Autumn in the Oak Woods by Yuri Pavlovich Kazakov
"Autumn in the Oak Woods" by Yuri Pavlovich Kazakov is a poignant story set in northern Russia, focusing on the delicate dynamics between a young man and a woman who arrive at a secluded hut above the Oka River. The narrative begins with the young man anxiously awaiting her arrival by the river, capturing the initial shyness and uncertainty that accompanies their reunion. As they explore the natural beauty of the area, guided by the sounds and scents of autumn, their connection deepens despite their differing backgrounds—she hails from the colder, more remote tundra of the White Sea.
Inside the hut, the atmosphere shifts to one of intimacy as they share stories, listen to a jazz melody on the radio, and navigate the awkwardness of new friendship. Through the man’s efforts to impress her with the rustic charm of his surroundings, the story subtly highlights themes of vulnerability and yearning for acceptance. The arrival of the first snow signifies a turning point, creating a serene backdrop that mirrors their blossoming relationship. Ultimately, "Autumn in the Oak Woods" reflects on the nuances of human connection amidst the tranquil yet transformative beauty of the autumn landscape, inviting readers to contemplate the interplay of nature and emotion.
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Autumn in the Oak Woods by Yuri Pavlovich Kazakov
First published: "Osen v dubovykh lesakh," 1961 (English translation, 1963)
Type of plot: Psychological
Time of work: The 1950's
Locale: Northern Russia
Principal Characters:
The unnamed narrator His girlfriend
The Story
A young man living in a hut above the Oka River in northern Russia goes down to a makeshift dock, at which he is expecting a woman to arrive. He is apprehensive because he is not sure she will come. After he has waited anxiously for a few moments, the river boat finally docks, and she steps gingerly ashore. They are shy with each other at first as they climb the hill back to the hut, but the initial discomfort goes away as he shows her the beauties of the area even in the darkness, relying mostly on the sounds and smells. Using his lantern, he points out to her the white feathers of the chicken eaten by a fox and the mountain ash berries he uses to make his own vodka. Her reserved reactions reveal that she comes from a different region—that of the White Sea and the frozen tundra.
Back in the hut, the cozy stillness and the crackling fire enable them to deepen the friendship they fleetingly established when they first met in her native town on the North Sea. They are still awkward, however, as shown when she asks him to turn around while she is undressing and not to keep the light on all night. They listen to a jazz melody in English that comes over the radio from an unknown source. He interprets the various instruments as acting out an unknown drama, in a way resembling the quiet drama of their meeting in the oak forest. They talk and reminisce, finally falling asleep at dawn, while the first real snow of the autumn sprinkles the windows.
The day breaks sunny and cheerful, and they go out to explore the surrounding area. He proudly shows her the heifers grazing on the gray winter grain shoots, the hardly faded dandelions, frozen mushrooms, and various kinds of trees. Despite this bravado, it becomes apparent that he is anxious to impress her so she will not be disappointed and leave him. She allays his insecurity by agreeing that it is good there. When a tug appears on the Oka River and goes away—a potential harbinger of her departure—they look at it from above, "quietly, silently, as in a white dream." They are together at long last, and the rustic beauty around them mirrors their happiness.