XIX explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Religious Faith and Fatalism

  Shamil's proclamation urges endurance and trust in divine reward, and his decisions are framed as guided by the Prophet's voice.

• Family and Sacrifice

  Hadji Murád's family is held captive and used as leverage; Yusúf's attempted suicide reflects the extreme personal cost of the conflict.

• Deception and Mistrust

  Shamil plots to entice Hadji Murád back under false pretenses to kill him, and the Chechens are warned not to trust Russian promises.

Characters to notice

• Shamil

  Returns to Vedenó after a campaign, issues a proclamation against surrendering to Russians, and decides to use Hadji Murád's son to entice him back.

• Hadji Murád

  His family is held captive by Shamil; his son Yusúf is used as leverage.

• Yusúf

  Hadji Murád's son, initially admiring Shamil, is threatened with blinding and beheading, leading him to attempt suicide.

• Patimát

  Hadji Murád's old mother, who hates Shamil and refuses to see his triumphal entry.

• Jemal Eddin

  Shamil's father-in-law and teacher, who advises him and drafts the proclamation against surrendering to Russians.

• Khanéfi

  Mentioned as one of the murids accompanying Shamil.

Key passages

• “I hear that the Russians flatter you and invite you to surrender to them. Do not believe them, and do not surrender, but endure. If ye be not rewarded for it in this life, ye shall receive your reward in the life to come.”

  Shamil warns the Chechens not to trust Russian offers of surrender, promising that enduring hardship will bring rewards in the afterlife.

  Shamil's proclamation to the Chechens, reinforcing religious faith and resistance.

• “It is better to die in enmity with the Russians than to live with the Unbelievers.”

  Shamil asserts that death in opposition to the Russians is preferable to living under their rule.

  A key statement of Shamil's ideology of defiance.