Eugene Onegin, Part 1, no. 149, Part XII summary
Part 1, no. 149, Part XII of 368 · 1 min to read the part
In XII, the narrator praises Onéguine’s treatment of Tattiana and presents his conduct as another sign of a noble mind, despite the harsh judgments of some men. The focus then shifts from Onéguine’s reputation to the narrator’s distrust of friends and the trouble friendship brings.
What happens
- The narrator asks readers to acknowledge that Onéguine treats the unhappy Tattiana well.
- He says Onéguine shows nobility on more than one occasion, despite some men’s harsh criticism.
- Friends and enemies alike hold Onéguine in considerable esteem.
- The narrator questions the difference between friends and enemies and complains about the trouble friends cause.
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In this part
What to notice
The closing complaint makes friendship, rather than open hostility, the narrator’s chief concern. It completes the shift from defending Onéguine to expressing personal distrust.
Quick check
How does the narrator judge Onéguine’s treatment of Tattiana?
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