Short Fiction · Chapter
In Trouble explained
Avdeyev, a former churchwarden and auditor, is caught up in a bank scandal.
What happens
Avdeyev, a former churchwarden and auditor, is caught up in a bank scandal. Despite his ignorance of financial matters, he is investigated, searched, and eventually put on trial. He loses his shop, his position, and his family's respect, while his health deteriorates. The chapter follows his confusion, anger, and gradual decline as he fails to understand the legal proceedings against him.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Moral Failure
Avdeyev condemns the bank officials while having signed fraudulent accounts himself, showing moral blindness.
Suffering and Compassion
Avdeyev's physical and emotional suffering is depicted in detail, yet he receives little sympathy from others.
Social Class and Inequality
Avdeyev's lack of education and social standing leaves him vulnerable to legal exploitation.
Characters to notice
- Avdeyev
Former churchwarden and auditor, now accused in a bank scandal; struggles with health and legal confusion.
- Pyotr Semyonitch
Bank manager who is taken to prison; his downfall is discussed by Avdeyev.
- Vassily
Avdeyev's elder son, a high school boy, who is present during the police search.
- Elizaveta Trofimovna
Avdeyev's wife, who is deeply shaken by the police search.
Key passages
“The tears of the mouse come back to the cat.”
What goes around comes around.
Avdeyev uses this proverb to justify the downfall of the bank manager.
“Give me anything you like, I'll scrawl my name to it.”
I would sign any document without reading it.
Avdeyev admits to signing accounts without understanding them.
“None but children or sheep can reason like that.”
Only naive or foolish people think that way.
The secretary criticizes Avdeyev's excuse for signing the accounts.