# Sleepy explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Anton Chekhov.

## What happens

Varka, a thirteen-year-old nursemaid, is exhausted from constant work and lack of sleep. She rocks a crying baby while hallucinating from fatigue, recalling her father's death and her mother's struggles. Over the course of a day and night, she is repeatedly ordered to perform chores, and her sleep deprivation drives her to a horrifying conclusion: the baby is the source of her torment, and she resolves to kill it to finally rest.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Compassion

Varka's physical and mental exhaustion, her father's painful death, and the lack of compassion from her employers highlight the theme of suffering.

### Social Class and Inequality

The stark contrast between Varka's endless labor and the comfortable life of her masters underscores class divisions.

### Isolation and Loneliness

Varka is isolated in her suffering, with no one to help or comfort her, leading to a tragic breakdown.

## Character check-ins

### Varka

The exhausted thirteen-year-old nursemaid, driven to the brink by sleep deprivation and endless chores.

### Pavel Ignatyevitch Klimov

The master of the house, who beats Varka and orders her to work.

### Mariya

The mistress of the house, who constantly gives Varka orders and feeds the baby.

### The Stranger

The young doctor who visits Varka's dying father, Yefim Stepanov.

## Key lines

> Hush-a-bye, my baby wee, While I sing a song for thee.

Varka sings a lullaby to the crying baby as she rocks the cradle.

_This lullaby is repeated throughout the story, contrasting the soothing words with Varka's growing desperation._

> Kill the baby and then sleep, sleep, sleep.

Varka decides that murdering the baby is the only way to finally get rest.

_This chilling thought reveals the extreme psychological toll of sleep deprivation and abuse._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_5_se/chapters/sleepy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_5_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_5_se/chapters