Fedor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky

"Poor people"

Makar Alekseevich Devushkin is a titular adviser for forty-seven years old, copying papers for a small salary in one of the St. Petersburg departments. He just moved to new apartment in the "capital" house near the Fontanka. Along the long corridor are the doors of the rooms for the tenants; the hero himself huddles behind a partition in common kitchen. His former housing was “incomparably better”, but 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.

The poor official takes under his protection a seventeen-year-old orphan, for whom, apart from him, there is no one 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 ... , sharp, intricate, and gentle dreams come ... ”Denying himself food and clothes, he profits on flowers and sweets for his“ angel ”.

Varenka is angry with the patron for excessive expenses, cools his ardor with irony: "poems alone are not enough." “Paternal affection animated me, the only pure fatherly affection…” Makar is embarrassed.

Varya persuades her friend to visit her more often: “What other business!” She takes home work - sewing.

In subsequent letters, Devushkin describes in detail his dwelling - "Noah's Ark" according to the abundance of a motley audience - with a "rotten, sharply sweetened smell", in which "the siskins die like that." He draws portraits of his neighbors: the midshipman card player, the petty writer Ratazyaev, the impoverished official without a place, Gorshkov and his family. The hostess is a real witch. He is ashamed that he is bad, stupidly writes - "no syllable": after all, he studied "not even with copper money."

Varenka shares her anxiety: Anna Fedorovna, a distant relative, "finds out" about her. Previously, Varya and her mother lived in her house, and then, allegedly to cover the costs of them, the “benefactor” offered the orphaned girl by that time to the wealthy landowner Bykov, who dishonored her. Only Makar's help saves the defenseless from the final "death". If only the bawd and Bykov did not find out her address! The poor thing falls ill from fear, lies unconscious for almost a month. Makar has been around all this time. To put his "yasochka" on his feet, he sells a new uniform. By June, Varenka recovers and sends notes to his caring friend with the story of his life.

Her happy childhood was spent in her native family in the bosom of rural nature. When my father lost his position as manager of the estate of Prince II, they came to St. Petersburg - "rotten", "angry", "dreary". Constant failures brought the father to the grave. The house was sold for debt. Fourteen-year-old Varya and her mother were left homeless and without funds. It was then that they were sheltered by Anna Fedorovna, who soon began to reproach the widow. She worked beyond her strength, destroying 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 person, the best of all", a strange disrespect for the old father, who often visited his adored son. It 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. She died soon after. The widower remarried. Peter, on the other hand, grew up separately, under the patronage of Bykov, who placed the young man, who left the university for health reasons, "on bread" with his "short acquaintance" Anna Fedorovna.

Joint vigils at the bedside of Varya's sick mother brought the young people closer. An educated friend taught the girl to read, developed her taste. However, Pokrovsky soon fell ill and died of consumption. The hostess, on account of the funeral, took all the belongings of the deceased. The old father took as many books as he could from her and stuffed them into his pockets, hat, etc. It began to rain. The old man ran, weeping, behind the cart with the coffin, and books fell from his pockets into the mud. He picked them up and again ran in pursuit ... Varya returned home in anguish, to her mother, who was also soon killed by death ...

Devushkin replies with a story about own life. He has been serving for thirty years. “Humble”, “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 they got: everyone is not for them Everything needs to be redone!" The hero is indignant: “Well, what is it<…>such that I rewrite! What, is it a sin to rewrite, or what? The only joy is Varenka: “It’s as if the Lord has blessed me with a house committee and family!”

On June 10, Devushkin takes his ward for a walk to the islands. She is happy. The naive Makar is delighted with the works of Ratazyaev. Varenka, on the other hand, notes the bad taste and loftiness of "Italian Passions", "Ermak and Zyuleyka", etc.

Understanding all the unbearable for Devushkin material worries about himself (he dressed up so much that he causes contempt even among the servants and watchmen), the sick Varenka wants to get a job as a governess. Makar is against: its "usefulness" is in its "beneficial" influence on his life. He stands up for Ratazyaev, but after reading the “Station Master” Pushkin sent by Varya, he is shocked: “I feel the same way, just like in the book.” Vyrina tries on the fate of herself and asks her "native" not to leave, not to "destroy" him. On July 6, Varenka sends Gogol's Overcoat to Makar; that evening they visit the theatre.

If Pushkin's story exalted Devushkin in their own eyes, then Gogol's - offends. Identifying himself with Bashmachkin, he believes that the author spied on all the little things in his life and unceremoniously made it public. The dignity of the hero is hurt: “after this, one must complain ...”

By the beginning of July, Makar had spent everything. More terrible than lack of money is only the ridicule of the tenants over him and Varenka. But the worst thing is that a “searcher” officer, from former neighbors, comes to her with an “unworthy offer.” In desperation, the poor fellow took to drink, disappeared for four days, skipping service. He went to shame the offender, but was thrown down the stairs.

Varya consoles her defender, asks, despite gossip, to come to her for dinner.

Since the beginning of August, Devushkin has been trying in vain to borrow money at interest, which is especially necessary in view of a new misfortune: the other day, another “searcher” came to Varenka, sent by Anna Fedorovna, who herself would soon visit the girl. We need to move urgently. Makar from impotence again drinks. “For my sake, my dear, don’t ruin yourself and don’t ruin me,” the unfortunate woman implores him, sending the last “thirty kopecks in silver.” The encouraged poor man explains his “fall”: “how you lost respect for yourself, how you indulged in the denial of your good qualities and your dignity, so here everything is lost!” Varia gives Makar self-respect: people “disdain” them, “and I began to disdain myself., and<…>you<…>all my life they lit up the dark,<…>and I<…>I learned that<…>no worse than others; that only<…>I do not shine with anything, there is no gloss, there is no tone, but still I am a man, that in my heart and thoughts I am a man.

Varenka's health is deteriorating, she is no longer able to sew. In alarm, Makar goes out on a September evening to the Fontanka embankment. Dirt, mess, drunks - "boring"! And on the neighboring Gorokhovaya - rich shops, luxurious carriages, elegant ladies. The walker falls into “free-thinking”: if labor is the basis of human dignity, then why are so many idlers fed? Happiness is not given according to merit - therefore, the rich should not be deaf to the complaints of the poor. Makar is a little proud of his reasoning and notices that his "syllable has been forming recently." On September 9, Devushkin was lucky: summoned for a mistake in a paper to “reproach” to the general, a humble and pitiful official received the sympathy of “His Excellency” and personally received one hundred rubles from him. This is a real salvation: paid for an apartment, a table, clothes. Devushkin is overwhelmed by his superior'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 the "unfit nephew." If Varya is against it, he will marry a Moscow merchant's wife. Despite the arrogance and rudeness of the proposal, the girl agrees: “If anyone can<…>return me an honest name, turn away poverty from me<…>so that's the only one." Makar dissuades: “your heart will be cold!” Sick with grief, he still last day shares her troubles with packing for the journey.

September 30 - wedding. On the same day, on the eve of leaving for the Bykov estate, Varenka writes a farewell letter to an old friend: “Who will you stay here for, 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, they lived nearby. Who now needs his formed "syllable", his letters, he himself? “By what right” are they destroying “human life”?

Forty-seven-year-old Makar Alekseevich Devushkin works in the St. Petersburg department. For a small fee, he rewrites papers. Recently, he celebrated a housewarming party in a "capital" house on the Fontanka. He lived behind a partition in the kitchen. The former habitat was incomparably better, but these sacrifices were aimed at improving the conditions of her relative Varvara Alekseevna Dobroselova, who lives in the same yard.

The guardian of a seventeen-year-old orphan, he rarely sees her in order to avoid gossip. They share their warmth in correspondence. Varya does not approve of the relative's excessive spending on her. She sews at home and asks Makar to visit her more often. She is worried about the excessive attention paid to her person, Anna Fedorovna.

She some time ago, ostensibly for financial assistance Varya and her mother, who lived with her, offered the girl to the landowner Bykov. He took advantage and dishonored the girl. Afraid of being found, Varya falls ill and lies unconscious for a whole month. Devushkin takes care of her all the time. She tells him her life story.

The girl's happy childhood ended when her father lost his position at court. After the family moved from the village to St. Petersburg, the father died. Their house was taken away for debts, the mother and daughter were sheltered by Anna Fedorovna, who later reproached them for this. The girl studied with Peter Pokrovsky, who lives in the same house. Varya became close to Pokrovsky, but the relationship did not last long, he died of consumption. She returned to her mother, but she too soon died.

On June 10, Makar took Varya to the islands. The girl is happy. She is only worried about the financial situation of her friend, Makar has worn out his things so that even the servants looked at him with disgust. She wants to work to ease Makar's material waste. But Devushkin is against it.

By the beginning of July, the money had run out. One of the former neighbors showed up to Varya with an “unworthy offer”. Makar wanted to intercede, but he was thrown down the stairs. In August, he tries to borrow money at interest, but to no avail.

Varya is found by another seeker sent by Anna Feodorovna. We need to look for a new home. Makar drunk. Varya falls ill and stops sewing. Makar was lucky, an official who took pity on him handed him a hundred rubles. You can pay for the apartment, food and clothes. In September, Bykov showed up to woo Varya. Despite everything experienced, Varya, in order to improve financial situation agrees. Makar suffers, but helps to get ready for the journey.

The wedding will take place on September 30th. Varya wrote a farewell letter to an old friend. Makar's answer is filled with despair: he created, inspired by Varya, who will need all this now?

Compositions

This novel by Fyodor Mikhailovich consists of letters from two of its main characters - Varvara Dobroselova and Makar Devushkin. They are brought to each other by distant relatives. From their letters, the reader will learn the fate of the heroes, whose life is by no means easy and joyful.

Dostoevsky in his novel shows how poor people lived, on the verge of poverty of that time. Their fate and their decisions that they are forced to make are far from what they would like. Circumstances force them to drag out their miserable existence. Suppressed spiritually, some still find an outlet for themselves, perking up, however, all the same circumstances inevitably lead them back.

Makar Devushkin is 47 years old. He is a departmental clerk in Petersburg. Makar receives a small salary for his work. Lives in a house near the Fontanka. He occupies in one of his apartments small area in the shared kitchen. Devushkin denies himself almost everything. And not only because his salary is low.

His relative, Varenka, lives in the same house. He pays for her apartment and tries his best to please her. He buys gifts for the girl: either flowers in pots, or sweets, or something else. Barbara is his outlet. He is very attached to her and the whole meaning of his existence lately focuses on her. He writes letters to her. She, too, responded. Either Makar tells her in them about his position in the service, then he complains that he has a bad style, describes his housing, and he has many other conversations with her in letters. The girl also tells him about her experiences and events.

Before Varenka settled in this house, she had to endure many bitter, and even humiliating events. She was born in the village. Her father worked for the manager of the estate. And when he lost his place, the family had to move to St. Petersburg. Varya was then 14 years old.

Many hardships and setbacks befell their family. Unable to withstand their onslaught, Varenka's father dies. The house is given for debts. And the girl, along with her mother, settled in the house of her distant relative, Anna Feodorovna. Her character was bad. She always reproached the "accomplices". Varya's mother had to work very hard.

A poor student, Pyotr Pokrovsky, also lived in this house. He gave private lessons. On the money received for them, he lived. Varenka also took lessons from him. Young people even began to get closer. Especially when Varya's mother fell ill and went to bed. She did not leave the patient's bed for days on end.

And Varya herself was unwell and tired. Pokrovsky helped her in her worries and took care of her himself. Varya adopted a lot from him, including the love of reading.

The girl's mother dies. And soon death overtakes Pokrovsky. He dies of consumption, having caught a bad cold. The scene of his funeral was sad. Only his father ran after the coffin, losing along the way and picking up the books of his late son - what Anna Fedorovna did not have time to take from his things on account of paying for the organization of the funeral.

Varenka was left completely alone. An acquaintance of her relative appears - Bykov. He is a landowner. And Anna Fedorovna decides to bring the girl to him, as she sees this as an opportunity to recover money from Varya.

The girl manages to escape from the hands of Bykov, who is disgusting to her. She also leaves the house of her relative. After these events, she lives in the same house with her benefactor - Makar Devushkin. Since then, a warm friendship and correspondence began between them. Varya writes to him about her fears that Anna Fedorovna will find her.

Varya is overtaken by an illness that lasted a whole month. In order to buy her medicine, Makar has to sell his uniform, which is still brand new. But, he does not feel sorry for Varenka. The girl reproached him more than once in letters for spending so much on her, forgetting about herself.

Devushkin is flattered that he - right person. After all, in the service they laughed at him, called him a quiet one. During his communication with Varya, he spiritually felt himself higher and more significant. Varya sends him several books, which he advises to read. Sometimes, in letters, she ironically cools Makar's ardor towards her.

The landlady - Fedora offers Varya a place as a governess with a landowner, where she can help her get settled. The girl is tormented by doubts and fears, which she sets out in her next letter to Makar. He advises her not to accept this position. Meanwhile, the girl is sick again - she is tormented by coughing fits. It even begins to seem to her that she will soon die.

At this time, due to the waste of Makar, lack of money overtakes. He even took a salary in advance. But, as always, he could not deny himself once again please Varya. Now he was in a very deplorable position. Varya even helps him herself, having learned that he has nothing to pay for housing. She gives him the money she got from selling the embroidered carpet.

Makar falls into drunkenness. Meanwhile, Anna Fedorovna finds out about Vari's place of residence. The girl is annoyed with their visits by caregivers sent by a relative. Devushkin is in despair from everything that is happening. He wants to go somewhere far away with Varya. But, they cannot do this.

Bykov also appears. He proposes to Varya. Only cold calculation guides them. The landowner intends to disinherit his relative, and for this he needs to have children. Then he needs a poor girl, who still has to answer him with consent.

Varya, having written a farewell letter to her benefactor explaining her decision, leaves. Makar is left alone again and loses heart. His last letter to her is full of grief and despair and the hope that she will write him more, which he asks her to do at the end.

Picture or drawing Poor people

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In 1846, Dostoevsky's novel "Poor People" was first published. We offer a summary of it to the reader. Work on it was carried out in 1844-1845. In the genre of an epistolary novel, the work "Poor People" by Dostoevsky was written.

Makar Alekseevich Devushkin

47-year-old Makar Alekseevich Devushkin serves as a petty clerk (clerk) in the department of St. Petersburg. His salary is small, so he occupies only part of the common kitchen in an apartment in a house located not far from the Fontanka. This house is "capital" and solid, but Devushkin recalls his previous housing, "unlikely better" than the current one. What made the titular councilor worsen his living conditions? The main part of his salary goes to pay for an expensive and decent apartment, which is located in the courtyard of the same house. Dobroselova Varvara Alekseevna, a distant relative of an official for 27 years, lives in it.

The relationship between Makar and Varenka

The orphan is Varenka from Dostoevsky's Poor People. The summary of her relationship with Makar boils down to the fact that he patronizes Varenka out of the best of 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 out for constant communication with her. They became correspondence. Makar Alekseevich and Varenka, both of the subtle spiritual organization of nature, who need 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 Dostoevsky's Poor People. We will now briefly describe them.

Makar's first letters

Makar's first letters are permeated with boundless happiness. Spring is on the street, the soul and heart of an official is filled with "pleasant", "intricate" thoughts. He is overjoyed at being able to take care of the girl, and "tender dreams" willy-nilly come to his mind. Devushkin saves, trying to spend any extra penny for the benefit of Varenka's existence.

History of Varenka

The financial and spiritual support of this girl is also facilitated by her sad letters, in which Varenka tells in all colors about the misfortune of her life. She was born and raised in the village, in the house of the manager of the landowner's estate. The father was soon left without a salary and a place, so the family was forced to move to St. Petersburg. The "angry", "dreary", "rotten" city did not impress the 14-year-old Varenka at all. Problems soon fell on the family from all sides. Varenka's father died, unable to survive the constant failures. I had to give the house for debts. Varenka and her mother settled with Anna Fedorovna, a distant relative. The girl's mother worked hard in order not to be a burden.

Classes with a student

To improve her education, Varenka studied with a student who lived in the same house. Peter Pokrovsky (that was his name) was ill with consumption. He made a living giving private lessons. The girl idolized him, considering him "the most worthy", "the kindest person". The landowner Bykov, her close friend, placed Peter in the boarding house with Anna Fedorovna.

How does the story of Varenka, the heroine of the novel "Poor People" continue? The summary further talks about how she and a student were brought closer educational sessions. When Varenka's mother fell ill from overwork and took to her bed, they spent time together at her bedside. Varenka learned a lot from Peter. The girl loved reading. Suddenly, a new grief came: unable to overcome his illness, the student died. The heartless Anna Feodorovna decided to take all his belongings at the expense of arranging the funeral. The young man's father nevertheless took a few books that he managed to carry away. He cried, ran after the coffin, and the books fell right out of his hands into the dirt ...

The hardships that befell Varenka

After that, many hardships fell on the lot of Varenka from the novel "Poor People". Their summary is as follows. Anna Fedorovna all the time reproached the hangers-on for parasites. Varenka's mother soon died, and the girl was left alone. A "virtuous" relative "billed" her, announcing the 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 deprives the girl of innocence, but she manages to escape.

Varya, in her 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 an insidious relative. Sadness gnaws at Varenka so much that she nervous ground falls ill and spends a whole month unconscious. Makar Alekseevich sells his new uniform in order to maintain the health of the girl.

The position of the protagonist in the service

Devushkin's plight in the service is further described by Dostoevsky ("Poor People"). The content of Varenka's response letters, in which he talks about his life, is the source from which we learn about this. The protagonist complains that he is perceived with laughter in the service, they come up with various offensive epithets: "quiet", "kind", "meek". And his uniform is not the same, and boots, and figure, and hair should be redone. They scoff that Makar has been copying documents for 30 years. He does not understand these ridicule. Varenka is the only outlet for Makar. He writes shyly and joyfully, as if the Lord had blessed him with his home and family. But Makar, the hero created by F. M. Dostoevsky ("Poor people" - the first novel of the writer), is a little shy about his style.

Makar's dwelling, his gifts to Varenka

He describes to the girl his dwelling, which he characterizes as a slum: long, dirty, dark corridor with a "spicy-sweetened", "rotten" smell. It is not surprising that the siskins in it are dying. On the left side - entirely doors, and behind them different people live. 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 the corner of the kitchen, because Varenka's window is opposite it. The main character is very happy when her "pretty face" flickers outside the window. He allegedly saves and saves money. Although, of course, it is cheaper behind the partition, and the main character can even afford tea with sugar. Makar bought pots of geraniums and balsam for dear Varenka. Devushkin sends Varya a pound of sweets in addition to the letter.

The girl is delighted with the flowers, but reproaches Makar for the waste. Varenka realizes that for this Devushkin has to deny himself everything. The owner of the apartment somehow blabbed 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 embarrassed, he explains that he was "animated" only by paternal affection. On June 10, Devushkin takes Varenka for a walk to the islands so that she can rest in the fresh air.

Persecution of Anna Feodorovna

Returning home, the heroine writes another letter, in which she thanks for the perfect promenade, but reports that she is sick again, because her feet got 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 buy a better new uniform. After all, you can’t walk in such a rag. 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 relentless. She informs Anna Fedorovna that she lives well here under the protection of Makar.

Makar's acquaintance with literature

The protagonist is flattered to be 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 he learns which books Ratazyaev recommends to Makar. She sends him to read "The Stationmaster" by Pushkin. 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 "Overcoat", and Makar takes Varenka to the theater on the same day.

Varenka's Fears from "Poor People"

The summary of the chapters describes only the main events, so we will not dwell on the impression made on the protagonist by classical literature, and we will continue to describe the plot. The girl says that Fyodor, the owner of the apartment, can arrange her as a governess in the landowner's family, but she doubts whether to go. The girl has a bad cough, she is afraid that she will die. Varya asks Devushkin to save money and stop sending her sweets. She writes that she embroidered a carpet, for which they give 50 rubles in banknotes. Therefore, she herself will be able to pay Fedor for housing the amount that Makar owes. In addition, Varenka will sew Devushkin's waistcoat and a new dress for herself.

Makar encourages the girl, says that she is not sick at all, but only pale and has lost some weight. He asks not to become a governess, because for the protagonist her "usefulness" consists in Varenka's "beneficial influence" on his life.

Lack of money and drunkenness Makar

Makar in early July is completely without money. He borrowed a salary in advance, but this does not save either. Increasingly, the guests of the house scoff at the relationship between Makar and Varenka. And then the girl reports that one officer, her neighbor, made her an unambiguous offer.

The summary of the story "Poor people" continues with the fact that Makar, in desperation, took to drink. For 4 days he does not appear either at the service or at Varenka's. 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 Makar such misfortunes. She asks him, despite the gossip, to continue to come to her for dinner. In lack of money and drunkenness, Devushkin passes August. Since the beginning of the month, Makar has been unsuccessfully trying to borrow at interest. New womanizers visit Varvara, already 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 silver kopecks that she has left.

Autumn coming

Sincere sympathy is evoked by the main characters described by Dostoevsky ("Poor people"). 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. In the bosom of nature it was beautiful in autumn. 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. In anticipation of winter, everything freezes. Varya writes that the feeling of imminent death does not leave her. Fedora has gone somewhere, and someone is walking 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: she won’t reproach her for an unpaid apartment for at least some time.

Makar forms a syllable

The protagonist writes that he walked in the evening thoughts along the messy and dirty embankment of the Fontanka. And on Gorokhovaya, located next door, there are rich shops, luxurious ladies, expensive carriages. He wonders why labor is rewarded so low, and why are so many unemployed rich people satisfied and fed? Devushkin is proud of these arguments. He notices that recently a syllable has been forming in him. The protagonist found a typo in the document, and he was expected to be punished. However, looking at Makar's miserable appearance, the general even gave him 100 rubles. The main character is gnawed by conscience for his recent free-thinking. With the help of this money, he manages to pay off his debts. Devushkin perked up and lives with hope for a brighter future. However, by no means a happy ending is prepared for his readers by F. M. Dostoevsky ("Poor people"). The 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 had a similar fate.

Varenka is leaving

Describing summary novel "Poor People", we have come to the end. Nevertheless, Bykov finds Varenka and proposes to her. He needs to have children in order to deprive a relative of an inheritance. If the girl refuses, Bykov marries a rich merchant's wife. The heroine agrees, realizing that only this can return her honest name. Devushkin is smitten, but nevertheless helps Varenka get ready for the journey. In a farewell letter, the girl complains that Makar, "the only one", "priceless", "kind", is left all alone. He is in despair. He reports that he worked because Varenka lived nearby. Devushkin with his formed style is left alone. He reflects on "by what right" "human life" is broken.

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 the 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 talks about Jeanne, who waits for the return of her husband, a fisherman, every day and is never sure that he will return. This is the summary of Tolstoy's story "Poor People" in a nutshell.

Brief retelling

"Poor people" Dostoevsky F.M. (very briefly)

Makar Alekseevich Devushkin is a titular adviser for 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 "capital" building near the Fontanka. Along the long corridor are the doors of the rooms for the tenants; the hero himself huddles behind a partition in the common kitchen. His former housing was "unlikely 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. The poor official takes under his protection a seventeen-year-old orphan, for whom, apart from him, there is no one 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 ... , sharp, intricate, and gentle dreams come ... ”Denying himself food and clothes, he profits on flowers and sweets for his“ angel ”.

Varenka is angry with the patron for excessive expenses, cools his ardor with irony: "... some verses are not enough ..."

“Paternal affection animated me, the only pure fatherly affection…” Makar is embarrassed.

Varya persuades her friend to visit her more often: “What other business!” She takes home work - sewing.

In subsequent letters, Devushkin describes in detail his dwelling - "Noah's Ark" according to the abundance of a motley audience - with a "rotten, sharply sweetened smell", in which "siskins die like that." He draws portraits of his neighbors: the midshipman card player, the petty writer Ratazyaev, the impoverished official without a place, Gorshkov and his family. The hostess is a real witch. He is ashamed that he is bad, stupidly writes - "no syllable": after all, he studied "not even with copper money."

Varenka shares her anxiety: Anna Fedorovna, a distant relative, "finds out" about her. Previously, Varya and her mother lived in her house, and then, allegedly to cover the costs of them, the “benefactor” offered the orphaned girl by that time to the wealthy landowner Bykov, who dishonored her. Only Makar's help saves the defenseless from the final "death". If only the bawd and Bykov did not find out her address! The poor thing falls ill from fear, lies unconscious for almost a month. Makar has been around all this time. To put his "yasochka" on his feet, he sells a new uniform. By June, Varenka recovers and sends notes to his caring friend with the story of his life.

Her happy childhood was spent in her native family in the bosom of rural nature. When my father lost his position as manager of the estate of Prince II, they came to St. Petersburg - "rotten", "angry", "dreary". Constant failures brought the father to the grave. The house was sold for debt. Fourteen-year-old Varya and her mother were left homeless and without funds. It was then that they were sheltered by Anna Fedorovna, who soon began to reproach the widow. She worked beyond her strength, destroying 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 person, the best of all," a strange disrespect for the old father, who often visited his adored son. It 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. She died soon after. The widower remarried. Peter, on the other hand, grew up separately, under the patronage of Bykov, who placed the young man, who left the university for health reasons, "on bread" with his "short acquaintance" Anna Fedorovna.

Joint vigils at the bedside of Varya's sick mother brought the young people closer. An educated friend taught the girl to read, developed her taste. However, Pokrovsky soon fell ill and died of consumption. The hostess, on account of the funeral, took all the belongings of the deceased. The old father took as many books as he could from her and stuffed them into her pockets, hat, and so on. Rain is coming. The old man ran, weeping, behind the cart with the coffin, and books fell from his pockets into the mud. He picked them up and again ran in pursuit ... Varya returned home in anguish, to her mother, who was also soon killed by death ...

Devushkin replies with a story about his own life. He has been serving for thirty years. “Humble”, “quiet” and “kind”, he became the subject of constant ridicule: “Makar Alekseevich was introduced into the proverb in our whole department”, “... they got to the boots, to the uniform, to the hair, to my figure they got: everyone is not for them ,-

Everything needs to be redone!" The hero is indignant: “Well, what is there […] such that I am rewriting! What, a sin to rewrite, or what? "The only joy is Varenka:" as if the Lord had blessed me with a house committee and family!

On June 10, Devushkin takes his ward for a walk to the islands. She is happy. The naive Makar is delighted with the works of Ratazyaev. Varenka, on the other hand, notes the bad taste and loftiness of "Italian Passions", "Ermak and Zyuleyka", etc.

Realizing how unbearable Devushkin is to take care of himself materially (he carried himself so much that he causes contempt even among the servants and watchmen), the sick Varenka wants to get a job as a governess. Makar is against: its "usefulness" is in its "beneficial" influence on his life. He stands up for Ratazyaev, but after reading the “Station Master” Pushkin sent by Varya, he is shocked: “I feel the same thing, that’s exactly the way it is in the book.” Vyrina tries on the fate of herself and asks her "native" not to leave, not to "destroy" him. On July 6, Varenka sends Gogol's Overcoat to Makar; that evening they visit the theatre.

If Pushkin's story exalted Devushkin in their own eyes, then Gogol's - offends. Identifying himself with Bashmachkin, he believes that the author spied on all the little things, his life and unceremoniously made public. The dignity of the hero is hurt: “after this, one must complain ...”

By the beginning of July, Makar had spent everything. More terrible than lack of money is only the ridicule of the tenants over him and Varenka. But the worst thing is that a “searcher” officer, from former neighbors, comes to her with an “unworthy offer”. In desperation, the poor man took to drink, disappeared for four days, missing the service. He went to shame the offender, but was thrown down the stairs.

Varya consoles her defender, asks, despite gossip, to come to her for dinner.

Since the beginning of August, Devushkin has been trying in vain to borrow money at interest, which is especially necessary in view of a new misfortune: the other day, another “searcher” came to Varenka, sent by Anna Fedorovna, who herself would soon visit the girl. We need to move urgently. Makar from impotence again drinks. “For my sake, my dear, don’t ruin yourself and don’t ruin me,” the unfortunate woman implores him, sending the last “thirty kopecks in silver.” The encouraged poor man explains his “fall”: “how you lost respect for yourself, how you indulged in the denial of your good qualities and your dignity, so here everything is lost!” Varia gives Makar self-respect: people “disdain” them, “and I began to disdain myself, and […] you […] illuminated my dark life […] and I […] found out that […] I’m no worse than others ; that only […] I don’t shine with anything, there is no gloss, there is no tone, but still I am a man, that in my heart and thoughts I am a man.

Varenka's health is deteriorating, she is no longer able to sew. In alarm, Makar goes out on a September evening to the Fontanka embankment. Dirt, mess, drunks - "boring"! And on the neighboring Gorokhovaya - rich shops, luxurious carriages, elegant ladies. The walker falls into “free-thinking”: if labor is the basis of human dignity, then why are so many idlers fed? Happiness is not given according to merit - therefore, the rich should not be deaf to the complaints of the poor. Makar is a little proud of his reasoning and notices that his "syllable has been forming recently." On September 9, Devushkin was lucky: summoned for a mistake in a paper to “reproach” to the general, a humble and pitiful official received the sympathy of “His Excellency” and personally received one hundred rubles from him. This is a real salvation: paid for an apartment, a table, clothes. Devushkin is overwhelmed by his superior'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 the "unfit nephew." If Varya is against it, he will marry a Moscow merchant's wife. Despite the arrogance and rudeness of the proposal, the girl agrees: “If anyone can […] return my honest name to me, avert poverty from me […] it’s only him.” Makar dissuades: “your heart will be cold!” Having become ill from grief, he still shares her troubles with packing for the journey until the last day.

September 30 - wedding. On the same day, on the eve of leaving for the Bykov estate, Varenka writes a farewell letter to an old friend: “Who will you stay here for, 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, he himself? “By what right” are they destroying “human life”?

April 8 Makar Devushkin in another letter to Varvara Alekseevna Dobroselova writes: he is happy that she obeyed him and opened the curtain on the window in the morning, 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: ajar - “with Good morning, Makar Alekseevich”, omitted - “goodbye ... it's time to sleep”. Makar Alekseevich has just settled in a new place, but he feels good, enjoys the sun, the birds, even dreamed a little, and all his dreams are connected with Varenka, whom he compares with “a bird of heaven, for the joy of people and for the decoration of nature created.” Further, Makar Devushkin describes his new housing, which he calls “slum”. it long corridor, completely dark and unclean, on its right side a blank wall stretches, and on its left - “all doors and doors”. Here, “in the rooms”, all kinds of people live in twos and threes, “however, it seems that people are good, they are all so educated, scientists”: one official, two officers who are all playing cards, midshipman, an English teacher . Makar himself huddles in the kitchen behind a partition. But he allegedly settled here "for convenience ... and not for anything else." Firstly, directly opposite is Varenka's window, and secondly, it's cheaper here, so now Makar can drink tea with sugar. For Varenka he bought two pots of balsam and geraniums. And so that Varenka does not doubt anything, Makar repeats that he settled behind the partition only for convenience alone, and he saves money, saves it. Along with the letter, Makar sends some sweets to Varya. In a reply letter sent on the same day, Varya reproaches Makar Alekeevich 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. Eot, 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. Varia herself is doing well: Fedor got her a job. The girl is worried about the future. “... What will be my fate! It's hard that d; in such obscurity that I have no future... It's scary to go back and look. There is such grief that the heart breaks in half at one memory. Century I will cry for evil people who killed me!” Varya writes. She invites Makar to visit her, asks to write more about her life. “Today is both melancholy, and boring, and sad!” In a reply 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 is Varenka, due to her bitter orphanhood, instead of his father, and nothing more. In addition, he is a relative of Varya, although very distant, and now so “the closest relative and patron”, because Varya found betrayal and resentment among close people. Makar tries to convince Varya that he lives perfectly. He longingly recalls his former apartment, where he lived for twenty years, his late mistress and her granddaughter Masha. Makar is worried about Varya's good name - how will he come to her, because they will notice, gossip will go! April 9 Varya in her letter asks for forgiveness if she unwittingly offended Makar Alekseevich. She knows how to appreciate everything that 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 Fyodor. She can no longer write today - she is terribly unwell. April 12 Devushkin is very concerned about Varya's illness and asks her to dress warmly. Further, he describes in more detail how Varya asked for, his life and what surrounds him. The house in which he lives is dirty and neglected, the rooms are stuffy, smelly, the kitchen is steamy, linen is constantly drying, but nothing - you will live and get used to it. The landlady 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, dressed even worse than Makar himself. They owe the landlady, Gorshkov himself is in some kind of trouble - either he is on trial, or under investigation ... Makar is very hungry for these people. April 25 Varya writes to Devushkin that she has met her cousin Sasha. She, too, is in danger of death. Varya herself is interested in her relative Anna Fedorovna, who is going to come to her. In her opinion, it is “shameful and indecent” for Varya to live on Devushkin’s payroll, 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. Anna Fedorovna is not to blame that Varya "for her own honor did not know how, and perhaps did not want to intervene." Poor people page 2 As for Mr. Bykov, in her opinion, he is absolutely right - not to marry everyone! Varya is indignant and deeply offended by this slander. She thought that Anna Fyodorovna, at least, was aware of her guilt before her. .. Yesterday Varya went to her mother's grave and caught a cold. May 20 Devushkin sends Varenka grapes along with a letter so that she recovers soon. He asks her not to believe Fedora's words that he sold his new uniform, promises to send Varya a book that everyone around praises. Makar writes that he cannot visit Varya more often. When she was seriously ill, he almost did not leave her, gossip began to spread. So let Varya recover, and they will meet somewhere outside the house. On June 1, Varya sends a notebook to Makar Alekseevich, 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 a manager of a huge estate. She was ready to live like this all her life. 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, slandered the governess. But she tried to study to please her beloved father. Coming home on Saturdays, Varya noticed that her father was spending the last of her time on her education, that the family was barely able to survive. Every day my father became more and more gloomy and angry, his character completely deteriorated: things were going badly, a lot of debts had accumulated. The mother fell ill with consumption from grief. Cares and sorrows tormented my father, he caught a cold and died suddenly. The creditors immediately appeared, the mother gave them everything that was. 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, calling herself their relative. She assured that she sympathized with their grief, that she wanted to get closer to them, offered to forget the old feuds, 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, Varia's cousin. Varya and her mother settled in the fourth room, and another was occupied by a tenant, a poor student named Pokrovsky. Anna Fedorovna lived richly, but nothing was known about her condition or what she was doing. She had wide acquaintances, many people came to her, “always on some business and for a minute.” 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. She told her numerous visitors that, out of mercy, she sheltered a widow and an orphan, and at the table watched every piece that they took, and if they did not eat, she began to shout that they were disgusted, constantly scolded Varya's late father. Mother languished day by day. They both worked from morning to night, sewing to order, although Anna Fedorovna did not like it, they tried to save money in order to move somewhere. Student Pokrovsky at the table and shelter taught Sasha French and German, history and geography. At the suggestion of Anna Fedorovna, she studied for a whole year with Pokrovsky, along with Sasha and Varya. Pokrovsky was very poor, due to poor health he could not attend classes all the time, 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 many books, he constantly read. Over time, Varya, having got to know Pokrovsky better, realized that he was beautiful and kind person. Varya's mother respected him very much. He became Varya's friend. A “dirty, badly dressed ... utterly strange” old man sometimes appeared in the house. It was the father of the student Pokrovsky. Once he served somewhere, occupied a very insignificant place. After the death of his wife (the mother of the 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 kind of school. Bykov was interested in the boy because he knew his late mother (once it was Anna Fedorovna who “benefited” 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 attached him to Anna Fedorovna to teach Sasha. The old man, with whom the second wife treated cruelly, beat him, drank himself. the only human feeling, preserved 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. Once Varya secretly entered the room of the student Pokrovsky and, seeing how many books there were, she decided to read everything in order to be worthy of friendship. young man. Varya takes some book to her, however, when she comes to her, she discovers that it is in Latin. She immediately goes back to take something else, inadvertently brings down bookshelf, and Pokrovsky finds her at the crime scene. At first he shouted at her as if she were a mischievous child, but suddenly noticed that it 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 noticed that in front of him is not a child at all, but a young girl, - and "blushed to the ears." Varya's mother fell seriously ill. At night, Varya sits at her bedside, and then Pokrovsky comes and begins to help her take care of the patient. He brings her books to read, talks to her for a long time. The old man Pokrovsky, on one of his visits, 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 bookseller where she can buy 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 present together. Varya offers the old man to donate all the volumes on his own behalf. And so it happens, but the student guesses everything, looks for an opportunity to talk with Varya, she avoids talking. Birthday is a lot of fun. Poor people page 3 “And now all the sad, heavy memories will go,” 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. The last night the old man Pokrovsky spent in the corridor on the matting, which was 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 in a letter thanks Devushkin for taking her for a walk to the islands. She is happy to be in nature. But on a walk she got her feet wet and is 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 there are ill-wishers who are dissatisfied with him. appearance and what he takes extra work - Rewrites papers. Makar promises to visit Varia 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 money on underwear, which he sent to her as a gift - she does not need it at all. Makar had previously asked Varya to send a continuation of her notes, he wants her to complete them to the end. In response to this request, Varya writes that she becomes frightened of the memories, because all this was not so long ago. Varya reports that Anna Fedorovna is calling her back to her, 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 at the good Fedora, with Makar Alekseevich, who, although a distant relative of hers, protects her. June 21 Makar Alekseevich answers Varenka that he is happy to take care of her. For the first time someone needs him, from this his life becomes happier, fuller. On June 22, Makar writes to Varya that his nine-year-old son died in Gorshkov's apartment. He visited the Gorshkovs and was struck by their quiet grief. June 25 Varya returns Devushkin's book, which he sent. Does he like such books? “This is a wicked little book! - you can’t take it in your hands, ”Varya is indignant. On June 26, Devushkin replies that he only leafed through the book, and it seemed to him that 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 also have something to read. Ratazyaev writes himself, and very briskly. Makar visits him, and he reads his compositions. Makar rewrites his manuscripts. But Ratazyaev did not get along with Makar at all because he was copying him. Makar asks Varya not to believe gossip, assures him that it gives him pleasure, that Ratazyaev is "a kind person and an incomparable writer." Makar admires literature. He describes how he sits in the company of Ratazyaev's writers, listens to their clever speeches, but he himself cannot say anything. Further, in his letter, Makar places several excerpts from Ratazyaev’s work “Italian Passions”, from the story “Ermak and Zyuleyka”, which describes the most “fatal” passions-muzzle-sti. 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 Prospekt in his tattered boots, whose soles were falling off. However, Makar writes all this just to amuse Varya. He will send her books. June 27 Varya writes that, according to Fyodor, there are people who can arrange her as a governess in one 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, she has a bad cough, she feels that she will die soon. No need to send more sweets, let Makar save money. Varya embroidered the carpet, and for it they give fifty rubles in banknotes, so she will give money to Fedora, sew herself a dress and a waistcoat for Makar. Fedora brought Varya to read Belkin's Tales, 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 does not want to read his writings. June 28 Makar encourages Varya, assures her that she is not ill at all, she looks beautiful, only a little pale. He asks her not to think about the bad and in no case go to the governess. Makar is ready to sell his old tailcoat and walk around in one shirt, only so that Varya does not need anything. He reproaches Fedora, who advised her to look for a job. 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 acting very badly, refusing the place of a governess. After all, you can get used to everything. It's hard for her to watch Makar and Fyodor tear themselves for her sake. She also wants to be useful. July 1 Devushkin writes to Varya: “But what do you lack with us, mother, just tell me! You are loved, you love us, we are all satisfied and happy - what more? And what will they do without her if she leaves? It was a joy for him to buy clothes for her, he got used to her. 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 Stationmaster, and the same thing can happen to him, Makar. Devushkin advises Varya to read the book again: in his opinion, this will benefit her. Makar talked about “ stationmaster” with Ratazyaev. He believes that this is outdated, now picture books are in vogue, although Pushkin, of course, is good and glorified Holy Russia. Poor people Page 4 July 6 Varya writes that Fyodor brought her fifteen rubles in silver, she gave her three rubles, and now she is tailoring a vest for Makar. Sends him Gogol's "Overcoat". Makar invites her to the theater, but won't it be expensive? Fedora says that Makar lives beyond his means and is rumored to be in debt to his mistress. July 7 Devushkin writes to Varya how he once lived in the neighborhood with several young people who were in love with a local theater actress. They told him so much about her that he also fell in love and went to the theater with them, and then for a month and a half he trailed after her, got into debt ... and “fell out of love with her: he got bored!” July 8 Makar Alekseevich's lengthy letter is devoted to the story "The Overcoat", which angered him to the core. It seems to him that the author is laughing at poverty and humility. In his opinion, the author should have attached a good end to the story: so that the official's overcoat was found, so that the general would raise him in 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.” On July 27, Varya learned that Devushkin had taken his salary in advance at work, had even sold his uniform when she was ill, had spent everything on her clothes, sweets, walks, theater, books, owed the landlady - and hid his desperate situation from her. For four days Makar did not appear at Varya's, he was absent from work. Fedora said that he was found drunk on the street and brought home with 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 have brought you such misfortunes that you have not experienced before in your modest and solitary life. All this tortures and kills me.” She did not understand what Makar wrote about the story with the officers. Varya regrets that she refused the place of a governess. July 28 Devushkin reports that everything is gradually getting better, the authorities still do not know about anything. He is only afraid of gossip, and he is also killed by debts and bad condition 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. For the past month he has been in the most distressing position. And suddenly I learned from Fedora that someone had come to Varya with an “unworthy offer”. 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 pushed him down the stairs. She knows the rest. July 29 In a reply letter, Varya calls Devushkin to come and dine with her without fail. It would be nice if he came to her for dinner every day. August 1 Makar talks about poverty, about the vulnerability of a poor person, whose pride is constantly offended. At the service everything became known, the chief looked at him reproachfully. Makar believes that Ratayaev, who has acquaintances in the department where he serves, is to blame for everything. All in the apartment 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 the finger at her and says that she got involved with a drunkard. Varya sends Makar twenty kopecks, begging him to hope in God, who will arrange everything for the best. 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 soles and torn boots. He sends greetings from his drinking companion - a former colleague of 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, lost respect for himself. Moreover, the weather was so cold, it was raining. It was here that Emelya met, who pawned everything he had, and had not eaten anything for two days. Together they drank. Makar writes to Varya that before meeting her, he was alone and seemed to be sleeping, and not living in the world. Knowing 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 that was not completed 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 countryside. Pictures of nature rise before her eyes - a lake, motionless trees along its banks, a fire burns, reflected in the water, an autumn sunset sky lined with red, fiery stripes, white steam rises above the water. She recalls late autumn, when all peasant work ends, people are waiting for winter. It seems to Varya that she will die this autumn. Fedora has gone somewhere, but 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 sold by Varya, only a silver ruble remained. Varya is glad that Makar Alekseevich gave the hostess two rubles: she will be silent for a while. September 5 Makar in his long letter describes his impressions. He had a headache, and he went for a walk along the Fontanka. The evening was dark and damp. Makar turned into a noisy street with rich shops. Carriages rushed by. Makar sees dressed-up ladies in them 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 worthier than people “who do not care to offend an orphan.” When Makar was standing near the organ grinder, a pretty, sick-looking boy approached him and handed him a note. It contained a request to help a dying woman and her three starving children. Makar had nothing to give. When Makar was going to drink tea in the evening, Gorshkov approached him and asked for a loan, even ten kopecks. Makar gave the last twenty kopecks he had. Gorshkov said that for several years he had been suing some merchant who was accused of fraud, and that he had confused Gorshkov in his business. He was fired from the service for this, and until he is completely justified, he cannot receive the money that he owes him from the merchant. Makar feels sorry for Gorshkov. September 9 Makar is "all agitated by the terrible incident." While rewriting an important document yesterday, he missed a whole line. When this morning the paper was submitted for signing to “His Excellency,” he summoned Makar Devushkin to his office. Makar, neither alive nor dead, appeared before the dignitary. He scolded the immediate superior Makar. Makar was about to ask for forgiveness when suddenly a button came off his uniform and rolled across the floor. Only then did the dignitary pay attention to the petty official. Makar, bewildered, rushed to pick up the button and, in complete desperation, began to fit it back to his uniform. The dignitary was struck by the beggarly appearance of the copyist, demanded that he be given a salary in advance so that he could dress up, but Makar's boss said that he had already taken a lot in advance, "and good behavior" was not noticed in anything. Then the dignitary took out a hundred rubles from his purse and handed it to Makar, then shook his hand. Makar writes that nothing is dearer to him than the fact that he, a drunkard, was shaken by the hand. Forty-five rubles Makar sends to Varya, twenty rubles he gives to the hostess, for twenty he will sew a uniform for himself, and fifteen he will keep for life. On September 10, Varya keeps twenty rubles for herself, and sends the rest to Devushkin, asking him to live economically. She and Fedora are about to move, but Fedora is hoping 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 was generally a sympathetic and kind person. He raised an orphan and gave her a good marriage, attached the son of a widow to the office, etc. Makar told everyone about another of his wonderful deeds, and about everything - about the hostess, about Ratazyaev, about boots ... Everyone laughed, but Makar thinks that without malicious intent. He is still excited, he is sure that "everything is so bright ahead, good." September 15 Varya is confused. Her offender Bykov visited them in her absence, asked Fyodor about how she lives, and about him, Makar, wanted to give Fyodor twenty-five rubles, but she did not take it. Varya is frightened, wondering why he came, asks Makar to come to her by all means. September 18 Devushkin writes that the official Gorshkov was acquitted by the court, came home as pale as a sheet, but smiling, agitated. His wife ordered a good dinner. After dinner, Gorshkov lay down and ... died. September 19 Devushkin reports that Ratazyaev has found him additional work - to rewrite a large manuscript of one writer. On September 20, Varya informs Devushkin that her offender Bykov asked for her hand in order to “return her honour”. He is rich, after the wedding he will take Varya to his steppe village and will never return to St. Petersburg again. Here he has a nephew, whom he wants to leave without an inheritance, and for this he needs to marry in order to give birth to an heir. Bykov tells Varya that Poor people page 6 before proposing 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 has done for Varya. Varya tells him that what Makar Devushkin did for her cannot be repaid with any money. Bykov objects that all this is 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 in Moscow, because he wants to deprive his nephew of his inheritance without fail. 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 written to the end - Bykov came. September 23 Makar is upset by Varya's decision and that he will be left all alone. He wants to run to Varya. September 27 Varya asks Makar Alekseevich to help her prepare a 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 scatter. There is no one to even send letters to Makar. Her letter, sent by mail, contains many small assignments. On September 27, Devushkin replies that he has fulfilled her instructions. He wanted to go to Varya, but he is afraid to anger Bykov. September 28 Varya asks Devushkin to cancel an order for earrings with pearls and emeralds from a jeweler. Bykov did not calculate the expenses and is now angry, says 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 immediately leave, so that Varya “does not hope to spin and dance.” Varya writes that Bykov himself ordered everything. September 28 Devushkin writes that he fulfilled her request. He is ill 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 on her way. He can't be in the church - his lower back hurts. He wants to move to her former apartment, so as not to part with Fedora. He asks to leave him "Belkin's Tale": he will read in the winter. Makar examined the empty apartment where Varya lived. He writes about it with tenderness and sadness. September 30 Varya sends Makar Devushkin last letter , calling him an invaluable friend who brightened up her loneliness. “You are my only friend; you alone here loved me!.. How will you alone stay here... kind, priceless, my only friend!” Varya writes. She asks Makar Alekseevich to remember poor Varenka, who loved him so much. She knows from Makar's letter that he is ill, but she cannot visit him: Bykov won't 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 is painfully sorry for Varya: she will die where she is going with this man ... And Bykov will poison all the hares ... Makar will get out of bed tomorrow and throw himself under the wheels of Bykov's carriage, run after her ... Makar loved Varenka like the light of the Lord, like a 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 dear, my dear, you are my mother!” April 8 Makar Devushkin writes in another letter to Varvara Alekseevna Dobroselova: he is happy that she obeyed him and opened the curtain on the window in the morning , and it even seemed to him that her “pretty face” flashed through the window. Now they seem to be talking with the help of this curtain: ajar - “good morning, Makar Alekseevich”, lowered - “goodbye ... it's time to sleep.” Makar Alekseevich has just settled in a new place, but he feels good, enjoys the sun, the birds, even dreamed a little, and all his dreams are connected with Varenka, whom he compares with “a bird of heaven, for the joy of people and for the decoration of nature created.” Further, Makar Devushkin describes his new housing, which he calls “slum”. This is a long corridor, completely dark and unclean, on its right side a blank wall stretches, and on its left - “all doors and doors”. Here, “in the rooms”, all kinds of people live in twos and threes, “however, it seems that people are good, they are all so educated, scientists”: one official, two officers who are all playing cards, midshipman, an English teacher . Makar himself huddles in the kitchen behind a partition. But he allegedly settled here "for convenience ... and not for anything else." Firstly, directly opposite is Varenka's window, and secondly, it's cheaper here, so now Makar can drink tea with sugar. For Varenka he bought two pots of balsam and geraniums. And so that Varenka does not doubt anything, Makar repeats that he settled behind the partition only for convenience alone, and he saves money, saves it. Along with the letter, Makar sends some sweets to Varya. In a reply letter sent on the same day, Varya reproaches Makar Alekeevich 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. Eot, 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. Varia herself is doing well: Fedor got her a job. The girl is worried about the future. “... What will be my fate! It's hard that d; in such obscurity that I have no future... It's scary to go back and look. There is such grief that the heart breaks in half at one memory. For a century I will cry at the evil people who killed me!” Varya writes. She invites Makar to visit her, asks to write more about her life. “Today is both melancholy, and boring, and sad!” In a reply 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 is Varenka, due to her bitter orphanhood, instead of his father, and nothing more. In addition, he is a relative of Varya, although very distant, and now so “the closest relative and patron”, because Varya found betrayal and resentment among close people. Makar tries to convince Varya that he lives perfectly. He longingly recalls his former apartment, where he lived for twenty years, his late mistress and her granddaughter Masha. Makar is worried about Varya's good name - how will he come to her, because they will notice, gossip will go! April 9 Varya in her letter asks for forgiveness if she unwittingly offended Makar Alekseevich. She knows how to appreciate everything that 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 Fyodor. She can no longer write today - she is terribly unwell. April 12 Devushkin is very concerned about Varya's illness and asks her to dress warmly. Further, he describes in more detail how Varya asked for, his life and what surrounds him. The house in which he lives is dirty and neglected, the rooms are stuffy, smelly, the kitchen is steamy, linen is constantly drying, but nothing - you will live and get used to it. The landlady 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, dressed even worse than Makar himself. They owe the landlady, Gorshkov himself is in some kind of trouble - either he is on trial, or under investigation. .. Makar is very fond of these people. April 25 Varya writes to Devushkin that she has met her cousin Sasha. She, too, is in danger of death. Varya herself is interested in her relative Anna Fedorovna, who is going to come to her. In her opinion, it is “shameful and indecent” for Varya to live on Devushkin’s payroll, 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. Anna Fedorovna is not to blame that Varya "for her own honor did not know how, and perhaps did not want to intervene." Poor people page 2 As for Mr. Bykov, in her opinion, he is absolutely right - not to marry everyone! Varya is indignant and deeply offended by this slander. She thought that Anna Fyodorovna, at least, recognized her guilt before her ... Yesterday Varya went to her mother's grave and caught a cold. May 20 Devushkin sends Varenka grapes along with a letter so that she recovers soon. He asks her not to believe Fedora's words that he sold his new uniform, promises to send Varya a book that everyone around praises. Makar writes that he cannot visit Varya more often. When she was seriously ill, he almost did not leave her, gossip began to spread. So let Varya recover, and they will meet somewhere outside the house. On June 1, Varya sends a notebook to Makar Alekseevich, 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 a manager of a huge estate. She was ready to live like this all her life. 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, slandered the governess. But she tried to study to please her beloved father. Coming home on Saturdays, Varya noticed that her father was spending the last of her time on her education, that the family was barely able to survive. Every day my father became more and more gloomy and angry, his character completely deteriorated: things were going badly, a lot of debts had accumulated. The mother fell ill with consumption from grief. Cares and sorrows tormented my father, he caught a cold and died suddenly. The creditors immediately appeared, the mother gave them everything that was. 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, calling herself their relative. She assured that she sympathized with their grief, that she wanted to get closer to them, offered to forget the old feuds, 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, Varia's cousin. Varya and her mother settled in the fourth room, and another was occupied by a tenant, a poor student of