3 Review(s)

Rudin by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev is a significant work in Russian literature, representing the 19th-century Russian intellectual landscape. The novel explores the themes of idealism versus reality through the character study of Dmitry Rudin, an intellectual who embodies Romanticism's lofty ideals yet struggles with the practicalities of life. Turgenev delves into Russian society, critiquing the disconnect between philosophical aspirations and real-world actions. Rudin is a figure of unfulfilled potential, a man of words rather than deeds, whose intellectualism fails to translate into meaningful change. The novel also touches on love and relationships, as Rudin's personal connections are marked by his inability to commit and act decisively. Through Rudin, Turgenev offers a psychological novel that serves as both a social criticism and a reflection on the complexities of the human condition. This work remains a powerful commentary on the challenges faced by intellectuals in a rapidly changing world.