The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Literature›White Nights (short story)
Entertainment • Literature

White Nights (short story)

"White Nights" is a short story by Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky, first published in 1848.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"White Nights" is a short story by Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky, first published in 1848. Set in St. Petersburg during the city's white nights season, it follows a lonely unnamed narrator who forms a brief emotional bond with a young woman named Nastenka over four nights and a morning. The story is known for its themes of loneliness, unrequited love, and fleeting happiness.

Plot

The story follows a lonely dreamer who meets Nastenka on the banks of a canal in St. Petersburg. Their emotional conversation unfolds over four nights and a morning, ending when Nastenka’s former lover returns.

Themes

The work explores loneliness, imagination, unfulfilled desire, and the pain of brief human connection. It is often noted for its lyrical tone and psychological focus.

Publication and form

"White Nights" was published in 1848 and is commonly described as a short story or novella. Dostoevsky subtitled it "A Sentimental Story from the Diary of a Dreamer."

Setting

The story is set in St. Petersburg during the city’s white nights season, when twilight lasts through much of the night. This setting is closely tied to the story’s mood and imagery.

Key facts

  • "White Nights" was first published in 1848 and is an early work by Dostoevsky.
  • The story is narrated in the first person by a nameless young man living in St. Petersburg.
  • It centres on the narrator’s relationship with Nastenka, whom he meets over four nights.
  • The story ends with Nastenka reuniting with the man she had been waiting for, leaving the narrator heartbroken.
  • Its major themes include loneliness, unrequited love, alienation, and transient happiness.
🍁
Canadian context

The story is widely studied in literature courses and is available in English translation in Canada, where Dostoevsky is commonly taught as a major Russian author.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote White Nights?
Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote "White Nights".
When was White Nights published?
It was first published in 1848.
What is White Nights about?
It is about a lonely unnamed narrator in St. Petersburg who forms a brief emotional bond with Nastenka over four nights.
Who are the main characters?
The main characters are the unnamed narrator and Nastenka.
What are the main themes?
The main themes are loneliness, alienation, unrequited love, and fleeting happiness.
Is White Nights a short story or a novella?
It is commonly described as a short story and also sometimes as a novella.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Nights_(short_story)
    Supports: Author, original title, first publication date, first-person narration, main characters, basic plot
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/White-Nights
    Supports: Publication date, setting in St. Petersburg, white nights season, themes, main characters
  3. eNotes — https://www.enotes.com/topics/white-nights
    Supports: Subtitle, structure in sections, plot overview, narrator and Nastenka
  4. American Literature — https://americanliterature.com/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/novella/white-nights
    Supports: Plot summary, subtitle, themes, classification as novella
  5. LitCharts — https://www.litcharts.com/lit/white-nights/summary
    Supports: Detailed plot outline, ending, character names, emotional relationship