IV: Nikitin explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• War and Its Psychological Impact

  The chapter explores how war affects different individuals—Anna Petrovna, Sister K, Goga, Molozov—and warns against generalizing its psychological effects.

• National Character and Cultural Difference

  The narrator reflects on the mystery of the Russian character, the tension between East and West, and the difficulty of truly understanding a Russian friend.

• The Nature of Heroism and Cowardice

  Through examples like Goga's boyish enthusiasm and the wounded soldiers' quiet patience, the chapter questions conventional notions of heroism.

• The Meaning of Suffering and Sacrifice

  The bandaging room scenes depict the physical and emotional suffering of wounded soldiers, and the narrator finds meaning in direct practical help.

Characters to notice

• Unknown Narrator

  Retires from the central role, reflecting on the limits of his perspective and his work in the bandaging room under Nikitin.

• John Trenchard

  Mentioned as having shared initial impressions with the narrator, but now his story diverges.

• Marie Ivanovna

  Noted as one whose early experiences ran with the narrator's, but now separate.

• Andrey Vassilievitch

  Described in his alliance with Nikitin, his doglike devotion, and his hatred of Semyonov.

• Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov

  Observed in the bandaging room as efficient, unmoved, and ironic; also noted watching Andrey Vassilievitch and Nikitin.

• Dr. Nikitin

  The chapter's focus; the narrator works under him and reflects on his character, his passivity, and his secret encouragement of Andrey Vassilievitch's devotion.

• Anna Petrovna

  Cited as an example of someone who would argue war has no effect on the soul.

• Sister K

  Cited as an example of someone who sees war as divine punishment.

• Goga

  Cited as an example of someone who finds war jolly and exciting.

• Molozov

  Cited as an example of someone who sees war as a business of diplomacy and organization.

Key passages

• “But this is not my story. If I have hitherto taken the chief place it is because, in some degree, the impressions of Trenchard, Marie Ivanovna, Andrey Vassilievitch must, during those first days, have run with my own.”

  The narrator steps back from being the main focus, explaining that he only took the lead because his early experiences mirrored those of the other key characters.

  Narrator's transition from central to peripheral role.

• “It would be quite possible to select every individual member of our Otriad and to prove from their case that the effect of war upon the human soul⁠—whether Russian or English⁠—was thus and thus.”

  One could pick any person in the unit and use their story to argue a specific point about war's impact on the soul.

  Warning against overgeneralization.

• “The Russian character seems, superficially, with its lack of restraint, its idealism, its impracticality, its mysticism, its material simplicities, to be so readily grasped that the surprise that finally remains is the more dumbfounding.”

  The Russian character appears easy to understand at first, but the final surprise is all the more bewildering.

  Reflection on the mystery of Russian character.

• “It was pathetic to see the flaming pleasure in the man's eyes when Nikitin permitted him to wait upon him, and how ironically, upon such an occasion, would Semyonov watch them both!”

  Andrey Vassilievitch's joy when Nikitin allowed him to serve was pitiful, and Semyonov watched them with irony.

  Andrey's devotion and Semyonov's ironic observation.

• “I am not sure whether I may speak of Nikitin as my friend. I believe that no one in our Otriad save Trenchard could make, with truth, this claim.”

  The narrator doubts he can call Nikitin a friend; only Trenchard might truly claim that.

  Narrator's uncertain relationship with Nikitin.