winteroak

__**WINTER OAK - Yuri Nagibin**__

Written in 1955, in this story of Soviet children by Nagibin the author shows how a schoolteacher finally perceives life’s most astounding phenomenon –"this little man, this wonderful and enigmatic citizen of the future." Conceived at the height of the Cold War, the writer attempts to highlight the importance of valuing learning, changing our opinions of ourselves, and the world's greatest resource - children.


 * __Summary__**

The Winter Oak is a story that explores a relationship between a teacher and student and a change of hierarchy in different environments.In this story,Savushkin is always late to school and this attracts the concern of his stern teacher,Anna Vasilevna who wants to discuss the matter with his mother.Savushkin takes Anna to his house through a shortcut through the forest.As soon as they entered the forest ..they were immediately transported into another word.An enchanted world.In the forest Anna loosens up bit her tongue because Savushkin was in charge.It takes them a surprising 75 minutes to reach the house because of the magnificant things they see.The story concludes with Anna finally empathising with Savushkin and thinks of him as a wonderful future citizen.

__**Setting**__ The story is set in Russia in the 20th century,and takes place either in the school or the forest.The school is a man-made community with apiercing bellwhich anounces the beggining of the school day.The forest,on the other hand a 'different world'.Anenchanted world of peace and silenceHome to many creatures,it is a completely natural place.The main attraction,the Winter Oak isHuge and magestic as a cathedral. This beautiful world contrasts starkly with the man-made school.

__**Characters**__

The main Characters are:
 * Anna Vasilevna,a young,stern teacher who is''consious of self-control
 * Savushkin a young boy,constantly late to school.A pariah who does not mind being excluded from the society.

__**Themes**__ The main themes of this story are:
 * Importance of little things-nature
 * Prejudice
 * Teacher/student relationship
 * Power/hierarchy

__**Important quotations**__ These quotations describe the Winter Oak: These quotations show how Anna Vasilevna changes from school-forest These quotations show the change in how Anna thinks of Savushkin from school-forest: These quotations describe the contrast in the different environments:
 * The mighty guardian of the forest
 * emiedly transformed into another world
 * the trees respectfully stood aside to give their elder brother room to display himself
 * consience of self-control
 * she began to kick the snow
 * "Clearly in the forest she had better keep quiet"
 * a difficult boy
 * a wonderful future citizen
 * Piercing bell (school)
 * enchanted world (forest)

Click below to develop your understanding by completing different activities:

Exercises on "The Winter Oak"