The Created Legend · Chapter
XXI explained
Trirodov and Elisaveta share a quiet, intimate moment in the woods reading poetry, but their solitude is disrupted by a ragged beggar who derides their choice of reading and suggests they should read the gospels instead.
What happens
Trirodov and Elisaveta share a quiet, intimate moment in the woods reading poetry, but their solitude is disrupted by a ragged beggar who derides their choice of reading and suggests they should read the gospels instead. The encounter unsettles Trirodov, who recalls the dark history of Dmitry Matov's betrayal and death, in which Trirodov, Ostrov, and Krovlin were involved. The chapter ends with Trirodov beginning the process of rehabilitating Matov's body in a vat.
Themes in this chapter
Duality of Human Nature
The ragged beggar presents a dual nature—both pathetic and menacing, speaking of hell and paradise with a mix of derision and insight, while Trirodov's past actions reveal a conflict between idealism and violence.
Death and Resurrection
Trirodov's process of 'rehabilitation' of Dmitry Matov's body in a vat suggests an attempt at resurrection or transformation after death.
Mysticism and the Supernatural
The beggar appears and disappears like a 'wood fairy,' and his words carry an eerie, prophetic quality, while Trirodov's recollection of the murder and the subsequent 'rehabilitation' process has a supernatural, alchemical tone.
Characters to notice
- Trirodov
Trirodov is with Elisaveta in the woods, reading poetry, and is disturbed by a ragged beggar's comments. He recalls his involvement in the death of Dmitry Matov and begins the process of rehabilitating the body.
- Elisaveta
Elisaveta reads poetry aloud to Trirodov in the woods, but is frightened by the sudden appearance of a ragged beggar who criticizes their reading material.
- Ostrov
Ostrov is mentioned as one of the men who listened to Dmitry Matov's confession and later blackmails Trirodov.
- Dmitry Matov
Dmitry Matov, Piotr's father, is recalled in Trirodov's memory as a police spy who was betrayed and killed by Trirodov, Ostrov, and Krovlin.
- Krovlin
Krovlin is mentioned as a young working man who, along with Trirodov and Ostrov, listened to Dmitry Matov's confession and participated in his killing.
- Lunitsin
Lunitsin is the young physician who played the role of betrayer to entrap Dmitry Matov.
Key passages
“A man’s whole life is barely enough to think out a single idea properly.”
A person's entire lifetime is insufficient to fully develop just one idea.
Trirodov reflects on the depth required for true understanding.
“It’s the gospels that you ought to read.”
You should be reading the gospels instead of poetry.
The ragged beggar criticizes their choice of reading material.
“He talks like one who knows. He talks like one who sees. But no one can know what happened.”
He speaks as if he has knowledge or insight, but the truth of the past is hidden.
Trirodov is disturbed by the beggar's words, which seem to hint at his secret.