Kreisel artfully establishes Solchuk as a victim of his beliefs through the manipulation of archetypal symbols. Raised under the influence of the medieval church in an isolated Ukrainian village, Solchuk grew up with the archaic values of his forefather's conditioned into his consciousness. The rigid confines of his religion were so omnipresent in his childhood that he grew to depend on the unwavering foundation of its principles. Even before Solchuk's transition into adulthood, he had …showed first 75 words of 1149 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1149 total…and earning his own absolution. Since he is unable to affirm his faith while trying to subdue temptation, Solchuk must live in permanent doubt of his own piety while overcome with an eternal sense of impotence. In his powerlessness, he cannot even acknowledge his psychological torment and begin to heal because it would blasphemy to admit that he is a victim of his beliefs. Consequently, Solchuk retreats into a life of wretched isolation and despair.