Poor Folk · Chapter
September 30th: My Beloved Makar Alexievitch explained
Barbara writes a farewell letter to Makar, informing him that she is leaving with Monsieur Bwikov and that their time together has come to an end.
What happens
Barbara writes a farewell letter to Makar, informing him that she is leaving with Monsieur Bwikov and that their time together has come to an end. She entrusts him with her book, embroidery frame, and an unfinished letter, and asks him to remember her. She expresses her deep love and gratitude, and her sorrow at their parting.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
Barbara's farewell letter is filled with expressions of love for Makar and her sorrow at leaving him, highlighting the theme of love and the sacrifice of their relationship.
Isolation and Loneliness
Barbara expresses concern about Makar's loneliness after her departure, and her own sorrow underscores the isolation she feels in her new life.
Characters to notice
- Barbara Alexievna Dobroselova
Writes a farewell letter to Makar, expressing her love and sorrow as she prepares to leave with Monsieur Bwikov.
- Makar Alexievitch Dievushkin
The recipient of Barbara's farewell letter; she entrusts him with her belongings and asks him to remember her.
- Monsieur Bykov
Mentioned as calling for Barbara; she is leaving with him.
- Thedora
Barbara's letters are left in the top drawer of Thedora's chest of drawers.
Key passages
“All is over! The die is cast! What my lot may have in store I know not, but I am submissive to the will of God.”
Everything is finished; the decision is made. I don't know what will happen to me, but I accept God's will.
Barbara resigns herself to her fate as she prepares to leave with Bwikov.
“Here, you have been my only friend; here, you alone have loved me.”
You have been my sole friend and the only one who loved me in this place.
Barbara acknowledges Makar's unique and loving role in her life.
“How my heart is aching under its load of sorrow!”
My heart is heavy with grief.
Barbara expresses the intense emotional pain of their parting.