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Eugene Onegin, Part 1, no. 139, Part II summary

Part 1, no. 139, Part II of 368 · 1 min to read the part

In II, the speaker asks who can endure the repeated claims, false resistance, and elaborate gestures associated with romantic intrigue. The verse presents these dealings as tiring rather than appealing, extending its complaint to watchful aunts and mothers and the tedious friendship of husbands.

What happens

  1. The speaker asks who can tolerate pretence and endlessly repeated assurances about things everyone already knows.
  2. The complaint turns to familiar replies and efforts to overcome resistance that does not actually exist.
  3. The speaker lists threats, pleas, vows, false fears, long letters, rings, and tears as sources of fatigue.
  4. The list ends with deception, intrigue, scrutiny from female relatives, and tiresome friendship from husbands.

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Quick check

Whose scrutiny appears near the end of the speaker’s complaint?

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