# Poor Folk — Character guide

> Key figures in Poor Folk by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

- [Makar Alexievitch Dievushkin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/makar_alexievitch.md): A poor, aging clerk who writes letters to Barbara, revealing his deep affection and insecurity.
- [Barbara Alexievna Dobroselova](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/barbara_alexievna.md): A young, orphaned woman living in poverty, who corresponds with Makar and recounts her tragic past.
- [Monsieur Bykov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/monsieur_bykov.md): A wealthy, coarse landowner who pursues Barbara and ultimately proposes marriage.
- [Anna Thedorovna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/anna_thedorovna.md): Barbara's distant relative and former guardian, who schemes to marry her off to Bykov.
- [Pokrovski](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/pokrovski.md): A poor, scholarly young man who boards with Barbara and becomes her tragic love interest.
- [Thedora](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/thedora.md): Barbara's kind, elderly servant and confidante who helps her in times of need.
- [Rataziaev](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/rataziaev.md): A boastful, mediocre writer and neighbor of Makar who holds literary gatherings.
- [Gorshkov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/gorshkov.md): A destitute, disgraced former civil servant who lives in Makar's building with his family.
- [Peter Petrovitch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/peter_petrovitch.md): A distant relative of Makar who occasionally visits and offers advice.
- [Emelia Ivanovitch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/emelia_ivanovitch.md): A fellow clerk and friend of Makar who shares his troubles.
- [Theresa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/theresa.md): A servant in the building where Makar and Barbara live.
- [Phaldoni](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/phaldoni.md): A servant or messenger who appears in the narrative.
- [Sasha](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/sasha.md): A young girl who is a friend or acquaintance of Barbara.
- [Markov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/markov.md): A minor character mentioned in the story, possibly a tradesman.
- [Ermak](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/ermak.md): A historical figure referenced in the narrative, not a direct character.
- [Petinka](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/petinka.md): A young boy or minor character mentioned in passing.
- [Zuleika](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/zuleika.md): A character from a story within the book, possibly fictional.
- [Madame Chiffon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/madame_chiffon.md): A dressmaker or shopkeeper mentioned in the narrative.
- [Emelia Ilyitch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/emelia_ilyitch.md): A different Emelia from Emelia Ivanovitch, possibly a relative.
- [Samson Virin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/samson_virin.md): A character from a story read by Makar, the stationmaster.
- [Thedor Thedorovitch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/thedor_thedorovitch.md): A minor character, possibly a servant or acquaintance.
- [Evstafi Ivanovitch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/evstafi_ivanovitch.md): A minor character, possibly a colleague of Makar.
- [Zinaida](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/zinaida.md): A minor female character mentioned in the story.
- [The Naval Officer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/the_naval_officer.md): A minor character who appears briefly in the narrative.
- [Pushkin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/pushkin.md): The famous poet, referenced as an author whose works are read.
- [Old Prince](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/old_prince.md): A minor nobleman mentioned in the narrative.
- [Countess V.](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/countess_v.md): A wealthy countess who takes an interest in Barbara.
- [Pelagea Antonovna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/pelagea_antonovna.md): A minor female character, possibly a neighbor.
- [Stepan Karlovitch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/stepan_karlovitch.md): A minor character, possibly a colleague or acquaintance.
- [Timothei Ivanovitch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/timothei_ivanovitch.md): A minor character, possibly a servant or official.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poor_folk_se/characters