In "An Upheaval," external pressures force the main character, Mashenka Pavletsky, to
undergo a decisive alteration in "personality" or "consciousness," an alteration which sets her
apart from other women in the story.
The focus of this essay is Mashenka's differences from her peers, her differences from
her superior, Fedosya, and the ultimate expression of this difference.
Mashenka, and Liza, her fellow sevant, have conflicting views, treatment and reactions
concerning the search for the brooch. Through Liza's dialogue, we see she is not offended by
the thorough search, as though it were Fedosya'a right. It is clear that Liza puts prerogative on
You are still living with strangers, miss. (...) Though you are a young lady, still you are ... as it were ... a servant.
Mashenka vehemently disagrees, indirectly expressing her view of servitude as a job,
But Liza, it's vile ... it's insulting...What right had she to suspect me and rummage through
At the dinner-table, Liza does what she is programmed to do, stare down into her plate
like everyone else. Mashenka is further suspected when she leaves after thinking everyone was
They all looked into their plates, but Mashenka fancied after the lady's words that everyone was looking at her
Fedosya, consequently knew why Mashenka had left the table and attempted to justify
her position in justifying her servant's alledged abuse.
I can't say she took the brooch...but can you answer for her?
Through Fedosya's singling out of Mashenka, we can see the differences between
Mashenka and Liza that allowed for the scene at the dinner-table to take place as it did.
Fedosya had control over Liza, though none over the will of Mashenka.
Fedosya and Mashenka agree that the former is the employer and the latter, the servant.
...