# XV explained — Yama

> Chapter companion for Yama by Aleksandr Kuprin.

## What happens

Likhonin attempts to secure Liubka's freedom from Anna Markovna's brothel, confronting the housekeeper about the account book and rules, paying her debt in cash, and then facing bureaucratic obstacles at the police station with Inspector Berkesh. The chapter explores his internal turmoil and the dehumanizing system of prostitution.

## Themes in this chapter

### Prostitution and Exploitation

The account book and rules reveal the systematic exploitation of prostitutes, with debt and medical neglect.

### Hypocrisy of Society

Likhonin's rescue attempt is met with bureaucratic hypocrisy, as the system claims to allow freedom but imposes impossible conditions.

### Dehumanization and Commodification

Liubka is treated as a commodity, with her earnings tallied and her body inspected, reducing her to a number.

## Character check-ins

### Likhonin

Struggles with the bureaucratic and moral challenges of rescuing Liubka, feeling anxious and out of place.

### Anna Markovna

The housekeeper who negotiates Liubka's release, demanding payment and displaying cynical mistrust.

### Liubka

The prostitute Likhonin seeks to rescue; her account book reveals her exploitation and health issues.

### Mr. Berkesh

The district inspector who handles Likhonin's request with bureaucratic indifference and sarcasm.

### Jennka

Mentioned as busy with a guest when Likhonin visits the brothel.

### Tamara

Also mentioned as potentially busy when Likhonin inquires about her.

## Key lines

> Received in stamps, 15th of April, 10 roubles; 16th—4 r.; 17th—12 r.; 18th—sick; 19th—sick; 20th—6 r.; 21st—24 r.

The account book shows Liubka's earnings, with a high number of clients on some nights.

_Highlights the commodification and exploitation of prostitutes._

> I will also tell you, that she had to do with the porter, with policemen, with janitors, and with petty thieves. Congratulations on your lawful marriage!

The housekeeper insults Liubka and mocks Likhonin's rescue attempt.

_Reveals the social stigma and contempt faced by prostitutes._

> Every visitor has the right to demand from the prostitute the written certificate of the doctor who has inspected her the last time.

The rules require prostitutes to provide medical certificates to clients.

_Illustrates the dehumanizing medical surveillance of prostitutes._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/yama_se/chapters/part-ii-xv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/yama_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/yama_se/chapters