# Anna Thedorovna — Poor Folk character guide

> Anna Thedorovna in Poor Folk by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Anna, Anna Thedorovna

**First appearance:** 0001-april-8th-my-beloved-makar-alexievitch

## Snapshot

A scheming relative who once took Barbara in and now works behind the scenes to marry her off, mixing charity with calculation in equal measure.

## Who they are

Anna Thedorovna is a woman of shifting loyalties and sharp elbows, a distant kinswoman whose guardianship of Barbara came with strings she still tugs. Bykov calls her a very bad woman; Barbara knows her as the source of both shelter and shame. She matters because her machinations—gossip, pressure, and convenient arrangements—drive the plot's machinery, reminding the reader that in this world kindness and exploitation often wear the same face.

## Relationships

### [Monsieur Bykov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/monsieur_bykov)

_professional_

Anna Thedorovna collaborates with Bykov in schemes involving Barbara, acting as a manipulative matchmaker or business partner.

### [Pokrovski](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/pokrovski)

_psychological_

Anna Thedorovna exerts manipulative control over Pokrovski, exploiting his vulnerable position for her own gain.

### [Sasha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/sasha)

_family_

Anna Thedorovna is a relative or guardian to Sasha, treating her with coldness and exploitation rather than genuine care.

### [Thedora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/thedora)

_professional_

Anna Thedorovna employs or supervises Thedora, using her as a servant or go-between in her manipulative schemes.

### [Monsieur Bykov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/monsieur_bykov)

_professional_

Anna Thedorovna collaborates with Bykov in schemes involving Barbara, acting as a manipulative matchmaker or business partner.

## In the story

### [April 25th: My Dearest Makar Alexievitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se/chapters/april-25th-my-dearest-makar-alexievitch)

Mentioned as the one who supposedly saved Barbara and her mother from starvation, but is now blamed by Sasha for Barbara's misfortunes.

### [June 1st: My Beloved Makar Alexievitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se/chapters/june-1st-my-beloved-makar-alexievitch)

Mentioned as part of Barbara's earlier experiences.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se/chapters/i)

A distant relative who offers assistance to Barbara and her mother after the father's death.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se/chapters/ii)

Looks askance at Barbara's care for Pokrovski; prays for his death during his final night.

### [June 20th: My Dearest Makar Alexievitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se/chapters/june-20th-my-dearest-makar-alexievitch)

Accuses Barbara of ingratitude, denies accusations about Bwikov, and tries to lure Barbara back with promises of a dowry.

### [August 2nd: My Dearest Makar Alexievitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se/chapters/august-2nd-my-dearest-makar-alexievitch)

Suspected by Thedora of being connected to Barbara's recent misfortunes.

### [August 4th: My Beloved Makar Alexievitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se/chapters/august-4th-my-beloved-makar-alexievitch)

Implied orchestrator of the old man's visit, as he mentioned knowing her and she plans to visit Barbara.

### [September 15th: My Dearest Makar Alexievitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se/chapters/september-15th-my-dearest-makar-alexievitch)

Implied to have informed Bwikov about Barbara's living situation.

### [September 23rd: My Dearest Makar Alexievitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se/chapters/september-23rd-my-dearest-makar-alexievitch)

Mentioned by Bwikov as a bad woman who led Barbara's cousin astray and ruined Barbara.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se/characters/anna_thedorovna
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poor_folk_se/characters