The Poor World was published by Nekrasov's printing house in January 1846. That same year, Belinsky would write in an article: "In Russian literature, there is no other precedent for such rapid fame as that of Mr. Dostoevsky. The comments about The Poor World and the emergence of a new and rare talent in the field of Russian literature had preceded the publication of the book itself.
To succeed in disturbing, to deeply shock the soul of the reader, but also, on the other hand, to force him to smile through his tears, well, that is Art! That is Talent! Honor and glory to the young poet, whose muse loves the people living in the slums and basements!
And why all this? Because you are an orphan, because you are an unprotected girl, because you have no strong friend to offer you protection. But what kind of world can this be, what kind of people, when they think nothing of insulting an orphan? They are scum, they are garbage and not people... In my opinion, my dear, that street lamp lighter I saw today over there on Gorokhovaya commands more respect from others than they do.
He may have to walk all day long, he may have to wait for the moldy, miserable penny to eat, to live. And yet, this street lamp lighter is his own master, he alone sustains himself. He does not stoop to beg for alms.
