Poor Folk · Chapter
April 25th: My Dearest Makar Alexievitch explained
Barbara writes to Makar about a distressing encounter with her cousin Sasha, who has been making inquiries about her and spreading cruel lies.
What happens
Barbara writes to Makar about a distressing encounter with her cousin Sasha, who has been making inquiries about her and spreading cruel lies. Sasha claims that Makar has no right to be involved in Barbara's family affairs and that Barbara is living shamefully on his charity. She also defends Anna Thedorovna's past actions and blames Barbara for her own misfortunes, including the refusal of Monsieur Bwikov to marry her. Barbara is deeply upset, trembling and weeping, but tries to reassure Makar that she is not seriously ill, only having caught a cold while walking to Bolkovo to hear Mass for her mother.
Themes in this chapter
Exploitation and Predation
Sasha's accusations and Anna Thedorovna's past actions highlight the exploitation and manipulation Barbara has endured from those who claim to have helped her.
Isolation and Loneliness
Barbara feels isolated and distressed by the lies and accusations, turning only to Makar for comfort and support.
Characters to notice
- Barbara Alexievna Dobroselova
Barbara writes to Makar about her distressing meeting with her cousin Sasha and the cruel accusations made against her.
- Sasha
Barbara's cousin, who confronts her with accusations and defends Anna Thedorovna's past actions.
- Anna Thedorovna
Mentioned as the one who supposedly saved Barbara and her mother from starvation, but is now blamed by Sasha for Barbara's misfortunes.
- Monsieur Bykov
Referenced as Hospodin Bwikov, who declined to marry Barbara according to Sasha's account.
- Thedora
Mentioned as over-exaggerating Barbara's condition; Barbara reassures Makar that she is not seriously ill.
Key passages
“Today I met my cousin Sasha. To see her going to wrack and ruin shocked me terribly.”
Barbara encountered her cousin Sasha and was horrified by her degraded state.
Barbara expresses shock at Sasha's decline.
“she told me that, whereas you are not a kinsman of mine, that she is my nearest relative; that you have no right whatever to enter into family relations with us; and that it is wrong and shameful for me to be living upon your earnings and charity.”
Sasha claimed that Makar has no familial right to be involved with Barbara and that it is shameful for her to live on his charity.
Sasha attacks Makar's role in Barbara's life.
“According to Anna, Hospodin Bwikov was only right when he declined to marry a woman who—But need I say it?”
Anna Thedorovna reportedly justified Bwikov's refusal to marry Barbara, implying she was at fault.
Barbara is hurt by the implication that she is to blame for Bwikov's rejection.