Chapter IV Summary

The narrator begins the chapter describing the birthday party of Klara Olsufyevna. It is one of those joyful occasions that even when problems occur, they add to the fun.

Golyadkin watches the party from behind the back stairs, who debates going inside and talking to Klara; however, by the time Golyadkin has made up his mind someone walks through the door. Cursing himself, he waits until they are gone and enters the room immediately. He is so focused on getting to Klara, he does not notice he treads on a lady's dress, bumps into a man, and almost causes a waiter to drop his tray.

Golyadkin offers Klara his congratulations. Unfortunately, he soon stumbles on his words, conscious the whole room is staring at him in silence. Filippovitch shakes his head in disbelief and leads Klara away. The butler tells Golyadkin...