Point of View

The short story is written from the first person point of view of Vasili Ivanovich's former boss. At the start of the narrative, the narrator does not name Vasili Ivanovich, but speaks of him in an off-handed manner: "One of my representatives...happened to win a pleasure trip at a charity ball given by Russian refugees" (80). The narrator's earlier dismissiveness suggests either his disinterested in the account, or his attempts to disassociate from it. It is not until nearly the end of the first page, that the narrator guesses at Vasili Ivanovich's name, claiming that he "cannot remember...at the moment" (80). Though the narrator begins telling Vasili Ivanovich's story in this cool, detached manner, the reader soon learns he has a great affection for Vasili Ivanovich. He describes him as a "likable little man," with "eyes so intelligent and kind" (80). Passages such as this one...