XIII –The witch and other Stories

In the dim light of a ship’s interior, Gusev, a sick man, observes his fellow sufferer, Pavel Ivanitch, struggling for breath in the stifling heat of their quarters. Pavel, looking more like a monk or hermit with his severe illness and skeletal frame, engages Gusev in a grim conversation about their plight. Pavel proposes a dark theory that they have been sent on the steamer by their doctors to die, a way to rid themselves of burdensome patients without paying the price. According to Pavel, the corrupt and heartless practice is easy to implement—simply mix the sick with the healthy, a tactic that goes unnoticed in the chaos of boarding.

Gusev, not fully grasping the accusation, defensively explains his presence on the deck as a result of weakness from a chill caught during transfer to the ship. Pavel Ivanitch condemns the practice as revolting, highlighting the cold calculation that even if the sick survive to the Indian Ocean, their fate is sealed. His anger extends to those responsible, suggesting they deserve public scorn for their callousness.

The environment on the ship is harsh; the constant rolling makes simple tasks impossible, further illustrating the cruel conditions the sick must endure. Amidst this, Pavel and Gusev discuss Gusev’s previous role as an officer’s servant—a position Gusev sees as easy and preferable, involving menial tasks and leaving time for personal activities. Pavel, however, views it as another form of injustice, a pointless uprooting and sacrificing of men for trivial benefits to their superiors, underscoring the senselessness and cruelty of their circumstances. This conversation sheds light on the broader themes of human suffering, injustice, and the indifferent treatment of individuals by institutions.