Short Fiction · Chapter
XL explained
Natasha reflects on her survival after a failed assassination attempt.
What happens
Natasha reflects on her survival after a failed assassination attempt. She recalls how she was Number Three in the plot, how Number One died in the explosion and Number Two was captured and hanged, while she calmly delivered the bomb and escaped. She abandoned the revolutionary cause after Boris was hanged, choosing to remember happier, distant memories instead.
Themes in this chapter
Death and Mortality
The chapter centers on the deaths of Number One, Number Two, and Boris, and Natasha's grappling with her own survival and the desire to have perished.
Innocence and Corruption
Natasha's loss of trust in the revolutionary cause and her longing for 'cloudless' past memories highlight the corruption of innocence through political violence.
Characters to notice
- Natasha Ozoreva
Reflects on her role as Number Three in the bombing plot, her survival, and her decision to abandon the revolutionary cause after Boris's execution.
- Borya
Mentioned as having been hanged; his death precipitates Natasha's abandonment of the revolutionary work.
Key passages
“What is this dry rustling all around? It is the rye. But where are the little cornflowers, where is Boris? The little blue-eyed flowers are in the rye, and Boris has been hanged.”
Natasha hears the rustling rye and wonders where the cornflowers and Boris are, realizing that the flowers are in the rye and Boris has been executed.
Opens the chapter with a stark contrast between natural beauty and the reality of Boris's death.
“Natasha did not betray herself in any way. She walked calmly, without haste, bearing her dangerous burden, observed by no one.”
Natasha remained composed and inconspicuous while carrying the bomb, avoiding detection.
Describes Natasha's cool demeanor during the operation.
“Far better to remember other things, things cloudless and long past.”
It is preferable to recall happier, distant memories instead of the recent horrors.
Ends the chapter with Natasha's desire to escape into nostalgic recollections.