White Nights

Brief Overview

«White Nights» is a novella by Fyodor Dostoevsky that recounts four nights in the life of a young, dreamy man living in St. Petersburg. The main character, whose name is not mentioned, leads a solitary life and often takes walks at night. One evening, he encounters a girl named Nastenka, who is crying by the riverbank. They begin to converse, and the protagonist falls in love with her. Nastenka shares her life story and reveals that she is waiting for her beloved to return after a year away. The protagonist helps her write letters and offers his support. On the final night, Nastenka receives news of her beloved's return, and they reunite, leaving the protagonist alone. The novella concludes with the protagonist reflecting on the fleeting nature of happiness and his return to his former life.