# V: The Exterminator explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Vladimir Korolenko.

## What happens

The narrator witnesses the arrival of Proskuróf, an examining magistrate nicknamed 'The Exterminator,' at the post station. Proskuróf urgently demands horses to investigate a murder case involving a driver known as 'The Slayer.' The narrator agrees to accompany him, recalling his ominous encounter with the victim.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Injustice and Class Division

Proskuróf's eagerness to 'make some important personages squirm' hints at class tensions and the pursuit of justice across social strata.

### The Search for Meaning

The narrator's reflection on the 'Slayer's' gloomy forebodings and the ominous shadow over his life suggests a search for understanding in the face of tragedy.

## Character check-ins

### Proskuróf

The examining magistrate, nicknamed 'The Exterminator,' arrives urgently at the station to investigate a murder case.

### Vasíli Ivánovitch

The stationmaster who teases Proskuróf about his haste and the murder case.

### Ivan

The narrator, who recalls his encounter with 'The Slayer' and agrees to accompany Proskuróf.

## Key lines

> He is bringing the cormorants down upon me, the cursed rascal!

The victim feared that his enemies would descend upon him.

_The narrator recalls the 'Slayer's' dread of being targeted by authorities or criminals._

> Now these cormorants circle around him, as with closed eyes he lies in the dark Hollow, that once before cast its ominous shadow over his unsullied life.

The authorities now surround the dead man in the same Hollow that had previously threatened his innocence.

_The narrator reflects on the tragic fate of the 'Slayer' in the Hollow._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/v-the-exterminator
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_54_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters