The House with Chicken Legs

The house takes Marinka to the arctic. There is nothing around but snow. Marinka and Jack light a fire and build the fence. Entirely alone, Marinka can’t stop thinking about Baba. She still believes she might bring her back. Meanwhile, she tries making amends with the house. She explains her concerns about guiding the dead alone and begs for its help retrieving Baba. She knows the house “was trying to protect [her]” (218) by closing The Gate but asks for it to let her through now.

Marinka prepares for the ceremony of the dead. She cleans and cooks food but still the house won’t open The Gate. Marinka understands that she must open up to the house first and tell her how she really feels. Finally, Marinka vocalizes all of her fears and desires. The house comforts her, eventually giving in and agreeing to help Marinka look for Baba.

Marinka wakes up the next day and discovers that the house has returned to the Lake District where she first met Benjamin. She