Countryside

The main storyline takes place on a road in the Russian countryside. Marya is riding on a horse cart driven by Semyon. Her destination is a nearby town, where she goes to collect her salary. The trip is uncomfortable and occasionally a little dangerous. Marya profoundly dislikes living in the countryside, as she finds it lonely, boring, and dreary. She grew up in Moscow, Russia’s largest metropolis. However, she became a teacher out of need for work and money. She does not find the work fulfilling in any way.

Schoolhouse

Although none of the main storylines take place in the schoolhouse, the schoolhouse is still a significant location in the story. It is in a fairly remote location, and Marya lives in a small adjacent abode. The conditions of the schoolhouse are not very good, and Marya must even collect money from the students to afford firewood...