Makar's Dream, and Other Stories

"Makar's Dream, and Other Stories" by Vladimir Galaktionovich Korolenko is a collection of stories that brings to life the challenges and enduring spirit of the downtrodden in late 19th-century Russia. The title story, "Makar's Dream," centers on Makar, a struggling peasant from Yakutsk, whose difficult life is explored through his aspirations and moral ponderings. The narrative begins on Christmas Eve, highlighting Makar's poverty and desire for relief, and through his interactions, the audience is presented with a man wrestling with pride and hardship, dreaming of escape, with hints of struggles with self-deception, setting the state for his post-death judgment. Throughout the book, Korolenko touches on themes of social equality, the plight of the mistreated, and the unyielding strength of people, which echoes universally.