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Final Assignment

Maira Sulaimanova

School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University WLL 246:

Survey of Contemporary Russian Literature and Culture

Professor: Yulia Kozitskaya

26th of November 2023

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Final Assignment

The story narrates about the introspective journey of Evgeniy Vodolazkin through the

formative years of childhood spent in kindergarten. Through the lens of an autobiography, the

storytelling skillfully intertwines memories, emotions, and reflections, creating a comprehensive

basis of growth and self-discovery.

The narrative opens with Evgeniy’s seemingly irrational childhood behavior, when

confronted with the routine of going to kindergarten. The morning rituals, getting dressed etc. -

all is disrupted at the kindergarten door, laying the foundation for a deeper exploration of

Evgeniy’s relationship with pivotal early educational development. Unlike typical challenges,

such as getting dressed, the focus shifts to sensitivity to the bright glow of the lights and getting

socially involved in tasks. Hence, this revelation adds layers to the narrative, highlighting the

main character’s sensitivity to environmental factors that might seem trivial to adults.

As the narrative unfolds further, a shift occurs, when Evgeniy shares a more enjoyable

phase marked by newfound freedom and ability to engage in activities like duels and parodying

Ada Georgiyevna. It will be safe to assume that this contrast to the initial resistance showcases

the evolving nature of early environments. The narrative concludes by seamlessly intersecting

the past with present, as Evgeniy reflects on his own childhood experiences while facing the

challenges of sending his daughter to kindergarten. The author begins to remember the

disappointments from his early years, such as an unfulfilled dream of being lifted during a

military visit and floating on the surface of water while being on top of victoria amazonica,

during his concluding sentences. Afterall, the narrative beautifully circles back to the theme of
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the irreversible passage of time, highlighting the inevitable distance between the past and the

present.

In terms of style, Evgeniy implements a first person narrative, which is characterized by

introspection, vivid imagery, and subtle humor. The introspective narrative unfolds like a

personal reflection, allowing readers to witness the author’s evolving emotions and perspectives

from childhood to present. Descriptions are rich and evocative, transporting readers to the scenes

of the author’s early experience in kindergarten and making the narrative more immersive.

Finally, humor, skillfully integrated into the narrative, adds a lightness that humanizes the story,

making it relatable, and occasionally playful, helping to balance the more profound reflections

on the challenges.

At its core, the narrative reflects on the universal theme of nostalgia and the inevitable

changes that accompany the journey from youth to adulthood. Personally, I interpreted the text as

a childhood’s portrayal as a time of both wonder and resistance, as throughout the story there is a

constant tension between the innocence of childhood and the resistance to societal structures as a

universal struggle. The story also touches on the themes of perception and adaptation, as the

main character’s inability to integrate to the kindergarten environment is not rooted in conflicts

with peers or teachers, but rather in the sensory experience. I think it is very important, as this

unique perspective challenges the conventional expectations, highlighting the subjectivity of

discomfort and the importance of understanding diverse individual experiences. Finally, the text

fundamentally reflects on the cyclical nature of life, as the author, once a reluctant participant in

kindergarten routines, now finds himself challenging himself with sending his own child to a

similar setting.
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To conclude, the story goes beyond a simple recounting of childhood memories. It

becomes a complex mediation of human experiences and continuous cycle of life, all framed

within a seemingly ordinary journey through kindergarten.

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Bibliography

Vodolazkin, E. (2018). Детский Сад