# Poor Folk

> 1846 novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

**Wikidata**: [Q117293](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117293)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_Folk)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/poor-folk

## Summary
"Poor Folk" is a 1846 novel by Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky, his debut work that established his reputation as a writer of social realism, focusing on the lives of impoverished characters in 19th-century Russia.

## Key Facts
- Publication date: 1846
- Author: Fyodor Dostoyevsky
- Country of origin: Russia (Russian Empire)
- Instance of: novel
- Wikidata ID: Q7725634
- Inception: +1844-00-00T00:00:00Z
- Wikipedia title: Poor Folk
- Sitelink count: 45
- Description: 1846 novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
- Country of origin: Q159 (Russia)
- Named after: Q21171811
- P214 identifier: 186332221
- P227 identifier: 4099165-9
- P243 identifier: 2041466
- P244 identifier: n85193661
- P373: Poor Folk
- P646 identifier: /m/073nkd
- P648 identifier: OL16444720W
- P953: https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/fyodor-dostoevsky/poor-folk/c-j-hogarth
- P996: Достоевский Фёдор. Бедные люди (1847).pdf
- P1085: 97729
- P1417: topic/Poor-Folk
- P1476: Бедные люди
- P1580: a1226121
- P1922: Бесценная моя Варвара Алексеевна!
- P2034: 2302
- P8189: 987007345290605171
- P9918: AK01813003
- P10565: 519962

## FAQs
**What is the publication date of "Poor Folk"?**
The novel was published in 1846, with an inception date recorded as +1844-00-00T00:00:00Z.

**Who is the author of "Poor Folk"?**
The work was written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, a prominent Russian novelist and philosopher.

**What is the significance of "Poor Folk" in Dostoyevsky's career?**
It served as Dostoyevsky's debut novel, establishing his reputation as a writer of social realism and introducing themes that would characterize his later works.

**What is the classification of "Poor Folk"?**
The novel is classified as a work of literature, specifically a novel, with the Wikidata identifier Q7725634.

**What are the key identifiers for "Poor Folk"?**
The work has multiple identifiers including P214 (186332221), P227 (4099165-9), P243 (2041466), P244 (n85193661), and P646 (/m/073nkd).

## Why It Matters
"Poor Folk" holds significant importance as Fyodor Dostoyevsky's first published novel, marking the beginning of his literary career and establishing his focus on the lives of the impoverished in 19th-century Russia. The work introduced themes of social inequality and human suffering that would become hallmarks of his later, more famous works like "Crime and Punishment" and "The Brothers Karamazov." As his debut, it demonstrated his early mastery of psychological realism and his commitment to exploring the human condition through the experiences of marginalized characters.

## Notable For
- Being Dostoyevsky's debut novel published in 1846
- Establishing his reputation as a writer of social realism
- Focusing on the lives of impoverished characters in 19th-century Russia
- Having multiple unique identifiers across different cataloging systems
- Being classified under the novel genre with specific Wikidata and library identifiers
- Having a dedicated PDF version available at standardbooks.org

## Body
### History and Publication
"Poor Folk" was published in 1846 as Fyodor Dostoyevsky's first novel. The work emerged from Dostoyevsky's early literary experiments and was initially published under the pseudonym "Alesha" in the magazine "The Contemporary." The novel was released in book form shortly after its initial magazine publication, receiving immediate critical attention for its sympathetic portrayal of the poor and its realistic depiction of social conditions in Russia.

The novel's publication marked a significant moment in Dostoyevsky's career, establishing him as a serious literary figure and paving the way for his later, more complex works. The work was published during a period when Russian literature was experiencing significant transformation, with writers increasingly focusing on social issues and psychological depth.

### Literary Significance
"Poor Folk" is notable for its focus on the lives of two impoverished characters, Varvara and Alenka, who represent the struggles of the lower classes in 19th-century Russia. The novel explores themes of poverty, social injustice, and the human capacity for compassion and resilience. Through its realistic portrayal of everyday life and its psychological depth, the work established Dostoyevsky's reputation as a master of social realism.

The novel's significance extends beyond its immediate reception, as it demonstrated Dostoyevsky's early understanding of the psychological complexities of human beings and his commitment to exploring the human condition through literature. The work's focus on the poor and marginalized also reflected broader social concerns of the time, making it relevant to contemporary debates about social inequality.

### Author Connection
The novel was written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, a Russian novelist, philosopher, and essayist who lived from 1821 to 1881. Dostoyevsky was born in the Russian Empire and received his education at the Military Engineering-Technical University. His early career involved writing and journalism, with "Poor Folk" being his first published novel.

Dostoyevsky's background as a former military officer and his experiences with poverty and social injustice likely influenced the themes and characters in "Poor Folk." His later works, including "Crime and Punishment" and "The Brothers Karamazov," would build upon the psychological and social themes introduced in this debut novel.

### Identifiers and Classification
"Poor Folk" is classified as a novel with the Wikidata identifier Q7725634. The work has multiple cataloging identifiers across different systems:
- P214: 186332221
- P227: 4099165-9
- P243: 2041466
- P244: n85193661
- P373: Poor Folk
- P646: /m/073nkd
- P648: OL16444720W
- P953: https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/fyodor-dostoevsky/poor-folk/c-j-hogarth
- P996: Достоевский Фёдор. Бедные люди (1847).pdf
- P1085: 97729
- P1417: topic/Poor-Folk
- P1476: Бедные люди
- P1580: a1226121
- P1922: Бесценная моя Варвара Алексеевна!
- P2034: 2302
- P8189: 987007345290605171
- P9918: AK01813003
- P10565: 519962

These identifiers are used in various library and academic systems to catalog and reference the work. The novel is associated with the country of origin identifier Q159 (Russia) and is named after the characters in the story.

### Cultural Impact
"Poor Folk" had an immediate impact on Russian literary circles and contributed to the development of social realism in Russian literature. The work's focus on the lives of the poor and its realistic portrayal of social conditions influenced later writers and contributed to the broader conversation about social inequality in Russia.

The novel's themes of compassion and human dignity resonated with readers and helped establish Dostoyevsky as a voice for the marginalized. Its publication marked the beginning of what would become a long and influential literary career, with Dostoyevsky going on to write some of the most important works in world literature.

### Related Works and Context
"Poor Folk" was followed by Dostoyevsky's other notable works, including "The Double" (1846), "The House of the Dead" (1860), "Notes from Underground" (1864), "Crime and Punishment" (1866), "The Gambler" (1866), "The Idiot" (1867), "Demons" (1870), and "The Brothers Karamazov" (1879). These works built upon the themes and techniques established in "Poor Folk," expanding the scope of psychological and social exploration.

The novel is part of the broader tradition of Russian literature that focused on social issues and the human condition. It shares connections with other works of the period, including those by Alexander Pushkin and Nikolai Gogol, and influenced later writers such as Leo Tolstoy and Anton Chekhov.

### Digital and Academic Presence
The novel is available in digital formats through various platforms, including the Standard Ebooks website and other online libraries. The PDF version is available at "Достоевский Фёдор. Бедные люди (1847).pdf," providing access to the original text for academic and research purposes.

The work is maintained by WikiProject Books, which ensures its accurate documentation and categorization on Wikipedia. It is part of the "Category: Literary works" and is associated with the "Template: Infobox literary work" for structured representation.

### Distinctions from Other Works
"Poor Folk" differs from Dostoyevsky's later works in its simpler narrative structure and more straightforward exploration of social themes. While later works like "Crime and Punishment" and "The Brothers Karamazov" would become more complex and philosophical, "Poor Folk" established the foundation for Dostoyevsky's approach to exploring the human condition through literature.

The novel is also distinct from other works of social realism in its focus on the personal relationships and psychological development of its characters, rather than purely political or economic themes. This approach would become a hallmark of Dostoyevsky's later works and distinguish him from other writers of his time.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013