52 pages • 1 hour read
Jennifer A. NielsenWords on Fire
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Historical Context: Lithuania Under Imperial Russian Control
Content Warning: This study guide section mentions violence, rape, and death.
Today, Lithuania is a country on the coast of the Baltic Sea, bordering Latvia, Belarus, Poland, and Kaliningrad Oblast, a semi-exclave of Russia. Before Imperial Russia’s control of Lithuania, the country was part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, a unified state between the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. At the end of the 18th century, the Russian Empire, Kingdom of Prussia, and Habsburg monarchy divided this territory into the Partitions of Poland. The Russian Empire now controlled the majority of Lithuania as a province.
In 1830 and 1863, the Poles and Lithuanians attempted to revolt, but these uprisings failed. The November and January Uprisings are alluded to in the novel, and Lukas explains to Audra that the January Uprising of 1863 is the one that resulted in the Lithuanian press ban. Lithuanians resisted this ban by writing for Lithuanian newspapers, smuggling illegally printed books, and organizing secret Lithuanian schools, as depicted in Words on Fire.
As momentum grew for the revival of Lithuanian national identity, the local Russian governors were tasked with destroying anything and punishing anyone that facilitated support for Lithuanian independence. This included destroying Catholic churches, as the Church was a significant supporter of smuggled books. The Kražiai Massacre, depicted at the novel’s end, was a historical event that occurred on November 22, 1893. To protect the church from being demolished, a crowd of Lithuanians was initially able to hold off the Cossack soldiers. However, hundreds of reinforcements arrived the next day and quickly overpowered the Lithuanians. Soldiers were witnessed flogging, raping, and beating villagers, and at least nine people died. It is rumored that additional people drowned in the nearby river, as depicted in the novel. Many Lithuanians were arrested, and while some were acquitted, others received various sentences, including katorga—deportation and forced labor in Siberian penal colonies.
The press ban was officially lifted on April 24, 1904. Though Russification efforts started to wane, the German Empire then occupied Lithuania during World War I. The Council of Lithuania ratified the Act of Independence on February 16, 1918, which is still celebrated as its State Restoration Day.
Socio-Historical Context: Book Smugglers of Lithuania
A critical component of the Lithuanian National Revival under Russian occupation was the role of the book smugglers, which is the premise of Words on Fire. In Lithuanian, they were called “knygnešiaī,” or “the ones who carry books.” During the time of the press ban from 1865-1904, those involved with smuggling financed and distributed Lithuanian materials printed in the Latin alphabet rather than the enforced Cyrillic.
Most banned materials were printed in Prussia, as depicted in the novel, though some were smuggled from the US. During the decades of the ban, it is estimated that at least 3.5 million Lithuanian books and newspapers were published in East Prussia. As Audra learns in the novel, someone caught smuggling could be beaten, deported, or killed.
However, the book-smuggling network was extensive, reaching all parts of Lithuania, and could never be fully suppressed. Nielsen’s story also reflects the Catholic Church’s heavy involvement in smuggling operations. For example, a Bishop named Motiejus Valančius financed the printing and distribution of books until he was discovered and exiled in 1870. Jonas Basanavičius, a major activist in the National Revival, founded an illicit newspaper called Aušra, which published writing meant to inspire other Lithuanians to action. Among the many underground smuggling organizations was the Garšviai Book Smuggling Society, founded by Jurgis Bielinis, the most famous book carrier. Despite several arrests, he was an active smuggler for over 30 years. His birthday, March 16, is celebrated as “Knygnešio diena,” the Day of the Book Smugglers.
Cultural Context: Summer Solstice Traditions in Lithuania
Audra explains in the novel’s first few chapters that Lithuanians still celebrate pre-Christian traditions despite being a predominantly Catholic country, especially during the summer solstice. For a historically agricultural country, the shortest night of the year was especially significant for farmers, as it marked the transition from planting time to harvest time.
Still today, many believe the night of the solstice is full of magic, specifically as it relates to nature. Lithuanians weave flower and leaf wreaths to wear on their heads, believing that certain flowers or herbs will manifest things like health or love. Another key component of the festivities is a bonfire, which people jump over to ensure good health and a plentiful harvest. According to Baltic folklore, a fern will bloom at midnight on the night of the Solstice, providing its finder with magical powers like mind reading. Violeta and her friends use this myth as a cover to keep Audra safe from Rusakov the night she flees her home.
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