Matryona's Home

Summary

The novella "Matryona's Home" by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn tells the story of a simple Russian woman, Matryona Vasilyevna, living in the village of Talnovo. The main character, the narrator, arrives in the village after many years of imprisonment and settles with Matryona. Matryona lives modestly and poorly, yet she is always ready to help others despite her own hardships. She works on the collective farm, tends to her home, and assists her neighbors. The novella explores themes of kindness, selflessness, and injustice. Matryona dies while helping to transport part of her house to relatives, symbolizing her sacrifice and devotion to others. Through Matryona's character, the author highlights true human values and critiques the indifference and selfishness of those around her.