Poor Folk · Chapter
June 20th: My Dearest Makar Alexievitch explained
Barbara writes to Makar urging him to buy a cheap uniform from a retired civil servant, scolding him for spending too much on gifts for her instead of on himself.
What happens
Barbara writes to Makar urging him to buy a cheap uniform from a retired civil servant, scolding him for spending too much on gifts for her instead of on himself. She declines to continue her memoirs, finding the memories too painful, and expresses her distrust of Anna Thedorovna and Monsieur Bwikov, affirming her contentment with Makar and Thedora.
Themes in this chapter
Poverty and Deprivation
Barbara's insistence that Makar buy a cheap uniform and her scolding about his patched clothes highlight their shared financial struggles and the shame of visible poverty.
Exploitation and Predation
Barbara's recollections of being left 'a prey to villains' and Anna Thedorovna's manipulative attempts to draw her back into a harmful arrangement with Bwikov underscore the theme of exploitation.
Characters to notice
- Barbara Alexievna Dobroselova
Writes to Makar, urging him to buy a uniform and scolding him for overspending on gifts; refuses to continue her memoirs due to painful memories; rejects Anna Thedorovna's overtures.
- Makar Alexievitch Dievushkin
Recipient of Barbara's letter; she urges him to buy a uniform and stop spending money on her.
- Thedora
Tells Barbara about the uniform for sale; Barbara describes her as devoted and reminiscent of her old nurse.
- Anna Thedorovna
Accuses Barbara of ingratitude, denies accusations about Bwikov, and tries to lure Barbara back with promises of a dowry.
- Monsieur Bykov
Mentioned in connection with Anna Thedorovna's schemes; Barbara rejects any reconciliation involving him.
Key passages
“Thedora tells me that a retired civil servant of her acquaintance has a uniform to sell—one cut to regulation pattern and in good repair, as well as likely to go very cheap.”
Thedora knows a former civil servant selling a regulation uniform in good condition at a low price.
Barbara relays the opportunity for Makar to buy an affordable uniform.
“See what terrible garments you walk about in! They are shameful—they are patched all over!”
Your clothes are in terrible condition, covered in patches and embarrassing.
Barbara scolds Makar for his shabby appearance.
“Such recollections are terrible to me. Most difficult of all is it for me to speak of my poor mother, who left her destitute daughter a prey to villains.”
These memories are painful, especially recalling how my mother's death left me vulnerable to predators.
Barbara explains why she cannot continue her memoirs.
“She accuses me of ingratitude, and denies the accusations made against herself with regard to Monsieur Bwikov.”
Anna Thedorovna claims I am ungrateful and denies any wrongdoing concerning Bwikov.
Barbara describes Anna Thedorovna's defensive accusations.