Hadji Murád · Chapter
XIII explained
Hadji Murád continues his life story to Lóris-Mélikov, recounting the murder of the Khans by Hamzád, his own revenge killing of Hamzád, the subsequent rise of Shamil, his refusal to join Shamil, his arrest and torture by Akhmet Khan, his dr
What happens
Hadji Murád continues his life story to Lóris-Mélikov, recounting the murder of the Khans by Hamzád, his own revenge killing of Hamzád, the subsequent rise of Shamil, his refusal to join Shamil, his arrest and torture by Akhmet Khan, his dramatic escape from a cliff, and his eventual recovery and return to power in Tselméss. He also shares letters from General Klügenau urging him to return to Russian service, but explains his deep mistrust and his primary need to rescue his family from Shamil.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Betrayal
Hadji Murád's narrative is driven by personal honor, revenge for the Khans, and his sense of betrayal by both Shamil and Akhmet Khan.
Family and Sacrifice
Hadji Murád's family is held hostage by Shamil, and his actions are constrained by his desire to free them, highlighting the theme of familial bonds and sacrifice.
Deception and Mistrust
Both Klügenau's letters and Hadji Murád's own story reveal deep mistrust between the Russians and the mountaineers, with accusations of treachery and broken promises.
Characters to notice
- Hadji Murád
Narrates his past, including the killing of Hamzád, his escape from Akhmet Khan, and his current predicament with his family held by Shamil.
- Lóris-Mélikov
Listens to Hadji Murád's story and reads the letters from Klügenau.
- Khan Mahomá
Mentioned as a 'frivolous fellow' by Hadji Murád.
- Eldár
Described by Hadji Murád as 'young, but firm—made of iron'.
- Shamil
Referred to as the successor of Hamzád, who holds Hadji Murád's family and seeks to kill him.
- Akhmet Khan
Described as the enemy who calumniated Hadji Murád, had him arrested, and tied him to a cannon.
- General Klügenau
Author of the letters urging Hadji Murád to return, promising justice and protection.
- Hamzád
Killed by Hadji Murád and his brother Osman in revenge for the murder of the Khans.
Key passages
“I am tied up, and the end of the rope is in Shamil’s hands”
Hadji Murád feels completely constrained because Shamil controls his family's fate.
Metaphor for his helplessness and dependence on Shamil's mercy regarding his family.
“Where the forelegs have gone, the hind legs must follow!”
Once Hamzád killed the Khans, he had to eliminate the entire family to secure his position.
Proverbial expression justifying the killing of the Khansha and her children.
“I had my dagger in my hand, and I killed him with it and rushed at Hamzád”
Hadji Murád describes his swift and decisive attack on Hamzád's murid and then on Hamzád himself.
Key moment of revenge in the mosque.
“I jumped down and pulled him with me. He was killed outright, but I, as you see, remained alive.”
Hadji Murád escaped his captors by leaping off a cliff, dragging a soldier with him to his death while surviving himself.
Dramatic escape from Akhmet Khan's soldiers.
