Hadji Murád · Chapter
XVIII explained
Hadji Murád arrives at the fort and is received by Major Petróv, Butler, and Márya Dmítrievna.
What happens
Hadji Murád arrives at the fort and is received by Major Petróv, Butler, and Márya Dmítrievna. He is lodged in the guest-chamber, and his relations with the household are established: he is contemptuous of the Major, drawn to Márya Dmítrievna, and friendly with Butler. Spies bring him bad news about his family.
Themes in this chapter
Cultural Clash and Imperialism
Hadji Murád's arrival at the Russian fort highlights the uneasy coexistence and mutual suspicion between the mountaineers and the Russian military.
Deception and Mistrust
The Major's orders to restrict Hadji Murád's movements and the spies bringing bad news underscore the pervasive mistrust in this cross-cultural encounter.
Characters to notice
- Hadji Murád
Arrives at the fort, meets Butler and Petróv, and is lodged in the guest-chamber. He shows contempt for the Major but is attracted to Márya Dmítrievna and befriends Butler.
- Butler
First to encounter Hadji Murád outside the fort, greets him, and later helps entertain him. He is a strong young bachelor attracted to Márya Dmítrievna.
- Márya Dmítrievna
Petróv's mistress; she prepares food for Hadji Murád and suggests he stay in the guest-chamber. Hadji Murád is drawn to her simplicity and beauty.
- Iván Matvéich Petróv
The Major who receives orders to host Hadji Murád. He is grumbling and drinks vodka, and is contemptuously treated by Hadji Murád.
- Bondarénko
Petróv's orderly, mentioned as being sent to open the door.
Key passages
“Invent something else! said Márya Dmítrievna, smiling. I am not joking, he is really waiting by the porch! Is it really true? said she. Why should I wish to deceive you? Go and see, he’s just at the porch! Dear me, here’s a go! said Márya Dmítrievna pulling down her sleeves, and putting up her hand to feel whether the hairpins in her thick plait were all in order.”
Márya Dmítrievna initially thinks Butler is joking about Hadji Murád's arrival, but when convinced, she quickly tidies herself to go see.
Shows her surprise and readiness to receive the notable visitor.
“There is nothing so bad as mixing, muttered the Major, when he had drunk the vodka and taken a bite of rye bread. Yesterday I drank a little Chikhír, and now I have a headache. … Well, I’m ready, said he, and went to the parlor.”
The Major complains about a hangover from mixing drinks, then prepares himself to meet Hadji Murád.
Reveals Petróv's casual, grumbling attitude toward his duties.