Chapter XVI explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Honor and Reputation

  Zagloba is flattered by the vice-chancellor's praise and the title 'Ulysses,' and he asserts his own wisdom and independence in political matters.

• Social Class and Nobility

  The vice-chancellor's visit and the discussion of royal candidates underscore the importance of noble lineage and political influence in the Commonwealth.

Characters to notice

• Pan Zagloba

  Flattered by the vice-chancellor's praise, he is drawn into supporting Prince Michael's candidacy, though he later asserts his independence in the matter.

• Krysia Ketling

  Presented to the vice-chancellor, she sits near Basia, glad that her recent emotion is hidden.

• Basia Volodyovski

  Sits near Krysia and inadvertently interrupts the conversation, causing her own embarrassment.

• Captain Ketling

  Enters to announce he must leave for Scotland due to letters from old friends, causing sadness.

• Pani Makovetski

  Present during the vice-chancellor's visit, she expresses admiration for Zagloba's wisdom.

Key passages

• “Experience, especially in the military art, comes only with age; and for that cause perhaps the late Pan Konyetspolski, father of the banneret, asked me frequently for counsel, after him Pan Nikolai Pototski, Prince Yeremi Vishnyevetski, Pan Sapyeha, and Pan Charnyetski; but as to the title 'Ulysses,' I have always protested against that from considerations of modesty.”

  Zagloba modestly claims that his military experience comes with age, and that great commanders have sought his advice, though he rejects the title 'Ulysses' out of modesty.

  Zagloba's self-aggrandizement and modesty are on display as he lists famous leaders who consulted him.

• “I have insisted only in principle that we need a Pole, but to tell the truth, I have not named any man thus far.”

  Zagloba admits he has only argued for a Polish candidate in general, without specifying anyone.

  Zagloba is being drawn into a specific political position by the vice-chancellor.

• “While there is breath in my nostrils, while the last drop of blood is in my breast, nothing will come of that! I should not wish to live in a nation so disgraced as to make a traitor and a Judas its king.”

  Zagloba vehemently opposes the candidacy of Prince Boguslav Radzivill, calling him a traitor.

  Zagloba's strong opposition to Radzivill aligns him with the vice-chancellor's agenda.

• “I will advance the cause of Prince Michael, because it is to my heart—that is what the case is; because, as I see, it is to the heart also of your dignity—that is what the case is! I will advance it for the sake of his mother, for the sake of my friends; I will advance it because of the confidence which I have in the head from which that Minerva sprang forth, but not because I let myself be persuaded, like a little boy, that the invention is mine.”

  Zagloba declares he will support Prince Michael's candidacy out of personal conviction and friendship, not because he was manipulated by the vice-chancellor.

  Zagloba asserts his independence even as he adopts the vice-chancellor's suggested candidate.

• “Ketling, do you want promotion? cried Zagloba, still charmed with his own significance. No! answered the knight, in sadness; for I must leave you again, and for a long time.”

  Zagloba offers Ketling advancement, but Ketling sadly declines, announcing he must depart for an extended period.

  Ketling's departure introduces a note of sadness after the political triumph.