The Deluge · Chapter
XCV explained
Kmita receives orders from Hetman Sapyeha to march south against a new invasion by Rakotsy's forces, but he initially rebels against the command, feeling overwhelmed by continuous war and personal sacrifice.
What happens
Kmita receives orders from Hetman Sapyeha to march south against a new invasion by Rakotsy's forces, but he initially rebels against the command, feeling overwhelmed by continuous war and personal sacrifice. After a crisis of conscience and a prayerful submission to God's will, he accepts his duty and resolves to go.
Themes in this chapter
- Redemption and Transformation
Kmita undergoes a profound spiritual crisis, repents his selfishness, and submits to duty, achieving a moment of moral correction.
- National Identity and Resistance
The chapter emphasizes the desperate defense of the Commonwealth against multiple invaders, with Kmita ultimately choosing to fight for his country.
- Religion and Faith
Kmita's prayer and submission to God's will are central; he sees his trials as divine testing and offers his suffering as penance.
Characters to notice
- Andrei Kmita
Receives the hetman's order to march south; initially refuses out of exhaustion and despair, but after a spiritual struggle submits to duty.
- Babinich
Kmita is addressed as Pan Babinich in the hetman's letter and later in a letter found on Hamilton.
- Yan Sapyeha
Hetman Sapyeha sends the order for Kmita to march south against Rakotsy.
- Soroka
Now a captain, leads the dragoons in Kmita's force.
- Akbah Ulan
Mentioned as having given Kmita a letter found on Hamilton.
- Prince Boguslav Radzivill
Reported freed from captivity; Kmita regrets sparing him earlier.
Key passages
“I will not go from here! Do you understand?”
Kmita defiantly refuses to obey the order to march south.
Shows his initial rebellion against duty.
“O Jesus, do not punish! Jesus, have mercy! Thy will be done! I will go, I will go!”
Kmita submits to God's will and accepts the order to march.
Climax of his spiritual transformation.
“In the heavenly register in which are written the evil and good deeds of men, his sins were at that moment all blotted out, for he was completely corrected.”
Kmita's repentance and obedience erase his past sins in a divine accounting.
Narrator's commentary on his redemption.
