IV -The witch and other Stories

In Chapter IV, five days after the previous events, Anisim prepares for departure and visits Varvara, his stepmother, to bid her farewell. Amidst the serene ambiance set by the burning lamps and the scent of incense, Varvara knits and remarks on Anisim’s short stay and the ostentatiously celebrated wedding, hinting at the underlying dreariness of their wealthy, merchant-like lifestyle. She expresses her discomfort with the family’s unethical dealings with people, from cheating in trade to selling substandard goods, and suggests that they could conduct their business more ethically, questioning the moral implications of their actions.

Anisim’s reply that everyone should stick to their own job prompts Varvara to reflect on the inescapable justice of God’s judgement, challenging the ethical compartmentalization Anisim suggests. Anisim counters with a nihilistic view, doubting the existence of God and thus, the basis for moral accountability, which surprises Varvara. His confusion between the loss of faith and the absence of God during his wedding symbolizes his moral and spiritual disorientation. Anisim critiques the superficial religiosity of their community, including religious leaders, attributing societal woes to a general lack of conscience and ethical clarity. He stresses that the root problem is not the weakening of familial or societal bonds, but the pervasive absence of personal integrity, exacerbated by uncertainty about the divine.

Before leaving, Anisim expresses gratitude to Varvara, acknowledging her positive influence on their family, contrasting his otherwise cynical view of people. His mysterious involvement in a venture hinted at by Samorodov brings about a sense of impending doom or opportunity, with an assurance to Varvara to comfort his father if things go awry. He ends with an abrupt nudge towards showing affection to his wife, subtly revealing the complexity and vulnerability hidden beneath his disillusioned facade.

This chapter delves into deep moral and existential discussions, contrasting personal integrity against societal norms and the quest for ethical living amidst spiritual ambiguity.