# III explained — Yama

> Chapter companion for Yama by Aleksandr Kuprin.

## What happens

On a rainy August evening, cadets Kolya Gladishev and Petrov visit Anna Markovna's brothel. Petrov, a first-timer, is teased by Verka and Tamara. Kolya seeks Jennie, who is unwell from a head injury. After a tense encounter, Jennie forgives Kolya for a past wrong and they part forever. Petrov fails to go through with the act, angering Tamara. The chapter ends with Roly-Poly collapsing and dying from a stroke.

## Themes in this chapter

### Prostitution and Exploitation

The brothel is a commercial space where women like Verka and Tamara are commodities; Petrov's hesitation highlights the transactional nature of the encounter.

### Hypocrisy of Society

The cadets use fake names to avoid detection, while society condemns prostitution yet tacitly supports it as a necessary outlet for male desire.

### Violence and Moral Corruption

Roly-Poly's sudden death from a stroke in the midst of his performance underscores the underlying decay and mortality within the brothel environment.

## Character check-ins

### Kolya Gladishev

A cadet who returns to the brothel with his comrade Petrov; seeks Jennie and receives her forgiveness before parting.

### Petrov

A cadet visiting a brothel for the first time; fails to go through with the act and is mocked by Tamara.

### Jennka

Suffering from a headache after being struck by a door; forgives Kolya and sends him away, saying they will never meet again.

### Tamara

A prostitute who mocks Petrov for his hesitation and returns his money; later shows the cadets out.

### Verka

A prostitute in a jockey costume who teases Petrov and tries to lure him to her room.

### Roly-Poly

An aged entertainer who performs a comic 'lightning' act; collapses and dies from a stroke at the end of the chapter.

## Key lines

> вАЬForgive!вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ Will you forgive me, Jennie? Will you forgive?вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶вАЭ

Kolya begs Jennie for forgiveness for a past wrong.

_This moment of repentance highlights Kolya's guilt and Jennie's maternal forgiveness, marking a turning point in their relationship._

> вАЬIвАЩve already told you, my splendid boyвБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ And you forgive me tooвБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ For we wonвАЩt see each other any more!вАЭ

Jennie tells Kolya they will never meet again, sealing their final parting.

_Jennie's words foreshadow the permanent separation and the inevitability of their fates._

> вАЬBut what are you cursing for?вАЭ grumbled Petrov, without raising his eyes. вАЬIвАЩm not cursing you, am I? Then why do you curse first? I have a full right to act as I want to. But I have passed some time with you, and so take them. But to be forced, I donвАЩt want to.вАЭ

Petrov defends his refusal to have sex with Tamara, insisting on his right to choose.

_Petrov's resistance challenges the expected male behavior in the brothel, revealing his immaturity and the pressure to conform._

## Links

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