Chapter 43: Lina’s Risky Bargain
⚠️ 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 and her mother are working in a beet field when Kretzsky arrives and announces the need for someone who can draw. Mother calls out that the NKVD will pay two cigarettes for copying a map and a photograph. Lina immediately volunteers, hoping to learn news about the war and the imprisoned men, and to escape the brutal labor. Mother tries to stop her, but Kretzsky grabs Lina and drags her away. As they walk, two NKVD guards approach. Kretzsky slaps Lina and calls her a fascist pig to maintain his harsh reputation. The guards intimidate Lina with smoke and gestures, then leave. Kretzsky relaxes and leads her toward the kolkhoz office. Lina reflects with uncertainty on what she has just agreed to do.
Key Events
- Lina works in the beet field next to her mother.
- Kretzsky appears and asks for someone who can draw.
- Mother announces the NKVD’s offer: two cigarettes for a map and photograph copyist.
- Lina volunteers despite Mother’s attempt to hold her back.
- Kretzsky drags Lina from the field.
- Two NKVD guards approach; Kretzsky slaps Lina to appear ruthless.
- The guards blow smoke in Lina’s face and make obscene gestures before leaving.
- Kretzsky’s shoulders drop; he laughs and takes Lina toward the office.
- Lina wonders what she has agreed to.
Character Development
Lina shows quick thinking and courage by volunteering, but also desperation to escape the field and find information. Her willingness to risk the NKVD’s brutality reveals a growing determination to take control of her fate. Mother’s attempt to stop Lina highlights her protective instinct and fear of the NKVD; she understands the danger better than Lina. Kretzsky is portrayed as a calculating figure who performs cruelty for his superiors, then drops the act once they leave. This suggests he is not purely a monster but a man playing a role to survive or maintain authority.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Art as a means of survival and resistance: Lina’s drawing skill becomes a currency that may buy her freedom from labor and access to information. The map and photograph represent a dangerous but potentially valuable tool. Deceptive appearances: Kretzsky’s violent display for the NKVD contrasts with his more relaxed manner afterward, illustrating how people in the camps must perform roles to survive. Mother–daughter conflict: Mother’s protective love clashes with Lina’s growing independence, reflecting the strain that extreme conditions put on family bonds.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter pivots Lina’s arc from passive endurance to active risk-taking. By volunteering to copy the map, she enters a new relationship with the NKVD that could bring either crucial knowledge or greater danger. The scene with Kretzsky and the NKVD guards underscores the constant performance and manipulation required to stay alive. It also deepens the theme of art as both a lifeline and a weapon. The tension between Lina and her mother adds emotional weight, showing how survival forces painful choices.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Lina volunteer to copy the map and photograph?
She hopes to learn news about the war and the men (including her father and brother), and to escape the backbreaking work in the beet field. She also thinks about giving a cigarette to Andrius as an apology. -
What does Mother’s reaction reveal about her character?
Mother tries to stop Lina by grabbing her arm and yelling “No, Lina!” This shows her deep fear of the NKVD and her instinct to protect her daughter from the immediate danger she senses. -
How does Kretzsky’s behavior change when the NKVD guards appear?
He suddenly becomes aggressive, slapping Lina and calling her a fascist pig. Once the guards leave, his posture softens; he laughs and lights a cigarette. This indicates he puts on a harsh performance to maintain his standing with the other officers.