Forty-seven-year-old Devushkin Makar Alekseevich works in one of the departments of St. Petersburg as a petty clerk, or, simply, a clerk. His salary is not so hot, so Makar Alekseevich occupies part of the common kitchen behind a partition in an apartment in a house near the Fontanka. Although the house is solid and "capital", Devushkin nostalgically recalls his previous housing, which was "unbelievably better." What prompted an ordinary titular adviser to such decisive step on the deterioration of their living conditions? Yes, the fact is that the lion's share of Devushkin's salary goes to pay for a much more decent and expensive apartment located in the courtyard of that house. A distant relative of the official, Varvara Alekseevna Dobroselova, lives in it, seventeen years old.
Varenka is an orphan, and Devushkin, out of the best of intentions, patronizes the young maiden, considering himself the only one in life who can intercede for her. Although they live distant relatives very close by, Makar Alekseevich, in order not to compromise the orphan with constant visits, found the only possible way out for constant communication - correspondence. Being natures of a fine mental organization, in need of empathy and warmth, Varenka and Makar Alekseevich correspond with each other at the first opportunity. In these letters, thirty-one Devushkin to her, and twenty-four Varenka to him, the entire almost six-month history of their touching relationship is revealed.
Makar's first letters are permeated with boundless happiness. Spring is on the street, his heart and soul are filled with "thoughts are still so pleasant, sharp, intricate." He is infinitely glad to be able to take care of Varenka, and, willy-nilly, “tender dreams come to his mind ...” Devushkin saves in every possible way on his well-being, trying to use any extra penny for the good of the existence of a young girl.
Spiritual and financial support Varenki is also helped by her sad letters to him, in which she tells in all colors about the misfortune of her life. Born and raised Varvara Alekseevna in the countryside, in the family of the manager of a landowner's estate. Soon the father was left without a place and a salary, so the family was forced to move to St. Petersburg. The “rotten”, “dreary” and “angry” city did not impress the fourteen-year-old Varenka at all, and soon problems one after another rained down on the family. Varvara Alekseevna's father died without experiencing constant setbacks, and the house had to be paid for debts. Varenka and her mother settled with a distant relative, Anna Fedorovna. Varya's mother worked tirelessly so as not to be a burden.
Varenka, in order to improve her education, studied with a student who lived in the same house. Student Pyotr Pokrovsky suffered from consumption, so he earned his living as best he could by giving private lessons. Varenka idolized him, considering him "the kindest, most worthy person, the best of all." Peter was placed in a boarding house to Anna Fedorovna by her close acquaintance, the landowner Bykov.
Educational activities brought young people together, and when Varenka's mother fell ill from overwork and fell ill, they spent time together at her bedside. Varenka learned a lot from Peter and fell in love with reading. But grief came unexpectedly: the student could not overcome his illness and died. The heartless Anna Feodorovna took all the belongings of the deceased at the expense of arranging funeral arrangements. Peter's father took from her a few books that he could carry. He ran after the coffin, crying, and books fell from his hands right into the dirt ...
The “virtuous” relative constantly reproached the accustomers, reproaching them with parasites. Soon Varenka's mother also died. The girl was left all alone. The insidious Anna Fedorovna "issued an invoice" to Varvara Alekseevna, announcing the exorbitant losses incurred due to the presence of unexpected relatives in her house. Considering that the only way to repay the debts is Varenka's pandering with her friend the landowner Bykov, Anna Fedorovna, without thinking twice, does just that. The landowner deprives the girl of innocence, but she manages to escape.
In letters to Devushkin, Varya laments that Anna Fedorovna is trying to find out her place of residence. Varenka hopes that now Makar Alekseevich, her only hope and support, will be able to protect her from the intrigues of her relative. Sadness gnaws at her so much that nervous ground Varya falls ill and spends a whole month unconscious. Makar Alekseevich is right there, and even sells a new uniform in order to maintain the health of his ward.
Makar answers the letters of young Varvarushka with stories from his own life. He complains that in the service everyone perceives him with laughter, they come up with offensive epithets: “meek”, “kind”, and “quiet”. And his boots are not the same, and his uniform, and his hair with a figure would need to be redone. They scoff at the fact that he has been dealing with the correspondence of documents for thirty years now. Makar does not understand ridicule: “What, is it a sin to rewrite, or what?”. The only outlet for him now is Varenka. “The Lord blessed me as if with a house committee and family,” Devushkin writes joyfully and shyly. It’s just that he is a little shy about his style in letters, because he studied “not even with copper money.”
Makar Alekseevich describes his dwelling to Varenka, characterizing it as a slum: a dark, dirty, long corridor "with a rotten, sharply sweetened smell", it is not surprising that "chizhiks are dying like that" in it. On the left side of the corridor - all the doors behind which all kinds of people live. “It seems that people are good, they are all so educated, scientists”: an official with his family, gamblers-officers, an English teacher. Devushkin characterizes the owner of the apartment as a "real witch."
He says that he huddles in a secluded corner of the kitchen only "for convenience", because opposite is Varenka's window, "heavenly birds, for the joy of people and for the decoration of nature created." And how happy he is when her “pretty face” flickers outside the window. And he saves and saves money. Although, to be honest: here, behind the partition, it's cheaper, and now he even allows himself to drink tea with sugar. And for dear Varenka, Makar bought pots of balsam and geraniums. In addition to the letter, Makar sends Varya a pound of sweets.
Varenka is delighted with the flowers sent, but reproaches Makar for such waste. She understands that Devushkin is denying himself the most necessary, trying to provide her with a decent existence. Fedora, the landlady, blabbed to Varvara that Makar Alekseevich used to be much lived better. The ardor of Makar, with his care and gifts, Varenka ironically cools: "some verses are missing." Makar is embarrassed: “Fatherly affection animated me, the only pure fatherly affection…” On June 10, Devushkin takes Varvara for a walk on the islands so that she can rest and gain strength in the fresh air.
Upon arrival home, Varenka writes another message, where she thanks the benefactor for the perfect suburban promenade, but reports that she got her feet wet and is sick again. Makar promises to visit her and bring the book. Varya again tries to reason with Devushkin with a request not to spend so much money on her and it is better to buy herself a new uniform so as not to walk in such a rag. In addition, Varenka says that Anna Fedorovna knows where she lives and calls her back, promising to settle things with Bykov. But Varvara Alekseevna is adamant and told her relative that she was fine in Fyodor's apartment under the protection of Makar Alekseevich.
Makar is flattered, he likes that there is a need for him. He tells Varenka that he admires literature and can spend hours with his neighbor Ratazyaev, in the company of his friends - writers. Varenka is indignant about the books that Ratazyaev recommends to Makar and sends Pushkin to read. Makar is indescribably delighted with the work: “I feel the same way, just like in the book.” On July 6, Varenka introduces Devushkin to Gogol's "The Overcoat" and on the same day Makar takes Varvara Alekseevna to the theater.
Varya says that the landlady of Fyodor's apartment can arrange her as a governess to one landowner in the family, but she doubts whether to go. And in general she has a bad cough, she is sad and she is afraid that she will die soon. Varya asks Makar to save money and not send more sweets. She writes that she embroidered a carpet, and for it they give fifty rubles in banknotes. So she herself will pay Fedor for housing the amount that Devushkin owes, sew herself a new dress, and Makar - a vest.
Makar encourages Varya that she is not sick at all, but only pale and a little thinner, and also asks him not to agree to become a governess in any case, because for him her "usefulness" lies in the "beneficial" effect on his life. The beginning of July was marked for Makar by complete lack of money. He even borrowed a salary in advance, but this does not save at all. The guests of the house are increasingly mocking their relationship with Varenka. And then Varvara Alekseevna reported that one of the officer neighbors approached her with an unambiguous offer.
In desperation, Makar took to drink, for four days he was not at Varya's, nor at work. They found him drunk on the street, and the police brought him home. In addition, he went to sort things out with the officer, but he, without thinking twice, let him down the stairs. Varvara Alekseevna laments: “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 asks Devushkin, despite the gossip, to continue to come to her for dinner. Since the beginning of the month, Makar has been trying in vain to borrow money at interest. Varvara is visited by new ladies' walkers, already from Anna Feodorovna. Makar is unhappy and wants to move somewhere with Varvara, but he starts drinking again. Varenka is inconsolable and sends him the remaining "thirty kopecks in silver": "For my sake, my dear, do not ruin yourself and do not ruin me."
On September 5, Varya writes that autumn has already arrived. And she loved autumn very much while she lived in her native village. In autumn it was very beautiful in the bosom of nature: a clear lake with huge trees on the shore, a fiery sunset sky, fires from fallen leaves and white steam rising from the water. And when autumn is already late, then peasant work ends, everything freezes on the eve of winter. Varya writes that the feeling does not leave her imminent death. And now Fedora has gone somewhere, and someone is walking in the room, and she is scared, only letters to Makar distract her. Varenka also reports that she sold the dress and hat, but there is not much money left. It’s good that Makar gave Fedora two rubles: she won’t reproach for an unpaid apartment for at least some time.
Makar writes that in his evening thoughts he walked along the dirty and disorderly embankment of the Fontanka. And on the neighboring Gorokhovaya - through the looking glass - rich shops, expensive carriages, luxurious ladies. Makar wonders why labor is so poorly rewarded, while a bunch of non-working rich people are full and satisfied? Devushkin is even proud of his reasoning, noting that his "syllable has been forming recently." And he has a typo in the document, and he should be punished. But the general, looking at his miserable appearance, even gave him a hundred rubles. Makar was gnawed by his conscience for his recent free-thinking, he paid off his debts and perked up in the hope of a brighter future.
But Varenka is still found by the landowner Bykov and offers to marry him. He needs to have children to disinherit a relative. If Varya refuses, he will marry a rich merchant's wife. Varenka agrees, realizing that only this can return her good name. Makar is smitten on the spot: “Your heart will be cold!”, but still helps her get ready for the road. On the eve of his departure, Varenka writes to farewell letter: "Who will you stay here for, kind, priceless, the only one!". Makar is in despair: "I worked ... all because you ... on the contrary, lived nearby." Devushkin is left alone with his formed style and with thoughts about “by what right” they destroy “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, 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 the people are good, they are all so educated, scientists”: one official, two officers who are still playing cards, a 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 Varia, 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. Head of the Gorshkov family, former official, already seven years without a place, 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 support, and yet 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
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As for Mr. Bykov, then, in her opinion, he is absolutely right - not to marry everyone! Varya is indignant and deeply offended by this slander. She thought that Anna Fedorovna, at least, recognizes his guilt before her ... Yesterday Varya went to her mother's grave and caught a cold.
May 20
Devushkin sends Varenka grapes along with the 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.
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 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 she 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 a 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 endless Love to the 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 finds that it is on 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 in front of him was not a child at all, but a young girl, and “blushed to the ears.”
Makar Alekseevich Devushkin- a titular adviser for forty-seven years, rewriting 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 for Devushkin the main thing 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 missing ..."
“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 - "there is 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 passed in native family in the bosom of rural nature. When the 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. whole year Varya studied with someone who lived in the same house former student Peter Pokrovsky. She was surprised in "the kindest, 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 auspices 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, 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 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.
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 Pushkin's "Station Master" 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 elevated Devushkin in her own eyes, 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 most terrible thing is that a "searcher" - an officer, from former neighbors, 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 begs 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, smart ladies. The walker falls into "freethinking": if labor is the basis human dignity, then why are so many loafers 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 "a worthless 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!” 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, lived nearby.” Who now needs his formed "syllable", his letters, he himself? “By what right” are they destroying “human life”?
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 for Devushkin the main thing 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 missing ..."
“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 auspices 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.
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 thing, 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, 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”?
The plot of the work
Petty official Makar Alekseevich Girls takes care of his distant relative Varya Dobroselova. The titular adviser, having no means of subsistence, nevertheless tries to help the unfortunate orphan by renting a house for her. Despite the fact that Varya and Makar live nearby, they rarely see each other: Devushkin fears for Varya's reputation. Relatives are forced to be content with letters to each other.
According to the stories of Varvara Dobroselova herself, one can judge that her childhood was quite happy. The family lived in the village, where the father served as the manager of the estate of a certain Prince II. The move to St. Petersburg was forced: Alexei Dobrosyolov lost his position as manager. Not easy metropolitan life and numerous failures ruined Vari's father. The widow of Dobrosyolov was taken to her house by a distant relative Anna Fedorovna, who immediately began to “reproach with a piece” of the new tenants.
To compensate for the material "losses" caused by Varya and her mother, Anna Fedorovna decided to marry the orphan to the wealthy landowner Bykov. By that time, Dobroselov's widow had already died, and there was no one to intercede for Varya, except for Devushkin, who took the orphan from Anna Feodorovna's house. It was necessary to hide Varvara's new address from an 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 choice of the author cannot be called accidental. Letters are the direct speech of the characters, completely excluding Subjective opinion author.
The role of the reader
The reader is entrusted with a difficult task: having “eavesdropped” on someone else’s personal conversation, he himself understands what is happening and draws a definite 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 Stationmaster". In Devushkin it is not difficult to recognize the disenfranchised Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin. The choice of the story "The Stationmaster" is also not accidental. Samson Vyrin was just as disenfranchised a petty official as Bashmachkin. And if Akaky Akakievich was stolen from new overcoat, 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.
Character characteristics
The reader is focused on 2 main characters: Varya Dobroselova and Makar Devushkin. Of course, these are positive characters, and for the full disclosure of images, it is also necessary to negative characters presented by Anna Fedorovna and the landowner Bykov.
Makar Devushkin
Image " 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 "Overcoat" and Pushkin's " stationmaster". It is enough for Dostoevsky to mention these two stories, to point out that Makar recognized himself in the main characters, and it already becomes clear to the reader what the titular adviser Devushkin is like. According to Makar himself, he could not move up the career ladder just because he was “meek” and “kind”. To obtain titles, you must have an iron grip.
You should not ignore the name of the protagonist, which can rightfully be considered speaking. Makar is sensitive and vulnerable, like a girl. It completely lacks the brutality characteristic of a man. In Makar's speech, one can often find nouns and adjectives with diminutive suffixes: matochka, boots, dress, quiet. Everything in the guise of Devushkin testifies to the weakness of his character.
Varya Dobroselova
Like Makar Devushkin, Varya Dobroselova is a carrier speaking surname, which characterizes the element in which the word "good" is. 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 Vari and Makar, on, in a way, common parent the main characters, despite the fact that they were not the children of one person named Alexei.
Makar and Varya - soul mates. It is very difficult for both of them to live in this harsh world for the most part because of their excessive softness of nature. Devushkin and Dobroselova were united by the lack of spiritual warmth that they need, but which they do not receive from others. Two people completely different in age and education find each other moral support.
There are, however, some differences in the characters of Vari and Makar. Varya, despite her young age, is more practical than her relative. She tries to earn money by sewing on her own, not 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 more comfortable life, Varya is sure that living in poverty is much worse than with an unloved husband. The author shows in his heroine hidden power. This strength will certainly help to survive and, perhaps, even succeed.
Bykov
By the name of the protagonist, it is easy to judge his character: rude, stubborn, impudent and strong. Bykov - "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 legitimate heir. After all, if he dies childless, his entire fortune will go to the hated nephew. Varya Dobroselova means nothing to Bykov. Her only mission is to give birth to an heir to the "master of life." If the girl does not agree to marry, 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 genuine passion, vividly and fully embodied the image goodie the way he imagined it.
