The Last Ray by Vladimir Korolenko
The story revolves around a young nobleman who returns to his family's estate after serving in the military. He becomes embroiled in a conflict between his father and a local peasant over land ownership. The young man's actions ultimately lead to tragic consequences for all parties involved, highlighting the destructive nature of pride and the futility of human endeavor.
By Vladimir Korolenko · First published 1886 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Historical Fiction · 3 chapters · 4,556 words
First lines
The Nuysk hamlet stands in a small clearing, on the shore of the Lena. A few poor huts stand with their backs pressed to the steep rocks, as though drawing backward from the angry river. In this spot, the Lena is very narrow, unusually rapid, and very gloomy. The mountains on the opposite shore stand with their bases in the water, and it is at this spot, more than anywhere else, that the Lena deserves its surname, "the Accursed Crack. " And really, it seems that there is a gigantic crevice, at the bottom of which whirls the dark river, hemmed in by gloomy rocks and ravines. The fogs stand there for a long time, and a cold, damp twilight always hangs over it. The inhabitants of this hamlet are even weaker, sicklier, and more apathetic than the people of other places along the Lena. The mournful drone of the larches that grow on the mountain ridges form an eternal accompaniment to this staid existence.
What this Textopian page supports
The Last Ray is listed on Textopian as a short story by Vladimir Korolenko, dated 1886 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Vladimir Korolenko
- Date: 1886 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Realism, Historical Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Nature Writing
- Length: 4,556 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 90 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores deep themes of loss, memory, and the human condition through rich character development and introspective narrative.
- Realism — The portrayal of the bleak environment and the struggles of the characters reflects a realistic depiction of life in a remote hamlet.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative references historical figures and events, providing a backdrop that connects personal stories to broader historical contexts.
- Coming-of-Age — The story includes elements of childhood innocence and the transition to understanding harsh realities, particularly through the boy's experiences.
Tags
Russian Literature · Short Story Collection · Realism · Social Commentary · Poverty · Suffering · Human Condition · Existential Crisis · Moral Ambiguity · Philosophical Themes · Psychological Insight · Character Study