Yama · Chapter
VIII explained
The chapter follows the women of the brothel as they attend Jennka's funeral at the anatomical theatre and morgue.
What happens
The chapter follows the women of the brothel as they attend Jennka's funeral at the anatomical theatre and morgue. Tamara takes charge, arranging wreaths and a requiem. After the burial, Liubka encounters Soloviev, who offers marriage, but she slaps him in rage and rejection.
Themes in this chapter
Dehumanization and Commodification
Jennka's corpse is handled like meat, numbered 217, and the watchman treats the dead with indifference, reflecting the commodification of even the most vulnerable.
Female Friendship and Solidarity
Tamara organizes Jennka's funeral, buys a wreath, and comforts the other women, showing solidarity among the brothel's inmates.
Fate and Inevitability
Tamara's reflection that 'soon we will be scattered' and her acceptance of death as a release underscore the fatalistic outlook of the women.
Characters to notice
- Tamara
Leads the group to the morgue, arranges Jennka's funeral, and delivers a poignant eulogy.
- Liubka
Attends the funeral and violently rejects Soloviev's marriage proposal.
- Soloviev
Approaches Liubka after the funeral, offering marriage, but is slapped and rejected.
- Little Manka
Accompanies Tamara into the morgue, terrified and crying.
- Jennka
Deceased; her corpse is identified and prepared for burial.
- Emma Edwardovna Titzner
Now runs the brothel; decides not to send Pashka to clients due to her mental decline.
Key passages
“A heavy odour of carrion—thick, cloying, and so viscid that to Tamara it seemed as though it was covering all the living pores of her body just like glue—stood in the chapel.”
The stench of decaying flesh was so thick and sticky that Tamara felt it coating her skin like glue.
Highlights the visceral horror of the morgue.
“Through suffering shall we be purified.”
Suffering will cleanse us.
Inscription on Ryazanov's wreath, reflecting a theme of redemption through pain.
“And we won't be long together without her: soon we will be scattered, by the wind far and wide. Life is good! … Look: there's the sun, the blue sky … How pure the air is … Cobwebs are floating—it's Indian summer … How good it is in this world! … Only we alone—we wenches—are wayside rubbish.”
Tamara says they will soon be dispersed like dust, and despite the beauty of the world, they are treated as worthless refuse.
Captures the contrast between the beauty of life and the women's devalued existence.