# Going Up the Kama explained — Michael Strogoff

> Chapter companion for Michael Strogoff by Jules Verne.

## What happens

The steamer Caucasus continues its journey up the Kama River. Michael Strogoff learns more about Nadia's mission to join her exiled father in Irkutsk. At Kazan, the travelers witness the expulsion of Asiatics and the arrival of a troop of Tziganes, including the woman Sangarre, who seems to recognize Michael. The journalists Alcide Jolivet and Harry Blount continue their rivalry, with Jolivet sending ahead news of the Tartar invasion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Resilience and Endurance

Nadia's determination to travel alone across Siberia to join her exiled father, despite the Tartar invasion and her limited means, exemplifies endurance.

### Duty and Sacrifice

Nadia states 'It was my duty' when asked why she continued her journey despite the invasion, highlighting her sense of filial duty.

### Identity and Disguise

Michael Strogoff maintains his incognito as 'Nicholas Korpanoff' and is cautious not to be recognized by Sangarre, who may have seen him before.

## Character check-ins

### Michael Strogoff

Travels on the Caucasus with Nadia; observes the Tzigane troop and Sangarre; chooses the Perm route to avoid the gypsies.

### Nadia Fedor

Reveals her identity as the daughter of exiled Wassili Fedor; shares her story of duty and determination to reach Irkutsk.

### Alcide Jolivet

Sends a telegraph from Kazan to Paris with news of the Tartar invasion, outmaneuvering his rival Blount.

### Harry Blount

Frustrated by Jolivet's scoop; walks off in silence after learning his rival has transmitted the news first.

### Sangarre

The Tzigane woman who gazes intently at Michael Strogoff as she leaves the steamer, possibly recognizing him.

### Wassili Fedor

Nadia's father, an exiled physician in Irkutsk; mentioned in Nadia's backstory.

## Key lines

> I had a permit which authorized me to go to Irkutsk, but the order of the governor of Nizhny Novgorod annulled that; and but for you, brother, I should have been unable to leave the town, in which, without doubt, I should have perished.

Nadia explains that her travel permit was invalidated by the governor's order, and without Michael's help she would have been trapped in Nizhny Novgorod.

_Highlights the bureaucratic obstacles and Nadia's reliance on Michael._

> The Tartars, and Feofar-Khan at their head, have passed Semipalatinsk, and are descending the Irtish. Do what you like with that!

Alcide Jolivet shares the latest intelligence that the Tartar forces under Feofar-Khan have moved past Semipalatinsk and are advancing down the Irtish River.

_Key plot development revealing the progress of the invasion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/michael_strogoff_se/chapters/part-i-viii-going-up-the-kama
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/michael_strogoff_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/michael_strogoff_se/chapters