Mikhail Lermontov

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Student Question

What events led to Heyele accepting the offer in "The Fatalist"?

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The events leading to Heyele accepting Benjamin's offer begin with his declaration that their love is destined. Despite her initial rebuke and engagement to another man, a postponed marriage and a daring challenge involving lying on railroad tracks prove Benjamin's commitment to fate. His survival convinces Heyele, leading to their eventual marriage.

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Benjamin Schwartz, or a has he was known in the story, "Benjamin Fatalist," proposes in the story that everything, every grand occurrence and every trifle, was pre-ordained billions of years ago. He discusses fatalism at length with his colleges and, despite many challenges, stands by his belief.

One night, he encounters the daughter of a wealthy man named Heyele Minz. Benjamin falls in love with her and tells her that their love is destined, and that they should not wait for the inevitable. She rebukes him, and he is mocked severely thereafter when she becomes engaged to another man.

However, the marriage is postponed due to the man's older sister still remaining engaged. One night, Heyele challenges Benjamin to lie on railroad tracks to prove his belief in fate. Benjamin agrees, but insists that she marry him if he wins. Surprisingly, it seems to everyone that Benjamin means to go through with it. Though Heyele begs that he forget the bet by the railroad tracks, he lies down to await the oncoming train. He remains unmoved as the train comes roaring toward him, but it breaks just in time, and the engineer is furious with Benjamin.

Thereafter, Heyele and Benjamin are married.

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