Chapter 15: The Train Departs – Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Lina Vilkas wakes with a start, finding herself next to her brother Jonas and their neighbor Andrius. The door to their train car has been locked from the outside, sparking panic among the passengers. Miss Grybas, the teacher, instructs everyone to stay still and keep the bathroom area clear. A young girl asks for a story from the “book lady,” and frightened children beg for light. When someone jokingly asks for a lantern, the bald man, Mr. Stalas, responds harshly. Lina’s mother, Elena, gently defends the group, asking for patience.
Mr. Stalas then orders Lina to look out a small slot and report what she sees. Climbing up, Lina describes the sunrise and, after being told to skip the poetry, reports that NKVD officers with rifles are walking alongside the train and some men in dark suits are inspecting the cars. The train jolts and begins to move. Lina observes luggage and food abandoned on the platform, along with single shoes, a purse, and a child’s teddy bear. As the train leaves the station, she spots a priest who flings oil and makes the sign of the cross, giving last rites to the departing passengers.
Key Events
- The train car is locked while Lina sleeps, causing widespread fear.
- Mr. Stalas commands Lina to act as the group’s lookout.
- The train departs, leaving behind a platform scattered with personal belongings.
- Lina witnesses a priest performing last rites as the train rolls away.
Character Development
Lina Vilkas takes on a crucial role by observing the outside world and reporting facts. She moves beyond her initial confusion to become a steady voice for the car. Elena Vilkas shows leadership and compassion by calming Mr. Stalas and refusing to let fear divide the group. Miss Grybas maintains order through clear instructions, acting as a stable adult presence. Mr. Stalas remains abrasive and sarcastic, but his demand for Lina to look outside reveals his need for information and control in a chaotic situation. Jonas and Andrius are present but do not speak, their silence reflecting the helplessness of the younger prisoners.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Loss and Abandonment: The luggage, shoes, and toys left on the platform symbolize the world the deportees are being forced to leave behind—their material lives, identities, and homes.
The Power of Observation: Lina’s report is the only link the car has to the outside. Her sight becomes a tool for survival and a way to control fear through knowledge.
Ritual and Death: The priest giving last rites treats the train journey as a spiritual death. The flinging of oil and the crucifix rite suggest that those who leave are not expected to return.
Light vs. Darkness: The locked car is dark, and the scene outside is described as “eerie” and “desolate.” The sunrise Lina reports offers a brief contrast, but the overall mood remains grim.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks the moment of no return. The train’s departure signals the true beginning of the deportation journey and the end of any hope of turning back. The abandoned belongings and the priest’s final blessing deepen the sense that the prisoners are entering a world of suffering and probable death. Lina’s new role as observer will become essential in the chapters ahead, as she documents what is happening to her family and neighbors for others to know.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Mr. Stalas tell Lina to look out the slot, and what does this say about his character?
He needs practical information to assess the situation, revealing that even though he is rude, he is focused on survival. His demand shows he trusts Lina’s youthful eyes and that he values action over panic. -
What is the significance of the priest giving last rites to the train?
The last rites are normally given to dying individuals. By blessing the train as it departs, the priest acknowledges that the deportees are leaving their former lives forever and entering a state that is spiritually and physically akin to death. -
How does Lina’s observation of the abandoned platform affect the mood in the car?
The description of scattered shoes, a teddy bear, and uneaten food intensifies the sense of loss and despair. The passengers groan because they recognise their own possessions may have been left behind, making their exile feel final.