Yama · Chapter
VII explained
A German teacher visits the brothel, where he interacts with several women, including Liuba, Manka, and Jennie.
What happens
A German teacher visits the brothel, where he interacts with several women, including Liuba, Manka, and Jennie. He negotiates the cost of drinks and dances, ultimately choosing Manka. The chapter explores the transactional nature of the encounter, the women's cynical performances of desire, and Jennie's outburst against the hypocrisy of men who demand passionate pretense for their money.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy of Society
The German teacher's sentimental talk of 'setting up' a prostitute contrasts with his cowardly fear of infection and his demand for passionate pretense, exposing the moral double standards of respectable men.
Dehumanization and Commodification
Women are treated as commodities: their bodies priced per dance and per visit, their emotions simulated on demand, and their health inspected like livestock.
Prostitution and Exploitation
The chapter details the transactional nature of the brothel encounter, from haggling over beer prices to the mechanical lies and performances required of the women.
Characters to notice
- Liuba
Initially approached by the German teacher; she is indifferent and importunate, asking for treats and a dance.
- Little Manka
Selected by the German teacher; she lies about her age and history, mechanically performing the expected role of a naive girl.
- Jennka
In an evil mood, she angrily denounces the German teacher's hypocrisy and the degrading demands of men.
- Emma Edwardovna Titzner
The housekeeper who intervenes to collect payment and later scolds Jennie for her outburst.
- Zoe
Makes an indifferent remark about men's promises to 'set up' the women.
- Pasha
Sent to replace Manka when the German teacher complains about her frigidity.
Key passages
“Then he said that which every man tells a prostitute in these moments preceding the casual possession of her body: 'Do you know, Marichen, you also please me very much. I would willingly take you and set you up.'”
He repeated the standard promise men make to prostitutes before sex, offering to rescue her.
Illustrates the clichéd fantasy of redemption that customers use to justify their actions.
“Jennie, who since morning has been in an evil mood, suddenly flared up. 'Oh, the sneak, the big, miserable sneak that he is!' she exclaimed, turning red and energetically putting her hands to her sides.”
Jennie angrily called the German teacher a miserable sneak.
Jennie's outburst breaks the usual silence, voicing the women's resentment at being treated as objects.
“The demand for the money went against the grain of the teacher, because it completely destroyed the sentimental part of his intentions.”
The teacher was annoyed when asked to pay upfront, as it ruined the illusion of romance.
Highlights the tension between the commercial reality and the customer's desire for a sentimental narrative.