In “A Gentleman from Uklei kin” written in 1908, Ivan Shmelev addresses the traditional Russian literature theme of “the little man” found in the 19th century—but examines it under new historical conditions of the new century. The hero of the novella is an almost destitute cobbler who tries to “put out his heart” by going on a drinking binge out of hopelessness and the emptiness of a “dead” life. But his consciousness changes under the influence of his own sense of importance, and illusory hopes for social justice give birth in him something new—festive and joyful: “Unnoticed, Ukleykin’s longing and bitterness left his soul—everything that darkened his life and made it cursed…”