Ivan Turgenev’s "Nov’" (Snowmelt) Summary

Written in 1877, this book is a comprehensive and insightful account of the Narodnik movement in Russia. The novel describes the intelligentsia’s attempts to merge with the peasantry in order to change the social order.

Life in St. Petersburg and new acquaintances

In the spring of 1868, student Alexei Nezhdanov gathered like-minded individuals in his St. Petersburg apartment. Fekla Mashurina, Pimen Ostrodumov, and Sila Paklin arrived. Mashurina and Ostrodumov were stern practitioners, meekly awaiting instructions from a certain Vasily Nikolaevich in Moscow. They were planning a trip to the provinces for active propaganda. Paklin was a lame, caustic man, constantly mocking the shortcomings of society, but sincerely sympathizing with the revolutionaries.

Alexey Nezhdanov is the illegitimate son of a wealthy aristocrat. His father never officially recognized him, but left him a modest pension. The young man writes poetry, of which he is painfully ashamed, conceals his refined sensitivity behind crude language, and desperately needs money to contribute to the general fund. He shares his sincere doubts only in letters to his distant friend Vladimir Silin.

Residents of the Arzhanoye estate

Nezhdanov receives an offer to become a tutor. Privy Councilor Boris Sipyagin hires him to teach Russian and history to his nine-year-old son, Kolya. Sipyagin takes the new tutor to his wealthy estate, Arzhanoye.

At the Sipyagins’ house, Alexei meets the host’s wife, the beautiful Valentina Mikhailovna. She has a commanding personality, loves to flirt, and showers her guest with attention. Marianna Sinetskaya, Sipyagin’s niece, also lives there. Marianna’s father was convicted of large-scale bribery and exiled.

After her parents’ death, the girl is forced to endure the constant condescension of her wealthy relatives. She detests the hypocritical atmosphere of the luxurious home and behaves with extreme independence.

Ideological clashes

Semyon Kallomeytsev is a frequent guest at the estate. He is a reactionary landowner who advocates the harshest measures against the common people. Quarrels constantly flare up between him and Alexei. Nezhdanov boldly defends the ideals of the youth.

Marianna quickly becomes close to Nezhdanov. The young people discover a striking commonality of political views. They both passionately dream of serving the oppressed peasants. Marianna sees Alexei as a loyal comrade in their inevitable struggle.

Markelov, Solomin and the old Subochevs

The Sipyagins’ neighbor, Valentina Mikhailovna’s brother Sergei Markelov, is completely consumed with ideas of armed rebellion. A stern and stubborn former military man, he is hopelessly in love with Marianna, but is firmly rebuffed. Markelov introduces Alexei to local radical activists.

They head to the cotton mill where Vasily Solomin works as the manager. He studied mechanics in England. He is intelligent, calm, and extremely pragmatic. His factory has a realistic working environment, devoid of ostentatious gloss. Vasily doesn’t believe in a quick peasant revolt, preferring slow, painstaking work: creating schools, hospitals, and workers’ cooperatives.

Markelov also takes his friends to the wealthy merchant Golushkin. The merchant generously sponsors the group, covering up his inner cowardice with loud oppositional cries. At a lavish dinner, he plies his guests with champagne. Markelov himself is eager to fight and blindly believes in the people’s readiness for revolution.

In the city, Paklin brings Nezhdanov, Solomin, and Markelov to the home of elderly Fomushka and Fimushka Subochev. This couple lives in complete isolation from modernity, preserving the lifestyle and customs of the eighteenth century. The old couple sings ancient romances and treats their guests to traditional dishes. Their naive kindness stands in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the revolution.

Escape from a hated home

The relationship between Marianna and Nezhdanov develops into a strong mutual attachment. She is willing to give up her comfort for the greater good. Valentina Mikhailovna overhears their frank conversation in the hallway. Sipyagina is outraged by her niece’s behavior and throws a fit, harshly reproaching her for her bread.

Marianna and Alexei decide to flee immediately. They leave Arzhanoye early in the morning on a peasant’s cart. The couple finds safe refuge in Solomin’s factory. The manager gives them two adjoining rooms in an outbuilding. Tatyana, the wife of factory worker Pavel, actively helps Marianna settle into her new surroundings.

The fugitives dress in old peasant clothes. They plan to become "simple" — to blend in with ordinary people. Marianne persistently learns to cook, pluck chickens, and wash dishes. The girl experiences immense joy in hard physical labor.

Failure of popular agitation

Nezhdanov travels to nearby villages to conduct oral propaganda. He attempts to distribute printed brochures, calling on the peasants to revolt against the landowners. People are completely unable to understand his complex speeches, mistaking the young man for a drunken eccentric.

In one of the pubs, Alexei is forced to drink a shot of vodka. He returns to the factory heavily intoxicated. Worker Pavel barely manages to get him home. This incident leaves the young man mentally broken.

Alexei writes a letter to Silin, confessing his complete incompetence for his chosen profession. His refined aesthetic nature repulses the coarseness, the stench of alcohol, and the ignorance of the crowd. Nezhdanov realizes he no longer believes in the success of a popular uprising. Marianna’s sincere love begins to weigh heavily on him, as he feels internally dead and powerless.

Arrests and betrayal

The situation in the province is rapidly deteriorating. The peasants tie up Markelov and hand him over to the authorities. The merchant Golushkin is arrested and, in a panic, betrays all the members of the circle, hoping to avoid a harsh prison sentence.

At this very moment, Paklin arrives at the Sipyagins’. He hopes to persuade the influential official to help the arrested Markelov. During their conversation, Paklin inadvertently reveals the whereabouts of Alexei and Marianna. Sipyagin, along with Kallomeytsev, goes to the city to see the governor. They demand harsh police action against the escaped rebels.

In the governor’s office, Paklin realizes he has become the perpetrator of treason. Desperate, he immediately rushes to the factory and tries to warn his friends, but the detective machinery has already been set in motion. The police are preparing for a massive search. Mashurina unexpectedly arrives at Nezhdanov’s with a secret letter from Geneva, but, seeing his condition, discreetly destroys the dangerous message.

Tragic ending

Reliable news arrives at the factory about the imminent arrival of the gendarmes. Solomin suggests the fugitives hide in a safe place. Marianna is fearlessly prepared to fight to the very end.

Nezhdanov becomes completely confused. He sees Marianna’s spiritual strength and Solomin’s calm confidence. Alexey clearly realizes that these two are ideally suited to each other. The young man can’t bring himself to live a lie and doesn’t want to drag the girl he loves down. That night, he burns his poems and personal papers.

Early in the morning, Nezhdanov goes out into the front garden. He stops under an old apple tree. Alexey takes out a revolver and shoots himself in the chest.

Tatyana accidentally sees the wounded man from the window. Solomin and Marianna rush to the dying man. Before dying, Nezhdanov takes the girl’s hand and firmly connects it with Solomin’s. He dies, leaving behind two suicide notes. In them, the young man asks his friends to stay together and forgives everyone for his weaknesses.

The further fates of the heroes

Solomin and Marianna secretly marry at the home of a priest named Zosima, a friend of theirs. They leave the factory forever. Vasily leaves a detailed financial report with the factory owner, after which he disappears with his young wife.

The police find only Nezhdanov’s dead body in the outbuilding. The Sipyagins give up the search for their missing niece forever. Markelov bravely stands firm in court, giving no one away. He accepts the harsh sentence with proud resignation.

In the winter of 1870, Paklin accidentally encounters Mashurina on the streets of St. Petersburg. She is living under a false Italian passport, under the name of Countess Rocco di Santo-Fiume. Paklin tells her about Solomin and Marianna’s marriage. Mashurina remains devoted to her work and keeps the only photograph of Nezhdanov. Paklin is left in a painful loneliness, bitterly contemplating the fates of these nameless heroes.