Poor Folk

Written over the span of nine months from 1844 to 1845, Poor Folk is Fyodor Dostoevsky’s first novel. At the time of its writing, Dostoevsky was facing financial troubles due to his extravagant lifestyle as well as a growing gambling addiction. An epistolary novel, the narrative unfolds through letters between the two main characters, second cousins Makar Devushkin and Varvara Dobroselova. The novel depicts the lives of poor people and their relationship with the rich. Both of the cousins are poor, and through their correspondence, they develop a deep connection until they reach an impasse: Dobroselova loses her interest in literature and stops communicating with Devushkin after she is proposed to by a rich widower, Mr. Bykov. Devushkin maintains that he can live without money, but not without literature.

The novel consists of the detailed communications between Devushkin and Dobroselova, as they complain of their terrible living conditions and their inability to escape the circumstances that poverty has brought upon them. Devushkin regularly uses what little money he has to buy gifts for Dobroselova, hoping to make her feel better about her life.

As the narrative unfolds, the reader begins to gain more insight into the history of these cousins. Dobroselova used to live in the country but moved to St. Petersburg when her father lost his job. She hates living in the city, mourning her quiet country life every day. After her father loses his job, he becomes violent, and her mother falls into a deep depression. Her father dies and Dobroselova and her mother move in with Anna Fyodorovna, a landlady who was previously cruel to them but at least pretends to feel sympathy for their situation. Dobroselova is tutored by Pokrovsky, a poor student. After spending time together, the two start to fall in love. She struggles to save a bit of money to purchase the complete works of Pushkin at the market for his birthday present, then allows his father to give the books to him instead, claiming that just knowing he received the books will be enough for her happiness. Pokrovsky suddenly falls ill and passes away, and Dobroselova's mother dies shortly afterward. Dobroselova is left to live alone with Anna, but the abuse becomes too much, and she goes to live with Fedora across the street.



Devushkin works as a copyist and is regularly demeaned and made fun of by his colleagues. His clothing is worn and dirty, and his living conditions are even worse than Dobroselova's. He regards himself as a rat in society. He and Dobroselova exchange letters, and occasional visits that are alluded to but never elaborated upon; eventually they also begin to exchange books. In this way, they commiserate and share the burden of living among the poverty-stricken underclass.

Dobroselova thinks about moving to another part of the city where she can work as a governess, but with no money, she is unable to move. She injures her hand and cannot sew, her only means to make a living. Meanwhile, Devushkin’s living situation becomes untenable. Dobroselova sends Devushkin some money, but he spends it on liquor. He makes a mistake in his official work and is ordered to appear before his superior, who is so affected at the sight of Devushkin’s wretched person that he gives the poor clerk one hundred rubles and takes his hand. These gestures save Devushkin physically and morally. He regains his self-respect, facing life with new vigor. All begins to go well for him at the office and at the rooming house. Devushkin is able to pay off his debts and sends a few rubles to Dobroselova, which she then sends back, insisting that she does not need his money. Devushkin starts to feel a sense of optimism about the future as he can now start to save money. He even daydreams about the prospect of he and Dobroselova moving in together.

Soon after this, Dobroselova announces that a rich man, Mr. Bykov, who was an acquaintance of Anna Fyodorovna and Pokrovsky's father, has proposed to her. She decides to leave with him, and the last few letters attest to her slowly becoming accustomed to her new money. Dobroselova, preparing excitedly for a magnificent wedding, employs Devushkin to run countless petty errands for her. She asks Devushkin to find linen for her and begins to talk about various luxuries, but leaves him alone in the end despite the fact his fortunes are on the rise. In the last correspondence in the story, Devushkin begs Dobroselova to write to him. Dobroselova responds saying, "all is over" and to not forget her. The last letter is from Devushkin saying that he loves her and that he will die when he leaves her.