The story centers on Arksenty Ivanovich Poprishchin, a low-ranking civil servant (titular counsellor), constantly belittled and criticized for underachieving. He yearns to be noticed by a beautiful woman, Sophie, the daughter of his boss, with whom he has fallen in love. As he said in his first sight of her, just after being a beast of a civil servant himself, -A footman opened the carriage door and out she fluttered, just like a little bird.- Nothing comes of this love he feels for her; Sophie is effectively unaware of him.

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