The story follows 17-year-old , who narrates his three-day journey through New York City after being expelled from his prep school. Holden is a complex, sensitive protagonist who feels profoundly lonely despite being surrounded by people. He views most adults as "phonies" (dveidžiai) and struggles with a cynical outlook on a society he perceives as superficial and insincere. Key Themes & Symbols

Rugiuose Prie Bedugnes is a compact yet richly layered work that invites readers to , to trace the lineage of hidden stories , and to recognize the resilience inherent in both nature and human memory . Its deft interweaving of lyrical description with narrative fragments makes it a compelling study in how place can become a protagonist , guiding characters—and readers—through cycles of loss, revelation, and renewal.

In the highlands of Aukštaitija, there exists a forgotten hermit known only as Rugiuose —"The Rye One." According to the PDF transcripts of the 1803 parish records, Rugiuose lived not in a village, but prie bedugnės (by the abyss).