Book 1: Chapter 16 Summary

Mr. Shimerda is buried on the fifth day after his death at the place of Mrs. Shimerda's wishes. Jim's family and other neighbors come to visit. The Shimerdas make the sign of a cross over their father, but Yulka is afraid. Mrs. Shimerda asks Jim's grandfather for a prayer in English for everyone to understand, and Fuchs sings a hymn. On reflection, Jim notes that the road never did cross over Mr. Shimerda's grave just as Jim's grandfather had predicted.

Book 1: Chapter 16 Analysis

Again, the reader sees the community coming together and the religious and cultural differences among all these people. We are also introduced to the symbolic use of the seasons to reflect the events of the plot. Winter is the season of Mr. Shimerda's death and in the future winter will be described as difficult and bleak.