Words on Fire

Lukas is slightly older than Audra, and when she meets him for the first time on the way to Venska, she notices that “his appearance wasn’t a priority” (35). Having run away from home and his father Rusakov, Lukas is always on the road as a new book carrier. He does not identify with his Russian heritage, and despite his young age, he has a keen sense of justice for preserving Lithuanian culture. He is outspoken about his belief in the resistance; losing his father and enduring physical punishment does not deter him from smuggling books. His unwavering determination for the cause helps motivate Audra in times of doubt, and his encouragement of her skills helps her confidence grow. 

Lukas becomes Audra’s first real friend and teaches her to trust others. In little time, Audra recognizes that he is “a nice person who [seems] to have a good heart” (103), and his kindness and good humor repeatedly cheer Audra up, providing some levity in a heavy narrative. Realizing he has much to learn from Audra, Lukas’s character serves as Audra’s faithful sidekick during their smuggling missions. His selflessness becomes heroic when he reunites Audra with her parents a decade later.

Audra’s parents, Lina and “Henri” Zikaris, are the people Audra cares most about in the world. She describes her father as “bold and adventurous,” with “quick hands and a lively voice” (2) that lends itself well to his work as a traveling magician. He has a collaborative relationship with Audra, teaching her his tricks and insisting that she learn more about the world. Lina, in contrast, is more introverted and tender, nurturing her family with nourishing food and song. Her priority has always been to keep Audra safe in their occupied country, which leads to conflict in her marriage.

Lina is especially worried about Audra’s safety because she and Henri contribute to the Lithuanian resistance by smuggling books. Only after their arrest does Audra learn more about her parents’ true identities: They are renowned in the smuggling community for their bravery, and their legacy and hope for survival motivate Audra to follow in their footsteps. Audra grapples with conflicting feelings of pride and resentment because she does not understand why her parents would have sacrificed their family for books. However, with time, the significance of their sacrifice becomes more apparent to Audra, and she learns to fight for something bigger than herself. Their return at the novel’s end (and the end of the press ban) represents that Audra’s persistent work was worth it.

The novel’s antagonist, Officer Rusakov, is a Russian soldier with “something to prove” (8) and strictly enforces all laws. Audra describes him as having “cruel eyes” (182), which reflect his cruel behavior. Motivated by dedication to the tsar and the Russification effort, he has no empathy for the Lithuanians, whom he considers “foolish peasants.” His disdain for their language and traditions represents the widespread effort of Imperial Russia to control its territories by forcing the people to assimilate. As part of the larger imperial criminal system, Rusakov’s character also represents the cruelty and violence of the unjust occupation and the abuse of power a system can use to justify following orders. 

He believes so strongly in supporting the tsar that it costs him a relationship with his son, Lukas. Lukas does not believe his father is “evil,” just “wrong about the way to enforce the horrible laws” (287). As a dynamic character, Rusakov’s demotion is a catalyst to his own transformation—without the pressure of authority, he begins to think for himself and realizes the unjust cruelty of punishing the Lithuanians. By saving Audra, he demonstrates that he is willing to change and suggests that even perpetrators have the capability to stand up for what is right.

Milda Sabiene is an older woman who owns an underground bookstore and runs a secret Lithuanian school in Venska. Audra describes her as having “a pleasant smile and a pointy nose” and “intelligent eyes” (51). Audra is asked to deliver her parents’ package to Milda, after which she learns that Milda was their book-smuggling colleague. Milda’s many disguises and eccentric behavior keep the soldiers from bothering her, demonstrating her creativity and cleverness. 

By having an underground library and school, Milda is a major risk-taker but believes in the resistance so strongly that the risk to her is worth it. She not only teaches the local youth but also serves as a mentor and maternal figure for Audra and Lukas, who have lost both of their parents; she is always ready with a plate of food or insightful knowledge. Like Ben, Milda is a static character whose beliefs remain steadfast until her death.