The Ohio State University Viy Questions

Instructions: Watch Class Video 9b, read the story “Viy” (on Carmen), and write paragraphs on the following 5 prompts. Submit your paragraphs by Carmen by the end of the day on Tuesday, March 23. I’m evaluating you on your ideas, not on your writing style.

1. Khoma is a seminary student learning to be a priest. Specify three (3) events where Khoma’s actions fail to live up to the norms of priestly or holy behavior. Describe the events in your own words, not those of the author. Be sure to choose events from both of the episodes—the one with the Witch and the one with the dead Young Lady.
2. The philosopher Khoma’s stated philosophy is “philosophical indifference” (fatalism): “What has to be, you can’t pass by” (i.e., “What will be, will be”). Specify three (3) events where Khoma’s actions prove that he is not a true fatalist, willing to accept “what will be” with composure. Describe the events in your own words, not those of the author. Be sure to choose events from both of the episodes—the one with the Witch and the one with the dead Young Lady.
3. Neither the holy space of the church nor the holy words that Khoma recites seem to thwart the actions of the Young Lady and her demons. State your own opinion: does Gogol think that the “church” itself (i.e., religion) itself is ineffective against evil, or is the fault with Khoma (i.e., with a weak individual). Be sure to state, on the basis of the story, why you hold those opinions:
4. In the Epilogue, Khoma’s two friends discuss whether his death had a meaning. Khoma himself had asked, “How can it be that Christian souls perish without rhyme or reason?” It is open to debate what Gogol believes.
   1. State your own opinion on the following: Do some deaths have a higher significance, and others not, and what makes them different? (Higher significance here refers to meaning for system of beliefs, not to individual emotions.)
   2. Given your opinion on (a), take a position on whether or not Khoma’s death in the story was “for nothing.”
5. Consider the aftermath of Khoma’s third night in the church—what happens to Khoma, the Young Lady, and the demons. In your opinion, does Good triumph over Evil in the story? Be sure to state, on the basis of the story, why you hold that opinion.