Stories and Legends

Throughout the narrative, stories and legends represent links between the past and the present, between imagination and reality, and between what should be done and what actually is done. Stories are guidelines for behavior and beliefs, the narrative making it clear to both the characters and the reader that not following the teachings and lessons of stories can lead to difficult times.

The Stove

The stove in the kitchen at the heart of Vasya's home, which is generally the center of activity in winter and summer, also serves as the metaphorical center of Vasya's home life. In many ways, the stove simultaneously represents the heart of what Vasya values, not just the safety, security, and warmth the stove provides but also the home it provides for one of the most influential spirits in her life, the domovoi.

The Oak Tree

The mysterious, unexpectedly encountered...