I think it is interesting how Ostrovsky portrays the passing of time and how quickly it can happen. Within chapters 2-4, we see how quickly life can change with the Tzar being overthrown and then the Germans invading. We also see the Germans impose martial law and ban the guns which were just given out moments prior. It seems as if life does a 180 turn almost immediately, which is likely how it felt being in the Soviet Union during this time.
It is also interesting to see how Pavel’s life experiences mirror Ostrovsky’s. Both of them are poorer citizens from Ukraine, lived through the German invasion, and worked on railroads. Ostrovsky chose to use his life experiences to create the quintessential Socialist Realism novel, and to much success this was.
