Summary

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In "Vanka," we delve into the heart-wrenching plight of a young orphan who longs for the warmth and security of his past life. Vanka, a mere child, is displaced from his idyllic rural existence and thrust into a harsh urban environment that offers him little solace. Through his poignant letter written on Christmas Eve, we witness his desperation to return to a world of familiarity and love.

Vanka's New Life

Ivan Zhukov, often called by the endearing term "Vanka," finds himself trapped in a harsh reality. He has spent three arduous months apprenticed under the shoemaker Alyakhin in the bustling city of Moscow. On the night of Christmas Eve, while his master, mistress, and senior apprentices attend church, Vanka seizes the moment to pen a heartfelt letter to his grandfather, Konstantin Makarich, who resides in a nearby village. This village was once Vanka's haven, a place filled with cherished memories before he was sent to the city following his mother's death.

Memories of the Past

As Vanka writes, he is transported back to his childhood days on the country estate. His grandfather, a night watchman aged around sixty-five, stands out in his mind. Vanka fondly recalls his grandfather's daily routine—idling in the kitchen, sharing light-hearted banter with the cook and kitchen maids, before setting out on his nightly rounds with a rattle in hand. Accompanying Grandad are his loyal dogs: the aged Kashtanka, and the mischievous Eel, known for his sly antics like nipping at feet or pilfering chickens, despite the punishments he receives.

Yearning for the Past

Among Vanka's treasured memories is the annual adventure of cutting down a fir tree for Christmas with his grandfather. The ritual involved laughter, the aroma of Grandad’s pipe, and a pinch of snuff—all underscored by the old man's playful shouts at hares darting by. These recollections sharply contrast with Vanka’s current hardships, highlighting the warmth and love he once knew.

Current Hardships

Vanka's letter lays bare the stark contrast between his joyous past and his current life of toil and isolation. Once surrounded by the love of his mother and the kindness of Miss Olga Ignatyevna from the estate, Vanka is now plunged into a world filled with exhaustion and abuse. He recounts being punished for dozing off while rocking his master’s baby, and for being coerced by senior apprentices into stealing cucumbers—which only results in further beatings when caught. His meals are sparse, consisting of bread, gruel, and more bread, with no luxuries like tea or cabbage. His nights are spent in a hallway where the cries of an infant rob him of sleep.

A Desperate Plea

Having poured out his suffering, Vanka turns his letter into a desperate appeal for rescue. He pleads with his grandfather to take him back to the village, promising to pray for him, assume the duty of cleaning boots, replace the current shepherd-boy Fedya, and protect his beloved Grandad. Vanka laments the vastness of Moscow, a city filled with grandeur and unfamiliar customs, yet devoid of the simple joys he yearns for. In this alien land, he cannot partake in church singing, nor does anyone in the butcher’s shop know the origin of game meat. Vanka feels lost and disconnected.

A Final Hope

The letter concludes with Vanka’s earnest plea for his grandfather to bring him back to the village, to the comforting presence of familiar animals and friendly servants. He carefully folds the letter, encloses it in an envelope, and addresses it as simply as “grandad,” later adding, “konstantin makarich in the village.” With hope in his heart, Vanka runs to post the letter. Soon after, he finds solace in sleep, "lulled by rosy hopes," and dreams of his grandfather reading the letter aloud to the kitchen staff, as the cunning Eel prowls the kitchen, tail wagging, ever watchful for an opportunity.

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