summary

Summary

In the novella «A Weak Heart» by Fyodor Dostoevsky, the story revolves around two friends, Vasya Shumkov and Arkady Nefedovich, who live together in St. Petersburg. Vasya is a young clerk who falls in love with Liza, the sister of his superior. He is overjoyed when he receives consent for marriage, but soon he is overwhelmed by fear of the future and responsibility. Vasya begins to suffer from a nervous disorder, leading to a mental breakdown. Arkady tries to help his friend, but Vasya is unable to cope with his inner turmoil and eventually loses his mind. The novella explores themes of friendship, love, and human psychology, illustrating how a weak heart can lead to tragedy.