Short Fiction · Chapter
The Witch explained
During a fierce snowstorm, the sexton Savely Gykin lies in bed listening to the wind and accusing his wife Raissa Nilovna of being a witch who conjures up the storm to lure men to their hut.
What happens
During a fierce snowstorm, the sexton Savely Gykin lies in bed listening to the wind and accusing his wife Raissa Nilovna of being a witch who conjures up the storm to lure men to their hut. Raissa, absorbed in making sacks, dismisses his suspicions. A postman and his driver, lost in the blizzard, knock at the window and are let in to warm themselves. The postman, exhausted and angry, complains about the hardships of his life while Raissa explains their impoverished clerical existence. Savely remains hostile and suspicious, while the postman eventually lies down to rest.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Moral Failure
Savely's superstitious accusations of witchcraft against his wife contrast with his own laziness and failure to improve their situation, revealing his moral weakness.
Isolation and Loneliness
The remote church hut, cut off by the storm, underscores the physical and emotional isolation of the characters, especially Raissa, who is trapped in a loveless marriage.
Suffering and Compassion
The postman's ordeal in the storm and his bitter complaints evoke sympathy, while Raissa's quiet offer of tea shows a glimmer of compassion amid the harshness.
Characters to notice
- Savely Gykin
The sexton, lying in bed, listens to the storm and accuses his wife of witchcraft, believing she conjures the bad weather to attract men.
- The Stranger
A fair-haired young postman who, along with his driver, seeks shelter from the snowstorm; he is angry, exhausted, and complains bitterly about his difficult life.
- The Tramp
The postman's driver, who carries the mailbags and sword, speaks little and sits in the outer room smoking.
Key passages
“there’s bad weather there’s bound to be some crazy fellow turning up here. It happens so every time! So it must be you!”
Whenever there's a storm, some strange man shows up, and it's always your doing.
Savely directly accuses his wife of using witchcraft to attract men during storms.
“It’s a dog’s life!”
This life is miserable and degrading.
The postman repeatedly expresses his despair about the hardships of his job and existence.
“You’ve a cross one!”
Your husband is a difficult and irritable man.
The postman comments on Savely's hostile and suspicious nature after Raissa explains their situation.