If on a winter’s night a traveler

by

Italo Calvino

In If on a winter’s night a traveler, Chief Gorin tells the narrator that someone named Jan has been killed, and later, in the next story Outside the town of Malbork, a character is introduced as Jan’s widow. This creates a dreamlike connection between the two stories which are otherwise not directly related in terms of plot, setting, and characters.
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Jan Character Timeline in If on a winter’s night a traveler

The timeline below shows where the character Jan appears in If on a winter’s night a traveler. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
If on a winter’s night a traveler
The Act of Reading Theme Icon
Censorship and Government Oppression Theme Icon
...to meet Chief Gorin by the cigarette machine. Chief Gorin tells him that someone named Jan has been killed. He tells the narrator to grab his suitcase and gives him instructions... (full context)
Outside the town of Malbork
The Act of Reading Theme Icon
An onion cooks in oil on a stovetop. Unfamiliar characters like Brigd, Hunder, and Jan’s widow slowly take shape. The kitchen is located in Kudigwa, and it’s full of people. (full context)