Summary

In Chapter 1, 25-year-old Misail Poloznev gets dismissed from his job for talking back to his superior. He lives with his father and sister on Bolshaya Dvoryanska, the town’s busiest and wealthiest street. His father, an uptight and religious man, is distressed by his son’s lack of taste for “intellectual work” (439). Misail declares that he wishes to work in physical labor instead. His father, a gentleman architect, beats him for this. That night, Misail’s sister, Cleopatra, comes to his makeshift room, located in the backyard shed. Cleopatra sobs and begs his brother to reconsider his ambitions. She implores him to apply for a job at the railway office. Distressed by her tears, Misail relents.

Misail’s wealthy neighbors, the Azhogins, prepare to host a fundraising event in Chapter 2. It is spring. Misail, a lover of theatre, volunteers to work backstage, painting...