: In a final, tragic act of desperation to find peace, Varka suffocates the infant and immediately falls into the deep, long-awaited sleep she craved. Key Themes
: Varka is perpetually sleep-deprived. Her days are filled with endless domestic chores, and her nights are spent rocking her masters' crying baby. Anton Çehov - Besleme
: Delirious from exhaustion, Varka identifies the crying baby not as a human being, but as the "enemy" preventing her from sleep. : In a final, tragic act of desperation
Anton Chekhov's story (originally titled "Spat khochetsya" or "Sleepy" ) is a stark example of his "situation story" style, focusing on the crushing psychological toll of extreme exhaustion and social neglect . Plot Summary : Delirious from exhaustion, Varka identifies the crying
: The masters' complete lack of empathy toward Varka's basic needs acts as the primary catalyst for the eventual tragedy. Literary Significance