- Summary
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- Tolstoy Lev
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- Youth
Year: 1857 Genre: story
Main characters: narrator Nikolai Irtenyev (prototype of Leo Tolstoy), Vladimir Irtenyev - the hero’s brother, Dmitry Nekhlyudov - friend, Dubkov - Volodya’s friend.
Tolstoy's story describes the life of a sixteen-year-old boy, Nikolai Irtenevich. Ahead of him are exams and admission to university. On his life's path he will meet different people. Many of his friends do not lead the best lifestyle: they smoke, drink alcohol, and gossip. They try to win Nikolai over to their side, but the young man chooses the righteous path. His ideal becomes Dmitry Nekhlyudov, a decent, honest, intelligent person. He repeatedly helps Nikolai out and helps him with his studies.
The hero finds a common language with his brother Volodya, but spends little time with his sisters Katya and Lyuba. His father is hardly ever at home. He is getting married a second time. All family members do not like the stepmother.
Nikolai shows sympathy for many ladies, but these signs of attention are just a temporary hobby for the hero.
The young man successfully passes the exams. His dream came true. In the capital, he finds new comrades who do not have the best influence on him. Nikolai fails the exam and therefore does not move on to the next course. He is upset because he has violated all his moral principles. From that moment on, he decides to strictly follow his rules.
The reader has the opportunity to observe the moral growth of the hero of the story.
The main idea. The story teaches its reader that it is necessary to realize one’s mistakes, analyze them and never make them again in the future. As they say: “You need to learn from mistakes.”
Summary of Tolstoy's Youth in chapters
Chapter 1. What I consider the beginning of youth
Nikolai Irtenyev turned sixteen years old. A kind, purposeful, honest person dreams of successfully passing the university entrance exams. The hero begins to communicate with Dmitry Nekhlyudov, a sensible and entertaining young man. For Irtenyev, he is a role model.
Chapter 2. Spring
Nikolai loves spring. He enjoys nature, which awakens after a long winter sleep.
Chapter 3. Dreams
The young man dreams of studying at university and how he will donate scholarships to the poor and needy. Nikolai wants to become popular.
Chapter 4. Our family circle
His father is often absent from home. He is fond of gambling. Now he is having a period of good fortune and is therefore in an excellent position. His brother Volodya is completely different from him in character. Volodya loves social parties and chatting with friends over a glass of champagne. Lyuba and Katya, Nikolai’s sisters, have become grown-up young ladies and dream of a wedding.
Chapter 5. Rules
In order to understand the meaning of life, Nikolai takes a blank notebook and begins to keep notes about the rules and norms of behavior in society. At the request of his father, a monk comes to Nikolai’s house to listen to the confession of each family member.
Chapter 6. Confession
Nikolai confesses to the monk and tells about all his sins. At night he wakes up and remembers that he forgot to tell the old man about another bad deed. This thought does not give the young man peace and early in the morning he decides to go to the temple.
Chapter 7. Trip to the monastery
Nikolai leaves home on his own for the first time. He waits for about half an hour for the monk to correct his mistake. At this moment, he feels people's eyes on him. He is sure that all confessors condemn him.
Chapter 8. Second Confession
He waits for the monk and pours out his whole soul to him. Now he is truly happy, his soul is light. Nikolai rushes home on the wings of happiness, but this joy quickly dissipates, as minor troubles await him at home.
Chapter 9. How I prepare for the exam
All the household, except Volodya and Saint-Jerome, who is the tutor, go to the village. Good spring weather does not allow Nikolai to study calmly.
Chapter 10. History Exam
Nikolai is taking a history exam. He is lucky and comes across a question that he knows very well and therefore receives.
Chapter 11. Mathematics Exam
Next math exam. Except for 2 questions, he learned all the tickets. Dmitry Nekhlyudov quickly explains an unlearned question to his friend. But, unfortunately, the young man comes across another topic. He is upset. Having exchanged tickets with the applicant, he receives o.
Chapter 12. Latin exam
The Latin teacher gives Nikolai a task that was not given to study in advance. He is unable to cope with the task and receives o. The young man feels offended by injustice.
Chapter 13. I'm big
Nikolai passes the exam excellently and celebrates this event in a decent establishment with his comrades. His father gives him a horse as a present.
Chapter 14. What Volodya and Dubkov were doing
Volodya and Dubkov are fond of gambling. Cards are their passion. Then all the comrades go to the restaurant together.
Chapter 15. They congratulate me
Comrades congratulate Nikolai on the beginning of a new life. Friends drink champagne and have fun. The hero notices that Dmitry leads a more correct life than the rest of his comrades: he does not drink alcohol, does not brag about his love affairs and does not smoke.
Chapter 16. Quarrel
Nikolai repeats the behavior of his friends, does not want to lag behind them. As a result, a conflict arises between the hero and a certain Kolpikov. At this moment Dubkov barges in with his inappropriate ridicule. Nikolai tells him everything he thinks about and insults him. Dmitry calms his friend down.
Chapter 17. I'm going to make visits
At the behest of his father, Nikolai goes to visit the Valakhins, Ivins, and Kornakovs. Nikolai seems to be “at ease” only with Dmitry, and is constrained with the rest.
Chapter 18
Many years ago, the hero felt sympathy for Sonya Valakhina. Seeing the beautiful girl again, he feels affection for her.
Chapter 19. Kornakovs
Nikolai learns from the Kornakovs that members of his family are direct descendants of the prince.
Chapter 20. Ivins
Nikolai goes to the Ivins. The hero does not like the Ivins’ attitude towards him. The mother complains and whines endlessly, and the younger Ivin and his father do not seem to notice the guest and reluctantly answer his questions.
Chapter 21. Prince Ivan Ivanovich
Nikolai comes to his relative the prince. The elderly man is friendly with the hero, but such an affectionate attitude is just a joke. Nikolai believes that Ivan Ivanovich dislikes him because of his family ties.
Chapter 22. A heart-to-heart conversation with my friend
Nikolai goes to visit his comrade Nekhlyudov at the dacha. Dima talks about his sympathy for Lyubov Sergeevna, who lived at their house.
Chapter 23. Nekhlyudovs
Nikolai meets his friend’s family, as well as Lyubov Sergevna. The hero didn't like the girl.
Chapter 24. Love
The young man liked Aunt Nekhlyudova, kind-hearted Sofya Ivanovna. She treats the rest of the family with respect.
Chapter 25. I'm getting acquainted
A discussion unfolds in Dima's family about the relationship between Dmitry and Lyuba. This love affair is not supported by Varya’s mother and sister. Despite what is happening, Nikolai feels comfortable visiting. Here he is considered and accepted as one of their own.
Chapter 26. I show myself at my best
After tea everyone goes to the garden. Nikolai sympathizes with Varenka, but remembers that he is not indifferent to Sonya.
Chapter 27. Dmitry
Nikolai dreams of marrying Varya and creating a happy family with her. Dmitry has a toothache. The irritated young man hits the servant. Dmitry feels awkward in front of his friend. After the incident, the friends talk until dawn.
Chapter 28. In the village
The long-awaited meeting took place. Nikolai's whole family is assembled. The father looks animated and joyful.
Chapter 29. Relations between us and the girls
Nikolai and Volodya spend some time with their sisters Katya and Lyuba. There are close relationships between the boys.
Chapter 30. My activities
This summer Nikolai takes on a new hobby. Playing the piano and reading novels are his main hobbies. Katya introduced Nikolai to sheet music. By playing a musical instrument, the young man wants to win the hearts of young ladies.
Chapter 31. Comme il faut
Nikolai wants to be a comme il faut - a man who speaks excellent French and is neatly dressed.
Chapter 32. Youth
Nikolai is having a great summer vacation.
Chapter 33. Neighbors
Nikolai's father communicates well with the Epifanovs. The young man is not very enthusiastic about these people.
Chapter 34. Father's Marriage
Signs of the father’s attention to his neighbor Avdotya became increasingly visible. The father is already over forty, but the neighbor is still in her prime.
Chapter 35. How we received this news
The father officially announces his marriage to all family members.
Chapter 36. University
So autumn has come. Volodya and Nikolai went to study in the capital. Nikolai does not maintain close relationships with anyone.
Chapter 37. Matters of the heart
The young man sympathizes with many ladies, but all these signs of attention are temporary and not serious.
Chapter 38. Light
Nikolai attends a social party for the first time. Out of worry, he behaves stupidly.
Chapter 39. Revelry
Nikolai's classmate holds a feast. It's boring, but everyone creates an air of fun. And then they spread the rumor that everything was at the highest level.
Chapter 40. Friendship with the Nekhlyudovs
This winter Nikolai became a frequent visitor to the Nekhlyudovs. He feels comfortable in this family.
Chapter 41. Friendship with Nekhlyudov
The friendship between Nikolai and Dima is not as strong as before. One day they even quarreled.
Chapter 42. Stepmother
The whole family is not happy with the stepmother. Avdotya treats his father well, but causes him a lot of inconvenience.
Chapter 43. New comrades
While preparing for exams, Nikolai communicates closely with a couple of fellow students. They are very entertaining guys.
Chapter 44. Zukhin and Semenov
One of Nikolai’s friends is Zukhin, a young man of about eighteen, interesting and well-read. But the second Semenov does not attend lectures very often. He gets into debt and goes to serve in the army.
Chapter 45. I'm Failing
Having contacted new comrades, Nikolai begins to show a negligent attitude towards studying at the university. He fails the exam and stays for the second year. His family advises him to go study for another specialty.
One stage of youth has come to an end. Now we can only hope for a happier next period.
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Read summary Youth. Brief retelling. For a reader's diary, take 5-6 sentences
Short description
Chapter I. What I consider the beginning of youth
The young nobleman Nikolenka Irtenyev is “in his sixteenth year.” He greatly values his friendship with Dmitry Nekhlyudov, an interesting, smart young man, thanks to whom Nikolai became interested in the idea of self-development.
Currently, the hero dreams of successfully passing the university entrance exams.
Chapter II. Spring
Spring is coming into its own, and Nikolenka admires the changes in nature that inspire him.
Chapter III. Dreams
Young Irtenyev dreams of how he will go to university and will “give part of the scholarship to the poor, and so that no one knows.” He will live a simple, modest life, and will certainly graduate "from the course as the first candidate with two gold medals."
Chapter IV. Our family circle
Nikolenka’s father is absent for a long time, but with his appearance in the house, fun always begins. Nikolai is increasingly moving away from his older brother Volodya, despite the fact that the brothers still love each other. Sister Lyubochka has become quite an adult, and is now a girl of marriageable age.
Chapter V. Rules
Nikolai decides to draw up a “schedule of duties and activities for the next year.” There were so many plans that the young man had to sew a notebook from sheets of paper and call it “Rules of Life.”
The father invites a confessor to the house so that the whole family can confess.
Chapter VI. Confession
The Irtenievs take turns visiting the monk and confessing their sins. After confession, Nikolenka feels “completely pure, morally reborn and a new person.” Before going to bed, he remembers the “shameful sin that he hid in confession” and is very worried about this. Nikolai decides to go to the monastery tomorrow and confess again.
Chapter VII. Trip to the monastery
After spending an anxious night, Nikolenka wakes up at dawn and immediately gets ready to hit the road. Having difficulty catching a cab driver on a deserted street, he worries that he will take him “to a back alley and rob him.” But soon Nikolai calms down and arrives safely at the monastery.
Chapter VIII. Second confession
Nikolai confesses again, and after his confession feels unspeakable relief. However, minor everyday troubles “soon dispersed this feeling.”
Chapter IX. How do I prepare for the exam
The entire Irtenyev family, with the exception of Nikolai and Volodya, leaves for the village. “The consciousness of freedom and that spring feeling of expectation of something” prevent Nikolenka from concentrating on preparing for the exams. And only the fear of disappointing Nekhlyudov forces the young man to study diligently.
Chapter X. History Exam
For his first exam in his life, Nikolai puts on a tailcoat. It seems to him that he is simply “dazzling,” but confidence gives way to timidity immediately after the young man steps over the threshold of the audience. Nikolenka comes across a familiar ticket, and he passes the story with an “excellent” mark.
Chapter XI. Mathematics exam
The next exam is mathematics. Nikolenka knows “the subject fairly well, but there were two questions from algebra” with which he was completely unfamiliar. The young man comes to learn from his new acquaintance, Ikonin, who gives him his ticket. As a result, Nikolenka passes the exam with flying colors.
Chapter XII. Latin exam
Nikolenka learns that the professor taking the Latin exam “was like some kind of beast who enjoyed the death of young people” whom he failed in the exams. The professor gives Irtenyev a text that was not included in the preparatory program. The young man has difficulty coping with it, and as a result receives a lower grade.
Chapter XIII. I'm big
Nikolai successfully passes the final exam and becomes a student. Now he has his own horse and coachman. In order to fully feel like an adult, Nikolenka lights a pipe and begins to “let the rings and take a drag,” but very quickly he becomes ill.
Chapter XIV. What did Volodya and Dubkov do?
Dmitry comes to congratulate Nikolai, and together they go to Dubkov, where they find Volodya playing cards. Volodya loses, and the whole company decides to go to a restaurant to congratulate Nikolenka on entering the university.
Chapter XV. They congratulate me
Everyone in the restaurant congratulates Nikolai. He really wants to seem like an adult, and he orders “half a bottle of champagne” with his own money. Volodya, looking at his drunken brother, becomes embarrassed.
Chapter XVI. Argument
At the restaurant, Nikolai has a conflict with one of the visitors, who calls him an ignoramus. The confused young man was unable to give a proper rebuff, and, ashamed of his behavior, hides this unfortunate incident from his friends. In the future, he will worry about this for a long time, believing that he “acted like a coward.”
Chapter XVII. I'm going to make visits
On the last day of his stay in Moscow, Nikolai was supposed to “make visits, by order of the pope.” He hopes that Volodya will keep him company, but his brother resolutely refuses.
Chapter XVIII. Wallachines
Nikolenka pays her first visit to Valakhin. He awaits Sonechka’s appearance with trepidation, since “he still had a living and touching memory of past childhood love.” Nikolai knows that a couple of years ago, “Sonya’s face was cut by the windows of a carriage,” which overturned while moving. However, when he sees the girl, the younger Irtenyev does not notice any scars - he sees in front of him the same sweet girl with whom he was once so in love.
Chapter XIX. Kornakovs
The visit to the Kornakovs turned out to be less pleasant for Nikolai. During a conversation with the princess and her daughters, the young man learns that the Kornakovs and Irtenyevs are the only legal heirs of the wealthy Prince Ivan Ivanovich.
Chapter XX. Iviny
At the Ivins', Nikolenka feels extremely uncomfortable. When meeting, the general’s son shows courtesy, but at the same time makes it clear that he is not at all happy about Nikolenka’s arrival. As a result, Irtenyev begins to “get into an irritated state of mind.” The princess puts Nikolenka in an awkward position with her unexpected tears, and the prince behaves coldly and arrogantly towards him.
Chapter XXI. Prince Ivan Ivanovich
Nicholas pays his last visit to the prince. As a child, he called “Ivan Ivanovich grandfather,” but the news that he is one of his heirs makes Nikolenka feel uncomfortable in the company of the benevolent old man.
Chapter XXII. An intimate conversation with my friend
Nikolenka goes with Dmitry to the Nekhlyudovs’ dacha. On the way, the friends have a heart-to-heart talk, and Dmitry confesses his love for his hanger-on Lyubov Sergeevna.
Chapter XXIII. Nekhlyudovs
At the dacha, Nikolenka meets Dmitry’s mother and sister. He wonders how his friend could fall in love with the old maid Lyubov Sergeevna, who “was very ugly: red-haired, thin, short in stature, a little lopsided.”
Chapter XXIV. Love
Also at the Nekhlyudovs, Nikolai meets Dmitry’s own aunt Sofya Ivanovna, an amazingly kind and loving woman.
Chapter XXV. I'm getting acquainted
Nikolenka notes that in the Nekhlyudov family a sore subject is Dmitry’s feeling for the hanger-on. Irtenyev is very pleased with the trip - among these people he feels completely grown up.
Chapter XXVI. I show myself at my best
While walking through the garden, Nikolenka, wanting to impress, boasts of her relationship with Ivan Ivanovich. He embellishes his relationship with the prince, which makes him embarrassed and blush.
Chapter XXVII. Dmitriy
A severe toothache changes Dmitry's mood for the worse. At first he took it out on the maid, and then “with all his might he punched” the servant boy in the head several times. Noticing that Nikolai witnessed his cruelty, Dmitry felt ashamed.
Chapter XXVIII. In the village
Nikolenka and Volodya join their family in the village. Nikolai periodically remembers his love for Sonya, but soon village life captivates him. He notices that his father seems unusually cheerful lately.
Chapter XXIX. Relationships between us and the girls
Nikolenka “completely involuntarily looks at girls” imitates her older brother, and treats her sister and Katya somewhat contemptuously. Meanwhile, the brothers become even closer to each other.
Chapter XXX. My classes
Convinced that she has “talent and passion for music,” Nikolenka spends the entire summer taking piano lessons. This is how he wants to charm young ladies. Nikolai also enjoys reading French novels.
Chapter XXXI. Comme il faut
Wanting to imitate the heroes of novels, Nikolenka always strives to look perfect. He places special emphasis on the condition of his nails.
Chapter XXXII. Youth
This summer, Nikolenka acutely feels that he is “young, innocent, free and therefore almost happy.” He enjoys the summer, admires nature and does what his soul is drawn to.
Chapter XXXIII. Neighbours
Nikolenka notices with surprise that her father has changed in his attitude towards his neighbors Epifanov, with whom he had a long-standing “litigation for some land.” My father often visits his neighbors and calls them “nice people.”
Chapter XXXIV. Father's marriage
For the second time, Nikolai’s father is going to marry at the age of 48. Avdotya Vasilyevna Epifanova, a young and beautiful woman, becomes his chosen one.
Chapter XXXV. How did we receive this news?
The father's marriage becomes the main subject of discussion in the Irtenyev family. Volodya is extremely negative towards his future stepmother, and admits that the reason for the marriage is a certain “dark story”.
Chapter XXXVI. University
Classes begin at the university, and Volodya and Nikolai are forced to miss the wedding of their father and Avdotya. At the university, Nikolenka cannot quickly and easily join “any company and, feeling lonely and incapable of getting closer,” begins to behave arrogantly with his classmates.
Chapter XXXVII. Matters of the heart
Nikolenka often falls in love “with strangers and especially married women.” However, all his heartfelt interests are very fleeting.
Chapter XXXVIII. Light
“Secular pleasures” disappoint Nikolenka. Finding himself at the long-awaited reception with the Kornakovs, the young man becomes timid and begins to behave extremely unnaturally and talk all sorts of nonsense. He looks so stupid that even Volodya avoids him.
Chapter XXXIX. Revelry
In winter, Nikolai happens to take part in a revelry, and he gets out of it “not a very pleasant feeling.” He had been preparing for the upcoming event for a long time, but in reality it turned out to be not as fun as young Irtenyev expected. He is incredibly surprised that the next day the participants in the revelry praised him in every possible way.
Chapter XL. Friendship with the Nekhlyudovs
Nikolai becomes a frequent guest in the Nekhlyudovs’ house. He likes to be in this family, and soon he becomes close to Dmitry’s sister, Varya.
Chapter XLI. Friendship with Nekhlyudov
And if Nikolai’s friendship with the Nekhlyudovs is strengthening, then relations with Dmitry himself at that time hung “only by a thread.” Nikolenka ceases to understand the actions of his friend, he finds many shortcomings in him, and one day a quarrel breaks out between the friends.
Chapter XLII. Stepmother
His father and stepmother come to Moscow, whom Nikolenka does not like or respect. Avdotya’s duplicity especially irritates him: when guests are present, she is invariably “a young, healthy and cold beauty,” but in ordinary life she is “a melancholy woman, sloppy and bored.”
Chapter XLIII. New comrades
Nikolai is preparing for the upcoming exams. She meets poor, but extremely smart and interesting students who are superior to him in everything except belonging to the aristocracy.
Chapter XLIV. Zukhin and Semenov
Among Nikolenka’s acquaintances, two students especially stand out: Semenov and Zukhin. The latter “was extraordinarily intelligent” and was highly respected among teachers, while Semenov was a passionate carouser. As a result, he became terribly in debt and was forced to quit university and become a soldier.
Chapter XLV. I'm falling through
Nikolenka fails his math exam miserably and is not promoted to the next course. Locked in his room, he cries bitterly for three days, regretting that he did not adhere to his own “Rules of Life.” Nikolai vows “not to do anything bad,” to work and not to betray his own principles.
Lev Tolstoy. Brief summaries of works
- Shark
- Albert
- Anna Karenina
- Poor people
- Battle of Borodino (War and Peace)
- Bulka
- Power of darkness
- The power of darkness, or the claw is stuck, the whole bird is lost
- War and Peace
- War and Peace Volume 1
- War and Peace Volume 2
- War and Peace Volume 3
- War and Peace Volume 4
- War and Peace Epilogue
- Resurrection
- Chapter Natalya Savishna (Childhood)
- Two brothers
- Two hussars
- Two comrades
- Childhood
- Confession
- Prisoner of the Caucasus
- Cossacks
- How geese saved Rome
- Kitty
- Kreutzer Sonata
- Lion and dog
- Lipunyushka
- Eagle
- walnut branch
- Father Sergius
- Boyhood
- Excerpt from Petya Rostov from the novel War and Peace
- Fire
- After the ball
- Bounce
- Birdie
- Sevastopol stories
- Fairy tale Three Bears
- Death of Ivan Ilyich
- Old grandfather and grandson
- Three deaths
- Philippok
- Hadji Murat
- Canvas meter
- How people live
- Youth
Heroes of the work
The story “Youth” contains both main and secondary characters. Each of them contributes to the development of the plot. Main characters:
- Nikolai Irtenev is a young nobleman.
- Volodya is Kolya’s older brother.
- Dmitry Nekhlyudov is Irtenyev’s comrade.
The work has several supporting characters. With their help, the story becomes more interesting. Other characters:
- Dad is Nikolai's father. A widower who remarried.
- Avdotya is Nikolenka’s stepmother.
- Sonechka is Kolya’s beloved.
- Varvara Nekhlyudova is Nikolai's girlfriend.
- Lyubov is the sister of Volodya and Kolya.
- Ikonin, Semyonov, Zukhov are students and comrades of Irtenyev.
In the story, the characters interacted with each other several times. You can trace this connection by reading its summary.
Summary of L.N. Tolstoy "Youth"
“Youth” is the third book in Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy’s trilogy “Childhood. Adolescence. Youth". It is noteworthy that the author initially planned a fourth part, “Youth,” but the plans were not destined to come true. The writer finished work on the third part in 1856, and a year later the work was published in Sovremennik. The main idea of the story “Youth”, a summary and a more detailed chapter-by-chapter retelling are presented in this article.
