Joseph Stalin's death created a small truning point in the book. Now that he had died, Asher was forced to move to Vienna. In a way Asher is relating Vienna to Siberia. Although the two places are very different from each other, they are still against Jews. Brooklyn gives Asher a big sense of safelty, with his school, appartment and Krinski's store, that the thought of the forgein land is causing a feeling of coldness as aymbolized by his short sickness. The moveis also giving him a sense of uselessmess. He will move to Vienna because the Rebbe said so, and he has no say towards it. As an only child, Asher was given a larger part than most children in the family descions, but this time its not up to him. It may have been an easier move if his parents did not build it up so much. Since Asher is so mature for his age it seems hard to believe that he is so scared about moving and traveling, but that was caused by his mother and father. Rivekah's illness with her brother's death caused in a fear of traveling in Asher, as well as his father's constant traveling.
The image of Joseph Stalin laying in his coffin burned into Asher's mind. During class he unconciously drew Stalin in his coffin. His drawing came back to him once he felt that suffering reenter his life. In the previous chapter although he was being ignored there was still a sense of stability in the household. His mother at college, and his father back to his old job, and his visits with Krinski. That was the first time he felt safe and dud not need to draw anymore. Stalin caused all the confusion that is going on at this point. Asher blames Stalin that he should have died thiry yeard ago like Krinski has once said, or even ten that way he would not be forced to move to Vienna and make such a big lifestyle change. Stalin created such a turnaround in Asher's life that he went back to his therapetic drawing habits.
The dark, tall ancestor reappeared into Asher's dreams. All the fear that he had about going to Europe reminded him of his European ancestor. He has such a fear for him, and Asher believes that all the Europeans are going to be just like that man. This time Asher explained the man as the Rebbe rather than his ancestor. This could be because of Asher's resentment towards the Rebbe because of the move to Vienna and he almost sees him as a dark figure. The symbolism is much harder to percieve. My interpretation is that all the tree are barriers that Asher must avoid in order to run a clear path. He also sees the forest as a dark, cold place and could be related to his thoughts of Vienna.