Short Fiction · Chapter
Vanka explained
On Christmas Eve, nine-year-old Vanka Zhukov, an orphan apprenticed to a cruel shoemaker in Moscow, writes a desperate letter to his grandfather, Konstantin Makaritch, begging to be taken away from his abusive master and mistress.
What happens
On Christmas Eve, nine-year-old Vanka Zhukov, an orphan apprenticed to a cruel shoemaker in Moscow, writes a desperate letter to his grandfather, Konstantin Makaritch, begging to be taken away from his abusive master and mistress. He recalls fond memories of his grandfather and the village, including the Christmas tree preparations and the kind young lady Olga Ignatyevna. After addressing the letter vaguely 'To grandfather in the village,' he drops it into a postbox and falls asleep, dreaming of his grandfather reading the letter.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Compassion
Vanka's physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his master and mistress highlights the suffering of the powerless, while his plea for rescue evokes compassion.
Isolation and Loneliness
Vanka is isolated in Moscow, far from his only remaining family, and his letter is a desperate attempt to bridge that loneliness.
Illusion vs. Reality
Vanka's sweet hopes that his letter will reach his grandfather contrast with the reality of the vague address, suggesting the illusion of rescue.
Characters to notice
- Vanka
A nine-year-old orphan boy, apprenticed to a shoemaker in Moscow, who writes a letter to his grandfather on Christmas Eve.
- Kashtanka
One of the dogs that follows Vanka's grandfather during his night watch, sneezes when offered snuff.
- The Stranger
Eel, the other dog, known for his cunning and politeness, wags his tail when offered snuff.
Key passages
“Dear grandfather, Konstantin Makaritch, I am writing you a letter. I wish you a happy Christmas, and all blessings from God Almighty. I have neither father nor mother, you are the only one left me.”
Vanka begins his letter to his grandfather, wishing him a merry Christmas and reminding him that he is his only living relative.
Establishes Vanka's orphaned state and his reliance on his grandfather.
“And yesterday I had a wigging. The master pulled me out into the yard by my hair, and whacked me with a boot-stretcher because I accidentally fell asleep while I was rocking their brat in the cradle.”
Vanka recounts being beaten by his master for falling asleep while rocking the baby.
Illustrates the physical abuse Vanka endures.
“Dear grandfather, show the Divine Mercy, take me away from here, home to the village. It’s more than I can bear. I bow down to your feet, and will pray to God for you forever, take me away from here or I shall die.”
Vanka begs his grandfather to rescue him from his miserable life, threatening that he will die if left there.
Highlights the desperation and hopelessness of Vanka's situation.
“To grandfather in the village. Then he scratched his head, thought a little, and added: Konstantin Makaritch.”
Vanka addresses the envelope vaguely to 'grandfather in the village' and then adds his grandfather's name.
Foreshadows that the letter is unlikely to reach its intended recipient.
“An hour later, lulled by sweet hopes, he was sound asleep. He dreamed of the stove. On the stove was sitting his grandfather, swinging his bare legs, and reading the letter to the cooks.”
Vanka falls asleep, comforted by the hope that his letter will be delivered, and dreams of his grandfather reading it.
Ends the story on a poignant note of false hope.