CHAPTERVIII。
"Andnote，also，thisfalsehood，ofwhichallareguilty；thewayinwhichmarriagesaremade。Whatcouldtherebemorenatural？Theyounggirlismarriageable，sheshouldmarry。Whatsimpler，providedtheyoungpersonisnotamonster，andmencanbefoundwithadesiretomarry？Well，no，herebeginsanewhypocrisy。
"Formerly，whenthemaidenarrivedatafavorableage，hermarriagewasarrangedbyherparents。Thatwasdone，thatisdonestill，throughouthumanity，amongtheChinese，theHindoos，theMussulmans，andamongourcommonpeoplealso。Thingsaresomanagedinatleastninety-ninepercent。ofthefamiliesoftheentirehumanrace。
"Onlyweriotouslivershaveimaginedthatthiswaywasbad，andhaveinventedanother。Andthisother，——whatisit？Itisthis。
Theyounggirlsareseated，andthegentlemenwalkupanddownbeforethem，asinabazaar，andmaketheirchoice。Themaidenswaitandthink，butdonotdaretosay：’Takeme，youngman，meandnother。Lookattheseshouldersandtherest。’Wemaleswalkupanddown，andestimatethemerchandise，andthenwediscourseupontherightsofwoman，uponthelibertythatsheacquires，Iknownothow，inthetheatricalhalls。"
"Butwhatistobedone？"saidItohim。"Shallthewomanmaketheadvances？"
"Idonotknow。But，ifitisaquestionofequality，lettheequalitybecomplete。Thoughithasbeenfoundthattocontractmarriagesthroughtheagencyofmatch-makersishumiliating，itisneverthelessathousandtimespreferabletooursystem。Theretherightsandthechancesareequal；herethewomanisaslave，exhibitedinthemarket。Butasshecannotbendtohercondition，ormakeadvancesherself，therebeginsthatotherandmoreabominableliewhichissometimescalledGOINGINTOSOCIETY，sometimesAMUSINGONE’SSELF，andwhichisreallynothingbutthehuntforahusband。
"Butsaytoamotherortoherdaughterthattheyareengagedonlyinahuntforahusband。God！Whatanoffence！Yettheycandonothingelse，andhavenothingelsetodo；andtheterriblefeatureofitallistoseesometimesveryyoung，poor，andinnocentmaidenshauntedsolelybysuchideas。Ifonly，I
repeat，itweredonefrankly；butitisalwaysaccompaniedwithliesandbabbleofthissort：——
"’Ah，thedescentofspecies！Howinterestingitis！’
"’Oh，Lilyismuchinterestedinpainting。’
"’ShallyougototheExposition？Howcharmingitis！’
"’Andthetroika，andtheplays，andthesymphony。Ah，howadorable！’
"’MyLiseispassionatelyfondofmusic。’
"’Andyou，whydoyounotsharetheseconvictions？’
"Andthroughallthisverbiage，allhavebutonesingleidea：
’Takeme，takemyLise。No，me！Onlytry！"’
CHAPTERIX。
"Doyouknow，"suddenlycontinuedPosdnicheff，"thatthispowerofwomenfromwhichtheworldsuffersarisessolelyfromwhatI
havejustspokenof？"
"Whatdoyoumeanbythepowerofwomen？"Isaid。"Everybody，onthecontrary，complainsthatwomenhavenotsufficientrights，thattheyareinsubjection。"
"That’sit；that’sitexactly，"saidhe，vivaciously。"ThatisjustwhatImean，andthatistheexplanationofthisextraordinaryphenomenon，thatontheonehandwomanisreducedtothelowestdegreeofhumiliationandontheotherhandshereignsovereverything。SeetheJews：withtheirpowerofmoney，theyavengetheirsubjection，justasthewomendo。’Ah！youwishustobeonlymerchants？Allright；remainingmerchants，wewillgetpossessionofyou，’saytheJews。’Ah！youwishustobeonlyobjectsofsensuality？Allright；bytheaidofsensualitywewillbendyoubeneathouryoke，’saythewomen。
"Theabsenceoftherightsofwomandoesnotconsistinthefactthatshehasnottherighttovote，ortherighttositonthebench，butinthefactthatinheraffectionalrelationssheisnottheequalofman，shehasnottherighttoabstain，tochooseinsteadofbeingchosen。Yousaythatthatwouldbeabnormal。
Verywell！Butthendonotletmanenjoytheserights，whilehiscompanionisdeprivedofthem，andfindsherselfobligedtomakeuseofthecoquetrybywhichshegoverns，sothattheresultisthatmanchooses’formally，’whereasreallyitiswomanwhochooses。Assoonassheisinpossessionofhermeans，sheabusesthem，andacquiresaterriblesupremacy。"
"Butwheredoyouseethisexceptionalpower？"
"Where？Why，everywhere，ineverything。Goseethestoresinthelargecities。Therearemillionsthere，millions。Itisimpossibletoestimatetheenormousquantityoflaborthatisexpendedthere。Innine-tenthsofthesestoresisthereanythingwhateverfortheuseofmen？Alltheluxuryoflifeisdemandedandsustainedbywoman。Countthefactories；thegreaterpartofthemareengagedinmakingfeminineornaments。Millionsofmen，generationsofslaves，dietoilinglikeconvictssimplytosatisfythewhimsofourcompanions。
"Women，likequeens，keepnine-tenthsofthehumanraceasprisonersofwar，orasprisonersathardlabor。Andallthisbecausetheyhavebeenhumiliated，becausetheyhavebeendeprivedofrightsequaltothosewhichmenenjoy。Theytakerevengeforoursensuality；theycatchusintheirnets。
"Yes，thewholethingisthere。Womenhavemadeofthemselvessuchaweapontoactuponthesensesthatayoungman，andevenanoldman，cannotremaintranquilintheirpresence。Watchapopularfestival，orourreceptionsorball-rooms。Womanwellknowsherinfluencethere。Youwillseeitinhertriumphantsmiles。
"Assoonasayoungmanadvancestowardawoman，directlyhefallsundertheinfluenceofthisopium，andloseshishead。
LongagoIfeltillateasewhenIsawawomantoowelladorned，——whetherawomanofthepeoplewithherredneckerchiefandherloopedskirt，orawomanofourownsocietyinherball-roomdress。Butnowitsimplyterrifiesme。Iseeinitadangertomen，somethingcontrarytothelaws；andIfeeladesiretocallapoliceman，toappealfordefencefromsomequarter，todemandthatthisdangerousobjectberemoved。
"Andthisisnotajoke，byanymeans。Iamconvinced，Iamsure，thatthetimewillcome——andperhapsitisnotfardistant——whentheworldwillunderstandthis，andwillbeastonishedthatasocietycouldexistinwhichactionsasharmfulasthosewhichappealtosensualitybyadorningthebodyasourcompanionsdowereallowed。Aswellsettrapsalongourpublicstreets，orworsethanthat。
CHAPTERX。
"That，then，wasthewayinwhichIwascaptured。Iwasinlove，asitiscalled；notonlydidsheappeartomeaperfectbeing，butIconsideredmyselfawhiteblackbird。Itisacommonplacefactthatthereisnoonesolowintheworldthathecannotfindsomeonevilerthanhimself，andconsequentlypuffwithprideandself-contentment。Iwasinthatsituation。Ididnotmarryformoney。Interestwasforeigntotheaffair，unlikethemarriagesofmostofmyacquaintances，whomarriedeitherformoneyorforrelations。First，Iwasrich，shewaspoor。
Second，Iwasespeciallyproudofthefactthat，whileothersmarriedwithanintentionofcontinuingtheirpolygamiclifeasbachelors，itwasmyfirmintentiontolivemonogamicallyaftermyengagementandthewedding，andmyprideswelledimmeasurably。
"Yes，Iwasawretch，convincedthatIwasanangel。Theperiodofmyengagementdidnotlastlong。Icannotrememberthosedayswithoutshame。Whatanabomination！
"Itisgenerallyagreedthatloveisamoralsentiment，acommunityofthoughtratherthanofsense。Ifthatisthecase，thiscommunityofthoughtoughttofindexpressioninwordsandconversation。Nothingofthesort。Itwasextremelydifficultforustotalkwitheachother。WhatatoilofSisyphuswasourconversation！Scarcelyhadwethoughtofsomethingtosay，andsaidit，whenwehadtor俿um？oursilenceandtrytodiscovernewsubjects。Literally，wedidnotknowwhattosaytoeachother。Allthatwecouldthinkofconcerningthelifethatwasbeforeusandourhomewassaid。
"Andthenwhat？Ifwehadbeenanimals，weshouldhaveknownthatwehadnottotalk。Buthere，onthecontrary，itwasnecessarytotalk，andtherewerenoresources！Forthatwhichoccupiedourmindswasnotathingtobeexpressedinwords。
"Andthenthatsillycustomofeatingbon-bons，thatbrutalgluttonyforsweetmeats，thoseabominablepreparationsforthewedding，thosediscussionswithmammaupontheapartments，uponthesleeping-rooms，uponthebedding，uponthemorning-gowns，uponthewrappers，thelinen，thecostumes！Understandthatifpeoplemarriedaccordingtotheoldfashion，asthisoldmansaidjustnow，thentheseeiderdowncoverletsandthisbeddingwouldallbesacreddetails；butwithus，outoftenmarriedpeoplethereisscarcelytobefoundonewho，Idonotsaybelievesinsacraments（whetherhebelievesornotisamatterofindifferencetous），butbelievesinwhathepromises。Outofahundredmen，thereisscarcelyonewhohasnotmarriedbefore，andoutoffiftyscarcelyonewhohasnotmadeuphismindtodeceivehiswife。
"Thegreatmajoritylookuponthisjourneytothechurchasaconditionnecessarytothepossessionofacertainwoman。Thinkthenofthesupremesignificancewhichmaterialdetailsmusttakeon。Isitnotasortofsale，inwhichamaidenisgivenovertoadebauche，thesalebeingsurroundedwiththemostagreeabledetails？
CHAPTERXI。
"Allmarryinthisway。AndIdidliketherest。Iftheyoungpeoplewhodreamofthehoneymoononlyknewwhatadisillusionitis，andalwaysadisillusion！Ireallydonotknowwhyallthinkitnecessarytoconcealit。
"OnedayIwaswalkingamongtheshowsinParis，when，attractedbyasign，Ienteredanestablishmenttoseeabeardedwomanandawater-dog。Thewomanwasamanindisguise，andthedogwasanordinarydog，coveredwithasealskin，andswimminginabath。
Itwasnotintheleastinteresting，buttheBarnumaccompaniedmetotheexitverycourteously，and，inaddressingthepeoplewhowerecomingin，madeanappealtomytestimony。’Askthegentlemanifitisnotworthseeing！Comein，comein！Itonlycostsafranc！’AndinmyconfusionIdidnotdaretoanswerthattherewasnothingcurioustobeseen，anditwasuponmyfalseshamethattheBarnummusthavecounted。
"Itmustbethesamewiththepersonswhohavepassedthroughtheabominationsofthehoneymoon。Theydonotdaretoundeceivetheirneighbor。AndIdidthesame。
"Thefelicitiesofthehoneymoondonotexist。Onthecontrary，itisaperiodofuneasiness，ofshame，ofpity，and，aboveall，ofennui，——offerociousennui。Itissomethinglikethefeelingofayouthwhenheisbeginningtosmoke。Hedesirestovomit；hedrivels，andswallowshisdrivel，pretendingtoenjoythislittleamusement。Theviceofmarriage"……
"What！Vice？"Isaid。"Butyouaretalkingofoneofthemostnaturalthings。"
"Natural！"saidhe。"Natural！No，Iconsideronthecontrarythatitisagainstnature，anditisI，apervertedman，whohavereachedthisconviction。Whatwoulditbe，then，ifIhadnotknowncorruption？Toayounggirl，toeveryunpervertedyounggirl，itisanactextremelyunnatural，justasitistochildren。Mysistermarried，whenveryyoung，amantwiceherownage，andwhowasutterlycorrupt。Irememberhowastonishedwewerethenightofherwedding，when，paleandcoveredwithtears，shefledfromherhusband，herwholebodytrembling，sayingthatfornothingintheworldwouldshetellwhathewantedofher。
"Yousaynatural？Itisnaturaltoeat；thatisapleasant，agreeablefunction，whichnooneisashamedtoperformfromthetimeofhisbirth。No，itisnotnatural。Apureyounggirlwantsonething，——children。Children，yes，notalover。"……
"But，"saidI，withastonishment，"howwouldthehumanracecontinue？"
"Butwhatistheuseofitscontinuing？"herejoined，vehemently。
"What！Whatistheuse？Butthenweshouldnotexist。"
"Andwhyisitnecessarythatweshouldexist？"
"Why，tolive，tobesure。"
"Andwhylive？TheSchopenhauers，theHartmanns，andalltheBuddhists，saythatthegreatesthappinessisNirvana，Non-Life；
andtheyarerightinthissense，——thathumanhappinessiscoincidentwiththeannihilationof’Self。’Onlytheydonotexpressthemselveswell。TheysaythatHumanityshouldannihilateitselftoavoiditssufferings，thatitsobjectshouldbetodestroyitself。NowtheobjectofHumanitycannotbetoavoidsufferingsbyannihilation，sincesufferingistheresultofactivity。Theobjectofactivitycannotconsistinsuppressingitsconsequences。TheobjectofMan，asofHumanity，ishappiness，and，toattainit，Humanityhasalawwhichitmustcarryout。Thislawconsistsintheunionofbeings。Thisunionisthwartedbythepassions。Andthatiswhy，ifthepassionsdisappear，theunionwillbeaccomplished。Humanitythenwillhavecarriedoutthelaw，andwillhavenofurtherreasontoexist。"
"AndbeforeHumanitycarriesoutthelaw？"
"Inthemeantimeitwillhavethesignoftheunfulfilledlaw，andtheexistenceofphysicallove。Aslongasthisloveshallexist，andbecauseofit，generationswillbeborn，oneofwhichwillfinallyfulfilthelaw。Whenatlastthelawshallbefulfilled，theHumanRacewillbeannihilated。AtleastitisimpossibleforustoconceiveofLifeintheperfectunionofpeople。"
CHAPTERXII。
"Strangetheory！"criedI。
"Strangeinwhat？AccordingtoallthedoctrinesoftheChurch，theworldwillhaveanend。Scienceteachesthesamefatalconclusions。Why，then，isitstrangethatthesamethingshouldresultfrommoralDoctrine？’Letthosewhocan，contain，’saidChrist。AndItakethispassageliterally，asitiswritten。
Thatmoralitymayexistbetweenpeopleintheirworldlyrelations，theymustmakecompletechastitytheirobject。Intendingtowardthisend，manhumiliateshimself。Whenheshallreachthelastdegreeofhumiliation，weshallhavemoralmarriage。
"Butifman，asinoursociety，tendsonlytowardphysicallove，thoughhemayclotheitwithpretextsandthefalseformsofmarriage，hewillhaveonlypermissibledebauchery，hewillknowonlythesameimmorallifeinwhichIfellandcausedmywifetofall，alifewhichwecallthehonestlifeofthefamily。Thinkwhataperversionofideasmustarisewhenthehappiestsituationofman，liberty，chastity，islookeduponassomethingwretchedandridiculous。Thehighestideal，thebestsituationofwoman，tobepure，tobeavestal，avirgin，excitesfearandlaughterinoursociety。Howmany，howmanyyounggirlssacrificetheirpuritytothisMolochofopinionbymarryingrascalsthattheymaynotremainvirgins，——thatis，superiors！Throughfearoffindingthemselvesinthatidealstate，theyruinthemselves。
"ButIdidnotunderstandformerly，IdidnotunderstandthatthewordsoftheGospel，that’hewholooksuponawomantolustafterherhasalreadycommittedadultery，’donotapplytothewivesofothers，butnotablyandespeciallytoourownwives。I
didnotunderstandthis，andIthoughtthatthehoneymoonandallofmyactsduringthatperiodwerevirtuous，andthattosatisfyone’sdesireswithhiswifeisaneminentlychastething。Know，then，thatIconsiderthesedepartures，theseisolations，whichyoungmarriedcouplesarrangewiththepermissionoftheirparents，asnothingelsethanalicensetoengageindebauchery。
"Isaw，then，inthisnothingbadorshameful，and，hopingforgreatjoys，Ibegantolivethehoneymoon。Andverycertainlynoneofthesejoysfollowed。ButIhadfaith，andwasdeterminedtohavethem，costwhattheymight。ButthemoreItriedtosecurethem，thelessIsucceeded。AllthistimeIfeltanxious，ashamed，andweary。SoonIbegantosuffer。IbelievethatonthethirdorfourthdayIfoundmywifesadandaskedherthereason。Ibegantoembraceher，whichinmyopinionwasallthatshecoulddesire。Sheputmeawaywithherhand，andbegantoweep。
"Atwhat？Shecouldnottellme。Shewasfilledwithsorrow，withanguish。Probablyhertorturednerveshadsuggestedtoherthetruthaboutthebasenessofourrelations，butshefoundnowordsinwhichtosayit。Ibegantoquestionher；sheansweredthatshemissedherabsentmother。Itseemedtomethatshewasnottellingthetruth。Isoughttoconsoleherbymaintainingsilenceinregardtoherparents。Ididnotimaginethatshefeltherselfsimplyoverwhelmed，andthatherparentshadnothingtodowithhersorrow。Shedidnotlistentome，andIaccusedherofcaprice。Ibegantolaughathergently。Shedriedhertears，andbegantoreproachme，inhardandwoundingterms，formyselfishnessandcruelty。
"Ilookedather。Herwholefaceexpressedhatred，andhatredofme。Icannotdescribetoyouthefrightwhichthissightgaveme。’How？What？’thoughtI，’loveistheunityofsouls，andhereshehatesme？Me？Why？Butitisimpossible！Itisnolongershe！’
"Itriedtocalmher。Icameinconflictwithanimmovableandcoldhostility，sothat，havingnotimetoreflect，Iwasseizedwithkeenirritation。Weexchangeddisagreeableremarks。Theimpressionofthisfirstquarrelwasterrible。Isayquarrel，butthetermisinexact。Itwasthesuddendiscoveryoftheabyssthathadbeendugbetweenus。Lovewasexhaustedwiththesatisfactionofsensuality。Westoodfacetofaceinourtruelight，liketwoegoiststryingtoprocurethegreatestpossibleenjoyment，liketwoindividualstryingtomutuallyexploiteachother。
"SowhatIcalledourquarrelwasouractualsituationasitappearedafterthesatisfactionofsensualdesire。Ididnotrealizethatthiscoldhostilitywasournormalstate，andthatthisfirstquarrelwouldsoonbedrownedunderanewfloodoftheintensestsensuality。Ithoughtthatwehaddisputedwitheachother，andhadbecomereconciled，andthatitwouldnothappenagain。Butinthissamehoneymoontherecameaperiodofsatiety，inwhichweceasedtobenecessarytoeachother，andanewquarrelbrokeout。
"Itbecameevidentthatthefirstwasnotamatterofchance。
’Itwasinevitable，’Ithought。Thissecondquarrelstupefiedmethemore，becauseitwasbasedonanextremelyunjustcause。Itwassomethinglikeaquestionofmoney，——andneverhadIhaggledonthatscore；itwasevenimpossiblethatIshoulddosoinrelationtoher。Ionlyrememberthat，inanswertosomeremarkthatImade，sheinsinuatedthatitwasmyintentiontoruleherbymeansofmoney，andthatitwasuponmoneythatIbasedmysolerightoverher。Inshort，somethingextraordinarilystupidandbase，whichwasneitherinmycharacternorinhers。
"Iwasbesidemyself。Iaccusedherofindelicacy。Shemadethesameaccusationagainstme，andthedisputebrokeout。Inherwords，intheexpressionofherface，ofhereyes，Inoticedagainthehatredthathadsoastonishedmebefore。Withabrother，friends，myfather，Ihadoccasionallyquarrelled，butneverhadtherebeenbetweenusthisfiercespite。Sometimepassed。Ourmutualhatredwasagainconcealedbeneathanaccessofsensualdesire，andIagainconsoledmyselfwiththereflectionthatthesesceneswerereparablefaults。
"Butwhentheywererepeatedathirdandafourthtime，I
understoodthattheywerenotsimplyfaults，butafatalitythatmusthappenagain。Iwasnolongerfrightened，IwassimplyastonishedthatIshouldbepreciselytheonetolivesouncomfortablywithmywife，andthatthesamethingdidnothappeninotherhouseholds。Ididnotknowthatinallhouseholdsthesamesuddenchangestakeplace，butthatall，likemyself，imaginethatitisamisfortuneexclusivelyreservedforthemselvesalone，whichtheycarefullyconcealasshameful，notonlytoothers，buttothemselves，likeabaddisease。
"Thatwaswhathappenedtome。Begunintheearlydays，itcontinuedandincreasedwithcharacteristicsoffurythatwereevermorepronounced。Atthebottomofmysoul，fromthefirstweeks，IfeltthatIwasinatrap，thatIhadwhatIdidnotexpect，andthatmarriageisnotajoy，butapainfultrial。
Likeeverybodyelse，Irefusedtoconfessit（Ishouldnothaveconfesseditevennowbutfortheoutcome）。NowIamastonishedtothinkthatIdidnotseemyrealsituation。Itwassoeasytoperceiveit，inviewofthosequarrels，begunforreasonssotrivialthatafterwardsonecouldnotrecallthem。
"Justasitoftenhappensamonggayyoungpeoplethat，intheabsenceofjokes，theylaughattheirownlaughter，sowefoundnoreasonsforourhatred，andwehatedeachotherbecausehatredwasnaturallyboilingupinus。Moreextraordinarystillwastheabsenceofcausesforreconciliation。
"Sometimeswords，explanations，oreventears，butsometimes，I
remember，afterinsultingwords，theretacitlyfollowedembracesanddeclarations。Abomination！WhyisitthatIdidnotthenperceivethisbaseness？
CHAPTERXIII。
"Allofus，menandwomen，arebroughtupintheseaberrationsoffeelingthatwecalllove。Ifromchildhoodhadpreparedmyselfforthisthing，andIloved，andIlovedduringallmyyouth，andIwasjoyousinloving。Ithadbeenputintomyheadthatitwasthenoblestandhighestoccupationintheworld。Butwhenthisexpectedfeelingcameatlast，andI，aman，abandonedmyselftoit，theliewaspiercedthroughandthrough。
Theoreticallyaloftyloveisconceivable；practicallyitisanignobleanddegradingthing，whichitisequallydisgustingtotalkaboutandtoremember。Itisnotinvainthatnaturehasmadeceremonies，butpeoplepretendthattheignobleandtheshamefulisbeautifulandlofty。
"Iwilltellyoubrutallyandbrieflywhatwerethefirstsignsofmylove。Iabandonedmyselftobeastlyexcesses，notonlynotashamedofthem，butproudofthem，givingnothoughttotheintellectuallifeofmywife。AndnotonlydidInotthinkofherintellectuallife，Ididnotevenconsiderherphysicallife。
Iwasastonishedattheoriginofourhostility，andyethowclearitwas！Thishostilityisnothingbutaprotestofhumannatureagainstthebeastthatenslavesit。Itcouldnotbeotherwise。Thishatredwasthehatredofaccomplicesinacrime。
Wasitnotacrimethat，thispoorwomanhavingbecomepregnantinthefirstmonth，ourliaisonshouldhavecontinuedjustthesame？
"YouimaginethatIamwanderingfrommystory。Notatall。I
amalwaysgivingyouanaccountoftheeventsthatledtothemurderofmywife。Theimbeciles！TheythinkthatIkilledmywifeonthe5thofOctober。ItwaslongbeforethatthatI
immolatedher，justastheyallkillnow。Understandwellthatinoursocietythereisanideasharedbyallthatwomanprocuresmanpleasure（andviceversa，probably，butIknownothingofthat，Ionlyknowmyowncase）。Wein，WeiberundGesang。Sosaythepoetsintheirverses：Wine，women，andsong！
"Ifitwereonlythat！Takeallthepoetry，thepainting，thesculpture，beginningwithPouschkine’s’LittleFeet，’with’VenusandPhryne，’andyouwillseethatwomanisonlyameansofenjoyment。ThatiswhatsheisatTrouba，*atGratchevka，andinacourtball-room。Andthinkofthisdiabolicaltrick：ifshewereathingwithoutmoralvalue，itmightbesaidthatwomanisafinemorsel；but，inthefirstplace，theseknightsassureusthattheyadorewoman（theyadoreherandlookuponher，however，asameansofenjoyment），thenallassureusthattheyesteemwoman。Somegiveuptheirseatstoher，pickupherhandkerchief；othersrecognizeinherarighttofillalloffices，participateingovernment，etc。，but，inspiteofallthat，theessentialpointremainsthesame。Sheis，sheremains，anobjectofsensualdesire，andsheknowsit。Itisslavery，forslaveryisnothingelsethantheutilizationofthelaborofsomefortheenjoymentofothers。Thatslaverymaynotexistpeoplemustrefusetoenjoythelaborofothers，andlookuponitasashamefulactandasasin。
*AsuburbofMoscow。
"Actually，thisiswhathappens。Theyabolishtheexternalform，theysuppresstheformalsalesofslaves，andthentheyimagineandassureothersthatslaveryisabolished。Theyareunwillingtoseethatitstillexists，sincepeople，asbefore，liketoprofitbythelaborofothers，andthinkitgoodandjust。Thisbeinggiven，therewillalwaysbefoundbeingsstrongerormorecunningthanotherstoprofitthereby。Thesamethinghappensintheemancipationofwoman。Atbottomfeminineservitudeconsistsentirelyinherassimilationwithameansofpleasure。Theyexcitewoman，theygiveherallsortsofrightsequaltothoseofmen，buttheycontinuetolookuponherasanobjectofsensualdesire，andthustheybringherupfrominfancyandinpublicopinion。
"Sheisalwaysthehumiliatedandcorruptserf，andmanremainsalwaysthedebauchedMaster。Yes，toabolishslavery，publicopinionmustadmitthatitisshamefultoexploitone’sneighbor，and，tomakewomanfree，publicopinionmustadmitthatitisshamefultoconsiderwomanasaninstrumentofpleasure。
"Theemancipationofwomanisnottobeeffectedinthepubliccourtsorinthechamberofdeputies，butinthesleepingchamber。Prostitutionistobecombated，notinthehousesofill-fame，butinthefamily。Theyfreewomaninthepubliccourtsandinthechamberofdeputies，butsheremainsaninstrument。Teachher，assheistaughtamongus，tolookuponherselfassuch，andshewillalwaysremainaninferiorbeing。
Either，withtheaidoftherascallydoctors，shewilltrytopreventconception，anddescend，nottothelevelofananimal，buttothelevelofathing；orshewillbewhatsheisinthegreatmajorityofcases，——sick，hysterical，wretched，withouthopeofspiritualprogress。"……
"Butwhythat？"Iasked。
"Oh！themostastonishingthingisthatnooneiswillingtoseethisthing，evidentasitis，whichthedoctorsmustunderstand，butwhichtheytakegoodcarenottodo。Mandoesnotwishtoknowthelawofnature，——children。Butchildrenarebornandbecomeanembarrassment。Thenmandevisesmeansofavoidingthisembarrassment。WehavenotyetreachedthelowlevelofEurope，norParis，northe’systemoftwochildren，’norMahomet。Wehavediscoverednothing，becausewehavegivenitnothought。Wefeelthatthereissomethingbadinthetwofirstmeans；butwewishtopreservethefamily，andourviewofwomanisstillworse。
"Withuswomanmustbeatthesametimemistressandnurse，andherstrengthisnotsufficient。Thatiswhywehavehysteria，nervousattacks，and，amongthepeasants，witchcraft。Notethatamongtheyounggirlsofthepeasantrythisstateofthingsdoesnotexist，butonlyamongthewives，andthewiveswholivewiththeirhusbands。Thereasonisclear，andthisisthecauseoftheintellectualandmoraldeclineofwoman，andofherabasement。
"Iftheywouldonlyreflectwhatagrandworkforthewifeistheperiodofgestation！Inherisformingthebeingwhocontinuesus，andthisholyworkisthwartedandrenderedpainful……bywhat？Itisfrightfultothinkofit！Andafterthattheytalkofthelibertiesandtherightsofwoman！Itislikethecannibalsfatteningtheirprisonersinordertodevourthem，andassuringtheseunfortunatesatthesametimethattheirrightsandtheirlibertiesareguarded！"
Allthiswasnewtome，andastonishedmeverymuch。
"Butifthisisso，"saidI，"itfollowsthatonemaylovehiswifeonlyonceeverytwoyears；andasman"……
"Andasmanhasneedofher，youaregoingtosay。Atleast，sothepriestsofscienceassureus。Iwouldforcetheseprieststofulfilthefunctionofthesewomen，who，intheiropinion，arenecessarytoman。Iwonderwhatsongtheywouldsingthen。
Assuremanthatheneedsbrandy，tobacco，opium，andhewillbelievethosepoisonsnecessary。ItfollowsthatGoddidnotknowhowtoarrangemattersproperly，since，withoutaskingtheopinionsofthepriests，hehascombinedthingsastheyare。Manneeds，sotheyhavedecided，tosatisfyhissensualdesire，andherethisfunctionisdisturbedbythebirthandthenursingofchildren。
"What，then，istobedone？Why，applytothepriests；theywillarrangeeverything，andtheyhavereallydiscoveredaway。When，then，willtheserascalswiththeirliesbeuncrowned！Itishightime。Wehavehadenoughofthem。Peoplegomad，andshooteachotherwithrevolvers，andalwaysbecauseofthat！Andhowcoulditbeotherwise？
"Onewouldsaythattheanimalsknowthatdescentcontinuestheirrace，andthattheyfollowacertainlawinregardthereto。Onlymandoesnotknowthis，andisunwillingtoknowit。Hecaresonlytohaveasmuchsensualenjoymentaspossible。Thekingofnature，——man！Inthenameofhislovehekillshalfthehumanrace。Ofwoman，whooughttobehisaidinthemovementofhumanitytowardliberty，hemakes，inthenameofhispleasures，notanaid，butanenemy。Whoisitthateverywhereputsacheckupontheprogressivemovementofhumanity？Woman。Whyisitso？
ForthereasonthatIhavegiven，andforthatreasononly。
CHAPTERXIV。
"Yes，muchworsethantheanimalismanwhenhedoesnotliveasaman。ThuswasI。ThehorriblepartisthatIbelieved，inasmuchasIdidnotallowmyselftobeseducedbyotherwomenthatIwasleadinganhonestfamilylife，thatIwasaverymortalbeing，andthatifwehadquarrels，thefaultwasinmywife，andinhercharacter。
"Butitisevidentthatthefaultwasnotinher。Shewaslikeeverybodyelse，likethemajority。Shewasbroughtupaccordingtotheprinciplesexactedbythesituationofoursociety，——thatis，asalltheyounggirlsofourwealthyclasses，withoutexception，arebroughtup，andastheycannotfailtobebroughtup。Howmanytimeswehearorreadofreflectionsupontheabnormalconditionofwomen，anduponwhattheyoughttobe。Buttheseareonlyvainwords。Theeducationofwomenresultsfromtherealandnotimaginaryviewwhichtheworldentertainsofwomen’svocation。Accordingtothisview，theconditionofwomenconsistsinprocuringpleasureanditistothatendthathereducationisdirected。Fromherinfancysheistaughtonlythosethingsthatarecalculatedtoincreasehercharm。Everyyounggirlisaccustomedtothinkonlyofthat。
"Astheserfswerebroughtupsolelytopleasetheirmasters，sowomanisbroughtuptoattractmen。Itcannotbeotherwise。Butyouwillsay，perhaps，thatthatappliesonlytoyounggirlswhoarebadlybroughtup，butthatthereisanothereducation，aneducationthatisserious，intheschools，aneducationinthedeadlanguages，aneducationintheinstitutionsofmidwifery，aneducationinmedicalcourses，andinothercourses。Itisfalse。
"Everysortoffeminineeducationhasforitssoleobjecttheattractionofmen。
"Someattractbymusicorcurlyhair，othersbyscienceorbycivicvirtue。Theobjectisthesame，andcannotbeotherwise（sincenootherobjectexists），——toseducemaninordertopossesshim。Imaginecoursesofinstructionforwomenandfemininesciencewithoutmen，——thatis，learnedwomen，andmennotKNOWINGthemaslearned。Oh，no！Noeducation，noinstructioncanchangewomanaslongasherhighestidealshallbemarriageandnotvirginity，freedomfromsensuality。Untilthattimeshewillremainaserf。Oneneedonlyimagine，forgettingtheuniversalityofthecase，theconditionsinwhichouryounggirlsarebroughtup，toavoidastonishmentatthedebaucheryofthewomenofourupperclasses。Itistheoppositethatwouldcauseastonishment。
"Followmyreasoning。Frominfancygarments，ornaments，cleanliness，grace，dances，music，readingofpoetry，novels，singing，thetheatre，theconcert，forusewithinandwithout，accordingaswomenlisten，orpracticethemselves。Withthat，completephysicalidleness，anexcessivecareofthebody，avastconsumptionofsweetmeats；andGodknowshowthepoormaidenssufferfromtheirownsensuality，excitedbyallthesethings。
Nineoutoftenaretorturedintolerablyduringthefirstperiodofmaturity，andafterwardprovidedtheydonotmarryattheageoftwenty。Thatiswhatweareunwillingtosee，butthosewhohaveeyesseeitallthesame。Andeventhemajorityoftheseunfortunatecreaturesaresoexcitedbyahiddensensuality（anditisluckyifitishidden）thattheyarefitfornothing。Theybecomeanimatedonlyinthepresenceofmen。Theirwholelifeisspentinpreparationsforcoquetry，orincoquetryitself。Inthepresenceofmentheybecometooanimated；theybegintolivebysensualenergy。Butthemomentthemangoesaway，thelifestops。
"Andthat，notinthepresenceofacertainman，butinthepresenceofanyman，providedheisnotutterlyhideous。Youwillsaythatthisisanexception。No，itisarule。Onlyinsomeitismadeveryevident，inotherlessso。Butnoonelivesbyherownlife；theyarealldependentuponman。Theycannotbeotherwise，sincetothemtheattractionofthegreatestnumberofmenistheidealoflife（younggirlsandmarriedwomen），anditisforthisreasonthattheyhavenofeelingstrongerthanthatoftheanimalneedofeveryfemalewhotriestoattractthelargestnumberofmalesinordertoincreasetheopportunitiesforchoice。Soitisinthelifeofyounggirls，andsoitcontinuesduringmarriage。Inthelifeofyounggirlsitisnecessaryinordertoselection，andinmarriageitisnecessaryinordertorulethehusband。Onlyonethingsuppressesorinterruptsthesetendenciesforatime，——namely，children，——andthenonlywhenthewomanisnotamonster，——thatis，whenshenursesherownchildren。Hereagainthedoctorinterferes。
"Withmywife，whodesiredtonurseherownchildren，andwhodidnursesixofthem，ithappenedthatthefirstchildwassickly。
Thedoctors，whocynicallyundressedherandfeltofhereverywhere，andwhomIhadtothankandpayfortheseacts，——thesedeardoctorsdecidedthatsheoughtnottonurseherchild，andshewastemporarilydeprivedoftheonlyremedyforcoquetry。Anursefinishedthenursingofthisfirst-born，——thatistosay，weprofitedbythepovertyandignoranceofawomantostealherfromherownlittleoneinfavorofours，andforthatpurposewedressedherinakakoschniktrimmedwithgoldlace。
Nevertheless，thatisnotthequestion；buttherewasagainawakenedinmywifethatcoquetrywhichhadbeensleepingduringthenursingperiod。Thankstothat，shereawakenedinmethetormentsofjealousywhichIhadformerlyknown，thoughinamuchslighterdegree。
CHAPTERXV。
"Yes，jealousy，thatisanotherofthesecretsofmarriageknowntoallandconcealedbyall。Besidesthegeneralcauseofthemutualhatredofhusbandsandwivesresultingfromcomplicityinthepollutionofahumanbeing，andalsofromothercauses，theinexhaustiblesourceofmaritalwoundsisjealousy。Butbytacitconsentitisdeterminedtoconcealthemfromall，andweconcealthem。Knowingthem，eachonesupposesinhimselfthatitisanunfortunatepeculiarity，andnotacommondestiny。Soitwaswithme，andithadtobeso。Therecannotfailtobejealousybetweenhusbandsandwiveswholiveimmorally。Iftheycannotsacrificetheirpleasuresforthewelfareoftheirchild，theyconcludetherefrom，andtruly，thattheywillnotsacrificetheirpleasuresfor，Iwillnotsayhappinessandtranquillity（sinceonemaysininsecret），butevenforthesakeofconscience。Eachoneknowsverywellthatneitheradmitsanyhighmoralreasonsfornotbetrayingtheother，sinceintheirmutualrelationstheyfailintherequirementsofmorality，andfromthattimedistrustandwatcheachother。
"Oh，whatafrightfulfeelingofjealousy！Idonotspeakofthatrealjealousywhichhasfoundations（itistormenting，butitpromisesanissue），butofthatunconsciousjealousywhichinevitablyaccompanieseveryimmoralmarriage，andwhich，havingnocause，hasnoend。Thisjealousyisfrightful。Frightful，thatistheword。
"Andthisisit。Ayoungmanspeakstomywife。Helooksatherwithasmile，and，asitseemstome，hesurveysherbody。Howdoeshedaretothinkofher，tothinkofthepossibilityofaromancewithher？Andhowcanshe，seeingthis，toleratehim？
Notonlydoesshetoleratehim，butsheseemspleased。Ievenseethatsheputsherselftotroubleonhisaccount。Andinmysoulthererisessuchahatredforherthateachofherwords，eachgesture，disgustsme。Shenoticesit，sheknowsnotwhattodo，andhowassumeanairofindifferentanimation？Ah！I
suffer！Thatmakeshergay，sheiscontent。Andmyhatredincreasestenfold，butIdonotdaretogiveitfreeforce，becauseatthebottomofmysoulIknowthattherearenorealreasonsforit，andIremaininmyseat，feigningindifference，andexaggeratingmyattentionandcourtesytoHIM。
"ThenIgetangrywithmyself。Idesiretoleavetheroom，toleavethemalone，andIdo，infact，goout；butscarcelyamI
outsidewhenIaminvadedbyafearofwhatistakingplacewithinmyabsence。Igoinagain，inventingsomepretext。OrsometimesIdonotgoin；Iremainnearthedoor，andlisten。
Howcanshehumiliateherselfandhumiliatemebyplacingmeinthiscowardlysituationofsuspicionandespionage？Oh，abomination！Oh，thewickedanimal！Andhetoo，whatdoeshethinkofyou？Butheislikeallmen。HeiswhatIwasbeforemymarriage。Itgiveshimpleasure。Heevensmileswhenhelooksatme，asmuchastosay：’Whathaveyoutodowiththis？
Itismyturnnow。’
"Thisfeelingishorrible。Itsburnisunendurable。Toentertainthisfeelingtowardanyone，tooncesuspectamanoflustingaftermywife，wasenoughtospoilthismanforeverinmyeyes，asifhehadbeensprinkledwithvitriol。Letmeoncebecomejealousofabeing，andnevermorecouldIre-establishwithhimsimplehumanrelations，andmyeyesflashedwhenI
lookedathim。
"Asformywife，somanytimeshadIenvelopedherwiththismoralvitriol，withthisjealoushatred，thatshewasdegradedthereby。IntheperiodsofthiscauselesshatredIgraduallyuncrownedher。Icoveredherwithshameinmyimagination。
"Iinventedimpossibleknaveries。Isuspected，Iamashamedtosay，thatshe，thisqueenof’TheThousandandOneNights，’
deceivedmewithmyserf，undermyveryeyes，andlaughingatme。
Thus，witheachnewaccessofjealousy（Ispeakalwaysofcauselessjealousy），Ienteredintothefurrowdugformerlybymyfilthysuspicions，andIcontinuallydeepenedit。Shedidthesamething。IfIhavereasonstobejealous，shewhoknewmypasthadathousandtimesmore。Andshewasmoreill-naturedinherjealousythanI。AndthesufferingsthatIfeltfromherjealousyweredifferent，andlikewiseverypainful。
"Thesituationmaybedescribedthus。Wearelivingmoreorlesstranquilly。Iamevengayandcontented。Suddenlywestartaconversationonsomemostcommonplacesubject，anddirectlyshefindsherselfdisagreeingwithmeuponmattersconcerningwhichwehavebeengenerallyinaccord。AndfurthermoreIseethat，withoutanynecessitytherefor，sheisbecomingirritated。I
thinkthatshehasanervousattack，orelsethatthesubjectofconversationisreallydisagreeabletoher。Wetalkofsomethingelse，andthatbeginsagain。Againshetormentsme，andbecomesirritated。Iamastonishedandlookforareason。Why？Forwhat？Shekeepssilence，answersmewithmonosyllables，evidentlymakingallusionstosomething。IbegintodivinethatthereasonofallthisisthatIhavetakenafewwalksinthegardenwithhercousin，towhomIdidnotgiveevenathought。I
begintodivine，butIcannotsayso。IfIsayso，Iconfirmhersuspicions。Iinterrogateher，Iquestionher。Shedoesnotanswer，butsheseesthatIunderstand，andthatconfirmshersuspicions。
"’Whatisthematterwithyou？’Iask。
"’Nothing，Iamaswellasusual，’sheanswers。
"Andatthesametime，likeacrazywoman，shegivesutterancetothesilliestremarks，tothemostinexplicableexplosionsofspite。
"SometimesIampatient，butatothertimesIbreakoutwithanger。Thenherownirritationislaunchedforthinafloodofinsults，inchargesofimaginarycrimesandallcarriedtothehighestdegreebysobs，tears，andretreatsthroughthehousetothemostimprobablespots。Igotolookforher。Iamashamedbeforepeople，beforethechildren，butthereisnothingtobedone。SheisinaconditionwhereIfeelthatsheisreadyforanything。Irun，andfinallyfindher。Nightsoftorturefollow，inwhichbothofus，withexhaustednerves，appeaseeachother，afterthemostcruelwordsandaccusations。
"Yes，jealousy，causelessjealousy，istheconditionofourdebauchedconjugallife。AndthroughoutmymarriageneverdidI
ceasetofeelitandtosufferfromit。ThereweretwoperiodsinwhichIsufferedmostintensely。Thefirsttimewasafterthebirthofourfirstchild，whenthedoctorshadforbiddenmywifetonurseit。Iwasparticularlyjealous，inthefirstplace，becausemywifefeltthatrestlessnesspeculiartoanimalmatterwhentheregularcourseoflifeisinterruptedwithoutoccasion。
ButespeciallywasIjealousbecause，havingseenwithwhatfacilityshehadthrownoffhermoraldutiesasamother，I
concludedrightly，thoughunconsciously，thatshewouldthrowoffaseasilyherconjugalduties，feelingallthesurerofthisbecauseshewasinperfecthealth，aswasshownbythefactthat，inspiteoftheprohibitionofthedeardoctors，shenursedherfollowingchildren，andevenverywell。"
"Iseethatyouhavenoloveforthedoctors，"saidI，havingnoticedPosdnicheff’sextraordinarilyspitefulexpressionoffaceandtoneofvoicewheneverhespokeofthem。
"Itisnotaquestionoflovingthemorofnotlovingthem。Theyhaveruinedmylife，astheyhaveruinedthelivesofthousandsofbeingsbeforeme，andIcannothelpconnectingtheconsequencewiththecause。Iconceivethattheydesire，likethelawyersandtherest，tomakemoney。Iwouldwillinglyhavegiventhemhalfofmyincome——andanyonewouldhavedoneitinmyplace，understandingwhattheydo——iftheyhadconsentednottomeddleinmyconjugallife，andtokeepthemselvesatadistance。I
havecompilednostatistics，butIknowscoresofcases——inreality，theyareinnumerable——wheretheyhavekilled，nowachildinitsmother’swomb，assertingpositivelythatthemothercouldnotgivebirthtoit（whenthemothercouldgivebirthtoitverywell），nowmothers，underthepretextofaso-calledoperation。Noonehascountedthesemurders，justasnoonecountedthemurdersoftheInquisition，becauseitwassupposedthattheywerecommittedforthebenefitofhumanity。
Innumerablearethecrimesofthedoctors！Butallthesecrimesarenothingcomparedwiththematerialisticdemoralizationwhichtheyintroduceintotheworldthroughwomen。Isaynothingofthefactthat，ifitweretofollowtheiradvice，——thankstothemicrobewhichtheyseeeverywhere，——humanity，insteadoftendingtounion，wouldproceedstraighttocompletedisunion。
Everybody，accordingtotheirdoctrine，shouldisolatehimself，andneverremovefromhismouthasyringefilledwithphenicacid（moreover，theyhavefoundoutnowthatitdoesnogood）。ButI
wouldpassoverallthesethings。Thesupremepoisonistheperversionofpeople，especiallyofwomen。Onecannolongersaynow：’Youlivebadly，livebetter。’Onecannolongersayiteithertohimselfortoothers，for，ifyoulivebadly（saythedoctors），thecauseisinthenervoussystemorinsomethingsimilar，anditisnecessarytogotoconsultthem，andtheywillprescribeforyouthirty-fivecopecks’worthofremediestobeboughtatthedrug-store，andyoumustswallowthem。Yourconditiongrowsworse？Againtothedoctors，andmoreremedies！
Anexcellentbusiness！
"Buttoreturntooursubject。Iwassayingthatmywifenursedherchildrenwell，thatthenursingandthegestationofthechildren，andthechildreningeneral，quietedmytorturesofjealousy，butthat，ontheotherhand，theyprovokedtormentsofadifferentsort。
CHAPTERXVI。
"Thechildrencamerapidly，oneafteranother，andtherehappenedwhathappensinoursocietywithchildrenanddoctors。
Yes，children，maternallove，itisapainfulthing。Children，toawomanofoursociety，arenotajoy，apride，norafulfilmentofhervocation，butacauseoffear，anxiety，andinterminablesuffering，torture。Womensayit，theythinkit，andtheyfeelittoo。Childrentothemarereallyatorture，notbecausetheydonotwishtogivebirthtothem，nursethem，andcareforthem（womenwithastrongmaternalinstinct——andsuchwasmywife——arereadytodothat），butbecausethechildrenmayfallsickanddie。Theydonotwishtogivebirthtothem，andthennotlovethem；andwhentheylove，theydonotwishtofeelfearforthechild’shealthandlife。Thatiswhytheydonotwishtonursethem。’IfInurseit，’theysay，’Ishallbecometoofondofit。’Onewouldthinkthattheypreferredindia-rubberchildren，whichcouldneitherbesicknordie，andcouldalwaysberepaired。Whatanentanglementinthebrainsofthesepoorwomen！Whysuchabominationstoavoidpregnancy，andtoavoidtheloveofthelittleones？
"Love，themostjoyousconditionofthesoul，isrepresentedasadanger。Andwhy？Because，whenamandoesnotliveasaman，heisworsethanabeast。Awomancannotlookuponachildotherwisethanasapleasure。Itistruethatitispainfultogivebirthtoit，butwhatlittlehands！……Oh，thelittlehands！Oh，thelittlefeet！Oh，itssmile！Oh，itslittlebody！Oh，itsprattle！Oh，itshiccough！Inaword，itisafeelingofanimal，sensualmaternity。Butasforanyideaastothemysterioussignificanceoftheappearanceofanewhumanbeingtoreplaceus，thereisscarcelyasignofit。
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