# VIII: “Iván, Aged Thirty-Eight Years” explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Vladimir Korolenko.

## What happens

During a midnight inquest, the officials interrogate a vagrant named Iván, aged thirty-eight, who confesses to the murder of the driver Iván Mikháïlof. Initially claiming sole responsibility, he later reveals that Kostiúshka (Kostínkin) was the one who mutilated the body, and he provides a detailed account of the attack. Despite pressure from the examiner Proskuróf, Iván refuses to disclose further accomplices or the merchant involved, and is removed from the room.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Compassion

The victim Mikháïlof forgives his attacker, saying 'May God forgive thee… as I do,' highlighting compassion amidst violence.

### Social Injustice and Class Division

The vagrant's life of homelessness and crime, contrasted with the officials' authority, underscores class divisions.

## Character check-ins

### Iván

The prisoner, a vagrant aged thirty-eight, who confesses to the murder but later implicates Kostiúshka for the mutilation.

### Proskuróf

The examiner conducting the inquest, initially comical but now serious and dignified.

### Bezrúky

An official present at the inquest, condescending and admiring the prisoner's prison training.

### Yevséyitch

The servant who rushes out to bring the prisoner in.

### Kostiúshka

Referred to as Kostínkin with the torn nostril; the vagrant accuses him of mutilating the victim.

## Key lines

> Set this down, Your Excellency. Kostiúshka did it. … Kostínkin with the torn nostril! It must have been he!

Record that Kostiúshka, the one with the torn nostril, is responsible.

_The vagrant shifts blame for the mutilation to Kostiúshka._

> I did it out of my own head; that's all there is to it. … Myself, the dark night, and the forest … three of us!

I acted alone, with only the night and the forest as accomplices.

_The vagrant initially claims sole responsibility for the murder._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/viii-iv-n-aged-thirty-eight-years
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_54_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters