The House of the Dead · Chapter
IX: Isay Fomitch—The Bathhouse—Baklushin’s Story explained
As Christmas approaches, the convicts are taken to the bathhouse, an event that brings both relief and amusement.
What happens
As Christmas approaches, the convicts are taken to the bathhouse, an event that brings both relief and amusement. The chapter focuses on Isay Fomitch Bumshtein, a Jewish convict who delights in steaming himself to near unconsciousness, and his comical yet respected place among the prisoners. The narrator describes the difficult process of undressing and washing while wearing fetters, assisted by Petrov and Baklushin. After the bath, Baklushin visits for tea and shares news of the planned prison theatricals for Christmas.
Themes in this chapter
Human Dignity and Dehumanization
The bathhouse scene highlights the struggle to maintain personal cleanliness and dignity under the degrading conditions of prison life, while the narrator's helplessness in fetters underscores the dehumanizing effect of the system.
Community and Alienation
Despite the harsh environment, the convicts form a community, as seen in their collective amusement at Isay Fomitch and Petrov's unsolicited help. The narrator, though initially alienated, begins to find his place within this group.
Characters to notice
- Isay Fomitch Bumshtein
A Jewish convict and jeweller, he is the most excited about the bathhouse, steaming himself into a state of bliss. He is a source of amusement for the other convicts but is treated with a kind of affection.
- Petrov
Assists the narrator in undressing, washing, and dressing at the bathhouse, treating him with a nurse-like care. He refuses payment but accepts tea and vodka.
- Baklushin
A lively and charming convict from the 'special division,' nicknamed 'the pioneer.' He helps buy water at the bathhouse and later visits the narrator for tea, sharing news about the upcoming prison theatricals.
Key passages
“Heavens, how killingly funny he was!”
The narrator finds Isay Fomitch's antics in the bathhouse extremely amusing.
Reflects the narrator's observation of the comic relief provided by Isay Fomitch.
“It occurred to me that if one day we should all be in hell together it would be very much like this place.”
The narrator compares the chaotic, crowded bathhouse to a vision of hell.
Highlights the narrator's grim view of prison life and its infernal qualities.
“There was not the faintest note of servility about the expression 'little feet'; it was simply that Petrov could not call my feet simply feet, probably because other real people had feet, while mine were 'little feet.'”
Petrov's use of 'little feet' is not demeaning but reflects his perception of the narrator as delicate and in need of care.
Illustrates the complex social dynamics and Petrov's genuine, if patronizing, helpfulness.