Short Fiction · Chapter
III: The First Friendship explained
The blind boy Petrùsya, now six years old, has been raised under Maxim's system to be as independent as possible, learning to ride, play music, and study.
What happens
The blind boy Petrùsya, now six years old, has been raised under Maxim's system to be as independent as possible, learning to ride, play music, and study. Despite his physical development and intellectual growth, he lacks social interaction with other children. When a new neighbor's daughter, Evelina, approaches him, her innocent question about his blindness leads to a painful confrontation. Petrùsya touches her face to 'see' her, frightening her, and he experiences for the first time the shame and anger of being a cripple. Evelina returns to comfort him, and a tentative friendship begins.
Themes in this chapter
Blindness and Perception
Petrùsya's blindness is central to the chapter: he navigates by sound and touch, but his inability to see facial expressions and humor isolates him. His first encounter with Evelina forces him to confront his defect as a source of fear and pity.
Isolation and Belonging
Despite his physical abilities, Petrùsya is socially isolated. Village children are intimidated by his blindness, and he is left out of games. The chapter ends with the beginning of a friendship that may bridge this gap.
Suffering and Compassion
Petrùsya experiences deep emotional pain when Evelina recoils from his touch, feeling 'the degradation of a cripple.' Evelina's return to comfort him with maternal tenderness introduces compassion as a healing force.
Characters to notice
- Petrùsya
The blind boy, now six years old, is independent and musically gifted but socially isolated. He experiences a painful awakening to his blindness when Evelina reacts with fear to his touch.
- Uncle Maxim
Maxim's system of education emphasizes physical and moral development, including horseback riding and music. He recognizes Petrùsya's need for peer interaction and invites village boys, but they are intimidated.
- Joachim
Joachim rides alongside Petrùsya during his horseback lessons and entertains the village children with tales and proverbs, though the blind boy rarely laughs.
- Evelyn
The daughter of the new neighbors, Yaskùlski and his wife, she is a mature, blue-eyed girl about Petrùsya's age. She approaches him with curiosity and later comforts him after his outburst.
- Pan Popèlski
The taciturn father of Petrùsya, mentioned as having been involved in a lawsuit with the previous neighbor.
Key passages
“Now for the first time he felt the degradation of a cripple; for the first time he learned that his physical defect might inspire alarm as well as pity.”
For the first time, Petrùsya realized that his blindness could frighten others and make him feel inferior.
This moment marks Petrùsya's painful awakening to social stigma.
“Passing her hand gently over his hair, with an instinct purely feminine, and a gentle persistency, she raised his head and wiped the tears from his eyes, like a mother who tries to comfort her grieving child.”
Evelina comforted Petrùsya by stroking his hair and wiping his tears, showing a maternal tenderness.
Evelina's compassionate response contrasts with her earlier fear and initiates their friendship.