Poor Folk · Chapter
September 18th: My Beloved Barbara Alexievna explained
Makar writes to Barbara about the tragic events of the day.
What happens
Makar writes to Barbara about the tragic events of the day. Their neighbor Gorshkov, after being fully exonerated of guilt and having his character restored, returns home in a state of agitation and joy. Despite the celebration, he dies suddenly and inexplicably, leaving his wife and daughter in shock. Makar is deeply affected by the senselessness of the death.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Varvara’s desp…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Poverty and Deprivation
Gorshkov's life of poverty and his sudden death after a rare moment of vindication underscore the fragility and hardship of the poor.
- Human Dignity and Self-Worth
Gorshkov's joy at having his character cleansed and his honor restored, contrasted with Rataziaev's dismissive comment about money, highlights the importance of dignity over material wealth.
Characters to notice
- Makar Alexievitch Dievushkin
Narrates the day's events to Barbara, expressing deep grief and bewilderment at Gorshkov's sudden death.
- Gorshkov
After being exonerated and having his character restored, he dies suddenly and inexplicably, leaving his family in shock.
- Rataziaev
Attempts to console Gorshkov by remarking that money is more important than honor, but his comment seems to hurt Gorshkov.
- The Naval Officer
Invites Gorshkov to join a card game, which Gorshkov briefly attempts before leaving.
Key passages
“Today there took place in this house a most lamentable, a most mysterious, a most unlooked-for occurrence.”
A sad, strange, and unexpected event happened in our building today.
Makar sets the tone for the tragic news he is about to share.
“He could not rest quietly for two minutes together, but kept picking up and then dropping whatsoever came to his hand, and bowing and smiling without intermission, and sitting down and getting up, and again sitting down, and chattering God only knows what about his honour and his good name and his little ones.”
He was so agitated he couldn't sit still, constantly picking things up and putting them down, bowing and smiling, and talking endlessly about his honor, reputation, and children.
Describes Gorshkov's manic state after being exonerated.
“How sad to think that one never knows what even a day, what even an hour, may bring forth! One seems to die to so little purpose!”
It's heartbreaking how uncertain life is—we never know what a day or an hour might bring, and people seem to die for no reason at all.
Makar reflects on the senselessness of Gorshkov's sudden death.
