Creative history of poor people. Creative work on literature on the topic: “What thoughts and feelings did L.N.’s story inspire in me?”

In 1846, Dostoevsky's novel "Poor People" was first published. We offer a brief summary of it to the reader. Work on it was carried out in 1844-1845. Dostoevsky's "Poor People" was written in the genre of an epistolary novel.

Makar Alekseevich Devushkin

47-year-old Makar Alekseevich Devushkin serves as a minor clerical official (scribe) in a department in St. Petersburg. His salary is small, so he occupies only part of the common kitchen in an apartment in a house located near Fontanka. This house is “major” and of good quality, but Devushkin recalls his previous housing, “incomparably better” than the current one. What made the titular councilor worsen his living conditions? The bulk of his salary goes to pay for an expensive and decent apartment, which is located in the courtyard of the same house. Varvara Alekseevna Dobroselova, a distant relative of the official, lives there for 27 years.

Relationship between Makar and Varenka

The orphan is Varenka from the work "Poor People" by Dostoevsky. A brief summary of her relationship with Makar boils down to the fact that he patronizes Varenka with the best intentions, believing that he is the only one who can stand up for this girl, although distant relatives live very close by. In order not to compromise Varenka with frequent visits, he finds a way to constantly communicate with her. It became correspondence. Makar Alekseevich and Varenka, both of a subtle spiritual nature, who need spiritual warmth and empathy, correspond with each other at the first opportunity. These letters (31 from Devushkin and 24 from Varenka) tell the entire six-month history of their relationship in the work “Poor People” by Dostoevsky. We will briefly describe them now.

Makar's first letters

Makar's first letters are permeated with reckless happiness. Spring is on the street, the soul and heart of the official are filled with “pleasant”, “intricate” thoughts. He is very glad to have the opportunity to take care of the girl, and “tender dreams” willy-nilly come to his mind. Devushkin saves, trying to spend every extra penny for the benefit of Varenka’s existence.

Varenka's story

Financial and spiritual support for this girl is also contributed by her sad letters, in which Varenka talks in all colors about the misfortune of her life. She was born and raised in the village, in the house of the manager of a landowner's estate. The father was soon left without salary and place, so the family was forced to move to St. Petersburg. The “angry”, “dreary”, “rotten” city did not impress 14-year-old Varenka at all. The family was soon beset by problems from all sides. Varenka's father died, unable to survive constant failures. I had to give up the house to pay off the debts. Varenka and her mother settled with Anna Feodorovna, a distant relative. The girl's mother worked hard so as not to be a burden.

Lessons with a student

To improve her education, Varenka studied with a student who lived in the same house. Pyotr Pokrovsky (that was his name) suffered from consumption. He made his living by giving private lessons. The girl idolized him, considering him “the most worthy,” “the kindest person.” The landowner Bykov, her close acquaintance, placed Peter in a boarding house with Anna Fedorovna.

How does the story of Varenka, the heroine of the novel "Poor People" continue? The summary further tells that she and the student were brought closer educational classes. When Varenka’s mother fell ill from overwork and fell ill, they spent time together at her bedside. Varenka learned a lot from Peter. The girl fell in love with reading. Suddenly, a new grief came: having failed to overcome his illness, the student died. Heartless Anna Fedorovna decided to take all his things to pay for the funeral arrangements. The young man's father nevertheless took several books that he managed to carry away. He cried, ran after the coffin, and the books fell straight into the dirt from his hands...

The hardships that befell Varenka

After this, many hardships befell Varenka from the novel “Poor People.” Their summary is as follows. Anna Fedorovna constantly reproached the hangers-on for freeloading. Varenka’s mother soon died, and the girl was left alone. A “virtuous” relative “billed” her, announcing large losses incurred due to the presence of unexpected relatives in her house. Having considered that Varenka’s pimping with the landowner Bykov, his friend, - the only possibility to recoup them, Anna Fedorovna decided to carry out her plan. The landowner deflowers the girl, but she manages to escape.

Varya, in letters to Makar, laments that her relative is trying to find out where she lives. The girl hopes that Makar Alekseevich, her only support, will protect her from the machinations of her insidious relative. Varenka’s sadness gnaws at her so much that she nervous soil falls ill and spends a whole month unconscious. Makar Alekseevich is selling his new uniform in order to maintain the girl’s health.

The position of the main character in the service

Devushkin’s difficult situation in the service is further described by Dostoevsky (“Poor People”). The contents of Varenka's response letters, in which he talks about his life, are the source from which we learn about this. The main character complains that he is treated with laughter at the service, they come up with various offensive epithets: “quiet,” “kind,” “meek.” And his uniform is not the same, and his boots, and his figure, and his hair should have been altered. They mock that Makar has been copying documents for 30 years. He doesn't understand these jokes. Varenka is the only outlet for Makar. He writes shyly and joyfully that it was as if the Lord had blessed him with a home and family. But Makar, the hero created by F. M. Dostoevsky (“Poor People” is the writer’s first novel), is a little shy about his style.

Makar's home, his gifts to Varenka

He describes his home to the girl, which he characterizes as a slum: a long, dirty, dark corridor with a “pungently sweetened,” “rotten” smell. It is not surprising that the siskins die in it. On the left side there are all doors, and behind them live different people. This is an official with his family, an English teacher, French gamblers. Devushkin characterizes the owner of the apartment as a “real witch.”

He says that only “for convenience” he huddles in a corner of the kitchen, because Varenka’s window is opposite it. The main character is very happy when her “pretty face” flashes outside the window. He allegedly saves and saves money. Although, of course, it’s cheaper behind a partition, and main character can even afford tea with sugar. Makar bought pots of geraniums and balsam for dear Varenka. In addition to the letter, Devushkin sends Varya a pound of sweets.

The girl is delighted with the flowers, but reproaches Makar for waste. Varenka realizes that for this Devushkin has to deny himself everything. The owner of the apartment once blurted out to her that Makar Alekseevich lived before much better. The girl ironically cools the ardor of the protagonist with his gifts and worries: only poetry is missing. Makar is confused, he explains that he was “inspired” only by fatherly affection. On June 10, Devushkin takes Varenka for a walk to the islands so that she can relax in the fresh air.

Persecution of Anna Fedorovna

Returning home, the heroine writes another letter, in which she thanks for the perfect promenade, but reports that she is sick again, as she got her feet wet. Devushkin promises to visit her and bring Varenka a book. She again tries to reason with him by asking him not to spend so much money on her and to buy a new uniform. After all, you can’t walk around in such rags. Varenka says that her relative found out where she lives and calls her back. She promises to settle everything with Bykov. However, the girl is adamant. She tells Anna Fedorovna that she lives well here under the protection of Makar.

Makar's introduction to literature

The main character is flattered that he is needed. He tells the girl that he admires literature and spends hours with Ratazyaev, his neighbor, in the company of writers who come to him. Varenka is indignant when she finds out what books Ratazyaev recommends to Makar. She sends him to read" Stationmaster"Pushkin. Makar is delighted with this work, he notes that he feels exactly the same as described in the book. On June 6, Varenka introduces Devushkin to Gogol’s “The Overcoat,” and Makar takes Varenka to the theater on the same day.

Varenka's fears from the work "Poor People"

The chapter-by-chapter summary describes only the main events, so we will not dwell in detail on the impression made on the main character classical literature, and continue to describe the plot. The girl reports that Fedora, the owner of the apartment, can get her a job as a governess in the landowner's family, but she doubts whether she should go. The girl has a bad cough and is afraid that she will die. Varya asks Devushkin to save his money and stop sending her candy. She writes that she embroidered a carpet, for which they give 50 rubles in banknotes. Therefore, she herself will be able to pay Fedora the amount that Makar owes for housing. In addition, Varenka will sew a vest for the girl and a new dress for herself.

Makar encourages the girl, saying that she is not sick at all, but just pale and has lost a little weight. He asks not to become a governess, since for the main character her “usefulness” lies in “ beneficial influence"Varenki for his life.

Lack of money and drunkenness Makar

At the beginning of July, Makar is left completely without money. He borrowed his salary in advance, but this does not help. Increasingly, the guests of the house mock Makar’s relationship with Varenka. And then the girl reports that one officer, her neighbor, made her an unambiguous proposal.

The summary of the story “Poor People” continues with the fact that Makar started drinking in despair. He doesn’t appear at work or at Varenka’s for 4 days. The main character is found on the street in drunk. The police bring him home. In addition, he went to the officer to sort things out, but he only pulled him down the stairs. The girl laments that she brought such misfortune to Makar. She asks him, despite the gossip, to continue coming to her for dinner. Devushkin passes through August without money and drunkenness. Makar has been trying unsuccessfully to borrow at interest since the beginning of the month. New ladies' men visit Varvara, this time from her distant relative. Makar desperately wants to move somewhere with her, but he starts drinking again. The girl is inconsolable. She sends him 30 kopecks in silver, which she has left.

Coming of autumn

The main characters described by Dostoevsky (“Poor People”) evoke sincere sympathy. A summary of the chapters, unfortunately, cannot convey the touching tone of their letters. Reading them, you understand how difficult it was for honest and modest workers at that time. Varya writes on September 5 that autumn has finally arrived. And she loved her very much when she lived in her native village. It was beautiful in the autumn in the open air. A fiery sunset sky, a clear lake with trees on the shore, fallen leaves and white steam rising above the water... And when autumn is late, they end peasant work. On the eve of winter, everything comes to a standstill. Varya writes that the feeling near death doesn't leave her. Fedora has gone somewhere, and someone is walking around in the room, but the girl is not afraid: the letters distract her. Varenka also reports that she sold her hat and dress, but there is almost no money left. It’s good that Devushkin gave 2 rubles to Fedora: at least for a while she won’t blame her for not paying for the apartment.

Makar forms a syllable

The main character writes that he was walking in his evening thoughts along the chaotic and dirty Fontanka embankment. And on Gorokhovaya, located next door, there are rich shops, luxurious ladies, expensive carriages. He thinks about why work is rewarded so low, and many idle rich people are happy and well-fed? Devushkin is proud of these arguments. He notices that recently he has been developing a syllable. The main character was found to have made a typo in the document, and he was awaiting punishment. However, looking at Makar’s pitiful appearance, the general even gave him 100 rubles. The main character is gnawing at his conscience for his recent freethinking. With this money he manages to pay off his debts. Devushkin perked up and lives with hope for a bright future. However, F. M. Dostoevsky (“Poor People”) is by no means preparing a happy ending for his readers. Summary further developments makes the reader sincerely sympathize with Makar and Varenka. What was happening was natural in the Russian reality of that time, in which many “little people” like Devushkin and Varenka faced a similar fate.

Varenka is leaving

Describing summary novel "Poor People", we have come to the end. Bykov finally finds Varenka and proposes to her. He needs to have children in order to disinherit a relative. If the girl refuses, Bykov will marry a rich merchant's wife. The heroine agrees, realizing that only this can restore her good name. Devushkin is completely smitten, but still helps Varenka get ready for the trip. In her farewell letter, the girl complains that Makar, “the only one,” “priceless,” “kind,” remains completely alone. He's desperate. He reports that he worked because Varenka lived nearby. Devushkin with his formed syllable is left alone. He reflects on “by what right” do they destroy “human life.”

It should be noted that in Russian literature there is not only a novel, but also a story called “Poor People” (Leo Tolstoy). We have described a brief summary of Dostoevsky’s work. If you are interested in Tolstoy's story, we note that it is very small in volume, so it will not be difficult for you to read it in the original. It tells the story of Jeanne, who waits every day for the return of her husband, a fisherman, and is never sure that he will return. This is the summary of Tolstoy's story "Poor People" in a nutshell.

In the fisherman's hut, Zhanna, the fisherman's wife, sits by the fire and repairs an old sail. Outside, the wind whistles and howls, and the waves hum, splashing and crashing on the shore... It’s dark and cold outside, there’s a storm at sea, but in the fisherman’s hut it’s warm and cozy. The earthen floor has been swept clean; the fire in the stove has not yet gone out; Dishes glitter on the shelf. Five children sleep on a bed with a drawn-down white curtain, listening to the howling of the stormy sea. The fisherman husband went out to sea in his boat in the morning and has not returned yet. The fisherman hears the roar of the waves and the roar of the wind. It's terrible for Zhanna.

The old wooden clock struck ten, eleven with a hoarse chime... Still no husband. Zhanna thinks about it. The husband does not feel sorry for himself, he fishes in the cold and storm. She sits from morning to evening at work. And what? They barely feed. But the kids still don’t have shoes, and in summer and winter they run barefoot; and they eat bread that is not wheat; it is also good if there is enough rye. Only seasonings for food are like fish. “Well, thank God, the children are healthy. There’s no point in complaining,” Zhanna thinks and again listens to the storm. “Where is he now? God save him, save him and have mercy!” - she says and crosses herself.

It's still early to sleep. Zhanna gets up, throws a thick scarf over her head, lights a lantern and goes out into the street to see if the sea has become quieter, if it is getting light, and if the lamp in the lighthouse is burning, and if she can see her husband’s boat. But nothing is visible at sea. The wind tears off her scarf and knocks on the door of the neighboring hut with something torn off, and Zhanna remembers that since the evening she wanted to go and see her sick neighbor. “There’s no one to look after her,” Zhanna thought and knocked on the door. I listened... Nobody answers.

“It’s a bad widow’s business,” Zhanna thinks, standing at the threshold. “Even though there are only a few children – two, I still have to think about everything on my own. And then there’s the illness! Eh, a bad widow’s business. I’ll come in and check on you.”

Zhanna knocked again and again. Nobody answered.

- Hey, neighbor! – Zhanna shouted. “Something has happened,” she thought and pushed the door.

It was damp and cold in the hut. Zhanna raised the lantern to see where the patient was. And the first thing that caught her eye was the bed right opposite the door, and on the bed she, the neighbor, was lying on her back as quietly and motionlessly as only the dead lie. Zhanna brought the Lantern even closer. Yes, that's her. The head is thrown back; on the cold, blue face the calmness of death. A pale dead hand, as if reaching for something, fell and hung from the straw. And right there, not far from the dead mother, two small children, curly and thick-cheeked, covered with an old dress, sleep, huddled and pressing their blond heads to each other. Apparently, the mother, while dying, still managed to wrap their legs with an old scarf and cover them with her dress. Their breathing is even and calm, they sleep sweetly and soundly. Zhanna takes off the cradle with the children and, wrapping them in a scarf, carries them home. Her heart is beating fast; she herself does not know how and why she did it, but she knows that she could not help but do what she did.

At home, she places the unawakened children on the bed with her children and hastily closes the curtains. She is pale and agitated. It's like her conscience is tormenting her. “Will he say something?.. - she says to herself. - Is it a joke, five of his children - he didn’t care enough about them... Is it him?.. No, not yet!.. And why did he take "!.. He'll kill me! And rightly so, I'm worth it. Here he is! No!.. Well, so much the better!"

The door creaked as if someone had entered. Zhanna shuddered and rose from her chair.

“No. Again, no one! Lord, why did I do this?.. How can I look him in the eyes now?..” And Zhanna thinks and sits silently by the bed for a long time.

Rain stopped; It's dawn, but the wind is howling and the sea is still roaring.

Suddenly the door swung open, a stream of fresh sea air rushed into the room, and a tall, dark fisherman, dragging wet torn nets behind him, entered the room with the words:

- Here I am, Zhanna!

- Oh, it's you! - Zhanna says and stops, not daring to raise her eyes to him.

- Well, it’s already night! Fear!

- Yes, yes, the weather was terrible! Well, how's the fishing?

- Rubbish, absolutely rubbish! Didn't catch anything. I just broke the networks. Bad, bad!.. Yes, I’ll tell you, the weather was great! It seems like I won’t remember such a night. What fishing there! Thank God I made it home alive... Well, what were you doing here without me?

The fisherman dragged his nets into the room and sat down by the stove.

- I? - said Zhanna, turning pale. - Why am I... I was sitting sewing... The wind howled so much that it became scary. I was afraid for you.

“Yes, yes,” muttered the husband, “the weather is damn bad!” What can you do!

Both were silent.

“You know,” said Zhanna, “my neighbor Simon died.”

- And I don’t know when; That's right, just yesterday. Yes, it was hard for her to die. And my heart must have ached for the children! After all, two children are tiny... One doesn’t speak yet, and the other is just starting to crawl...

Zhanna fell silent. The fisherman frowned; his face became serious and worried.

- Well, there you go! – he said, scratching the back of his head. - Well, what are you going to do! They’ll have to take it, otherwise they’ll wake up, what’s it like for them with the dead woman? Well, well, we’ll get by somehow! Go quickly!

But Zhanna did not move.

- What are you doing? Do not want? What's wrong with you, Zhanna?

“Here they are,” said Zhanna and pulled back the curtain.

The inner world of the “little man”, his experiences, problems, disappointments, but, at the same time, spiritual development, moral purity is what worries Fyodor Mikhailovich, who raised the topic of personality transformation in difficult life circumstances. Returning self-respect through helping another disadvantaged creature, maintaining personal integrity in spite of adversity - the correspondence of two not very happy people makes you think about this.

History of creation

In the spring of 1845, editing of the text continues, and final amendments are made. The manuscript is ready in early May. Grigorovich, Nekrasov and Belinsky were the first readers, and already in January 1846, the “Petersburg Collection” introduced the novel to the general public. A separate edition was published in 1847.

Stylistic changes were added by Dostoevsky later, when preparing collected works of his works.

Researchers of the writer’s work believe that many of the characters in “Poor People” had prototypes.

Analysis of the work

Description of the work

A poor official decides to help a distant relative who is in a difficult situation. He spares no money, no time, no good advice, no kind words. Varya gratefully accepts the help, responding with warmth and cordiality. In the relationship between two disadvantaged people, who have become a support for each other, best sides both.

In the finale, Varvara decides to marry the unloved landowner Bykov in order to gain social status and financial well-being.

Main characters

There are two central characters in the novel: the lonely Makar Devushkin and the young orphan Varenka Dobroselova. The revelation of their characters, characteristics and shortcomings, outlook on life, motives for actions occurs gradually, from letter to letter.

Makar is 47 years old, 30 of which he has been doing unimportant work for a meager salary. His service gives him neither moral satisfaction nor the respect of his colleagues. Devushkin has high ambitions, he is not confident in himself and is dependent on public opinion. Failed Attempts creating a prestigious image in the eyes of others further lowers the self-esteem of the titular adviser. But under the shyness and uncertainty of the main character, there is a big heart: having met a girl in need, he rents a place for her, tries to help financially, and shares his warmth. Taking a sincere part in Varya’s fate, feeling his importance, Devushkin grows in his own eyes.

Varvara Dobroselova, who lost her family and faced meanness and betrayal, also reaches out with all her soul to the kind person sent to her by fate. Confiding the details of her life to her interlocutor, Varya, in turn, treats the official’s complaints with sympathy and cordiality and supports him morally. But, unlike Makar, the girl is more pragmatic, has determination and inner strength.

(Scene from the play "Poor People" Theater of Young Spectators named after A.A. Bryantseva, St. Petersburg)

The format of the novel in letters, presented by Dostoevsky, has distinctive feature: we hear the direct speech of the characters, their attitude to the surrounding reality, their own assessment of the events taking place, while the author’s subjective opinion is absent. The reader is invited to understand the situation for himself and draw conclusions regarding the characters’ characters and actions. We are seeing the development of two storylines. The identity of the characters' patronymics hints at the similarity of their destinies. At the same time, if Dobroselova remains at the same level throughout the narrative, then Devushkin grows spiritually and is transformed.

Lack of money and adversity did not destroy the most important thing in the soul of the “little man” - the ability to compassion and mercy. Increased self-esteem, awakening self-awareness leads to a rethinking of one’s life and the life around us.

The novel became the first great success in the work of Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky. ABOUT young author started talking like talented writer. Grigorovich, Nekrasov and Belinsky first saw the work and immediately recognized the talent of the newcomer. In 1846, the Petersburg Collection published the book Poor People.

The author was inspired to create a work about the life of the urban poor by his own life experience. Dostoevsky's father worked as a doctor in a city hospital, and his family lived in an outbuilding next to the wards. There little Fedor I saw many life dramas occurring due to lack of money.

In his youth, the writer continued his study of the lower strata of St. Petersburg society. He often walked in the slums, seeing drunken and depressed residents of the capital. He also rented an apartment with a doctor, who also often told his neighbor about insolvent patients and their problems.

The writer's relatives became the prototypes of the main characters. Varvara became the literary embodiment of his sister. Varvara Mikhailovna’s diaries, which contain her childhood impressions, are very similar to Dobroselova’s memoirs. In particular, the description of the heroine’s native village is reminiscent of the Dostoevsky estate in the village of Darovoye. The image of the girl’s father and his fate, the image of the nanny and her appearance were also taken from the life of Fyodor Mikhailovich’s family.

The writer begins work on the novel “Poor People” in 1844, when he leaves his position as a draftsman and decides to seriously engage in creativity. However, the new business is difficult and he, in need of money, is forced to start translating Balzac’s book “Eugenie Grande”. She inspired him, and the young author again takes up his brainchild. Therefore, the work, which was supposed to appear in October, was ready only in May 1845. During this time, Dostoevsky rewrote the drafts more than once, but in the end, something came out that shocked the critics. After the first reading, Grigorovich even woke up Nekrasov in order to inform him of the birth of a new talent. Both publicists highly praised the writer's debut. The novel was published in the Petersburg Collection in 1846 and instantly attracted the attention of the public at the suggestion of the most authoritative critics of the time.

Along with original ideas, the author used literary clichés of its time. Formally it's European social novel, the writer borrowed its structure and problems from foreign colleagues. For example, Rousseau’s work “Julia, or the New Heloise” had the same composition. The work was also influenced by the global trend - the transition from romanticism to realism, so the book took an intermediate position between the two directions, incorporating the features of both.

Genre

The genre of the work is a novel in letters, the so-called “epistolary”. Little people talk about themselves, about their little joys and big troubles, in detail about what their life actually consists of. They openly share their experiences, thoughts and discoveries with each other. The direction that is reflected in the book is called “sentimentalism.” It occupies an intermediate position between romanticism and realism. It is characterized by the increased sensitivity of the characters, an emphasis on the emotions and inner world of the heroes, the idealization of the rural way of life, the cult of naturalness, sincerity and simplicity. The reader finds all this in the literary debut of F. M. Dostoevsky.

The epistolary genre allows you to reveal a character not only detailed description, but also through his own style of writing. Through vocabulary, literacy, the special structure of sentences and the peculiarities of expressing thoughts, it is possible to ensure that the hero somehow characterizes himself, and unobtrusively and naturally. That is why “Poor People” is distinguished by its deep psychologism and unique immersion into the inner worlds of the characters. Fyodor Mikhailovich himself wrote about this in the “Diary of a Writer”:

Without showing the “writer’s face” anywhere, give the floor to the characters themselves

What is this work about?

Main actors The novel "Poor People" are the titular adviser Makar Devushkin and the poor orphan Varenka Dobroselova. They communicate through letters; a total of 54 were sent. The girl became a victim of violence and is now hiding from her offenders under the protection of a distant relative, who himself is barely making ends meet. They are both unhappy and very poor, but they try to help each other by sacrificing the latter. Their troubles throughout the entire narrative are increasing more and more, both in quantitative and qualitative terms, they are on the edge of the abyss, one step separates them from death, because there is nowhere to wait for support. But the hero finds the strength to pull the burden of poverty and continue to develop according to the parameters set by his ideal. The girl gives him books and valuable recommendations, and he responds to her with worship and adoration. For the first time, he has a goal in life, and even a taste for it, because Varya is engaged in his upbringing and enlightenment.

The heroine tries to earn money by honest labor (sewing at home), but she is found by Anna Feodorovna, a woman who sold an orphan to a lustful nobleman. She again invites the girl to show favor to Bykov (the rich landowner who dishonored Varya), wants to arrange for her. Of course, Makar is against this, but he himself cannot offer anything, because the money he spends on his pupil is the last, and even that is not enough. He himself lives from hand to mouth, his unkempt appearance creates problems for him at work, and there are no prospects at his age and position. Out of self-pity and jealousy (Vara was pestered by an officer), he begins to drink, for which he is condemned by his Varenka. But a miracle happens: the author saves the heroes from starvation with the help of the boss Devushkin, who gives him 100 rubles for free.

But this does not save them from the moral decline that Dostoevsky describes. The girl accepts the courtship of her offender and agrees to marry him. Her patron cannot do anything and resigns himself to fate. In fact, Makar Alekseevich and Varenka remain alive, they have money, but they lose each other and, for sure, this will be the end for both. The poor official lives only for the orphan, she is the meaning of his life. Without her he will be lost. And Varenka, too, will die after marrying Bykov.

The main characters and their characteristics

The characteristics of the characters in the novel “Poor People” are similar in many ways. Both Varenka and Makar Alekseevich are kind, sincere, and have a great open soul. But they are both very weak in front of this world; the self-confident and vicious Bulls will calmly crush them. They have neither cunning nor dexterity to survive. Although at the same time the two characters are very different.

1. Devushkin Makar Alekseevich- a meek, meek, weak-willed, mediocre and even pitiful person. He is 47 years old most In life, he rewrites other people's texts, he often reads superficial, empty literature, which makes no sense, but is still able to appreciate Pushkin, but he does not like Gogol with “The Overcoat”, since Akaki Akakievich is too similar to himself. He is weak and very dependent on the opinions of others. This is the image of Makar Devushkin, akin to both Chervyakov from the story “The Death of an Official” and Samson Vyrin from the story “The Station Warden.”
2. Varenka Dobroselova although she was still very young, she experienced a lot of grief, which did not break her at all (a rich nobleman dishonored her, having been sold by a relative to pay for her maintenance). However beautiful girl She didn’t take a crooked path and lived by honest work, not succumbing to provocations or persuasion. The heroine is well-read and has a literary taste, which was instilled in her by a student (Bykov’s pupil). She is virtuous and hardworking, because she steadfastly repels the attacks of her relative, who wants to arrange for her to be supported by the masters. She is much stronger than Makar Alekseevich. Varya evokes only admiration and respect.
3. Petersburg- another main character of the novel “Poor People”. A place that is always depicted quite voluminously in Dostoevsky’s works. Petersburg is described here as Big city bringing misfortune. In Varenka’s memoirs, the village where she spent her childhood appears as a bright, beautiful paradise on earth, and the city to which her parents brought her brought only suffering, deprivation, humiliation, and the loss of her closest people. It's gloomy cruel world, which breaks many.

Subject

1. Little man theme. From the title “Poor People” it is clear that the main theme of the work was small man. Dostoevsky finds in each of them a great personality, because only the ability to love and kindness characterize living soul. The author describes good and decent people who were crushed by poverty. Arbitrariness reigns around them and injustice is at work, but in these pitiful and insignificant inhabitants of St. Petersburg there was still hope for the best and faith in each other. They are the owners of true virtue, although no one notices their moral greatness. They do not live for show; their modest work is devoted only to the selfless desire to help another person. Both Devushkin’s numerous deprivations and Varya’s self-sacrifice in the finale indicate that these individuals are small only because they do not value themselves. The writer idealizes them and praises them, following the tradition of sentimentalists like Karamzin.
2. Theme of love. For the sake of this bright feeling, the heroes make self-sacrifice. Makar renounces caring for himself; he spends all his money on his pupil. All his thoughts are devoted to her alone, nothing else bothers him. In the finale, Varya decides to repay her guardian and marries Bykov out of convenience, so as not to burden Devushkin with her existence any longer. She understands that he will never leave her himself. This guardianship is beyond his means, it destroys him and drives him into poverty, so the heroine tramples on her pride and gets married. That's what it is real love when people are ready to do anything for the sake of the chosen one.
3. Contrast between city and countryside. In the novel “Poor People,” the author deliberately contrasts the indifference and dullness of St. Petersburg with bright colors a good-natured village where residents always help each other. The capital grinds and passes souls through itself, making greedy, vicious and indifferent to everything holders of ranks and titles from its citizens. They are angry because of the cramped conditions and fuss around them; human life is nothing to them. The village, on the contrary, has a healing effect on the individual, because village residents are calmer and more friendly towards each other. They have nothing to share; they will happily accept someone else’s misfortune as their own and help solve the problem. This conflict is also characteristic of sentimentalism.
4. Art theme. Dostoevsky, through the mouth of his heroine, speaks of the distinction between literature of high quality and low quality. To the first he classifies the works of Pushkin and Gogol, to the second are boulevard novels, where the authors focus only on the plot side of the work.
5. Subject parental love. The writer depicts bright episode, where the father trails behind his son’s coffin and drops his books. This touching scene is striking in its tragedy. Varenka also touchingly describes her family, who did a lot for her.
6. Mercy. Devushkin’s boss sees the depressing state of his affairs and helps him financially. This gift, which means nothing to him, saves a person from starvation.

Issues

1. Poverty. Even a working person in St. Petersburg at that time could not afford to eat enough and buy clothes. There is nothing to say about a girl who cannot provide for herself with honest and hard work. That is, even hard workers and conscientious workers cannot feed themselves and earn decent living conditions. Because of their financial insolvency, they are in slavish subordination to circumstances: they are overcome by debts, harassment, insults and humiliation. The writer mercilessly criticizes the current system, portraying rich people as indifferent, greedy and evil. Not only do they not help others, but they also drag them further into the dirt. It's not worth the trouble, because the beggar in Tsarist Russia deprived of the right to justice and respectful treatment. He is either used, like Varvara, or ignored, like Makar. In such realities, the poor themselves lose their value, selling dignity, pride and honor for a piece of bread.
2. Arbitrariness and injustice. The landowner Bykov dishonored Varya, but there was nothing for him for this, and there could not be. He is a rich man, and justice works for him, not for mere mortals. The problem of injustice is especially acute in the work “Poor People,” because the main characters are poor because they themselves are not worth a penny. Makar is paid so little that it can’t even be called a living wage; Varin’s work is also terribly cheap. But the nobles live in luxury, idleness and contentment, while those who make this possible languish in poverty and ignorance.
3. Indifference. In the city, everyone remains indifferent to each other; no one will be surprised by someone else’s misfortune when they are everywhere. For example, only Makar was concerned about Varya’s fate, although the orphan lived with a relative, Anna Fedorovna. The woman was so spoiled by greed and greed that she sold the defenseless girl for Bykov’s amusement. Then she didn’t calm down and gave the victim’s address to her other friends so that they could also try their luck. When such morals reign within the family, there is nothing to say about the relationships of strangers.
4. Drunkenness. Devushkin washes away his grief; he has no other solution to the problem. Even feelings of love and guilt cannot save him from his addiction. However, Dostoevsky in “Poor People” is in no hurry to place all responsibility on his unfortunate hero. He shows the hopelessness and despair of Makar, as well as his lack of will. When a person is trampled into the mud, he, not being strong and persistent, merges with it, becomes low and disgusted with himself. The character could not withstand the pressure of circumstances and found solace in alcohol, because there was nowhere else. The author described the last lot of the Russian poor in vivid colors to show the scale of the problem. As you can see, the official is paid just enough to forget in a glass cup. By the way, the same illness struck the father of student Pokrovsky, who also once worked, but became an alcoholic and sank to the very bottom of the social hierarchy.
5. Loneliness. The heroes of the novel “Poor People” are terribly lonely and, perhaps, because of this they are vicious and embittered. Even Bykov, who understands that he has no one to leave even an inheritance, is tragically broken: there are only hunters around for other people’s property, who are just waiting for his death. Realizing his situation, he marries Varya, without hiding the fact that he simply wants to have offspring, a family. He, oddly enough, lacks sincere participation and warmth. In a simple village girl, he saw naturalness and honesty, which means she will not leave him in difficult times.
6. Unsanitary conditions and lack of medical care for the poor. The author touches upon not only philosophical and sociological problems, but also the most ordinary, everyday ones relating to the life and life of people of that time. In particular, student Pokrovsky, a very young man, who, due to lack of money, no one helped, dies of consumption. This disease of the poor (it develops from malnutrition and poor living conditions) spread very widely in St. Petersburg at that time.

The meaning of the work

The book is filled with acute social meaning, which sheds light on the author’s critical attitude to reality. He is outraged by the poverty and lack of rights of the inhabitants of the “corners” and the permissiveness of senior officials and nobles. The oppositional mood of the work is given not by slogans or appeals, but by the plot, which, despite all its ordinariness, shocked the reader with descriptions and details of the life of the unfortunate characters. By the end, it became clear that they were unhappy not because of a personal drama, but because of the injustice of the political system. But the main idea the novel "Poor People" is above politics. It lies in the fact that even in such inhuman and cruel realities you need to find the strength to love sincerely and selflessly. This feeling elevates even a small person above the hostile reality.

In addition, although this story ends, at first glance, not very well, it has an ambiguous ending. Bykov still repents of what he did. He understands that he will die alone, surrounded by hypocritical enemies, if he does not start a family. He is driven by the desire to acquire a direct heir. However, why did his choice fall on Varenka, a homeless woman and an orphan? He could have counted on a more lucrative bride. But still, he decides to atone for the old sin and legitimize the position of his victim, because he sees in her all the virtues that are necessary to create a family. She definitely won’t betray or deceive. This insight is the main idea of ​​the novel “Poor People” - small people sometimes turn out to be big treasures that need to be seen and protected. They should be appreciated, and not broken and ground in the millstones of trials.

Ending

"Poor People" ends with an ambiguous event. After the unexpected rescue, Makar became soaring and drove away “liberal thoughts.” Now he hopes for a bright future and believes in himself. However, at the same time, Varya finds Bykov. He proposes marriage to her. He wants to have his own children so that they will inherit his property, which is encroached upon by his worthless nephew. The groom demands an immediate answer, otherwise the proposal will go to the Moscow merchant's wife. The girl hesitates, but eventually agrees, because only the landowner can restore her good name and lost dignity by legitimizing the relationship. Devushkin is in despair, but cannot change anything. The hero even falls ill from grief, but still courageously and humbly helps his pupil to bother about the wedding.

The end of Dostoevsky’s novel “Poor People” is the wedding day. Varya writes a farewell letter to her friend, where she complains about his helplessness and loneliness. He replies that all this time he lived only for her sake, and now he has no need to “work, write papers, walk, walk.” Makar wonders “by what right” are they destroying “human life”?

What does it teach?

Dostoevsky gives moral lessons to the reader in each of his works. For example, in “Poor People,” the author reveals the essence of homely and pitiful heroes in the most favorable light and seems to invite us to evaluate how wrong we would be in this person, drawing conclusions about him based on appearance. The narrow-minded and weak-willed Makar is capable of a feat of self-denial for the sake of a selfless feeling for Varya, and surrounding colleagues and neighbors see in him only an unkempt and ridiculous clown. For everyone, he is just a laughing stock: they take out their anger on him and sharpen their tongues. However, he has not become hardened by the blows of fate and is still able to help anyone in need by giving his last. For example, he gives all his money to Gorshkov only because he has nothing to feed his family. Thus, the writer teaches us not to judge by the wrapper, but to get to know more deeply the one about whom we're talking about, because he may be worthy of respect and support, and not ridicule. The only one who does this positive image from high society- Devushkin’s boss, who gives him money, saving him from poverty.

Virtue and a sincere desire to help serve the heroes faithfully, allowing them to overcome all the difficulties of life together and remain honest people. Love guides and nourishes them, giving them strength to fight problems. The author teaches us the same nobility of soul. We must maintain purity of thoughts, warmth of heart and moral principles, no matter what, and generously give them to those who need support. This is wealth, which elevates and ennobles even the poor.

Criticism

Liberal reviewers were enthusiastic about the new talent on the literary horizon. Belinsky himself (the most authoritative critic of that time) read the manuscript of “Poor People” even before publication and was delighted. He, together with Nekrasov and Grigorovich, stirred up public interest in the release of the novel and dubbed it famous Dostoevsky"New Gogol". The writer mentions this in a letter to his brother Mikhail (November 16, 1845):

Never, I think, will my fame reach such a climax as it does now. Everywhere there is incredible respect, terrible curiosity about me...

In his detailed review, Belinsky writes about the phenomenal gift of the writer, whose debut is so good. However, not everyone shared his admiration. For example, the editor of “Northern Bee” and conservative Thaddeus Bulgarin spoke negatively about the work “Poor People,” affecting the entire liberal press. It is his authorship that belongs to the term “ natural school" He used it as a curse word in relation to all novels of this kind. His attack was continued by Leopold Brant, who stated that Dostoevsky himself writes well, and the unsuccessful start of his career was due to the excessive influence of employees of a competing publication. Thus, the book became the occasion for a battle between two ideologies: progressive and reactionary.

Out of nothing, he decided to build a poem, a drama, and nothing came of it, despite all his claims to create something deep, writes the critic Brant.

Reviewer Pyotr Pletnev positively singled out only Varya's diary, and he called the rest a sluggish imitation of Gogol. Stepan Shevyrev (publicist from the Moskvityanin magazine) believed that the author was too carried away by philanthropic ideas and forgot about giving the work the necessary artistry and beauty of style. However, he noted several successful episodes, for example, meeting the student Pokrovsky and his father. Censor Alexander Nikitenko also agreed with his assessment, who highly valued the deep psychological analysis characters, but complained about the length of the text.

The religious morality of the work was criticized by Apollo Grigoriev in the Finnish Herald, noting the “false sentimentality” of the narrative. He believed that the author glorified a petty personality, and not the ideals of Christian love. An unknown reviewer argued with him in the magazine “Russian Invalid”. He spoke of the exceptional authenticity of the events described, and that the writer’s indignation was noble and fully consistent with the interests of the people.

Finally, Gogol himself read the book, with whom Dostoevsky was very often compared. He highly appreciated the work, but, nevertheless, gently scolded his novice colleague:

The author of “Poor People” shows talent, the choice of subjects speaks in favor of his spiritual qualities, but it is also clear that he is still young. There is still a lot of talkativeness and little concentration in oneself: everything would turn out to be much livelier and stronger if it were more compressed.

Interesting? Save it on your wall!

Lesson on the work of L.N. Tolstov “Poor People”
Lesson #1 Favorite piece L.N. Tolstova - a lesson in showing love for one's neighbor
Lesson objective: answer the question of why Leo Tolstoy highly valued and loved this
work by V. Hugo?
DURING THE CLASSES
In the inner world of a person, kindness is the sun
Victor Hugo

1. How do you understand the words of Victor Hugo?
2. What do you think kindness is?
3. What associations does the word KINDNESS evoke in you? (WHAT? WHAT? WHAT DOES IT DO?)
(Cluster creation)
Formulate your own definition based on the words received. At this time alone
The student works with Ozhegov's dictionary.
Write on the board: Kindness is responsiveness, emotional disposition towards people,
desire to do good. Comparison of the resulting formulations.
Tell me why we started talking about kindness?
Creative storytelling story
How did the story make you feel?
Why did this story come about? The story "Poor People" - prose adaptation
poem by V. Hugo "Les pauvres gens" (from the book "La legende des siecles"), which Tolstoy
highly valued and loved. In the treatise "What is art?" Tolstoy attributes this
Hugo’s work is among the “examples of the highest, arising from love for God and neighbor,
religious art." (L.N. Tolstoy. Collected works in 22 volumes. M.: Khudozhestvennaya
literature, 1983. T. 15)
“This is such a classic thing that it would be a sin to spoil it,” Tolstoy wrote to I.I. Gorbunov
Posadov March 3, 1905
Reading a fragment of Hugo's poem
Now let us turn to the content of the story as translated by Tolstoy.
Formulate and write down the plot of the work in three sentences. (Gist of content
conveyed according to the principle of composition: beginning-climax-denouement)
Why did you choose these particular episodes?
Determine the theme of the story. Through what subtopics is it revealed? common topic story?
How many parts can the story be divided into? For three and three sentences in the retold
plot. What parts of meaning does your text reflect?
 Waiting for my husband.
 Death of a neighbor.
 An act of kindness.
Who is the bearer of kindness? The main character of the story is Zhanna.
What does her name mean? Jeanne translates as “the mercy of God,” giving goodness and goodness.

Find the techniques for creating an image that the author of the story uses.
Work in 4 groups in accordance with the technique:




technique 1 “Description of the heroine’s condition.” Find keywords, epithets, means
syntactic expressiveness
technique 2 “Landscape as a way of reflecting the character and state of the hero.” Find description
nature and answer the question: does nature convey the character of Jeanne and her husband.
Compare the description of events in the story and in reproductions of paintings by I.K. Aivazovskov
"Storm". 1886, “Into the Storm” 1872
reception 3 " Artistic detail». Household parts. As a description of the home, children
reveals the image main character, her family. Compare the description of everyday details in the story
and on a reproduction of a painting by V.M. Maksimova. “Poor Dinner” (1879), L. Galle. "Family
fisherman" (1848), I.E. Repin. Beggar (Vel) (Fisherman Girl) (1874)
technique 4 “Actions and deeds” of the heroine. What qualities does Zhanna display?
(syntactic means, lexical means). Compare the description of events in the story and
on reproductions of paintings 1) A.P. Bogolyubov “Entry of a fishing boat in a storm into the harbor of Saint
Valerie in Caux (France)" (1859), 2) I.K. Aivazovsky “Meeting of fishermen on the shore”

Is Jeanne's life an example of kindness?
Which scary picture Did you see Zhanna?
Did she think about what to do?
Draw a conclusion about Zhanna’s action. She showed kindness, acted mercifully
attitude towards children.
Which of the heroes still has a name? Neighbor Simon
Why do you think the author gives the neighbor a name, but not the fisherman? Simon is caring and
loving mother (reading the text). Zhanna and Simon are mothers. For Leo Tolstoy, a woman
motherideal. He admires the mercy and selflessness of a woman and mother.
What does L.N. pay attention to? Tolstoy, speaking about the main character? She's a mother. She has her own
five children. Zhanna cannot abandon other people's children.
What does he think about next? Thoughts about my husband.
Why is she afraid of her husband? The husband is the head of the family; he makes decisions on important issues.
Patriarchy family values in the 19th century, the wife submits to her husband, consults with
him.
How does Zhanna treat her husband at the beginning of the work? How does she feel? About what
worried? The old wooden clock struck ten, eleven with a hoarse chime...
Still no husband. Zhanna thinks about it. The husband does not spare himself; he catches fish in the cold and storm.
She sits from morning to evening at work. And what? They barely feed. But the kids don’t have everything
shoes, and run barefoot both in summer and winter; and they eat non-wheat bread, it’s good that
enough rye. The only food seasonings are fish. “Well, thank God, the children are healthy.
There’s no point in complaining, Zhanna thinks and listens again to the storm.
- Where is he now? Save him, Lord, save him and have mercy!” - she says and crosses herself.
How does Zhanna treat her husband at the end of the work? How does she feel? About what
worried? At home, she puts the unawakened children on the bed with her children and
hastily closes the curtain. She is pale and agitated. It's like her conscience is tormenting her. “Something
will he say?.. - she says to herself. - It’s no joke, five of your own children is not enough
he still cared about them... Is it him?.. No, not yet!.. And why did he take it!.. He will kill

me! And rightly so, I’m worth it. Here he is! No!.. Well, so much the better!... No. No one again!
Lord, why did I do this?..How can I look him in the eyes now?..” And Zhanna again
thinks and sits by the bed for a long time”
How can you evaluate the actions of Jeanne and her husband? Try to make your own assessment
the decision of Zhanna and her husband. They showed love for their neighbor and mercy. “Well, deal! –
he said, scratching the back of his head. - Well, what are you going to do? I'll have to take it, otherwise
When they wake up, what will happen to them with the deceased? Well, well, we’ll get through somehow! Go now
hurry up! But Zhanna did not move. What are you doing? Do not want? What's wrong with you, Zhanna? –
Here they are, said Zhanna and pulled back the curtain. (1905) Thus, Jeanne and her husband love and
understand each other. They know well: “to be happy, you need one thing - to love
of people". In the name of love for their neighbor, they are ready to sacrifice themselves. They do good
asking nothing in return. This act reveals the wisdom of the heroes’ souls.
How do you explain the word mercy? One student’s work with Ozhegov’s dictionary.
Mercy is not just a feeling, it is the willingness and desire to help people.
What is the main idea of ​​the story? The basis of life is the desire to show love to
to your neighbor, to show sympathy, mercy, compassion if trouble happens.
Why is the story called "Poor People"? What details emphasize the extreme poverty of the family?
Jeanne? Name key words and phrases.
What title would you suggest?
Written reflection: Why L.N. Did Tolstoy highly value and love the work of V. Hugo?
Poem by A. Dementyev, poet of the 20th century.
You can't buy kindness at the market,
You can't take away the sincerity of a song.
Envy does not come to people from books.
And without books we comprehend lies.
Everyone studied according to the same programs,
But not everyone benefited from the training.
He, as he was, remains a boor.
This one got sick from arrogance.
Apparently, sometimes education
I don't have the strength to touch my soul.
My grandfather without a diploma and without a title
He was just a kind person.
So, kindness was there in the beginning?...
May she come to every home
Whatever we study later,
No matter who you are later in life.

Homework: find examples of a lesson in kindness in another work of art(specify
author, title, formulate an episode), in the history of any era and country, in the 21st century (example from
personal life or activities of modern society). Write down aphorisms with the word good,
kindness (L.N. Tolstova and others)
Additional task: read a poem in prose by I.S. Turgenev, compare it with
story "Poor People". “Two Rich Men” by I.S. Turgenev
When in my presence they extol the rich man Rothschild, who from his enormous income
devotes thousands to raising children, treating the sick, caring for the elderly - I praise
and I am touched.
But, praising and being touched, I cannot help but remember one wretched peasant family,
who took his orphan niece into his ruined little house.
“We’ll take Katka,” the woman said, “our last pennies will go towards her, there’s nothing.”
I'll get some salt and add some salt to the stew...
“And we have it... and not salted,” answered the man, her husband.
Rothschild is nowhere near this guy!
WORK IN GROUPS


Group 1 “Description of the heroine’s condition.” Find keywords, epithets, means
syntactic expressiveness.
Group 2 “Landscape as a way of reflecting the character and state of the hero.” Find description
nature and answer the question: does nature convey the character of Jeanne and her husband. Compare
description of events in the story and in reproductions of paintings by I.K. Aivazovskov 1) “The Storm”. 1886, 2)
"Into the Storm" 1872

1
2

Group 3 “Artistic detail”. Household parts. How the description of the home reveals the children
the image of the main character and her family. Compare the description of everyday details in the story and in
reproductions of paintings 1) V.M. Maksimova. “Poor Dinner” (1879), 2) L. Galle. "Fisherman's Family"
(1848), 3) I.E. Repin. Beggar (Vel) (Fisherman Girl) (1874)

1
2
3

Group 4 “Actions and deeds” of the heroine. What qualities does Zhanna display? Compare description
events in the story and in reproductions of paintings 1) A.P. Bogolyubov “Entry of a fishing boat into a storm in
Saint-Valery harbor in Caux (France)" (1859), 2) I.K. Aivazovsky “Meeting of fishermen on the shore”
Gulf of Naples" (1842)

Lesson No. 2. Essay “A good deed is a manifestation of love for one’s neighbor”
What kindness lessons can you learn from the story?
Why is the story interesting for your peers and parents?

Is the theme of the story relevant today?
Why is kindness so important in our society?
The answer to this question will be your essay.
Statements by L.N. Tolstoy:
“To believe in goodness, you must begin to do it.”
“The good that you do from the heart, you always do to yourself.”
“When you do good, be grateful for it.”
“Do good in secret and regret it when they find out about it, and you will learn the joy of doing good. Consciousness
a good life, without people’s approval for it, is the best reward of a good life.”
Theme: “A good deed is a manifestation of love for one’s neighbor”
Question plan
1. What is kindness?
2. What actions can be considered good?
3. What lesson does Leo Tolstoy teach in his work “Poor People”?
4. Which author fiction teaches us a lesson in kindness?
5. Does he commit modern society good deeds?
6. A good deed as a manifestation of love for one’s neighbor.
Essay example
Kindness is something that the deaf can hear and the blind can see. She helps people in life
warms them up. Kindness can solve problems in relationships between people. Kindness brings
joy to people, therefore makes them respond kindly even to those whom we for some reason
reason we don't like it. A good deed is an act that we do not for ourselves, but
for the sake of others. For example, you can save a homeless puppy, become a donor (donate blood), donate
pocket money for a fund for the treatment of sick children. Or you can take part in the action with your whole family?
Christmas marathon. When we do good deeds, we feel better and
more pleasant in the soul. Our soul rejoices, even if this act could harm the one who
committed because a good deed makes the world a better place.
Kindness teaches us many things: honesty, endurance, courage in love. These qualities are very
are important only kind person They may be.
Unfortunately, truly kind deeds nowadays can more often be found in
fiction than in Everyday life. For example, in the work of L.N. Tolstoy
“Poor people” we meet with mercy and kindness in the heart of Jeanne. She takes
orphaned two children into her family, although she herself has five children. They live poorly. Barely ends
making ends meet. Her lesson of kindness for us is to love our neighbor. Not everyone
capable of such a serious act.
Platonov’s story “Yushka” teaches you to be kind to everyone. Yushka is the main character of the work,
who was a poor man and worked in a forge. He gave all his money earned during the year to
the maintenance of an orphan girl alien to him, and he himself refused to buy the daily, necessary
of things.
In the 21st century, people have a lot of stress and worries, in fact they have very little time left
for good deeds. But there are still people who devote their whole lives to goodness. Dr. Lisa many
for years she helped the most disadvantaged and unfortunate. She and a group of assistants fed and treated

homeless people at Moscow train stations, transported wounded Ukrainian children from under shelling for treatment
to Moscow. She said: “Kindness, compassion and mercy work stronger than any weapon.”
Good is the key to Peace.