Four Days by Vsevolod Garshin (1881)
The story revolves around a young officer who is sent to a remote outpost on the Russian steppes during World War I. He is tasked with overseeing the local peasants and ensuring they do not desert to the enemy. As he settles into his new role, the officer becomes increasingly disillusioned with the war effort and the treatment of the peasants by the military authorities. He begins to question the morality of the conflict and the true motives of those in power. The officer's growing sense of unease is exacerbated by a series of events, including the arrival of a group of deserters who are seeking refuge at the outpost, and the brutal suppression of a peasant uprising by the military. As tensions escalate, the officer finds himself torn between his duty to follow orders and his growing sense of empathy for the peasants. Ultimately, he is forced to confront the harsh realities of war and the true nature of those in power. The story explores themes of morality, duty, and the human cost of war, raising questions about the nature of patriotism and the responsibility of individuals to challenge unjust authority.
By Vsevolod Garshin · First published 1881 · Genre: War Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction · 5,567 words
First lines
I remember how we rushed through the wood; how the leaves and twigs came fluttering and twisting down on us as the humming bullets cut their way through the thick foliage. I remember how, as we pushed through the thick and prickly undergrowth, the firing became hotter and the fringe of the wood became alive with little spurts of flame which flashed redly from all points. I remember how Sedoroff, a recruit of No. I Company (How had he got into our firing-line? flashed through my mind), suddenly sat down, and without saying a word gazed at me with big startled eyes as a little stream of blood commenced to trickle from his mouth. Yes, I remember it well. I remember also how, just as we were on the very edge of the wood, I first saw him in the thick bushes. He was a huge and bulky Turk, but I ran straight at him although I am small and weak. There was a deafening noise; something enormous seemed to flash past me, making my ears ring. He has fired at me, I thought. I remember how with a scream of fear he pressed himself backwards into a thick and prickly bush, although he could easily have gone round it, but he could remember nothing from fright, and strove instead to push his way into its prickly branches.
What this Textopian page supports
Four Days is listed on Textopian as a novella by Vsevolod Garshin, dated 1881 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Vsevolod Garshin
- Date: 1881 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: War Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction, Tragedy, Historical Fiction
- Length: 5,567 words
- Structure: 1 section, 71 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Four Days by Vsevolod Garshin
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Four Days?
- How does this novella by Vsevolod Garshin fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does War Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Epiphany by Guy De Maupassant
- From The Reminiscences Of Private Ivanoff by Vsevolod Garshin
- Nadejda Nicolaievna by Vsevolod Garshin
- An Incident by Vsevolod Garshin
- The City Of The Discreet by Pio Baroja
- Yama by Aleksandr Kuprin
Genres
- War Fiction — The narrative centers around the experiences of a soldier during wartime, exploring the brutality and psychological impact of combat.
- Psychological Fiction — The protagonist's internal struggles, reflections on mortality, and the effects of trauma are central to the story.
- Literary Fiction — The work employs a rich, introspective style and deep thematic exploration, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Tragedy — The themes of suffering, loss, and the futility of war contribute to a tragic narrative arc.
Tags
Russian Literature · Psychological Fiction · Philosophical Themes · Existentialism · War Novel · Human Condition · Moral Ambiguity · Crisis of Faith · Identity Crisis · Social Commentary · Critique of War · Futility of War