The shoemaker considered the Russians to be man-wolves because of the ill treatment they meted out to people. The shoemaker gave the family he was visiting, instances of how the Russians would not allow the Lithuanians to go to school or learn their language. They were forced to go to Russian schools and also pay for them. They were cheated out of their hard work and had to live like slaves.
He thus encouraged the narrator to leave to America where he could gain liberty and happiness.
