Hadji Murád · Chapter
V explained
Early morning, two companies under Poltorátsky march out to fell trees beyond the Shagirínsk Gate.
What happens
Early morning, two companies under Poltorátsky march out to fell trees beyond the Shagirínsk Gate. While the officers discuss the death of General Sleptsóv, a skirmish erupts with Chechen horsemen. During the exchange, soldier Avdéev is wounded in the stomach. Meanwhile, Prince Vorontsóv arrives to meet Hadji Murád, who has surrendered. Hadji Murád and his five henchmen—Khan Mahomá, Khanéfi, Eldár, Gamzálo, and another—ride to Vorontsóv, and Hadji Murád formally declares his submission to the Russian Tsar. The soldiers comment on the notorious chief, and Vorontsóv returns to the fort in high spirits.
Themes in this chapter
Cultural Clash and Imperialism
The encounter between Hadji Murád's mountaineer retinue and the Russian officers highlights the cultural divide, with the soldiers viewing the Chechens as exotic and dangerous, while Hadji Murád's formal surrender underscores the imperial dynamic.
The Nature of War and Violence
The skirmish is portrayed as a 'merry' distraction for the soldiers, and the officers romanticize hand-to-hand combat, contrasting with the grim reality of Avdéev's wounding and death.
Honor and Betrayal
Hadji Murád's surrender is framed as a matter of honor—he chooses to serve the Tsar because Shamil 'would not let him'—while the Russian officers view him with suspicion, recalling his past as Shamil's right hand.
Characters to notice
- Poltorátsky
Commands the wood-felling companies, leads the skirmish, and later escorts Hadji Murád to Vorontsóv.
- Hadji Murád
Surrenders to Prince Vorontsóv, declaring his wish to serve the Russian Tsar; described with a childlike kindly smile and penetrating eyes.
- Prince Vorontsóv
Rides out to meet Hadji Murád, accepts his surrender, and returns to the fort in a cheerful mood.
- Avdéev
Wounded in the stomach during the skirmish; taken back to the fort by his comrades.
- Khan Mahomá
One of Hadji Murád's henchmen, rosy-faced and merry, with black lashless eyes.
- Eldár
A Lesghian youth in Hadji Murád's suite, broad-shouldered with a slim waist and beautiful ram-like eyes.
- Gamzálo
A Chechen in Hadji Murád's suite, blind in one eye, with a scarred face and a short red beard.
- Khanéfi
The Avar in charge of Hadji Murád's property, thickset and hairy with meeting eyebrows.
Key passages
“Hadji Murád understood that they were speaking about him, and smiled brightly with his eyes.”
Hadji Murád realized the soldiers were talking about him, and his eyes lit up with a bright smile.
Shows Hadji Murád's perceptiveness and his ability to connect despite the language barrier.
“The soldiers, pleased to have some distraction, hastened to load, and fired shot after shot.”
The soldiers, happy for the diversion, quickly reloaded and kept firing.
Highlights the soldiers' boredom and the way combat becomes a form of entertainment in the monotony of garrison life.
“Poltorátsky had never expected to see the terrible mountain chief look like that. He had expected to see a morose, hard-featured man; and here was a vivacious person, whose smile was so kindly that Poltorátsky felt as if he were an old acquaintance.”
Poltorátsky was surprised by Hadji Murád's appearance, expecting a grim warrior but finding a lively man with a friendly smile that made him feel like an old friend.
Contrasts the fearsome reputation of Hadji Murád with his actual demeanor, emphasizing the theme of deception and mistrust.
