The Deluge · Chapter
XLVI explained
After the bursting of the giant culverin, Miller and the Swedish commanders despair of capturing the fortress.
What happens
After the bursting of the giant culverin, Miller and the Swedish commanders despair of capturing the fortress. A council debates the failed siege, and Count Veyhard proposes a ransom to allow the Swedes to retreat with honor. Meanwhile, the Polish defenders celebrate Christmas and Saint Stephen's Day with defiant cannon fire, and the Swedish soldiers grow increasingly demoralized.
Themes in this chapter
- Religion and Faith
The defenders' Christmas hymns and the prior's invocation of the ark of Noah highlight faith as a source of strength and hope.
- National Identity and Resistance
The Polish defenders' refusal to surrender and their defiant celebrations embody national resistance against the Swedish invasion.
- Honor and Betrayal
Swedish officers debate saving honor through ransom rather than admitting defeat, while Count Veyhard's proposal is seen as a way to avoid disgrace.
Characters to notice
- Kordetski
Prior of the cloister; speaks of Kmita's sacrifice and leads the defenders in faith.
- Andrei Kmita
Mentioned as having blown himself up with powder to destroy the Swedish gun, giving his life for the defenders.
- Count Veyhard Vjeshchovich
Swedish commander who proposes the ransom scheme to save face; clashed with Miller and Sadovski.
- Pan Sadovski
Swedish officer of Czech origin; speaks against Count Veyhard and supports the ransom idea.
- Yan Zamoyski
Polish noble; celebrates his name day with cannon fire, noted by the Swedes.
- Sobiepan Zamoyski
Father of Yan Zamoyski; his name day is also celebrated with salvos from the fortress.
- Pan Zbrojek
Polish commander; explains the cannon fire as a name-day celebration to Miller.
Key passages
“The bursting of the gigantic culverin had really a crushing effect upon Miller, for all his hopes had rested hitherto on that gun.”
The explosion of the huge cannon devastated Miller, since he had counted on it to breach the walls.
Describes the turning point in the siege after Kmita's sacrifice.
“He gave his life for ours, said Kordetski.”
Kordetski declares that Kmita sacrificed himself to save the defenders.
Highlights Kmita's heroic self-sacrifice.
“That cloister will stand for the ages of ages! cried he, beside himself.”
Miller exclaims in despair that the monastery will never fall.
Shows Miller's recognition of the fortress's impregnability.
“Let that cloister pay us any kind of ransom, continued the count; then no one will say that we could not take it, but that we did not wish to take it.”
Count Veyhard suggests that accepting a ransom would allow the Swedes to claim they chose not to capture the fortress.
Proposes a face-saving strategy to retreat with honor.
