Chapter summaries Between Shades of Gray Ruta Sepetys

Chapter 38: The NKVD Collaboration Revealed

⚠️ 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, her mother, and Jonas return to the shack after the day’s events. Jonas surprises them with three large potatoes he has hidden in his cap, which he whispers about so Ulyushka will not confiscate them for rent. Mother excitedly plans potato soup using leftover rainwater. She then takes the coat from her suitcase, saying she will bring food to Mr. Stalas, the bald man. While she is gone, Lina hides her drawings and writings under the lining of her suitcase, determined to protect her messages to Papa until she can send them. Lina notices that Mother did not take a potato for Mr. Stalas, so she wonders what Mother is feeding him. She follows Mother and sees her talking privately with Andrius, who hands her a bundle. After Mother leaves, Lina tails Andrius to a large log building at the edge of camp. She hides and peers through a window, expecting Andrius to enter the NKVD building. Instead, she sees Mrs. Arvydas—clean, styled, and wearing makeup—carrying a tray of drinks for the NKVD officers. Lina realizes with horror that Andrius and his mother are collaborating with the Soviets.

Key Events

  • Jonas reveals three potatoes he has scavenged and hidden.
  • Mother uses the potatoes to plan soup, then leaves to take food to Mr. Stalas.
  • Lina hides her drawings and writings under the suitcase lining for safekeeping.
  • Lina notices Mother did not take a potato for Mr. Stalas, sparking suspicion.
  • Lina follows Mother and witnesses a discrete exchange between Mother and Andrius.
  • Lina shadows Andrius to a log building and sees Mrs. Arvydas serving NKVD officers.
  • Lina deduces that Andrius and his mother are working with the Soviets.

Character Development

  • Lina Vilkas: Her resourcefulness grows as she hides her drawings. Her investigative instincts drive her to follow Andrius, leading to a devastating discovery about a person she trusted.
  • Jonas Vilkas: Shows initiative and cleverness by finding and hiding potatoes, contributing to the family’s survival.
  • Mother (Elena Vilkas): Her willingness to feed Mr. Stalas despite scarce resources demonstrates her compassion and moral strength, but her secret dealings with Andrius hint at a larger plan.
  • Andrius Arvydas: Previously seen as a possible ally, he is now revealed to be collaborating with the NKVD, casting doubt on his intentions and relationship with Lina.
  • Mrs. Arvydas: Appears well-cared for and comfortable, starkly contrasting with the other prisoners, confirming she willingly aids the Soviets.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

  • Deception and Mistrust: The chapter deepens the theme of uncertainty in a repressive environment. Lina’s trust in Andrius is shattered, illustrating how survival can force people into morally ambiguous roles.
  • Secrecy and Hidden Truths: Lina hiding the drawings under the suitcase lining mirrors the larger need to conceal one’s true thoughts and identity. The NKVD building becomes a symbol of the regime’s pervasive surveillance.
  • Collaboration as Survival: Mrs. Arvydas’s comfortable appearance suggests that collaboration offers material benefits, but at the cost of integrity and solidarity with fellow prisoners.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks a turning point in Lina’s understanding of her situation. The revelation that Andrius—whom she has grown close to—is working with the NKVD forces her to reassess everyone around her. It raises questions about who can be trusted and how far people will go to survive. The chapter also advances the plot by introducing concrete evidence of collaboration within the camp, adding layers of moral complexity to the story’s exploration of resistance and complicity under totalitarian rule.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Lina decide to hide her drawings under the lining of her suitcase?
    Lina fears that her drawings—her private messages to Papa—could be discovered and confiscated. Hiding them under the lining gives her a chance to keep them safe until she finds a way to send them out of the camp.

  2. What does Lina observe that leads her to suspect Andrius is collaborating with the NKVD?
    Lina follows Andrius to a log building and sees Mrs. Arvydas inside, clean and well-dressed, serving drinks to NKVD officers. Since the building is clearly an NKVD facility, Andrius’s entry and his mother’s presence confirm their collaboration.

  3. How does Mother’s behavior in this chapter complicate the family’s situation?
    Mother secretly meets with Andrius and accepts a bundle from him, yet she does not tell Lina or Jonas what she is doing. This secrecy suggests she is involved in activities she cannot share, potentially putting the family at further risk.

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