# XIII explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Vladimir Korolenko.

## What happens

The narrator is woken by a knock and learns from Titus and Markelych that someone has thrown themselves under a train. The narrator adopts a rationalizing, almost flippant attitude toward death, which provokes a stern response from Titus. Despite Titus's refusal, the narrator decides to go see the scene of the suicide.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Compassion

The suicide of a person who felt 'useless, superfluous' highlights human suffering, while Titus's gloom and the narrator's detached rationalism contrast responses to tragedy.

### The Search for Meaning

The narrator's philosophical musings about the Hyperboreans and voluntary death reflect a search for meaning in life and death, and a challenge to conventional fears.

## Character check-ins

### Markelych

The porter who brings news to Titus; he is devoted to Titus and reproachful toward the narrator.

### Titus

Titus Ivanich, the narrator's roommate, who is deeply affected by the news of a suicide and refuses to go see the scene.

### Gavrik

The narrator, who is called Gavrik by Titus; he reacts to the suicide with ironic rationalism and decides to go see the site.

## Key lines

> Last night someone threw himself under the train.

A person committed suicide by train last night.

_Titus delivers the grim news to the narrator._

> The ancients had a tradition about Hyperboreans; when their old people had thoroughly enjoyed life they used to walk into the water and die.

The narrator references the Hyperborean custom of voluntary death after a full life.

_The narrator uses this to rationalize suicide, provoking Titus's anger._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_54_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters