"Poor Folk" is the first novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, published in 1846. The novel is written as a series of letters between two impoverished individuals in St. Petersburg, Makar Devushkin and Barbara Dobroselova. Makar is a middle-aged clerk, while Varvara is a young seamstress. The two characters develop a close relationship through their letters, sharing their struggles and dreams. Makar is in love with Barbara, but she does not reciprocate his feelings. Instead, she becomes engaged to a wealthy merchant, which devastates Makar. The novel explores themes of poverty, social inequality, and unrequited love. Dostoyevsky portrays the lives of the poor with sympathy and compassion, depicting their daily struggles and the emotional toll of their circumstances. Despite the novel's tragic ending, Dostoyevsky's portrayal of Makar and Barbara's relationship is touching and demonstrates the power of human connection in difficult circumstances. Overall, "Poor Folk" is a poignant and insightful exploration of the human experience of poverty and the resilience of the human spirit.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky was a Russian novelist, journalist, and philosopher born on November 11, 1821, in Moscow. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest literary figures in Russian and world literature. Dostoyevsky was the second son of a former army doctor. His mother died when he was young, and his father was murdered by his own serfs when Dostoyevsky was 18. These events greatly influenced his writing, which often explores themes of suffering, redemption, and the human condition. Dostoyevsky began his writing career in the 1840s, with works like "Poor Folk" and "The Double." He was arrested in 1849 for participating in a political group, and spent several years in prison and exile in Siberia. This experience would later inform his writing, particularly in his novel "The House of the Dead." After his release, Dostoyevsky wrote several of his most famous works, including "Crime and Punishment","The Idiot," and "The Brothers Karamazov." He was known for his psychological depth and his exploration of philosophical and religious themes. Dostoyevsky died on February 9, 1881, in St. Petersburg, Russia, leaving behind a legacy of literary masterpieces that continue to be read and studied to this day.
