# XXII explained — The Village

> Chapter companion for The Village by Ivan Bunin.

## What happens

Tikhon Ilitch, in a state of drunken melancholy, reflects on his isolation and the impossibility of visiting his brother Kuzma due to the pigs. He recalls a song from his past, kicks his dog Buyan, and watches an express train pass Durnovka. Later, he reads a letter from Deniska, who was robbed on his way to Tula and attempted suicide, but was saved. Tikhon feels the weight of his loneliness, regrets his lack of children, and contemplates his aging body. The chapter ends with him writing 'Gatzuk' repeatedly on a calendar.

## Themes in this chapter

### Isolation and Loneliness

Tikhon's drunken solitude, his inability to visit his brother, and his longing for children underscore his deep isolation.

### Family and Heredity

Tikhon's thoughts about his brother and his lack of heirs reflect the theme of family bonds and the burden of heredity.

### Cruelty and Moral Degradation

Tikhon's violent kick at Buyan and his cynical thoughts about the 'pigs' and the 'Grey Man' illustrate his moral decay.

## Character check-ins

### Tikhon Ilitch

Drinks and broods over his isolation, aging, and the impossibility of visiting his brother. Reads Deniska's letter and reflects on his own life.

### Kuzma

Mentioned as the brother Tikhon cannot visit; Tikhon imagines Kuzma lecturing him.

### The Bride

Mentioned as standing with lips pressed tight and drooping eyelashes, contributing to Tikhon's reluctance to visit.

### Deniska

His letter is read by Tikhon; it details his robbery, attempted suicide, and rescue.

### Shaggy Buyan

Tikhon kicks him over the head in a moment of frustration.

### The Gipsy

Referenced as part of the Krasoffs' lineage, though not directly present.

## Key lines

> You couldn’t go to see your own brother⁠—the pigs prevented, like the swine they were!

Tikhon laments that he cannot visit his brother because of the pigs, which he curses as swine.

_Highlights Tikhon's frustration and the barrier between him and Kuzma._

> Denya reseved 40 rubles in munny, and than kolected his thinges.

Deniska received 40 rubles and gathered his belongings.

_Part of Deniska's letter, showing his initial plan before being robbed._

> I wint Into the tik foarest to peck out the talest fur-tre and taik a cord frum a shuger-loof and fixe myselff in iternl laife in my nu briches but witaut boots.

Deniska went into the forest to pick a tall fir tree and take a cord from a sugar loaf to hang himself, wearing new trousers but without boots.

_Deniska's suicide attempt, which was interrupted by a storm and falling from the tree._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_village_se/chapters/part-i-xxii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_village_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_village_se/chapters