Chapter summaries Between Shades of Gray Ruta Sepetys

Chapter 16: Vilnius and the Parting of the Men

⚠️ 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

The train carrying Lina and the other deportees reaches a station outside Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Lina reports the sights as they roll past the Nemunas River, churches, and blooming flowers. The NKVD cars are marked “thieves and prostitutes.” Inside the car, Jonas discovers a loose board and sees a man in the trees—a partisan. The passengers try to signal him, but the partisan retreats after revealing that the train is being split: the cars with men are being unhooked. Mrs. Rimas speculates that the men are being sent to Siberia, while the women and children will go elsewhere. The men begin singing the Lithuanian national anthem, and Lina weeps.

Interwoven with this scene is a flashback to Lina’s school days. Her teacher, Mrs. Pranas, confronts her about notes and sketches found in the trash. Instead of punishing her, Mrs. Pranas praises Lina’s artistic talent and recommends her for a summer art program in Vilnius, which would start when she turns sixteen. Lina is thrilled at the prospect and submits an application.

Key Events

  • The train arrives at a station near Vilnius; Lina describes the familiar landmarks.
  • Jonas finds a loose board and spots a partisan in the woods.
  • A voice announces that the cars with men are being uncoupled.
  • Mrs. Rimas suggests the men are going to Siberia.
  • The men break into singing the Lithuanian national anthem, joined by Andrius, Jonas, and others.
  • During a flashback, Lina’s teacher discovers her sketches but praises her ability and offers a recommendation for a Vilnius art program.
  • Lina submits her application, hopeful for a future as an artist.

Character Development

  • Lina: The flashback reveals a less guarded, ambitious side of Lina. Her excitement over the art program contrasts sharply with her current situation, deepening the tragedy of her lost potential. Her weeping at the anthem shows her emotional connection to Lithuania and her family.
  • Jonas: He actively looks for a way to communicate with the outside world, showing resilience and resourcefulness.
  • The Bald Man: He joins the anthem, indicating a shared national pride and solidarity with the men being taken away.
  • Mrs. Pranas: Even though she appears only in memory, she represents a figure of mentorship and recognition of Lina’s talent, highlighting the supportive community Lina had before the deportation.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • National Identity and Resistance: The singing of the national anthem in the face of separation and deportation is an act of defiance and a reaffirmation of Lithuanian identity. The song “Lithuania, land of heroes” becomes a rallying cry.
  • Art as Hope: The flashback establishes Lina’s art as a source of possibility and a future she almost had. In the bleak present, her talent remains a thread of identity and meaning.
  • Memory as Escape: Lina’s memory of the teacher’s encouragement provides a brief emotional retreat from the harsh present, a technique she often uses to cope.
  • Separation and Uncertainty: The division of the train underscores the arbitrary cruelty of the NKVD. Families are torn apart, and the destination of the men remains unknown.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 16 deepens Lina’s backstory by revealing her artistic promise and a concrete dream that the deportation destroyed. It also shows a moment of collective defiance as the men sing the anthem, a rare instance of unity and strength. The chapter connects Lina’s personal loss to the larger national tragedy, and the flashback makes the present suffering more poignant by contrasting it with a future that might have been.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does the author include the flashback to Lina’s art teacher?
    The flashback provides insight into Lina’s character and her lost potential. It shows that she was not just a normal student but a talented artist with a bright future, making the deportation’s impact more devastating. It also establishes art as a recurring motif of hope and memory.

  2. What is the significance of the men singing the national anthem?
    The anthem is an act of resistance and solidarity. It asserts their Lithuanian identity in the face of oppression, and it connects the deportees—including the women and children—to the men who are being taken away. The song also reinforces themes of national pride and collective memory.

  3. How does the setting of Vilnius serve both the past and present in this chapter?
    In the present, Vilnius is the station where the train stops and the men are separated, a site of loss. In the flashback, Vilnius represents a future of opportunity and artistic growth. The irony of arriving at the city that once promised Lina a new life during a moment of tragedy underscores the cruelty of her situation.

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