Josh’s Reviews > Oblomov > Status Update

“Oblomov is like a man who has just been watching a summer sunset and enjoying its crimson afterglow, unable to tear his eyes away from the sky and turn back to see the approaching night, thinking all the time of the return of light and warmth next day”

It seems Oblomovs friend Stolz is his polar opposite. Stolz is temperate, hard-working, and not particularly emotional. He lampoons Oblomov’s “Oblomovitis”: his ideal life of rest and relaxation with simple minded and virtuous people. Stolz, on the other hand, sees work as the meaning of his life. He also enjoys the parties and gossip and small talk of high society that Oblomov despises

First few chapters are a intriguing and hilarious start. Oblomov, a thirty-something year old man, spends much of his day in bed. One morning, he wakes up especially early at 8 and calls his old servant. The servant deals with Oblomovs antics, who finds ways to blame him for the sorry condition his room is in, despite not actually minding it. Then, misfortune strike: Oblomov will soon be kicked out of his apartment.