In 1846, Dostoevsky's novel "Poor People" was first published. We offer a brief summary of it to the reader. Work on it was carried out in 1844-1845. Dostoevsky's "Poor People" was written in the genre of an epistolary novel.
Makar Alekseevich Devushkin
47-year-old Makar Alekseevich Devushkin serves as a minor clerical official (scribe) in a department in St. Petersburg. His salary is small, so he occupies only part of the common kitchen in an apartment in a house located near Fontanka. This house is “major” and of good quality, but Devushkin recalls his previous housing, “incomparably better” than the current one. What made the titular councilor worsen his living conditions? The bulk of his salary goes to pay for an expensive and decent apartment, which is located in the courtyard of the same house. Varvara Alekseevna Dobroselova, a distant relative of the official, lives there for 27 years.
Relationship between Makar and Varenka
The orphan is Varenka from the work "Poor People" by Dostoevsky. A brief summary of her relationship with Makar boils down to the fact that he patronizes Varenka with the best intentions, believing that he is the only one who can stand up for this girl, although distant relatives live very close by. In order not to compromise Varenka with frequent visits, he finds a way to constantly communicate with her. It became correspondence. Makar Alekseevich and Varenka, both of a subtle spiritual nature, who need spiritual warmth and empathy, correspond with each other at the first opportunity. These letters (31 from Devushkin and 24 from Varenka) tell the entire six-month history of their relationship in the work “Poor People” by Dostoevsky. We will briefly describe them now.
Makar's first letters
Makar's first letters are permeated with reckless happiness. Spring is on the street, the soul and heart of the official are filled with “pleasant”, “intricate” thoughts. He is very glad to have the opportunity to take care of the girl, and “tender dreams” willy-nilly come to his mind. Devushkin saves, trying to spend every extra penny for the benefit of Varenka’s existence.
Varenka's story
Financial and spiritual support for this girl is also contributed by her sad letters, in which Varenka talks in all colors about the misfortune of her life. She was born and raised in the village, in the house of the manager of a landowner's estate. The father was soon left without salary and place, so the family was forced to move to St. Petersburg. The “angry”, “dreary”, “rotten” city did not impress 14-year-old Varenka at all. The family was soon beset by problems from all sides. Varenka's father died, unable to survive constant failures. I had to give up the house to pay off the debts. Varenka and her mother settled with Anna Feodorovna, a distant relative. The girl's mother worked hard so as not to be a burden.
Lessons with a student
To improve her education, Varenka studied with a student who lived in the same house. Pyotr Pokrovsky (that was his name) suffered from consumption. He made his living by giving private lessons. The girl idolized him, considering him “the most worthy,” “the kindest person.” The landowner Bykov, her close acquaintance, placed Peter in a boarding house with Anna Fedorovna.
How does the story of Varenka, the heroine of the novel "Poor People" continue? The summary further tells that she and the student were brought closer together by educational activities. When Varenka’s mother fell ill from overwork and fell ill, they spent time together at her bedside. Varenka learned a lot from Peter. The girl fell in love with reading. Suddenly, a new grief came: having failed to overcome his illness, the student died. Heartless Anna Fedorovna decided to take all his things to pay for the funeral arrangements. The young man's father nevertheless took several books that he managed to carry away. He cried, ran after the coffin, and the books fell straight into the dirt from his hands...
The hardships that befell Varenka
After this, many hardships befell Varenka from the novel “Poor People.” Their brief content is as follows. Anna Fedorovna constantly reproached the hangers-on for freeloading. Varenka’s mother soon died, and the girl was left alone. A “virtuous” relative “billed” her, announcing large losses incurred due to the presence of unexpected relatives in her house. Considering that Varenka’s pimping with the landowner Bykov, her friend, was the only way to recoup them, Anna Fedorovna decided to carry out her plan. The landowner deflowers the girl, but she manages to escape.
Varya, in letters to Makar, laments that her relative is trying to find out where she lives. The girl hopes that Makar Alekseevich, her only support, will protect her from the machinations of her insidious relative. Varenka’s sadness gnaws at her so much that she falls ill due to nervousness and spends a whole month unconscious. Makar Alekseevich is selling his new uniform in order to maintain the girl’s health.
The position of the main character in the service
Devushkin’s difficult situation in the service is further described by Dostoevsky (“Poor People”). The contents of Varenka's response letters, in which he talks about his life, are the source from which we learn about this. The main character complains that he is treated with laughter at the service, they come up with various offensive epithets: “quiet,” “kind,” “meek.” And his uniform is not the same, and his boots, and his figure, and his hair should have been altered. They mock that Makar has been copying documents for 30 years. He doesn't understand these jokes. Varenka is the only outlet for Makar. He writes shyly and joyfully that it was as if the Lord had blessed him with a home and family. But Makar, the hero created by F. M. Dostoevsky (“Poor People” is the writer’s first novel), is a little shy about his style.
Makar's home, his gifts to Varenka
He describes his home to the girl, which he characterizes as a slum: a long, dirty, dark corridor with a “pungently sweetened,” “rotten” smell. It is not surprising that the siskins die in it. On the left side there are all doors, and behind them live different people. This is an official with his family, an English teacher, French gamblers. Devushkin characterizes the owner of the apartment as a “real witch.”
He says that only “for convenience” he huddles in a corner of the kitchen, because Varenka’s window is opposite it. The main character is very happy when her “pretty face” flashes outside the window. He allegedly saves and saves money. Although, of course, it’s cheaper behind a partition, and the main character can even afford tea with sugar. Makar bought pots of geraniums and balsam for dear Varenka. In addition to the letter, Devushkin sends Varya a pound of sweets.
The girl is delighted with the flowers, but reproaches Makar for waste. Varenka realizes that for this Devushkin has to deny himself everything. The owner of the apartment once blurted out to her that Makar Alekseevich used to live much better. The girl ironically cools the ardor of the protagonist with his gifts and worries: only poetry is missing. Makar is confused, he explains that he was “animated” only by fatherly affection. On June 10, Devushkin takes Varenka for a walk to the islands so that she can relax in the fresh air.
Persecution of Anna Fedorovna
Returning home, the heroine writes another letter, in which she thanks for the perfect promenade, but reports that she is sick again, as she got her feet wet. Devushkin promises to visit her and bring Varenka a book. She again tries to reason with him by asking him not to spend so much money on her and to buy a new uniform instead. After all, you can’t walk around in such rags. Varenka says that her relative found out where she lives and calls her back. She promises to settle everything with Bykov. However, the girl is adamant. She tells Anna Fedorovna that she lives well here under the protection of Makar.
Makar's introduction to literature
The main character is flattered that he is needed. He tells the girl that he admires literature and spends hours with Ratazyaev, his neighbor, in the company of writers who come to him. Varenka is indignant when she finds out what books Ratazyaev recommends to Makar. She sends him Pushkin's "The Station Agent" to read. Makar is delighted with this work, he notes that he feels exactly the same as described in the book. On June 6, Varenka introduces Devushkin to Gogol’s “The Overcoat,” and Makar takes Varenka to the theater on the same day.
Varenka's fears from the work "Poor People"
The chapter-by-chapter summary describes only the main events, so we will not dwell in detail on the impression made on the main character by classical literature, and will continue to describe the plot. The girl reports that Fedora, the owner of the apartment, can get her a job as a governess in the landowner's family, but she doubts whether she should go. The girl has a bad cough and is afraid that she will die. Varya asks Devushkin to save his money and stop sending her candy. She writes that she embroidered a carpet, for which they give 50 rubles in banknotes. Therefore, she herself will be able to pay Fedora the amount that Makar owes for housing. In addition, Varenka will sew a vest for the girl and a new dress for herself.
Makar encourages the girl, saying that she is not sick at all, but just pale and has lost a little weight. He asks not to become a governess, since for the main character her “usefulness” lies in Varenka’s “beneficial influence” on his life.
Lack of money and drunkenness Makar
At the beginning of July, Makar is left completely without money. He borrowed his salary in advance, but this does not help. Increasingly, the guests of the house mock Makar’s relationship with Varenka. And then the girl reports that one officer, her neighbor, made her an unambiguous proposal.
The summary of the story “Poor People” continues with the fact that Makar started drinking in despair. He doesn’t appear at work or at Varenka’s for 4 days. The main character is found drunk on the street. The police bring him home. In addition, he went to the officer to sort things out, but he only pulled him down the stairs. The girl laments that she brought such misfortune to Makar. She asks him, despite the gossip, to continue coming to her for dinner. Devushkin passes through August without money and drunkenness. Makar has been trying unsuccessfully to borrow at interest since the beginning of the month. New ladies' men visit Varvara, this time from her distant relative. Makar desperately wants to move somewhere with her, but he starts drinking again. The girl is inconsolable. She sends him 30 kopecks in silver, which she has left.
Coming of autumn
The main characters described by Dostoevsky (“Poor People”) evoke sincere sympathy. A summary of the chapters, unfortunately, cannot convey the touching tone of their letters. Reading them, you understand how difficult it was for honest and modest workers at that time. Varya writes on September 5 that autumn has finally arrived. And she loved her very much when she lived in her native village. It was beautiful in the autumn in the open air. A fiery sunset sky, a clear lake with trees on the shore, fallen leaves and white steam rising above the water... And when autumn is late, peasant work is completed. On the eve of winter, everything comes to a standstill. Varya writes that the feeling of imminent death does not leave her. Fedora has gone somewhere, and someone is walking around in the room, but the girl is not afraid: the letters distract her. Varenka also reports that she sold her hat and dress, but there is almost no money left. It’s good that Devushkin gave 2 rubles to Fedora: at least for a while she won’t blame her for not paying for the apartment.
Makar forms a syllable
The main character writes that he was walking in his evening thoughts along the chaotic and dirty embankment of the Fontanka. And on Gorokhovaya, located next door, there are rich shops, luxurious ladies, expensive carriages. He thinks about why work is rewarded so low, and many idle rich people are happy and well-fed? Devushkin is proud of these arguments. He notices that recently he has been developing a syllable. The main character was found to have made a typo in the document, and he was awaiting punishment. However, looking at Makar’s pitiful appearance, the general even gave him 100 rubles. The main character is gnawing at his conscience for his recent freethinking. With this money he manages to pay off his debts. Devushkin perked up and lives with hope for a bright future. However, F. M. Dostoevsky (“Poor People”) is by no means preparing a happy ending for his readers. A summary of further events makes the reader sincerely sympathize with Makar and Varenka. What was happening was natural in the Russian reality of that time, in which many “little people” like Devushkin and Varenka faced a similar fate.
Varenka is leaving
Describing the summary of the novel "Poor People", we have come to the end. Bykov finally finds Varenka and proposes to her. He needs to have children in order to disinherit a relative. If the girl refuses, Bykov will marry a rich merchant's wife. The heroine agrees, realizing that only this can restore her good name. Devushkin is completely smitten, but still helps Varenka get ready for the trip. In her farewell letter, the girl complains that Makar, “the only one,” “priceless,” “kind,” remains completely alone. He's desperate. He reports that he worked because Varenka lived nearby. Devushkin with his formed syllable is left alone. He reflects on “by what right” do they destroy “human life.”
It should be noted that in Russian literature there is not only a novel, but also a story called “Poor People” (Leo Tolstoy). We have described a brief summary of Dostoevsky's work. If you are interested in Tolstoy's story, we note that it is very small in volume, so it will not be difficult for you to read it in the original. It tells the story of Jeanne, who waits every day for the return of her husband, a fisherman, and is never sure that he will return. This is the summary of Tolstoy's story "Poor People" in a nutshell.
The plot of the work
Petty official Makar Alekseevich Girls takes care of his distant relative Vara Dobroselova. The titular councilor, having no means of subsistence, nevertheless tries to help the unfortunate orphan by renting housing for her. Despite the fact that Varya and Makar live nearby, they see each other extremely rarely: Devushkin fears for Varya’s reputation. Relatives are forced to content themselves with letters to each other.
From the stories of Varvara Dobroselova herself, one can judge that her childhood was quite happy. The family lived in a village where the father served as manager of the estate of a certain Prince P-go. The move to St. Petersburg was forced: Alexey Dobroselov lost his position as manager. The difficult life in the capital and numerous failures destroyed Varya’s father. Dobroselov’s widow was taken into her house by a distant relative, Anna Fedorovna, who immediately began to “reproach the new tenants with a piece.”
In order to compensate for the material “losses” caused by Varya and her mother, Anna Fedorovna decided to marry the orphan to the rich landowner Bykov. By that time, Dobroselov’s widow had already died, and there was no one to intercede for Varya except Devushkin, who took the orphan from Anna Fedorovna’s house. It was necessary to hide Varvara’s new address from her insidious relative.
Despite all the efforts of Makar, Varya Dobroselova had to marry the rude and cynical Bykov. Devushkin spent all his meager savings and could no longer help his ward.
Composition of the novel
The novel “Poor People” is presented in epistolary form, that is, in the form of correspondence between the characters. The author's choice cannot be called random. Letters are the direct speech of the characters, completely excluding the subjective opinion of the author.
The role of the reader
The reader is entrusted with a difficult task: having “overheard” someone else’s personal conversation, he himself can figure out what is happening and draw a certain conclusion. We can learn the biography of the main characters from them themselves. You will have to draw your own conclusions about the character of the characters.
To help the reader, the author draws parallels, mentioning the well-known stories “The Overcoat” and “The Station Agent.” In Devushkin it is not difficult to recognize the powerless Akaki Akakievich Bashmachkin. The choice of the story “The Station Agent” is also not accidental. Samson Vyrin was the same powerless petty official as Bashmachkin. And if Akaky Akakievich’s new overcoat was stolen, Vyrin was deprived of his daughter. By analogy with the two previous literary characters, Makar Devushkin had to lose the only joy of his life - Varya.
Characteristics
The reader focuses on 2 main characters: Varya Dobroselova and Makar Devushkin. Of course, these are positive characters, and for the full disclosure of the images, negative characters, represented by Anna Fedorovna and the landowner Bykov, are also necessary.
Makar Devushkin
The image of the “little man” existed before the appearance of the novel “Poor People”. And the author himself does not deny this, drawing a parallel between his work, Gogol’s “The Overcoat” and Pushkin’s “The Station Agent”. It is enough for Dostoevsky to mention these two stories, point out that Makar recognized himself in the main characters, and the reader already understands what the titular adviser Devushkin is like. According to Makar himself, he was unable to move up the career ladder only because he was “meek” and “kind.” To obtain titles you must have an iron grip.
One should not ignore the surname of the main character, which can rightfully be considered telling. Makar is sensitive and vulnerable, like a girl. He completely lacks the brutality characteristic of a man. In Makar’s speech one can often find nouns and adjectives with diminutive suffixes: little mother, boots, dress, quiet. Everything in Devushkin’s appearance testifies to the weakness of his character.
Varya Dobroselova
Like Makar Devushkin, Varya Dobroselova is the bearer of a speaking surname, the characterizing element of which is the word “good”. The main characters of the “positive camp” have the same middle names, and this is not a coincidence. The sameness indicates the similarity of the characters of Varya and Makar, to a kind of common parent of the main characters, despite the fact that they were not the children of the same person named Alexey.
Makar and Varya are kindred spirits. It is very difficult for both of them to live in this harsh world, mostly due to the excessive softness of their character. Devushkin and Dobroselova were united by the lack of spiritual warmth, which they need, but which they do not receive from others. Two people completely different in age and education find moral support in each other.
There are, however, some differences in the characters of Varya and Makar. Varya, despite her young age, is more practical than her relative. She tries to earn money by sewing on her own, without relying on her patron. Dobroselova agreed to marry an unpleasant but rich man who could save her from poverty. Unlike Makar, who cannot give up his principles for the sake of a more comfortable life, Varya is sure that living in poverty is much worse than with an unloved husband. The author shows hidden strength in his heroine. This strength will certainly help you survive and perhaps even succeed.
Bykov
By the name of the main character it is easy to judge his character: rude, stubborn, daring and strong. Bykov is the “master of life.” He is used to getting what he wants and does not like being denied. From Varya’s letters we can conclude that Bykov does not need a family, as such. The landowner dreams of the birth of a legal heir. After all, if he dies childless, his entire fortune will go to his hated nephew. Varya Dobroselova means nothing to Bykov. Her only mission is to give birth to an heir to the “master of life.” If a girl does not agree to get married, the landowner will quickly find a replacement for her in the person of a rich Moscow merchant's wife.
We bring to your attention. This is a novel in which Dostoevsky, for the first time, with true passion, vividly and fully embodied the image of the positive hero as he imagined him.
The main character of the novel is Makar Alekseevich Devushkin. He is a titular adviser and works in one of the St. Petersburg departments, doing paper copying there. Recently, 47-year-old Makar Alekseevich changed his apartment and now lives in a shared kitchen in an apartment with a long corridor and a large number of residents. But this does not bother the hero, since the main thing for him is that now he does not have to pay much for the apartment, since a lot of money is spent on renting another apartment - comfortable and good, which he rents for Varvara Alekseevna Dobroselova.
Varenka is a distant relative of Devushkin. And the whole history of their relationship is set out in the novel in the correspondence that they conduct with each other. Varenka’s apartment is located next to the apartment where Makar Alekseevich lives, but they see each other very rarely, since Devushkin is afraid that someone will think bad things about Varenka. In his letters, he talks about how happy he is that he has such a close person like her, describes the apartment in which he lives and his neighbors. He also writes that he “has no style,” which is noticeable both in conversation and in work, and of which he is very ashamed. Varenka, in her letters, asks him not to spend money on her and to come visit more often. In addition, Varenka is worried that her distant relative Anna Fedorovna, with whom she and her mother once lived, will find out her address. Varenka's mother died, and Anna Fedorovna, saying that she could not cover the losses that she suffered because of them, sold Varenka to the rich landowner Bykov, and he dishonored her, after which Varenka ran away from Anna Fedorovna's house, and only Devushkin saved her from real death.
Varenka was born and raised in a village where her father served as a manager for a wealthy landowner. But then he was left without a place, and the whole family moved to St. Petersburg, which Varenka really did not like. Soon their father died, and their house had to be sold to pay off their debts - that’s how Varenka and her mother ended up with Anna Fedorovna. Soon the “virtuous woman” began to reproach Varenka’s mother for earning little, although her mother worked very hard. Varenka herself, living with Anna Fedorovna, took lessons from student Pyotr Pokrovsky, who lived in the same house. Due to health reasons, he was unable to study at university and earned his living by giving private lessons. But the friendship of Varenka and Peter was short-lived - the student soon died of consumption. A short time later, Varenka’s mother died, and she was left completely alone.
Communication with Varenka helps Devushkin understand how good it is to have a loved one nearby. She opens up the world of literature to him - he is shocked after reading Pushkin’s “The Station Agent” and Gogol’s “The Overcoat”. He feels that his “style” has become much better. They walk together and go to the theater. But Devushkin is running out of money, and he doesn’t know what to do next. The situation is aggravated by the fact that men who are sent to her by Anna Fedorovna begin to come to Varenka. Varenka urgently needs to change her apartment. Devushkin begins to drink out of despair, Varenka consoles him. What saves the situation is Devushkin’s visit to his boss, who, seeing his beggarly dress, orders him to be given 100 rubles. And Bykov comes to Varenka, who has decided to have legitimate children - he is ready to marry her. If she refuses, then he has another bride in mind. But Varenka agrees, because she feels that no one can return her “honest name” and pull her out of poverty. Makar Alekseevich tries to dissuade her from this step, but he himself helps her get ready. After the wedding, Bykov and Varenka leave for the estate. Varenka writes a farewell letter to Devushkin. In his response letter one can feel his despair and confusion - who needs him now, even with a good “syllable”?
April 8 Makar Devushkin in his next letter to Varvara Alekseevna Dobroselova writes: he is happy that she listened to him and in the morning opened the curtain on the window, and it even seemed to him that her “pretty face” flashed outside the window. Now they seem to be talking with the help of this curtain: slightly open - “good morning, Makar Alekseevich”, lowered - “goodbye... time to sleep.” Makar Alekseevich has just settled in a new place, but he feels good, enjoys the sun, the birds, he even dreamed a little, and all his dreams are connected with Varenka, whom he compares to “a bird of heaven, created for the joy of people and for the decoration of nature.” Next, Makar Devushkin describes his new home, which he calls a “slum.” This is a long corridor, completely dark and unclean, on its right side there is a blank wall, and on the left there is “all doors and doors.” Here, “in rooms,” all sorts of people live in twos and threes, “however, it seems, they are good people, all so educated, scientists”: one official, two officers who all play cards, a midshipman, an English teacher . Makar himself is huddled in the kitchen behind a partition. But he allegedly settled here “for convenience... and not for anything else.” Firstly, Varenka’s window is right opposite, and secondly, it’s cheaper here, so now Makar can drink tea with sugar. For Varenka, he bought two pots of balsam and a geranium. And so that Varenka does not doubt anything, Makar repeats that he settled behind the partition only for convenience alone, and he saves and saves money. Along with the letter, Makar sends Varya some sweets. In a reply letter sent on the same day, Varya reproaches Makar Alekevich for spending money on gifts for her, and immediately admires the geranium he bought. Varya understands that because of her, Makar is deprived of what he needs, because with his salary he could rent better housing. However, Fedora (the owner of the apartment) says that Makar used to live much better. Varya again begs Makar not to spend so much money on her. Varya herself is doing well: Fedora got her a job. The girl is worried about the future. “...What will be my fate! The hard thing is that; in such uncertainty that I have no future... It’s scary to look back. There is such grief there that the heart is torn in half at the mere memory. I will forever cry over the evil people who destroyed me!” - writes Varya. She invites Makar to visit her and asks him to write more about her life. “Today is melancholy, boring, and sad!” In his response letter, Makar apologizes for what he wrote in the morning (about his dreams). It seemed to him that Varya misunderstood him. No, he was “animated” only by “fatherly affection”, because he, due to her bitter orphanhood, was Varenka’s father, and nothing more. In addition, he is Varya’s relative, although very distant, and now he is “the closest relative and patron”, because Varya found betrayal and resentment among her close people. Makar tries to convince Varya that she lives well. He remembers with longing the previous apartment where he lived for twenty years, his now deceased landlady and her granddaughter Masha. Makar is worried about Varya’s good name - how will he come to her, because they will notice, there will be gossip! April 9 Varya asks for forgiveness in her letter if she unwittingly offended Makar Alekseevich. She knows how to appreciate everything he did for her, protecting her from evil people, from their persecution and hatred. He is in vain ashamed to come to visit her and Fedora. She can’t write anymore today - she’s terribly unwell. April 12 Devushkin is very concerned about Varya’s illness and asks her to dress warmly. Next, he describes in more detail how Varya asked for it, his life and what surrounds him. The house in which he lives is dirty and neglected, the rooms are stuffy, the smell is bad, the kitchen is smelly, the laundry is constantly drying, but it’s okay - you’ll live and get used to it.” The owner of the apartment is a “real witch.” One room is occupied by some poor family with three children, meek people. The head of the Gorshkov family, a former official, has been without a job for seven years, is dressed even worse than Makar himself. They owe a debt to the landlady, Gorshkov himself is in some kind of trouble - either he is on trial or under investigation... Makar feels very bad for these people. April 25 Varya writes to Devushkin that she met her cousin Sasha. She is also in danger of death. Varya herself is interested in her relative Anna Fedorovna, who is going to come to her. In her opinion, Varya is “ashamed and indecent” to live supported by Devushkin, but she, Anna Fedorovna, once sheltered Varya and her mother, spent more than two and a half years on them and then forgave them the debt. It is not Anna Fedorovna’s fault that Varya “she herself could not, and perhaps did not want to, stand up for her honor.” Poor people page 2 As for Mr. Bykov, then, in her opinion, he is absolutely right - you can’t marry just anyone! Varya is outraged and deeply offended by this falsehood. She thought that Anna Fedorovna, at least, recognized her guilt before her... Yesterday Varya went to her mother’s grave and caught a cold. On May 20, Devushkin sends grapes to Varenka along with a letter so that she gets well soon. He asks her not to believe Fedora’s words that he sold his new uniform, and promises to send Varya a book, which everyone around praises. Makar writes that he cannot come to Varya more often. When she was seriously ill, he almost never left her side, and gossip began to spread. So let Varya recover, and they will meet somewhere outside the house. June 1 Varya sends Makar Alekseevich a notebook in which she began to write down the story of her life “back in a happy time...”. 1 Varya’s childhood was very happy, especially when her father worked as the manager of a huge estate. She was ready to live her whole life like this. But the prince died, and his heirs denied the manager the position. Varya was twelve years old when the family moved to St. Petersburg, where her father had some money in circulation with private individuals. My father was in a quarrel with Anna Fedorovna. Soon Varya was sent to a boarding school, where she was very sad, the girls laughed at her and made slander to the governess. But she tried to study in order to please her beloved father. Coming home on Saturdays, Varya noticed that her father was spending his last on her education, that the family was barely getting by. Every day my father became gloomier and angrier, his character completely deteriorated: things were going badly, a lot of debts had accumulated. The mother fell ill with consumption from grief. The father was exhausted by his worries and sorrows; he caught a cold and suddenly died. Creditors immediately appeared, and the mother gave them everything she had. The house was also sold, and the mother and daughter “were left homeless, without shelter, without food.” Varya was then fourteen years old. It was then that Anna Fedorovna appeared, introducing herself as their relative. She assured that she sympathized with their grief, that she wanted to get closer to them, offered to forget old feuds, and ordered a memorial service for Varya’s father. Anna Feodorovna invited them to live with her, and they agreed. 2 Anna Fedorovna lived in her own five-room house on Vasilyevsky Island. Three rooms were occupied by the hostess herself and her pupil, the orphan Sasha, Varya’s cousin. Varya and her mother lived in the fourth room, and another was occupied by a tenant, a poor student named Pokrovsky. Anna Feodorovna lived richly, but nothing was known about her condition or what she did. She had wide acquaintances, many people came to her, “always for some business and for a moment.” At first Anna Fedorovna was affectionate with Varya and her mother, but then, when she saw that they were helpless and had nowhere to go, she showed what she really was like. She told her many visitors that, out of mercy, she sheltered a widow and an orphan, and at the table she watched every piece they took, and if they did not eat, she began to shout that they were disdainful, constantly scolding Varya’s late father. Mother wasted away day by day. They both worked from morning to night, sewing to order, although Anna Fedorovna did not like it, and tried to save money to move somewhere. Student Pokrovsky taught Sasha French and German, history and geography for board and shelter. At Anna Fedorovna’s suggestion, she studied with Pokrovsky for a whole year together with Sasha and Varya. Pokrovsky was very poor; due to poor health, he could not attend classes constantly, so he was called a student rather out of habit. He was awkward and at first seemed strange to Varya. In addition, he was irritable, constantly angry and shouting at his students. He had a lot of books and read constantly. Over time, Varya, having gotten to know Pokrovsky better, realized that he was a wonderful and kind person. Varya’s mother respected him very much. He became Varya's friend. Sometimes a “dirty, poorly dressed... extremely strange” old man would appear in the house. This was the father of student Pokrovsky. Once upon a time he served somewhere and occupied a very insignificant position. After the death of his wife (the mother of student Pokrovsky), he married a second time. The stepmother hated his son. But the landowner Bykov, who knew the official Pokrovsky, placed the boy in some school. Bykov was interested in the boy because he knew his late mother (once upon a time it was Anna Fedorovna who “blessed” her and married her to the official Pokrovsky). After school, young Pokrovsky entered the gymnasium, then the university, but fell ill and could not continue his studies. It was then that Bykov hired him to teach Sasha with Anna Fedorovna. The old man, whom the second wife treated cruelly, beat him, became an alcoholic. The only human feeling that remained in his soul was boundless love for his son. Young Pokrovsky could not stand his father’s visits, his curiosity and empty chatter. The old man still continued to come twice a week. One day Varya secretly went into the room of student Pokrovsky and, seeing how many books there were, decided to read everything in order to be worthy of the young man’s friendship. Varya takes some book home, but when she comes home, she discovers that it is in Latin. She immediately goes back to get something else, accidentally knocks down a bookshelf, and Pokrovsky catches her in the act. At first he shouted at her as if she were a mischievous child, but suddenly he noticed that in front of him was not a child at all, but a young girl, and “blushed to the ears.” At first he shouted at her as if she were a mischievous child, but suddenly he noticed that in front of him is not a child at all, but a young girl, and “blushed to the ears.” Varya’s mother became seriously ill. At night, Varya sits at her bedside, and then Pokrovsky comes and begins to help her care for the patient. He brings her books to read and talks to her for a long time. During one of his visits, old Pokrovsky reports that his son’s birthday is coming soon. Varya decides to give him the complete works of A.S. Pushkin. She goes to a second-hand bookstore where she can buy it cheaper, but she still doesn’t have enough money. And then she notices the old man Pokrovsky, also trying to buy something for his son. They buy a gift together. Varya invites the old man to donate all the volumes in his name. This is what happens, but the student guesses everything, looks for an opportunity to talk with Varya, she avoids conversation. The birthday party is a lot of fun. Poor people page 3 “And now all the sad, difficult memories will come,” Varya writes in her notebook. Pokrovsky is trying to get a job, walking around the city all day in the rain “in his light overcoat.” At the end of October he dies of consumption. While he was ill, Varya looked after him, but Pokrovsky was unconscious almost all the time. Old man Pokrovsky spent his last night in the corridor on a mat that they laid out for him there. He was in complete despair. Varya describes the terrible scene of the funeral of a student and a poor old man running after his son’s coffin. June 11 Varya thanks Devushkin in a letter for taking her for a walk to the islands. She is happy that she visited nature. But during the walk she got her feet wet and was sick again. June 12 Devushkin writes that he is glad to receive such sincere letters from Varya, he likes that she appreciates and praises him. Further, he writes about himself - that he has been serving for thirty years, having begun his service at the age of seventeen, that in his service he has ill-wishers who are dissatisfied with his appearance and the fact that he takes on additional work - rewriting papers. Makar promises to visit Varya and bring her a book. June 20 Varya, in a reply letter, persuades Devushkin to buy a decent uniform, which is sold on occasion, otherwise he wears rags. She assures that he wasted his money on the lingerie he sent her as a gift - she doesn’t need it at all. Makar previously asked Varya to send a continuation of her notes, he wants her to finish writing them to the end. In response to this request, Varya writes that she feels scared from the memories, because all this happened not so long ago. Varya reports that Anna Fedorovna is calling her back to her place, saying that in this case she will settle the matter with Bykov and force him to make amends to her. Varya writes that she feels good with kind Fedora, with Makar Alekseevich, who, although her distant relative, protects her. June 21 Makar Alekseevich answers Varenka that he is happy with his care for her. For the first time someone needs him, this makes his life happier, fuller. June 22 Makar writes to Varya that Gorshkov’s nine-year-old son died in their apartment. He visited the Gorshkovs and was struck by their quiet grief. June 25 Varya returns the book he sent to Devushkin. Could he really like such books? “This is a worthless little book! “You can’t take it in your hands,” Varya is indignant. June 26 Devushkin replies that he just leafed through the book and thought it was funny, so he sent it to Varenka. But his flatmate Ratazyaev promised to give him “something real literary” to read, then Varya would have something to read. Ratazyaev himself writes, and very vividly. Makar visits him and he reads his works. Makar rewrites his manuscripts. But Ratazyaev became friends with Makar not at all for the reason that he wrote to him. Makar asks Varya not to believe gossip, assures that he himself enjoys it, that Ratazyaev is “a kind person and an incomparable writer.” Makar admires literature. He describes how he sits in the company of writers with Ratazyaev, listens to their smart speeches, but he himself cannot say anything. Further in his letter, Makar places several excerpts from Ratazyaev’s essay “Italian Passions”, from the story “Ermak and Zuleika”, which describes the most “fatal” passions. It occurred to Makar that if the book “Poems of Makar Devushkin” had been published... After all, he would not have dared to appear on Nevsky Prospect in his tattered boots, the soles of which were falling off. However, Makar writes all this just to amuse Varya. He will send her books. June 27 Varya writes that, according to Fedora, there are people who can get her a job as a governess in a landowner’s family. But she is afraid to go there, because these people are already changing their third governess in two years. Varya asks Makar for advice, wants him to come to her. She is sad, has a bad cough, and feels like she is going to die. There is no need to send more sweets, let Makar save the money. Varya has embroidered a carpet, and for it they are giving fifty rubles in banknotes, so she will give money to Fedora and sew herself a dress and a vest for Makar. Fedora brought “Belkin’s Tales” to Varya to read, she sends the book to Makar. If he has any books, let him send them, but only if he did not take them from Ratazyaev. She doesn't want to read his writings. June 28 Makar encourages Varya, assures her that she is not sick at all, she looks great, only a little pale. He asks her not to think about bad things and under no circumstances become a governess. Makar is ready to sell his old tailcoat and wear only a shirt, just so that Varya doesn’t need anything. He reproaches Fedora, who advised her to look for work. Makar stands up for Ratazyaev, who, in his opinion, writes well, although there are better writers. In the evening he will visit Varya. On July 1, Varya came to the conclusion that she was doing very badly by refusing the position of governess. After all, you can get used to everything. It’s hard for her to watch Makar and Fedora strain themselves for her sake. She also wants to be useful. July 1 Devushkin writes to Varya: “What is it that you lack here, little mother, just tell me! They love you, you love us, we are all satisfied and happy - what more?” What will they do without her if she leaves? It was a joy for him to buy clothes for her; he got used to them. Makar writes about Belkin’s Tales: “...In my life I have never read such glorious books.” In this book, everything is like in life, his neighbor Gorshkov, for example, the same Samson Vyrin from “The Station Agent,” and the same thing can happen to him, Makar. Devushkin advises Varya to read the book again: in his opinion, it will benefit her. Makar talked about “The Station Agent” with Ratazyaev. He thinks that this is outdated, now picture books are in fashion, although Pushkin, of course, is good and glorified Holy Rus'. Poor people page 4 July 6 Varya writes that Fedora brought her fifteen rubles in silver, she gave her three rubles, and now she is cutting a vest for Makar. Sends him “The Overcoat” by Gogol. Makar invites her to the theater, but won't it be expensive? Fedora says that Makar lives beyond his means and, according to rumors, owes money to his landlady. July 7 Devushkin writes to Varya about how he once lived next door to several young men who were in love with an actress from a local theater. They told him so much about her that he also fell in love and went to the theater with them, and then spent a month and a half chasing her, got into debt... and “stopped loving her: he got bored!” July 8 Makar Alekseevich’s lengthy letter is dedicated to the story “The Overcoat,” which outraged him to the depths of his soul. It seems to him that the author is laughing at poverty and humility. In his opinion, the author should have attached a good ending to the story: so that the official’s overcoat would be found, so that the general would promote him with rank and increase his salary, so that evil would be punished and virtue would triumph. Makar clearly identifies himself with the hero of “The Overcoat,” but at the same time writes that “this is simply implausible, because it cannot happen that there is such an official.” July 27 Varya learned that Devushkin had taken his salary in advance in the service, even sold his uniform when she was sick, spent everything on her clothes, candy, walks, theater, books, owed money to the hostess - and hid his desperate situation from her. Makar did not appear at Varya’s for four days and was absent from work. Fedora said that he was found on the street drunk and brought home by the police. Varya mentions Makar’s letter, where he explains his behavior by saying that he was afraid to tell Varya everything, he was afraid of losing her friendship. Varya writes: “I brought you such misfortunes that you have never experienced before in your modest and solitary life. All this torments and kills me.” She did not understand what Makar wrote about the story with the officers. Varya regrets that she refused the position of governess. July 28 Devushkin reports that everything is gradually getting better, the authorities don’t know anything yet. He is only afraid of gossip, and he is also killed by debts and the poor condition of his clothes. Makar thanks Varya for the money she sent, because he himself has no hopes for any income yet. July 28 Makar writes to Varya that he loves her. As for the story with the officers, he himself does not remember very well. He had been in the most distress for the last month. And suddenly I learned from Fedora that someone had come to Varya with an “undignified proposal.” He wanted to go to this “sinner,” and then he met his former colleague Emelya, they spent three days together, and then Makar went to the officer who insulted Varya. He pulled him down the stairs. She knows the rest. July 29 In her reply letter, Varya calls Devushkin to definitely come to her for dinner. It would be nice if he came to her for lunch every day. August 1 Makar talks about poverty, about the vulnerability of a poor person whose pride is constantly insulted. During the service, everything became known; the boss looked at him reproachfully. Makar believes that Ratayev, who has acquaintances in the department where he serves, is to blame for everything. Everyone in the apartment is Poor people page 5 August 14 Varya reproaches Makar for drunkenness, wonders where he gets the money for this, asks him not to ruin himself and her. Everyone points fingers at her and says she got involved with a drunk. Varya sends Makar twenty kopecks, begging him to hope in God, who will arrange everything for the better. Varya sends Makar twenty kopecks, begging him to hope in God, who will arrange everything for the better. August 19 Makar writes that when he drinks, he forgets about the torn sole and torn boots. He sends greetings from his drinking buddy - former colleague Emelya. August 21 In his letter of repentance, Makar writes that, having received thirty and then twenty kopecks from Varya, he felt that he himself was no longer good for anything and had lost respect for himself. Moreover, the weather was so cold, it was raining. It was here that I met Emelya, who pawned everything he had and had not eaten anything for two days. They drank together. Makar writes to Varya that before meeting her he was lonely and seemed to be sleeping and not living in the world. Having gotten to know her, he began to know himself better and fell in love with her. Makar asks Varya not to ask him anything else. September 3 Varya continues the letter she left unfinished the day before. It was hard for her to write, but today is such a fresh, bright, brilliant morning! It's already autumn. Varya loved autumn very much when she lived in the village. Pictures of nature appear before her eyes - a lake, motionless trees along its shores, a burning fire, reflected in the water, an autumn sunset sky lined with red, fiery stripes, white steam rising above the water. She remembers late autumn, when all the peasant work ends, people are waiting for winter. It seems to Varya that she will die this fall. Fedora has gone somewhere, and she is afraid to be alone, it seems to her that there is someone in the room. When she writes, it goes away. Of the proceeds from the dresses and hat Varina sold, only a silver ruble remained. Varya is glad that Makar Alekseevich gave the hostess two rubles: she will shut up for a while. On September 5, Makar describes his impressions in his long letter. He had a headache, and he went for a walk along the Fontanka. The evening was dark and damp. Makar turned onto a noisy street with rich shops. Carriages rushed past. Makar sees them as dressed up ladies and remembers Varya. He wonders why she is so unhappy, because she is beautiful, kind and educated. If she were rich, no one would dare to offend her. Makar writes that even the organ grinder he met is more worthy than people “who wouldn’t mind insulting an orphan.” When Makar stood near the organ grinder, a handsome, sick-looking boy approached him and handed him a note. It was a request to help a dying woman and her three starving children. Makar had nothing to give. When Makar was getting ready to drink tea in the evening, Gorshkov approached him and asked for a loan of money, even ten kopecks. Makar gave the last twenty kopecks that he had. Gorshkov said that for several years he had been suing some merchant who was accused of fraud, and he had involved Gorshkov in his business. He was fired from service for this, and until he is completely acquitted, he cannot receive from the merchant the money that he owes him. Makar feels sorry for Gorshkov. September 9 Makar “was completely agitated by the terrible incident.” While rewriting an important document yesterday, he missed a whole line. When this morning the paper was submitted to “His Excellency” for signing, he summoned Makar Devushkin. Makar, neither alive nor dead, appeared before the dignitary. He scolded his immediate superior, Makar. Makar was about to ask for forgiveness when suddenly a button came off his uniform and rolled on the floor. Only then did the dignitary pay attention to the minor official. Makar, confused, rushed to pick up the button and, in complete despair, began to attach it back to his uniform. The dignitary was struck by the beggarly appearance of the census taker and demands that his salary be given in advance so that he can dress up, but Makar’s boss reports that he has already taken a lot in advance, “but has not been noticed for any good behavior.” Then the dignitary took a hundred rubles from his wallet and handed it to Makar, then shook his hand. Makar writes that nothing is more dear to him than the fact that he, a drunkard, was shaken by the hand. Makar sends forty-five rubles to Varya, gives twenty rubles to the hostess, uses twenty to sew himself a uniform, and leaves fifteen for living. September 10 Varya keeps twenty rubles for herself, and sends the rest to Devushkin, asking him to live frugally. She and Fedora are planning to move, but Fedora hopes to collect some old debt. Varya is glad that Makar is going to visit her. September 11 Makar begs Varya not to move to another apartment, not to leave him. He made peace with everyone. They don't laugh at him anymore. He learned that His Excellency is generally a sympathetic and kind person. He raised an orphan and gave her a good marriage, placed the son of a widow in the office, etc. Makar told everyone about another wonderful deed of his, and about everything - about the hostess, about Ratazyaev, about the boots... Everyone laughed, but Makar thinks that without evil intention. He is still excited, he is sure that “everything ahead is so bright, good.” September 15 Varya is in confusion. Her offender, Bykov, visited them in her absence, asked Fedora about how she lived, and about him, Makar, and wanted to give Fedora twenty-five rubles, but she didn’t take it. Varya is frightened, at a loss as to why he came, and asks Makar to definitely come to her. On September 18, Devushkin writes that the official Gorshkov was acquitted by the court, came home pale as a sheet, but smiling and excited. His wife ordered a good lunch. After lunch, Gorshkov lay down and... died. September 19 Devushkin reports that Ratazyaev found him an additional job - copying a large manuscript of one writer. September 20 Varya informs Devushkin that her offender Bykov asked for her hand in order to “restore her honor.” He is rich, after the wedding he will take Varya to his steppe village and will never return to St. Petersburg. Here he has a nephew whom he wants to leave without an inheritance, and for this he needs to get married in order to give birth to an heir. Bykov tells Varya that Poor People page 6 before making proposals to her, he found out about her behavior. He asked about Makar, considers him a noble man and is going to pay him five hundred rubles for everything he did for Varya. Varya tells him that what Makar Devushkin did for her cannot be paid for with any money. Bykov objects that this is all nonsense and novels, that books only spoil morality and he cannot stand them. Bykov says that if Varya does not accept his proposal, then he will marry a merchant’s wife in Moscow, because he certainly wants to deprive his nephew of his inheritance. After Bykov left, Varya thought for a long time and decided to accept his offer. She writes to Makar that it is useless to dissuade her. The letter was not completed - Bykov arrived. September 23 Makar is upset by Varya’s decision and the fact that he will be left all alone. He wants to run to Varya. September 27 Varya asks Makar Alekseevich to help her prepare her dowry. Her wedding is in five days and she's not well. Bykov’s house is cold and empty, he himself does not live here, and in his absence the servants run away. There is no one to even send letters to Makar. Her letter, sent by mail, contains many small orders. September 27 Devushkin replies that he carried out her instructions. He wanted to go to Varya, but he is afraid of angering Bykov. September 28 Varya asks Devushkin to cancel the order for earrings with pearls and emeralds from the jeweler. Bykov did not calculate the expenses and is now angry, saying that Varya is robbing him and that if he had known about such expenses, he would not have contacted her. After the wedding, they will leave immediately so that Varya “doesn’t expect to twirl and dance.” Varya writes that Bykov himself ordered everything. September 28 Devushkin writes that she fulfilled her request. He is sick and cannot get out of bed. September 29 Devushkin writes that he learned about her wedding tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow she is already leaving. He won't be able to go to church - his lower back hurts. He wants to move to her old apartment so as not to be separated from Fedora. He asks to leave him “Belkin’s Tales”: he will read it in the winter. Makar looked around the empty apartment where Varya lived. He writes about this with tenderness and sadness. September 30 Varya sends Makar Devushkin her last letter, calling him an invaluable friend who brightened up her loneliness. “You are my only friend; you were the only one here who loved me!.. How can you remain alone here... kind, priceless, my only friend!” - writes Varya. She asks Makar Alekseevich to remember poor Varenka, who loved him so much. From Makar's letter she knows that he is sick, but she cannot visit him: Bykov does not let her go anywhere. “Farewell!.. Remember, remember your poor Varenka!” - this is how Varvara Dobroselova’s last letter to Makar Devushkin ends. Makar received this letter. He feels painfully sorry for Varya: she will die where she is going with this man... And Bykov will keep hunting hares... Makar will get out of bed tomorrow and throw himself under the wheels of Bykov’s carriage, running after her... Makar loved Varenka like the light of the Lord, like his own daughter, he lived only for her. Makar writes a letter to nowhere, because there is no one to send it to. He is convinced that a merchant’s wife would be more suitable for Bykov, and Varya should have stayed with Makar. He will write, and let Varya write to him. Makar writes and writes, just to write... “My darling, my dear, you are my little mother!” Makar writes that he cannot come to Varya more often. When she was seriously ill, he almost never left her side, and gossip began to spread. So let Varya recover, and they will meet somewhere outside the house. June 1 Varya sends Makar Alekseevich a notebook in which she began to write down the story of her life “back in a happy time...”. 1 Varya’s childhood was very happy, especially when her father worked as the manager of a huge estate. She was ready to live her whole life like this. But the prince died, and his heirs denied the manager the position. Varya was twelve years old when the family moved to St. Petersburg, where her father had some money in circulation with private individuals. My father was in a quarrel with Anna Fedorovna. Soon Varya was sent to a boarding school, where she was very sad, the girls laughed at her and made slander to the governess. But she tried to study in order to please her beloved father. Coming home on Saturdays, Varya noticed that her father was spending his last on her education, that the family was barely getting by. Every day my father became gloomier and angrier, his character completely deteriorated: things were going badly, a lot of debts had accumulated. The mother fell ill with consumption from grief. The father was exhausted by his worries and sorrows; he caught a cold and suddenly died. Creditors immediately appeared, and the mother gave them everything she had. The house was also sold, and the mother and daughter “were left homeless, without shelter, without food.” Varya was then fourteen years old. It was then that Anna Fedorovna appeared, introducing herself as their relative. She assured that she sympathized with their grief, that she wanted to get closer to them, offered to forget old feuds, and ordered a memorial service for Varya’s father. Anna Feodorovna invited them to live with her, and they agreed. 2 Anna Fedorovna lived in her own five-room house on Vasilyevsky Island. Three rooms were occupied by the hostess herself and her pupil, the orphan Sasha, Varya’s cousin. Varya and her mother lived in the fourth room, and another one was occupied by a tenant, a poor student in
Makar Alekseevich Devushkin is a titular councilor forty-seven years old, copying papers for a small salary in one of the St. Petersburg departments. He had just moved to a new apartment in a “main” building near Fontanka. Along the long corridor are the doors of rooms for residents; the hero himself huddles behind a partition in the common kitchen. His previous housing was “incomparably better.” However, now the main thing for Devushkin is cheapness, because in the same courtyard he rents a more comfortable and expensive apartment for his distant relative Varvara Alekseevna Dobroselova. A poor official takes under his protection a seventeen-year-old orphan, for whom there is no one but him to intercede. Living nearby, they rarely see each other, as Makar Alekseevich is afraid of gossip. However, both need warmth and sympathy, which they draw from almost daily correspondence with each other. The history of the relationship between Makar and Varenka is revealed in thirty-one - his and twenty-four - her letters, written from April 8 to September 30, 184... Makar’s first letter is permeated with the happiness of finding heartfelt affection: “... it’s spring, and thoughts are still pleasant , sharp, intricate, and tender dreams come..." Denying himself food and clothes, he saves money for flowers and sweets for his "angel."
Varenka is angry with the patron for excessive expenses, and cools his ardor with irony: “...only poems are missing...”
“Fatherly affection animated me, the only pure fatherly affection...” - Makar is embarrassed.
Varya persuades her friend to come to her more often: “Who cares?” She takes home work - sewing.
In subsequent letters, Devushkin describes in detail his home - “Noah’s Ark” due to the abundance of a motley audience - with a “rotten, pungently sweet smell” in which “the little siskins are dying.” He draws portraits of his neighbors: the card player midshipman, the petty writer Ratazyaev, the poor official without a job, Gorshkov and his family. The hostess is a “real witch.” He is ashamed that he is bad, he writes stupidly - “there is no syllable”: after all, he studied “not even with copper money.”
Varenka shares her anxiety: Anna Fedorovna, a distant relative, is “finding out” about her. Previously, Varya and her mother lived in her house, and then, supposedly to cover their expenses, the “benefactor” offered the girl, who was orphaned by that time, to the rich landowner Bykov, who dishonored her. Only Makar’s help saves the defenseless from final “death.” If only the pimp and Bykov didn’t find out her address! The poor thing falls ill from fear and lies unconscious for almost a month. Makar is nearby all this time. To get his little one back on his feet, he is selling a new uniform. By June, Varenka recovers and sends notes to her caring friend with the story of her life.
Her happy childhood was spent in her family in the lap of rural nature. When my father lost his position as manager of the estate of Prince P-go, they came to St. Petersburg - “rotten,” “angry,” “sad.” Constant failures drove my father to the grave. The house was sold for debts. Fourteen-year-old Varya and her mother were left homeless and homeless. It was then that Anna Fedorovna took them in, and soon began to reproach the widow. She worked beyond her strength, ruining her poor health for the sake of a piece of bread. For a whole year, Varya studied with a former student, Pyotr Pokrovsky, who lived in the same house. She was surprised in “the kindest, most worthy man, the best of all,” by the strange disrespect for the old father, who often visited his adored son. He was a bitter drunkard, once a petty official. Peter's mother, a young beauty, was married to him with a rich dowry by the landowner Bykov. Soon she died. The widower remarried. Peter grew up separately, under the patronage of Bykov, who placed the young man, who left the university for health reasons, “to live” with his “short acquaintance” Anna Fedorovna.
Joint vigils at the bedside of Varya’s sick mother brought the young people closer together. An educated friend taught the girl to read and developed her taste. However, Pokrovsky soon fell ill and died of consumption. The hostess took all the deceased's belongings to pay for the funeral. The old father took as many books from her as he could and stuffed them into her pockets, hat, etc. It started to rain. The old man ran, crying, behind the cart with the coffin, and books fell from his pockets into the mud. He picked them up and ran after them again... Varya, in anguish, returned home to her mother, who was also soon taken away by death...
Devushkin responds with a story about his own life. He has been serving for thirty years. “Smirnenky”, “quiet” and “kind”, he became the subject of constant ridicule: “Makar Alekseevich was introduced into the proverb in our entire department”, “...they got to the boots, to the uniform, to the hair, to my figure: everything is not according to them ,-
Everything needs to be redone!” The hero is indignant: “Well, what is there [...] that I’m rewriting! What, it’s a sin to rewrite, or what? “The only joy is Varenka: “It’s as if the Lord blessed me with a house and a family!”
On June 10, Devushkin takes his ward for a walk to the islands. She's happy. Naive Makar is delighted with Ratazyaev’s writings. Varenka notes the bad taste and pomposity of “Italian Passions”, “Ermak and Zuleika”, etc.
Realizing that Devushkin’s material worries about himself are too much for him (he was so self-absorbed that he arouses contempt even among the servants and watchmen), the sick Varenka wants to get a job as a governess. Makar is against: its “usefulness” lies in its “beneficial” influence on his life. He stands up for Ratazyaev, but after reading Pushkin’s “Station Warden,” sent by Varya, he is shocked: “I feel the same thing, just like in the book.” Vyrina tries on fate for herself and asks her “native” not to leave, not to “ruin” him. July 6 Varenka sends Gogol’s “The Overcoat” to Makar; that same evening they visit the theater.
If Pushkin's story elevated Devushkin in his own eyes, then Gogol's story offended him. Identifying himself with Bashmachkin, he believes that the author spied on all the little details of his life and unceremoniously made it public. The hero’s dignity is hurt: “after this you have to complain...”
By the beginning of July, Makar had spent everything. The only thing worse than lack of money is the ridicule of the tenants at him and Varenka. But the worst thing is that a “seeker” officer, one of her former neighbors, comes to her with an “undignified offer.” In despair, the poor man started drinking and disappeared for four days, missing service. I went to shame the offender, but was thrown down the stairs.
Varya consoles her protector and asks, despite the gossip, to come to her for dinner.
Since the beginning of August, Devushkin has been trying in vain to borrow money at interest, especially necessary in view of a new misfortune: the other day another “seeker” came to Varenka, directed by Anna Fedorovna, who herself will soon visit the girl. We need to move urgently. Makar starts drinking again out of helplessness. “For my sake, my darling, don’t ruin yourself and don’t ruin me,” the unfortunate woman begs him, sending her last “thirty kopecks in silver.” The encouraged poor man explains his “fall”: “how he lost respect for himself, how he indulged in denying his good qualities and his dignity, so here you are all lost!” Varya gives Makar self-respect: people “disgusted” him, “and I began to disdain myself., and […] you […] illuminated my whole dark life, […] and I […] learned that […] no worse than others ; that only […] I don’t shine with anything, there’s no gloss, I’m drowning, but still I’m a man, that in my heart and thoughts I’m a man.”
Varenka’s health is deteriorating, she is no longer able to sew. Anxious, Makar goes out on a September evening to the Fontanka embankment. Dirt, disorder, drunks - “boring”! And on neighboring Gorokhovaya there are rich shops, luxurious carriages, elegant ladies. The walker falls into “freethinking”: if work is the basis of human dignity, then why are so many slackers well-fed? Happiness is not given by merit - therefore the rich should not be deaf to the complaints of the poor. Makar is a little proud of his reasoning and notes that “his syllable has been forming recently.” On September 9, luck smiled on Devushkin: summoned for a “scolding” to the general for a mistake in a paper, the humble and pitiful official received the sympathy of “His Excellency” and received one hundred rubles from him personally. This is a real salvation: we paid for the apartment, the table, the clothes. Devushkin is depressed by his boss’s generosity and reproaches himself for his recent “liberal” thoughts. Reading "Northern Bee". Full of hope for the future.
Meanwhile, Bykov finds out about Varenka and on September 20 comes to woo her. His goal is to have legitimate children in order to disinherit his “worthless nephew.” If Varya is against it, he will marry a Moscow merchant's wife. Despite the unceremoniousness and rudeness of the offer, the girl agrees: “If anyone can […] restore my good name, turn poverty away from me […] it’s only him.” Makar dissuades: “Your heart will be cold!” Having fallen ill from grief, he still shares her efforts of getting ready for the trip until the last day.
September 30 - wedding. On the same day, on the eve of leaving for Bykov’s estate, Varenka writes a farewell letter to an old friend: “Who will you stay with here, kind, priceless, the only one!”
The answer is full of despair: “I worked, and wrote papers, and walked, and walked, […] all because you […] here, on the contrary, lived nearby.” Who now needs his formed “syllable”, his letters, himself? “By what right” do they destroy “human life”?
