# September 19th: My Beloved Barbara Alexievna explained — Poor Folk

> Chapter companion for Poor Folk by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

## What happens

Makar writes to Barbara with the good news that Rataziaev has found him work copying a manuscript for a writer, offering forty kopecks per sheet. He expresses hope that this extra income will help them, though he notes the manuscript is poorly written and difficult to decipher.

## Themes in this chapter

### Poverty and Deprivation

Makar's urgent need for extra income and the low rate of forty kopecks per sheet highlight his precarious financial state.

## Character check-ins

### Makar Alexievitch Dievushkin

Writes to Barbara with news of new copying work obtained through Rataziaev.

### Barbara Alexievna Dobroselova

Recipient of Makar's letter; he shares his hope for extra income.

### Rataziaev

Found Makar the copying job from a writer.

## Key lines

> I hasten to let you know that Rataziaev has found me some work to do for a certain writer⁠—the latter having submitted to him a large manuscript.

Makar excitedly tells Barbara that Rataziaev secured him a copying job from a writer who gave Rataziaev a big manuscript.

_Makar's relief and hope for financial improvement._

> I have agreed to do the work for forty kopecks a sheet.

Makar accepted the job at a rate of forty kopecks per page.

_The low pay underscores his economic desperation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/chapters/september-19th-my-beloved-barbara-alexievna
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/chapters