Stepan Arkadyevitch dresses himself meticulously, feeling good about his physical condition even though he is unhappy on the inside. He reads some business letters while he drinks his coffee, and then he reads the paper. It is a liberal newspaper that reflects the views of the majority, which is always the view he takes. If the views of the majority change, his views change as well because he did not choose them to begin with. He has no interest in science, art, or politics; however, he believes whatever the majority believes about each of them. In his social circles, it is important to have views on such things. Though he could have chosen either liberal or conservative views and still been accepted in those social circles, he chose liberal because it best suits his lifestyle.

The liberal party believes everything in Russia is wrong. The liberal party believes marriage is an outdated institution that needs to be changed, and certainly his own marriage makes him unhappy and has forced him into something he detests—lying. The liberal party also believes that the church exists only to “keep in check” the lower classes. Stepan Arkadyevitch has always found church to be nothing but painful and meaningless. In short, liberalism has become a habit for him, and he likes reading to paper to affirm his beliefs.

Today’s lead article suggests that revolutionary thinking is threatening to take over the country but that it is necessary because the true enemy of the people and of progress is traditionalism. Although Stepan Arkadyevitch enjoys feeling as if he is among the superior thinkers in a country full of unrest, today his self-satisfaction is tempered by the unrest in his own home. After eating his breakfast, he puts on a “joyous smile” because he is satisfied with his digestion, though nothing else in his life is particularly joyful at this moment.

Outside the dining room, he hears Grisha (his youngest boy) and Tanya (his oldest girl) carrying something and then dropping it. He calls them into the room and both children come immediately. Tanya hugs and kisses her indulgent father. As she leaves, Stepan Arkadyevitch asks the girl about her mother. Grisha is much more reserved, as if he can sense that his father does not like him as well as he likes his older sister.

Tanya says her mother is up. Stepan Arkadyevitch knows that means she did not sleep during the night. The girl is aware of some quarrel between her parents and has seen that her mother is depressed and sad; now she is embarrassed that her father has asked after her so lightly, as if the rift were nothing.

Matvey tells him a petitioner has been waiting half an hour to make a request of him. The master is vexed, reminding Matvey that he does not want petitioners to have to wait. The widow has an “impossible and unreasonable” request. Stepan Arkadyevitch does what he can for her before putting on his hat. An inner voice tells him he should not do this, that setting the relationship right will make him a miserable old man, uninspired to love. He knows, though, that something must change. He boldly walks into his wife’s bedroom.