V -The Witchand Other Stories

In this grim chapter, the desperation and bleakness of village life are brought to the fore through the experiences of a family and their small community during the Fast of the Assumption. As the somber evening descends upon their humble hut, Marya and Granny, burdened by their meager existence, go about their frugal routines, highlighting their poverty and the stifling constraints of their life. The children, Sasha and Motka, showcase a naïve yet dark perception of morality, as they find a morbid sense of comfort in Granny’s breaking of the fast, associating it with eternal damnation.

The narrative takes a dramatic turn with the outbreak of a fire in the village, introducing chaos and a vivid depiction of communal panic and despair. The villagers’ frantic and futile attempts to control the inferno, contrasted with the ongoing festivities in the tavern, underscore the juxtaposition of life’s fragility and its relentless course. The description of the fire, with its devouring flames and the havoc it wrecks, serves as a metaphor for the destructive forces that can suddenly disrupt the mundane flow of life.

Marya’s distress, exacerbated by her fear for Sasha’s safety and the overwhelming power of the fire, brings a personal tragedy within the larger catastrophe, highlighting the human aspect amidst the calamity. The eventual arrival of external help, including a student and stewards from the estate across the river, introduces a glimmer of organization and hope, as efforts to mitigate the fire’s damage begin to take shape. However, the villagers’ dismay at the destruction of property, Kiryak’s humiliation, and the communal grief captured in the women’s wailing as though at a funeral, paint a vivid picture of loss and helplessness.

This chapter not only reflects on the immediate horror of the fire but also on the broader themes of community, resilience in the face of disaster, and the stark realities of rural life. It captures the essence of human vulnerability to unforeseen tragedies, while also highlighting the contrasting reactions of individuals caught in the throes of a crisis.