Oblomov

"Oblomovism" (or "Oblomovka") is the concept coined by Ivan Goncharov to describe profound, paralyzing laziness, apathy, and a deep resistance to social change. It represents the stagnation of the Russian nobility, whose servants did all their work, rendering them entirely inactive. The protagonist spends the first part of the novel literally refusing to get out of bed.

The main character is Ilya Ilyich Oblomov, a middle-aged Russian nobleman who lives a completely idle, sheltered life in a St. Petersburg apartment. He is heavily reliant on his loyal servant, Zakhar, to handle even the most basic tasks of daily living. His defining characteristic is his overwhelming inertia and his desperate desire to avoid any form of physical or mental exertion.

Oblomov's close friend and polar opposite is Andrey Stolz, a pragmatic, energetic, and highly disciplined half-German, half-Russian businessman. Stolz constantly pushes Oblomov to wake up, engage with the world, and get out of his dressing gown. He introduces Oblomov to the beautiful and vibrant Olga Ilyinskaya, hoping to cure his friend's apathy through romance.

Ultimately, Oblomov fails to change his ways, breaking off his engagement to Olga and sinking back into his comfortable, stagnant life. He ends up moving in with Agafya Pshenitsyna, his widowed landlord who caters entirely to his laziness by feeding him rich meals. He dies peacefully from a stroke in his sleep, completely unbothered by the modernizing world outside.