Summary

In Chapter 5, Misail moves in with his old nanny Karpovna: “a kind but gloomy old woman” (463). Her son Prokofy, a butcher, lives there too. Misail becomes a social pariah in the town for becoming a housepainter. Even Anyuta, when he runs into her on his old street, begs him not to address her in public. Misail’s coworkers respect him and tease him good-naturedly. Cleopatra comes to see Misail once a week, under the pretence of visiting Kapovna. She often complains that their father is stressed and begs Misail to change his ways. Misail insists that he is acting according to his conscience. Kapovna predicts that nothing good will come of this.

Dr. Blagovo visits Misail in Chapter 6. They debate over the merit of manual labor. Dr. Blagovo insists that Misail’s talents would be better spent on artistic pursuits. Misail insists that...