An Honest Thief by Fyodor Dostoevsky
An Honest Thief is a short story by Fyodor Dostoevsky about a man who steals from his employer and then confesses to the crime. The story explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the nature of justice.
By Fyodor Dostoevsky · First published 1848 · Genre: Psychological Fiction, Realism, Short Story · 8,671 words
First lines
One morning, just as I was about to set off to my office, Agrafena, my cook, washerwoman and housekeeper, came in to me and, to my surprise, entered into conversation.
She had always been such a silent, simple creature that, except her daily inquiry about dinner, she had not uttered a word for the last six years. I, at least, had heard nothing else from her.
What this Textopian page supports
An Honest Thief is listed on Textopian as a short story by Fyodor Dostoevsky, dated 1848 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky
- Date: 1848 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Psychological Fiction, Realism, Short Story, Russian Literature, Moral Tale
- Length: 8,671 words
- Structure: 1 section, 181 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Honest Thief by Fyodor Dostoevsky
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering An Honest Thief?
- How does this short story by Fyodor Dostoevsky fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Psychological Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Honest Thief by Fyodor Dostoevsky
- Shame by Stephen Crane
- An Unpleasant Predicament by Fyodor Dostoevsky
- A Faint Heart A Story by Fyodor Dostoevsky
- The Monster by Stephen Crane
- The Innocence Of The Criminal by G. K. Chesterton
Genres
- Psychological Fiction — Explores the inner thoughts and moral dilemmas of characters, focusing on themes of guilt, redemption, and human nature.
- Realism — Depicts everyday life and ordinary characters with a focus on social issues and the human condition.
- Short Story — A concise narrative that focuses on a single incident or character, typical of the short story format.
- Russian Literature — Reflects the cultural, social, and philosophical context of 19th-century Russia.
Tags
theft · morality · redemption · human nature · conflict · psychological · guilt · honesty · deception · poverty · society · crime