The Golovlyov Family

Brief Overview

The novel «The Golovlyov Family» by Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin narrates the life of the Golovlyov family, representatives of the minor nobility. The main characters are the matriarch Arina Petrovna and her sons: Stepan, Pavel, and Porfiry (nicknamed Judas). Arina Petrovna is a domineering and cruel woman who controls the estate and the fates of her children. Stepan and Pavel lead idle lives and die young. Porfiry, called Judas for his hypocrisy and cunning, becomes the main heir. He destroys the family, driving his relatives to ruin. Ultimately, Judas is left alone and miserable, realizing his guilt and the futility of life. The novel explores themes of moral decay, family conflicts, and social injustice.