Chasing Two Hares

Kyiv in the late 1800s is depicted as a social stage where appearances and money shape marriages. Public amusements, including cinema, hint at new mass entertainment while old-world etiquette governs flirtation and betrothal. Debt, dowries, and social pressures color the choices of families and suitors.

The story unfolds in late 19th century Kyiv, a bustling urban center in the Russian Empire. The action centers around public spaces like the park on Saint Volodymyr Hill and the steps of Saint Andrew's Church, reflecting the era's social rituals. The setting emphasizes courtship, dowries, and public gatherings that drive family reputations.

💸 Deception for Money

Svyryd's calculated lies about wealth and status fuel his pursuit of Pronya, exposing how money and appearances manipulate romance. The dowry arrangement triggers a chain of events that puts love and loyalty to the test. The plot turns on the contrast between true affection and financial manipulation.

🎭 Social Masks

The characters perform social roles—courting, proposing, and hosting name-day celebrations—while real intentions lie beneath the surface. Sekleta orchestrates events as if directing a play, revealing the control some relatives exert over marriage prospects. The farcical misdirections expose the fragility of reputations.

🐈 Fate and Superstition

Small omens, like a black cat, appear at pivotal moments and are treated as signs affecting destiny. Superstition threads through the story as fortunes flip and alliances break. The plot uses these moments to heighten tension between fraudsters and those who seek genuine love.