The Village · Chapter
XXII explained
Tikhon Ilitch, in a state of drunken melancholy, reflects on his isolation and the impossibility of visiting his brother Kuzma due to the pigs.
What happens
Tikhon Ilitch, in a state of drunken melancholy, reflects on his isolation and the impossibility of visiting his brother Kuzma due to the pigs. He recalls a song from his past, kicks his dog Buyan, and watches an express train pass Durnovka. Later, he reads a letter from Deniska, who was robbed on his way to Tula and attempted suicide, but was saved. Tikhon feels the weight of his loneliness, regrets his lack of children, and contemplates his aging body. The chapter ends with him writing 'Gatzuk' repeatedly on a calendar.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Kuzma’s emotional peak is his sudden, desperate need for his brother Tikhon Ilitch—he rushes to the window wit…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Isolation and Loneliness
Tikhon's drunken solitude, his inability to visit his brother, and his longing for children underscore his deep isolation.
- Family and Heredity
Tikhon's thoughts about his brother and his lack of heirs reflect the theme of family bonds and the burden of heredity.
- Cruelty and Moral Degradation
Tikhon's violent kick at Buyan and his cynical thoughts about the 'pigs' and the 'Grey Man' illustrate his moral decay.
Characters to notice
- Tikhon Ilitch
Drinks and broods over his isolation, aging, and the impossibility of visiting his brother. Reads Deniska's letter and reflects on his own life.
- Kuzma
Mentioned as the brother Tikhon cannot visit; Tikhon imagines Kuzma lecturing him.
- The Bride
Mentioned as standing with lips pressed tight and drooping eyelashes, contributing to Tikhon's reluctance to visit.
- Deniska
His letter is read by Tikhon; it details his robbery, attempted suicide, and rescue.
- Shaggy Buyan
Tikhon kicks him over the head in a moment of frustration.
- The Gipsy
Referenced as part of the Krasoffs' lineage, though not directly present.
Key passages
“You couldn’t go to see your own brother—the pigs prevented, like the swine they were!”
Tikhon laments that he cannot visit his brother because of the pigs, which he curses as swine.
Highlights Tikhon's frustration and the barrier between him and Kuzma.
“Denya reseved 40 rubles in munny, and than kolected his thinges.”
Deniska received 40 rubles and gathered his belongings.
Part of Deniska's letter, showing his initial plan before being robbed.
“I wint Into the tik foarest to peck out the talest fur-tre and taik a cord frum a shuger-loof and fixe myselff in iternl laife in my nu briches but witaut boots.”
Deniska went into the forest to pick a tall fir tree and take a cord from a sugar loaf to hang himself, wearing new trousers but without boots.
Deniska's suicide attempt, which was interrupted by a storm and falling from the tree.
