Chapter I Summary

Yakov Petrovitch Golyadkin wakes up in his apartment in St. Petersburg not sure if he is still dreaming. At his dressing table, he admires himself in his looking glass, thinking everything is looking good, but at the same time wondering how he would react if he looked in the mirror and saw a face full of spots staring back at him. He counts all the money inside a notebook before putting it neatly back. Golyadkin searches for his manservant, annoyed that he doesn't find him right away, but the man soon arrives, puts on his livery, and goes to ready the carriage.

Golyadkin's good mood changes when he looks out of his carriage window and sees two clerks from his work place. He dives into the shadows, but it is too late and the youngsters shout out his name. A bit...