A Strange Man by Mikhail Lermontov. Short summary

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Vladimir Arbenin falls in love with Natasha. The young man is tormented by his parents’ long-standing quarrel. The situation is complicated by a visiting friend who is marrying his sweetheart.

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Pavel Grigorievich, Vladimir’s father, is worried that the spineless son is not going into military service and could lose the fame he has earned. A grieving Vladimir comes to his father. He reports that he has been to see his mother, whom his father has driven from the house and condemned to a miserable existence. The couple quarrel because the woman has cheated her husband and squandered a considerable part of the family fortune. Vladimir asks his mother to forgive him, but his father is adamant.

Arbenin’s friend Belinsky arrives, and the hero tells him that he is burdened by his parents’ quarrel. His friend asks about Vladimir’s love, but he refuses to talk about the subject.

Natasha’s cousin, reports that Arbenin is in love with her. But Natasha does not believe it. Her relative warns the girl, saying that the young man is very much in love and does not know what he wants himself.

When the cousin is alone, she speaks of her love for Vladimir and declares that Arbenin and Natasha will never be happy. Belinsky marries Natasha. Vladimir cannot forgive the deed of his friend.