Oblomov - Scènes De La Vie Russe

The novel evolved and expanded from an 1849 short story or sketch entitled

"Oblomov's Dream". The novel focuses on the midlife crisis of the main

character, Ilya Ilyich Oblomov, an upper middle class son of a member of

Russia's nineteenth century landed gentry. Oblomov's distinguishing

characteristic is his slothful attitude towards life. While a common negative

characteristic, Oblomov raises this trait to an art form, conducting his

little daily business apathetically from his bed.

While clearly comedic, the novel also seriously examines many critical issues

that faced Russian society in the nineteenth century. Some of these problems

included the uselessness of landowners and gentry in a feudal society that did

not encourage innovation or reform, the complex relations between members of

different classes of society such as Oblomov's relationship with his servant

Zakhar, and courtship and matrimony by the elite.