Genre
Satire
Setting and Context
The novel is set in Russia in situations dominated by wealthy and oftentimes powerful people
Narrator and Point of View
The novel is told from the perspective of a third-person narrator.
Tone and Mood
Oblomov is crude, pensive, and solemn.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Oblomov is the novel's protagonist and Ivan Goncharov is its antagonist
Major Conflict
Oblomov's struggles to lead a normal life, get out of his bed, and contend with people that are trying to swindle him.
Climax
When Oblomov dies in his sleep.
Foreshadowing
Oblomov deciding to slap Taranteyev is foreshadowed by his obnoxious, increasingly bad behavior.
Understatement
Oblomov's depression and incompetence is understated at various points throughout the novel, reflecting his poor condition.
Allusions
There are numerous allusions to Russian history and religion (particularly the Russian Orthodox Church).
Imagery
The author uses vivid imagery to describe the putrid financial state Oblomov lives in, describing him as living in "penury" (or extreme poverty).
Paradox
Oblomov barely gets out of bed, but has a kid.
Parallelism
Parallelism isn't utilized in the novel.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Moscow is used to refer to the Russian government as a whole.
Personification
Russia itself, including its machinations, is personified throughout the novel and given human-like characteristics, as if it were living and breathing.
