Hadji Murád · Chapter
XIV explained
Prince Vorontsóv writes to the Minister of War, Chernyshóv, detailing his interactions with Hadji Murád since his arrival in Tiflis.
What happens
Prince Vorontsóv writes to the Minister of War, Chernyshóv, detailing his interactions with Hadji Murád since his arrival in Tiflis. Vorontsóv describes Hadji Murád's anxiety over his family held by Shamil, his requests for help in ransoming them, and his desire to be sent to Grózny with Cossacks to establish communication with his family. Vorontsóv weighs the risks of trusting Hadji Murád versus imprisoning him, and explains his decision to allow him some freedom under supervision, with Captain Lóris-Mélikov and Prince Tarkhánov as intermediaries.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Sacrifice
Hadji Murád's primary concern is the fate of his family, and he is willing to serve Russia in exchange for their ransom, showing the centrality of family bonds.
Deception and Mistrust
Vorontsóv grapples with whether to trust Hadji Murád, weighing the risks of escape against the political benefits of leniency.
Individual vs. State Power
Vorontsóv's decision-making reflects the tension between individual agency (Hadji Murád's requests) and state security (the risk of escape).
Characters to notice
- Prince Vorontsóv
Writes a detailed letter to the Minister of War, assessing Hadji Murád's situation and deciding on a course of action.
- Hadji Murád
Described as anxious about his family, praying constantly, and pleading for help to ransom them; he expresses willingness to serve Russia if his family is saved.
- Prince Chernyshóv
The Minister of War to whom Vorontsóv addresses his letter.
- Prince Tarkhánov
Lieutenant-Colonel who speaks Tartar, lives with Hadji Murád, and vouches for his truthfulness while noting his religious attachment.
- Lóris-Mélikov
Captain sent by Vorontsóv to accompany Hadji Murád; described as worthy, excellent, intelligent, and fluent in Tartar.
Key passages
“His uncertainty about those dear to him makes him feverish; and the persons I have appointed to live with him assure me that he does not sleep at night, eats hardly anything, prays continually, and asks only to be allowed to ride out accompanied by several Cossacks”
Hadji Murád is so distressed about his family that he cannot sleep or eat, prays constantly, and only wants to ride out with a Cossack escort.
Illustrates Hadji Murád's emotional state and his dependence on Russian permission.
“I replied that to me all this appears very just; and that many among us would even not trust him so long as his family remains in the mountains and are not in our hands as hostages”
Vorontsóv tells Hadji Murád that his request seems reasonable, but notes that others would not trust him without his family as hostages.
Highlights the strategic mistrust in the Russian camp.
“He lifted his eyes and arms to heaven, and said that everything is in God’s hands, but that he would never surrender to his foe”
Hadji Murád raised his eyes and hands to heaven, saying all is in God's hands, but he would never give himself up to Shamil.
Shows Hadji Murád's fatalism and defiance.