Allegory of Russian history
This collection of stories provides an insight into the experience of living in Russia throughout history. For example, "The Leopard," is set during the 1930s, exploring life in Communist Russia, exploring issues of censorship and art. The final story, appropriately titled "The End," predicts what might be the end of Russia as we know it, as Kolya travels to outer space in a capsule.
The Ballerina
Roman works as an artist for the Department of Party Propaganda, and part of his job is to censor people from paintings, and therefore from history itself. When Roman is given the assignment to censor out a portrait of a ballerina he feels conflicted. He explains that "she looks so much like my brother's wife- ridiculous, I know- and to deface her seems a cruelty inflicted on her."
Relationships
Relationships are a key motif in the text, as Marra discusses the complexities of people's relationships with their loved ones and to their ancestors. In the collection, we see insightful explorations of familial and romantic relationships, and also people's relationships with their own past and culture.
