations follow the Stephen Pearl translation (Alma Classics, 2014) — our recommended edition.
With Oblomov, lying in bed was neither a necessity (as in the case of an invalid or of a man who stands badly in need of sleep) nor an accident (as in the case of a man who is feeling worn out) nor a gratification (as in the case of a man who is purely lazy). Rather, it represented his normal condition.
Of Oblomov, Part I, Ch. I · trans. C. J. Hogarth The costume in question consisted of a dressing-gown of some Persian material—a real Eastern dressing-gown—a garment that was devoid both of tassels and velvet facings and a waist, yet so roomy that Oblomov might have wrapped himself in it once or twice over.
The dressing-gown, Part I, Ch. I · trans. C. J. Hogarth Unfortunately, in his dark-grey eyes there was an absence of any definite idea, and in his other features a total lack of concentration.
Oblomov's face, Part I, Ch. I · trans. C. J. Hogarth Now or never! 'To be or not to be!'
Oblomov, weighing whether to act · trans. C. J. Hogarth This Oblomovian question was for him of even deeper significance than Hamlet's 'to be or not to be.'
Of Oblomov's indecision · trans. C. J. Hogarth And he was as intelligent as other people, his soul was pure and clear as crystal; he was noble and affectionate—and yet he did nothing!
Of Oblomov When you don't know what you're living for, you don't care how you live from one day to the next.
Of Oblomov's drift Memories are the height of poetry only when they are memories of happiness. When they graze wounds over which scars have formed they become an aching pain.
Of memory · trans. David Magarshack Yesterday one has wished, to-day one attains the madly longed-for object, and to-morrow one will blush to think that one ever desired it.
On desire and disenchantment · trans. C. J. Hogarth Having done with the cares of business, Oblomov liked to withdraw into himself and live in the world of his own creation.
Of Oblomov's daydreaming It all began with your inability to put on your own stockings and ended with your inability to live.
Stolz to Oblomov, diagnosing his ruin Oblomovism!
Stolz, naming the disease