The Peasant Marey
Encyclopedia
"The Peasant Marey" is a short story
by Fyodor Dostoyevsky written in 1876. Though framed as an autobiographical
recount of some of his time spent in prison (around Easter
1850), the story is preoccupied with a childhood memory from when Dostoyevsky was nine and living in the Tula province
with his father. It is generally considered a piece of Slavophilic
literature.
Dostoyevsky recalls his time in the country as a child, specifically a cool autumn day. While playing near a birch wood, he hears the shout "Wolf! Wolf!" Panicked, Dostoyevsky runs away from the birch wood, finally coming across the peasant Marey. Marey comforts the young Dostoyevsky, reassuring him that there are no wolves in the area. Dostoyevsky is mollified by the peasant's genuine concern, and eventually returns to playing.
Dostoyevsky's narration returns from his memory to prison, comforted by the fact that Russian peasants have such a degree of culture and understanding, while lamenting that the Polish prisoner has never seen the cultured side of Russians.
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by Fyodor Dostoyevsky written in 1876. Though framed as an autobiographical
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
recount of some of his time spent in prison (around Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
1850), the story is preoccupied with a childhood memory from when Dostoyevsky was nine and living in the Tula province
Tula, Russia
Tula is an industrial city and the administrative center of Tula Oblast, Russia. It is located south of Moscow, on the Upa River. Population: -History:...
with his father. It is generally considered a piece of Slavophilic
Slavophile
Slavophilia was an intellectual movement originating from 19th century that wanted the Russian Empire to be developed upon values and institutions derived from its early history. Slavophiles were especially opposed to the influences of Western Europe in Russia. There were also similar movements in...
literature.
Plot summary
The story opens around the holiday season, with Dostoyevsky wandering the prison camp. After a Polish political prisoner utters his hatred for the low bred convicts (both the Pole and Dostoyevsky were nobles), Dostoyevsky heads back to the bunks to rest. As he lies in his bed, Dostoyevsky vividly recalls a memory from his early childhood.Dostoyevsky recalls his time in the country as a child, specifically a cool autumn day. While playing near a birch wood, he hears the shout "Wolf! Wolf!" Panicked, Dostoyevsky runs away from the birch wood, finally coming across the peasant Marey. Marey comforts the young Dostoyevsky, reassuring him that there are no wolves in the area. Dostoyevsky is mollified by the peasant's genuine concern, and eventually returns to playing.
Dostoyevsky's narration returns from his memory to prison, comforted by the fact that Russian peasants have such a degree of culture and understanding, while lamenting that the Polish prisoner has never seen the cultured side of Russians.