A question about Bazhov's life, and some translation questions

[Hugh McLean]

Robert Chandler wrote:
> Dear all,
>
> This is a passage from his 'Горный мастер'.  Katya's zhenikh has disappeared, but she believes that he is still alive and will return to her.  Her brothers and sisters are all trying to persuade her to get married.  She has been keeping house for an old man called Prokopych, who has just died. I'll insert my questions into the text.
>
> Братья-сестры так поняли, что от Прокопьича деньжонки остались, и опять за свое:
> - Вот и вышла дура! Коли деньги есть, мужика беспременно в доме надо. Не ровен час, - поохотится кто за деньгами. Свернут тебе башку, как куренку. Только и свету видела.
>
> I'm not sure what this last idiom means.  Are they saying that she is young and naive and doesn't know anything about the wicked ways of the world?  Or are they saying that she will die without having ever really lived?  THe latter, I think?
>   
I would guess: They'll twist your head off like a chicken, and that's 
the last you'll see of the world.
> - Сколько, - отвечает, - на мою долю положено, столько и увижу.
>
> Братья-сестры долго еще шумели. Кто кричит, кто уговаривает, кто плачет, а Катя заколодила свое;
>
> - Продержусь одна. Никакого вашего жениха не надо. Давно у меня есть.
>
> Осердились, конечно, родные:
>
> - В случае, к нам и глаз не показывай!
>
> - Спасибо, - отвечает, - братцы милые, сестрицы любезные! Помнить буду. Сами-то не забудьте - мимо похаживайте!
>   
They just told her to get lost, never show her face to them again. Her 
reply is in the same vein, though surrounded by ironically used terms of 
endearment. No, I don't think she was joking. Her laughter is defensive, 
in keeping with her defiance, her stance of I won't succumb to your 
pressure no matter what you say or threaten. I don't think she is 
denying them help; she's just telling them to keep away from her.
> Is she defiantly saying that, if she is in need, she won't want their help?  Or is she telling then not to call on her if THEY ever need help?
> Смеется, значит. Ну, родня и дверями хлоп. Осталась Катя одна-одинешенька. Поплакала, конечно, сперва, потом и говорит:
>
> Does "Смеется, значит" mean that she was ONLY joking?  Or the opposite - that she has gone so far as to make fun of them?
> 					
> 			***********************
>
> Also, is there anyone around who knows much about Bazhov and his life?  I would particularly like to know more about how he spent 1937-38.  I'm not sure of the reliability of some of what I have read.
>
> All the best,
>
> Robert
>
>
> Robert Chandler, 42 Milson Road, London, W14 OLD
>
> tel. +44 207 603 3862
>
>
>
>
>
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