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Fathers and Sons, Chapter 8 summary

Chapter 8 of 28 · 10 min to read the chapter

In Chapter 8, Paul Petrovitch visits Thenichka, admires her baby Mitia, and gives Nikolai Petrovitch reason to feel grateful for his brother’s attention. The narrator explains how Nikolai’s affection for Thenichka develops after he hires her mother, while Paul ends the chapter alone, keeping his thoughts hidden.

What happens

  1. Paul leaves Nikolai’s troubled estate business and visits Thenichka, asking her to arrange a purchase of green tea.
  2. Thenichka brings Mitia back into the room, and Paul admires the baby’s resemblance to Nikolai.
  3. Nikolai arrives, welcomes his brother’s attention, and questions Thenichka’s request to return to the wing.
  4. The narrator recounts how Nikolai hires Arina Savishna and becomes attached to her daughter after treating her injured eye.
  5. After Arina’s death, Thenichka’s loneliness and Nikolai’s affection bring them together.
  6. Nikolai plays with Mitia while Paul withdraws to his study, releases the window curtains, and lies down again.

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In this chapter

Nikolai PetrovitchPaul PetrovitchThenichka

What to notice

Paul openly recognizes Mitia’s resemblance to Nikolai. His attention to the baby makes Nikolai feel that his brother acknowledges this part of his household.

Quick check

Why does Nikolai first treat Thenichka?

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