The Deluge · Chapter
XC explained
Kmita navigates through Swedish forces near Warsaw, evading capture by Radzeyovski, Radzivill, and Douglas.
What happens
Kmita navigates through Swedish forces near Warsaw, evading capture by Radzeyovski, Radzivill, and Douglas. He conducts guerrilla attacks, cutting down Swedish troops and wagons. Boguslav sets a trap for Kmita, but Kmita escapes and later joins Gosyevski's division. Kmita meets with Zagloba and Volodyovski, who discuss the war's prospects and prophesy eventual Polish victory.
Themes in this chapter
- War and Destruction
Kmita's guerrilla warfare, Swedish reprisals, and the devastation of the countryside illustrate the brutal nature of the conflict.
- Honor and Betrayal
Radzeyovski and Radzivill are Polish traitors collaborating with the Swedes, while Kmita fights for the Commonwealth.
- National Identity and Resistance
Zagloba's prophecy emphasizes the resilience of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the inevitability of victory despite repeated defeats.
Characters to notice
- Andrei Kmita
Leads guerrilla actions against Swedish forces, evades traps set by Boguslav and Douglas, and later meets with Zagloba and Volodyovski.
- Prince Boguslav Radzivill
Collaborates with Swedish forces, sets a price on Kmita's head, and attempts to trap him.
- Zagloba
Meets with Kmita and Volodyovski, delivers a prophetic speech about eventual Polish victory.
- Pan Michael Volodyovski
Present with the Lauda squadron, meets Kmita and Zagloba, and engages in banter.
- Radzeyovski
Leads Swedish forces alongside Radzivill and Douglas, fears captivity as a traitor.
- Arwid Wittemberg
Mentioned as a captive in Zamost, referenced in Zagloba's boast.
- Karl Gustav
Swedish king whose letter is discussed, expressing alarm at Gosyevski's expedition.
- Stefan Charnyetski
Mentioned as a skilled commander who inspired enthusiasm, contrasted with Gosyevski.
Key passages
“An insane man leads that division! said Douglas. Or a mad dog! said Radzeyovski.”
Douglas and Radzeyovski describe Kmita as reckless and dangerous, comparing him to a madman or a rabid dog.
Highlights the fear and frustration Kmita instills in his enemies.
“The calculation is, wrote the king, to make the elector waver in faithfulness to the treaty of Marienburg and to us; which may easily happen, since the elector is ready to enter into alliance with Christ against the Devil and at the same time with the Devil against Christ, so as to win something from both.”
Karl Gustav suspects that the Polish king aims to undermine the elector's loyalty to Sweden, noting the elector's willingness to ally with anyone for gain.
Reveals the political maneuvering and distrust among the warring parties.
“If they beat us one hundred times, very well; but we will beat them the hundred and first time, and that will be the end.”
Zagloba asserts that even after many defeats, a single decisive victory will ultimately secure Poland's triumph.
Expresses the theme of national resilience and eventual victory.
