Sofi Oksanen - Purge

The bandit PEKK’s wife, Ingel PEKK, and his sister-in-law, Aliide TAMM, have been brought in for interrogation three times, but they have repeatedly denied any knowledge of PEKK’s activities and do not believe that he is alive. Linda PEKK, the daughter of Hans PEKK and Ingel PEKK, was also brought in for questioning, but the information provided by this subject did not differ from that given by Ingel PEKK and Aliide TAMM.

Agent “X” has not verified that the women were telling the truth, however. According to Agent “X,” Agent “Helmar” is certain that Ingel PEKK and Aliide TAMM have provided some support to the bandits. “Helmar” made the acquaintance of Peeter KUUM, who was in collaboration with Jaan SOOP, and told KUUM that he needed medical help for someone in the forest who was injured. Peeter KUUM encouraged him to go to Aliide TAMM’s house and told him he would also come away with his belly full.

Twenty-four-hour surveillance of the home of Ingel PEKK and Aliide TAMM is recommended. Any women visitors to the house should also be investigated. Some of the criminals in question come to the house dressed as women.

Ext. No. 2Report on the activities of Agent “X” for the liquidation of underground nationalists in the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.

Agent “X” has succeeded in forming a close bond with a family member of Hans PEKK-who is believed to be still alive-and has recommended her for agent recruitment. Recruitment was carried out by Agent “Hammer.” Agent “X” felt that he should not carry out the recruitment himself because of his close association with the subject, i.e., Agent “Fly.” Agent “X” will also be better able to observe the methods of Agent “Fly” if she is unaware of his assignment or the nature of his mission. Agent “Hammer” will serve as liaison for Agent “Fly.”

It is known that Agent “Fly” had close relations with the Germans during the occupation. German soldiers often visited her home. According to Agent “X,” however, she had no interest in collaborating with the Germans and did not attempt to keep in contact with them following the occupation. For this reason, she was, in the estimation of Agent “X,” an excellent choice for this operation because we are attempting to locate individuals who are in close collaboration with the Germans. Some of them have been recruited to serve as spies for the Germans. Because of the proximity of her house to the forest and her family connections, Agent “Fly” also has knowledge of the nationalists’ activities. Because of her job as a fee inspector, she also has active access to local homes and is thus in an excellent position to detect any suspicious activities.

Agent “Fly” has observed the lives of Ingel PEKK and Linda PEKK particularly closely, year-round, and she is sure that the bandit PEKK is dead, but she also reports that his wife, Ingel PEKK, has been storing nationalist material (an Estonian flag, newspapers, books) in her home and has assisted the bandits by providing food and by drying food for them to use in the forest. Linda PEKK has shown an interest in nationalist youth organizations. Ingel PEKK has carried on treasonous activities for many years. As a collaborator with nationalist criminals, it is recommended that Ingel PEKK be taken into custody.

Ext. No. 2Progress report on the mission to liquidate nationalist PEKK, Hans, son of Eerik.

After the arrest of Ingel PEKK-the wife or widow of Hans PEKK-and her daughter, Linda PEKK, no further signals concerning Hans PEKK have been received. Agent “Fly” has studied the moods and the attitudes of PEKK’s relatives, but there is no indication that anyone has heard from him. However, Agent “Fly” has been monitoring Asta KALVET, who collaborated with Linda PEKK to organize the nationalist youth. This group is unusual in that the youths in question are girls. In our experience, similar treasonous activities have generally been encountered only among politically unreliable boys. More research is needed to determine if this is a growing area for concern or simply an exceptional case. Asta KALVET will be brought in for questioning.

We had hoped that once Ingel PEKK and Linda PEKK were no longer able to arrange food or other assistance for Hans PEKK-whom we presume is still alive-he would wish to rehabilitate or would participate in visible acts of terrorism, robbery, etc. This has not occurred, however.

Ext. No. 2Progress report on the mission to liquidate nationalist PEKK, Hans, son of Eerik.

Agent “Fly” has collected evidence of local nationalist activity. We have carefully investigated the evidence and striven to monitor subjects who have been disseminating anti-Soviet views. Agent “Fly” has also provided an outline of individuals to whom Hans PEKK could turn for assistance. There have, however, been no signs that Hans PEKK has done so. We have also been in contact with relatives and family members of Hans PEKK, invited them to our offices, and told them that if Hans PEKK does get in touch with them, they should immediately inform us of the matter. They have also been told that Hans PEKK may be eligible for rehabilitation, but they received this suggestion with suspicion.

Ext. No. 2Report on the termination of the mission for the liquidation of nationalist PEKK, Hans, son of Eerik.

According to information received by Agent “Fly,” we have captured nationalists Vello ARRO and Raimond HEIMAN. Termination of the mission to find Hans PEKK is recommended. We have not received any new evidence that would indicate that Hans PEKK is alive and continuing his underground activities. Agent “X” will be transferred to other operations directed at uncovering anti-Soviet activities. Agent “Fly” will continue to collect evidence of nationalism.

Just one more night here. I’ve been talking with Ingel about searching for Linda. Together we’ll find her, no matter how long it takes. Although I’m not free yet, I will be soon, and my heart is as light as a swallow’s.

Soon the three of us will be together.

Hans Pekk, son of Eerik, Estonian peasant

We hope that these discussion questions will enhance your reading group’s exploration of Sofi Oksanen’s Purge . They are meant to stimulate discussion, offer new viewpoints and enrich your enjoyment of the book.

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1. What is Aliide’s state of mind when she discovers Zara in her yard? What clues does she use to try to determine who the girl is and whether she poses a threat? What is Aliide afraid of, and why?

2. Zara learns to fear black Volgas from an early age. What does the vehicle come to represent in Soviet Russia, and why? Does Oksanka’s visit fit this profile?

3. Without much freedom of movement, geography became destiny for Soviet citizens. What does Vladivostok symbolize to an Estonian like Aliide? What about to a “Russian” like Zara? What are each woman’s perceptions of Tallinn and of Finland?

4. Why do Zara’s mother and grandmother keep packed suitcases in the closet? What does the luggage contain, and why does grandmother check them at night?

5. “Those who poke around in the past will get a stick in the eye,” Aliide thinks to herself after Volli’s visit (p. 93). Why does she begin to burn Martin’s books? What does she find in Martin’s tobacco pouch, and why does it upset her?