Poor Folk · Chapter
July 7th: My Dearest Barbara Alexievna explained
Makar writes to Barbara recounting his youthful infatuation with an actress, describing how he and his friends would go to the theatre, spend recklessly on perfumes and cabs, and obsessively follow her until he ruined himself financially an
What happens
Makar writes to Barbara recounting his youthful infatuation with an actress, describing how he and his friends would go to the theatre, spend recklessly on perfumes and cabs, and obsessively follow her until he ruined himself financially and eventually lost interest.
Themes in this chapter
Exploitation and Predation
Makar's reckless spending and pursuit of the actress illustrates how infatuation can lead to self-exploitation and financial ruin.
Memory and Nostalgia
Makar reflects on his youthful past with a mix of regret and wistfulness, contrasting his current self.
Characters to notice
- Makar Alexievitch Dievushkin
Narrates his past obsession with an actress, detailing his youthful folly and financial ruin.
- Barbara Alexievna Dobroselova
The recipient of Makar's letter, addressed as 'My dearest Barbara Alexievna'.
Key passages
“So much for yesterday! Yes, dearest, we have both been caught playing the fool, for I have become thoroughly bitten with the actress of whom I spoke.”
Makar admits that both he and Barbara have been foolish, as he has become infatuated with the actress he mentioned.
Opens the letter with self-deprecating humor about his obsession.
“How those fellows talked to me of this actress! Every night when the theatre was open, the entire band of them (they always seemed to possess the requisite money) would betake themselves to that place of entertainment, where they ascended to the gallery, and clapped their hands, and repeatedly recalled the actress in question.”
Makar describes how his friends constantly talked about the actress and went to the theatre every night to applaud her.
Highlights the group's collective obsession and the social pressure Makar felt.
“The very next day, before going to work, I called at a French perfumer’s, and spent my whole remaining capital on some eau de cologne and scented soap! Why I did so I do not know.”
The day after seeing the actress, Makar impulsively spent all his money on perfume and soap, without understanding his own motivation.
Illustrates his irrational spending driven by infatuation.
“For a month and a half I kept this up—dangling in her train. Sometimes I would hire cabs, and discharge them in view of her abode; until at length I had entirely ruined myself, and got into debt.”
For six weeks Makar followed the actress, even hiring cabs to pass her home, until he was financially ruined and in debt.
Shows the extent of his obsession and its destructive consequences.
“You see, therefore, to what depths an actress can reduce a decent man. In those days I was young. Yes, in those days I was very young.”
Makar concludes that an actress can bring a respectable man to ruin, but excuses his behavior as youthful folly.
Moralizing reflection on the dangers of passion and the excuse of youth.