Imported from openlibrary. Authors: Фёдор Михайлович Достоевский
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Imported from openlibrary. Authors: Фёдор Михайлович Достоевский
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This ebook is the product of many hours of hard work by volunteers for Standard Ebooks, and builds on the hard work of other literature lovers made possible by the public domain. This particular ebook is based on a transcription from Project Gutenberg and on digital scans from the Internet Archive. The source text and artwork in this ebook are believed to be in the United States public domain; that is, they are believed to be free of copyright restrictions in the United States. They may still be copyrighted in other countries, so users located outside of the United States must check their local laws before using this ebook. The creators of, and contributors to, this ebook dedicate their contributions to the worldwide public domain via the terms in the CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. For full license information, see the Uncopyright at the end of this ebook. Standard Ebooks is a volunteer-driven project that produces ebook editions of public domain literature using modern typography, technology, and editorial standards, and distributes them free of cost. You can download this and other ebooks carefully produced for true book lovers at standardebooks.org. MY DEAREST BARBARA ALEXIEVNA—How happy I was last night—how immeasurably, how impossibly happy! That was because for once in your life you had relented so far as to obey my wishes. At about eight o’clock I awoke from sleep (you know, my beloved one, that I always like to sleep for a short hour after my work is done)—I awoke, I say, and, lighting a candle, prepared my paper to write, and trimmed my pen. Then suddenly, for some reason or another, I raised my eyes—and felt my very heart leap within me! For you had understood what I wanted, you had understood what my heart was craving for. Yes, I perceived that a corner of the curtain in your window had been looped up and fastened to the cornice as I had suggested should be done; and it seemed to me that your dear face was glimmering at the window, and that you were looking at me from out of the darkness of your room, and that you were thinking of me. Yet how vexed I felt that I could not distinguish your sweet face clearly! For there was a time when you and I could see one another without any difficulty at all. Ah me, but old age is not always a blessing, my beloved one! At this very moment everything is standing awry to my eyes, for a man needs only to work late overnight in his writing of something or other for, in the morning, his eyes to be red, and the tears to be gushing from them in a way that makes him ashamed to be seen before strangers. However, I was able to picture to myself your beaming smile, my angel—your kind, bright smile; and in my heart there lurked just such a feeling as on the occasion when I first kissed you, my little Barbara. Yet somehow you seemed to be threatening me with your tiny finger. You must write and tell me about it in your next letter. But what think you of the plan of the curtain, Barbara? No matter whether I be at work, or about to retire to rest, or just awaking from sleep, it enables me to know that you are thinking of me, and remembering me—that you are both well and happy. Then when you lower the curtain, it means that it is time that I, Makar Alexievitch, should go to bed; and when again you raise the curtain, it means that you are saying to me, “Good morning,” and asking me how I am, and whether I have slept well. “As for myself,” adds the curtain, “I am altogether in good health and spirits, glory be to God!” Yes, my heart’s delight, you see how easy a plan it was to devise, and how much writing it will save us!
Interpretation
Central ideas
Recurring concerns and concepts identified across the indexed text.
Family
My father himself was not a gentleman; he and his family had to live even more plainly than I do. We lived together, a happy family of three.
View supporting passages
“My father himself was not a gentleman; he and his family had to live even more plainly than I do.”
“We lived together, a happy family of three.”
“The naval officer took the initiative in calling upon me, and his frankness was such that he told me all about his father, his mother, his sister (who is married to a lawyer of Tula), and the town of Kronstadt.”
Faith and doubt
“As for myself,” adds the curtain, “I am altogether in good health and spirits, glory be to God!” Yes, my heart’s delight, you see how easy a plan it was to devise, and how much writing it will save us! In particular does the author express a longing similar to my own, where he writes: “Why am I not a bird free to seek its quest?” And he has written much else, God bless him!
View supporting passages
““As for myself,” adds the curtain, “I am altogether in good health and spirits, glory be to God!” Yes, my heart’s delight, you see how easy a plan it was to devise, and how much writing it will save us!”
“In particular does the author express a longing similar to my own, where he writes: “Why am I not a bird free to seek its quest?” And he has written much else, God bless him!”
“God bless her, for she is an excellent soul!”
Meaning
That was because for once in your life you had relented so far as to obey my wishes. In short, all nature was awaking to life again.
View supporting passages
“That was because for once in your life you had relented so far as to obey my wishes.”
“In short, all nature was awaking to life again.”
“Do you wish, then, to persuade me that your whole existence has been passed in loneliness and want and gloom, with never a cheering word to help you, nor a seat in a friend’s chimney- corner?”
Love and compassion
This morning, too, I arose (joyous and full of love) at cockcrow. But tell me, my love—where did you go for your walk this morning?
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“This morning, too, I arose (joyous and full of love) at cockcrow.”
“But tell me, my love—where did you go for your walk this morning?”
“Eat them for your health’s sake, nor, for the love of God, feel any uneasiness about me.”
Suffering
“Surely,” thought I, “we mortals who dwell in pain and sorrow might with reason envy the birds of heaven which know not either!” And my other thoughts were similar to these. Ah, little Barbara, little Barbara, you must never give way to grief, for tears are of no avail, nor sorrow.
View supporting passages
““Surely,” thought I, “we mortals who dwell in pain and sorrow might with reason envy the birds of heaven which know not either!” And my other thoughts were similar to these.”
“Ah, little Barbara, little Barbara, you must never give way to grief, for tears are of no avail, nor sorrow.”
“My head and my back are aching, and even my thoughts seem to be in pain, so strangely do they occur.”
Responsibility
But God knows all about it.… Also, Anna declared that it was solely through my own fault that my fortunes declined after she had bettered them; that she is in no way responsible for what then happened; and that I have but myself to blame for having been either unable or unwilling to defend my honour. At first glance it might have been thought that he was perpetually ashamed of something—that he had on his conscience something which always made him, as it were, bristle up and then shrink into himself.
View supporting passages
“But God knows all about it.… Also, Anna declared that it was solely through my own fault that my fortunes declined after she had bettered them; that she is in no way responsible for what then happened; and that I have but myself to blame for having been either unable or unwilling to defend my honour.”
“At first glance it might have been thought that he was perpetually ashamed of something—that he had on his conscience something which always made him, as it were, bristle up and then shrink into himself.”
“If this is not a detailed letter, the reason is that I must soon be starting for the office, in order that, by strict application to duty, I may make amends for the past.”
Freedom
One thing I know for certain, and that is that last year one of our lodgers, Aksenti Osipovitch, took a similar liberty with Peter Petrovitch, yet kept the fact secret, an absolute secret. Yes, write about him as you like—let scribblers say what they choose about him—he will ever remain as he was.
View supporting passages
“One thing I know for certain, and that is that last year one of our lodgers, Aksenti Osipovitch, took a similar liberty with Peter Petrovitch, yet kept the fact secret, an absolute secret.”
“Yes, write about him as you like—let scribblers say what they choose about him—he will ever remain as he was.”
“Everything had an empty air, and everyone whom I met looked careworn and preoccupied, and no wonder, for who would choose to walk abroad at such an early hour, and in such weather?”
Justice
Kind comrade and helper, you will be doing me an injustice if for a single moment you ever suspect that I am lacking in feeling or in gratitude towards you. Consequently, I used to be ordered the kneeling punishment, and given only one meal in the day.
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“Kind comrade and helper, you will be doing me an injustice if for a single moment you ever suspect that I am lacking in feeling or in gratitude towards you.”
“Consequently, I used to be ordered the kneeling punishment, and given only one meal in the day.”
“Then the orator sketched for our benefit some terrible instances of such incontinence, and concluded by informing us that for some time past he had been mending his own ways, and conducting himself in exemplary fashion, for the reason that he had perceived the justice of his son’s precepts, and had laid them to heart so well that he, the father, had really changed for the better: in proof whereof, he now begged to present to the said son some books for which he had long been setting aside his savings.”
Close reading
Important passages
““As for myself,” adds the curtain, “I am altogether in good health and spirits, glory be to God!” Yes, my heart’s delight, you see how easy a plan it was to devise, and how much writing it will save us!”
This passage relates to Faith and doubt.
Faith and doubtChunk 2
““Surely,” thought I, “we mortals who dwell in pain and sorrow might with reason envy the birds of heaven which know not either!” And my other thoughts were similar to these.”
This passage relates to Suffering.
SufferingChunk 2
“In particular does the author express a longing similar to my own, where he writes: “Why am I not a bird free to seek its quest?” And he has written much else, God bless him!”
This passage relates to Faith and doubt.
Faith and doubtChunk 2
“Ah, little Barbara, little Barbara, you must never give way to grief, for tears are of no avail, nor sorrow.”
This passage relates to Suffering.
SufferingChunk 2
“where you have neither elbow-space nor comfort—you who love solitude, and never like to have anyone near you?”
This passage relates to Love and compassion.
Love and compassionChunk 6
“Do you wish, then, to persuade me that your whole existence has been passed in loneliness and want and gloom, with never a cheering word to help you, nor a seat in a friend’s chimney- corner?”
This passage relates to Meaning.
MeaningChunk 6
“I know how much you love me, but I also know that you are not rich.… This morning I too rose in good spirits.”
This passage relates to Love and compassion.
Love and compassionChunk 6
“Write to me in fullest detail, both concerning your mode of life, and concerning the people who live with you, and concerning how you fare with them.”
This passage relates to Meaning.
MeaningChunk 6
“Yes, that was a goodly life, my Barbara, and we lived it for nearly twenty years.… How my tongue does carry me away!”
This passage relates to Meaning.
MeaningChunk 10
“My head and my back are aching, and even my thoughts seem to be in pain, so strangely do they occur.”
This passage relates to Suffering.
SufferingChunk 10
“Gossip and scandal would arise, and there would be read into the affair quite another meaning than the real one.”
This passage relates to Meaning.
MeaningChunk 10
“P.S.—Do not think that I could write to you in a satirical vein, for I am too old to show my teeth to no purpose, and people would laugh at me, and quote our Russian proverb: “Who diggeth a pit for another one, the same shall fall into it himself.””
This passage relates to Meaning.
MeaningChunk 10
Literary reading
Literary analysis
And then, as the story grew grimmer, the little child, our little bag of mischief, would grow thoughtful in proportion, and clasp her rosy cheeks in her tiny hands, and, hiding her face, press closer to the old landlady. Rest assured that never should I make sport of your years or of your character. In this respect, indeed, I feel nervous, for the reason that it is so difficult to divine what your taste in books may be, despite my knowledge of your character.
Literary observation 1
And then, as the story grew grimmer, the little child, our little bag of mischief, would grow thoughtful in proportion, and clasp her rosy cheeks in her tiny hands, and, hiding her face, press closer to the old landlady.
Literary observation 2
Rest assured that never should I make sport of your years or of your character.
Literary observation 3
In this respect, indeed, I feel nervous, for the reason that it is so difficult to divine what your taste in books may be, despite my knowledge of your character.
Literary observation 4
Every day he grew more morose and discontented and irritable; every day his character kept changing for the worse.
Literary observation 5
At first she was not altogether unkind to us but, later, she revealed to us her real character—as soon, that is to say, as she saw that we were at her mercy, and had nowhere else to go.
Literary observation 6
Later I came to know his story in detail.
Ideas
Philosophical analysis
Do you wish, then, to persuade me that your whole existence has been passed in loneliness and want and gloom, with never a cheering word to help you, nor a seat in a friend’s chimney- corner? Gossip and scandal would arise, and there would be read into the affair quite another meaning than the real one. To tell you the truth, I had supposed that you were jesting in your letter; wherefore, my heart was feeling heavy at the thought that you could feel so displeased with me.
Philosophical observation 1
Do you wish, then, to persuade me that your whole existence has been passed in loneliness and want and gloom, with never a cheering word to help you, nor a seat in a friend’s chimney- corner?
Philosophical observation 2
Gossip and scandal would arise, and there would be read into the affair quite another meaning than the real one.
Philosophical observation 3
To tell you the truth, I had supposed that you were jesting in your letter; wherefore, my heart was feeling heavy at the thought that you could feel so displeased with me.
Philosophical observation 4
But God knows all about it.… Also, Anna declared that it was solely through my own fault that my fortunes declined after she had bettered them; that she is in no way responsible for what then happened; and that I have but myself to blame for having been either unable or unwilling to defend my honour.
Philosophical observation 5
Tell her from me that she has not been speaking the truth.
Philosophical observation 6
Theresa I trust thoroughly, for she is not a talkative woman; but consider how it will be when the truth comes out in its entirety!
Context
Historical context
In particular they include a chinovnik (one of the literary staff in some government department), who is so well-read that he can expound Homer or any other author—in fact, anything, such a man of talent is he! Yes, a whole century in tears could I spend because of the wicked people who have wrecked my life! Also, she expressed a wish to draw closer to us, and to forget old scores; and when my mother explained that, for her own part, she harboured no resentment against Anna, the latter burst into tears, and, hurrying my mother away to church, then and there ordered Mass to be said for the “dear departed,” as she called my father.
Historical observation 1
In particular they include a chinovnik (one of the literary staff in some government department), who is so well-read that he can expound Homer or any other author—in fact, anything, such a man of talent is he!
Historical observation 2
Yes, a whole century in tears could I spend because of the wicked people who have wrecked my life!
Historical observation 3
Also, she expressed a wish to draw closer to us, and to forget old scores; and when my mother explained that, for her own part, she harboured no resentment against Anna, the latter burst into tears, and, hurrying my mother away to church, then and there ordered Mass to be said for the “dear departed,” as she called my father.
Historical observation 4
From her portion of the house our apartment was divided by a corridor, while next to us (as mentioned above) dwelt a certain Pokrovski, who was engaged in teaching Sasha the French and German languages, as well as history and geography—“all the sciences,” as Anna used to say.
Historical observation 5
Only a scanty modicum of daylight entered to war with the trembling rays of the icon lamp.
Historical observation 6
Indeed, he spent the next three days with them thus, and refused to let them leave his sight even when it was time for him to go to church.
Reflection
Questions to carry
theological
How does the work distinguish faith from certainty?
Examine how belief is tested by suffering, doubt, reason and human relationships.
ethical
Does suffering transform the characters, or merely expose who they already are?
Compare the different ways characters respond to pain, loss and injustice.
ethical
To what extent are people responsible for consequences they desired but did not directly cause?
Consider the relationship between thought, intention, action, guilt and shared responsibility.
philosophical
What does genuine freedom require, and what responsibilities accompany it?
Consider whether freedom is presented as liberation, burden, temptation or moral obligation.
philosophical
Is legal judgment presented as equivalent to moral judgment?
Notice where institutional justice agrees or conflicts with conscience and truth.
Your reading
Personal synthesis
Add notes or annotate saved quotations, then refresh Book Intelligence to generate a reflection on what you are noticing in this book.
156 source chunks294,992 characters analyseddeterministic-book-v2-personalGenerated 2 Aug 2026, 00:43
