The Deluge · Chapter
XXVI explained
Kmita travels through a war-torn Lithuania, witnessing the devastation and hearing the people's desperate hopes that Prince Radzivill and the Swedes will save them.
What happens
Kmita travels through a war-torn Lithuania, witnessing the devastation and hearing the people's desperate hopes that Prince Radzivill and the Swedes will save them. He struggles with inner conflict but reaffirms his loyalty to Radzivill, believing in the prince's grand vision. At Pilvishki, he meets Prince Boguslav Radzivill, who openly discusses his cynical political maneuvers, including feigning support for Yan Kazimir while secretly aiding the Swedes and plotting against confederates. Kmita, testing Boguslav's honesty, learns that Radzivill's talk of the Commonwealth's good is merely a pretext, and that the Radzivills ultimately seek their own dynastic power.
Themes in this chapter
- Political Intrigue
Prince Boguslav Radzivill openly discusses his double-dealing, feigning loyalty to Yan Kazimir while secretly aiding the Swedes and plotting against confederates, revealing the cynical power games of the nobility.
- National Identity and Resistance
Kmita witnesses the suffering of the Lithuanian people and their desperate hope for deliverance, while Boguslav dismisses the Commonwealth's interests as mere pretext for personal ambition.
- Honor and Betrayal
Kmita struggles with his loyalty to Radzivill, ultimately choosing to follow him despite learning that the prince's patriotic rhetoric is a lie, highlighting the conflict between personal honor and political allegiance.
Characters to notice
- Andrei Kmita
Travels through devastated Lithuania, comforting refugees and reaffirming his loyalty to Radzivill. Confronts Prince Boguslav about the true motives behind Radzivill's actions.
- Prince Boguslav Radzivill
Meets Kmita at Pilvishki, openly discusses his cynical political schemes, including feigning patriotism while secretly aiding the Swedes and plotting against confederates.
- Yanush Radzivill
Referenced as the prince voevoda of Vilna; his letter to Boguslav reveals his plans to massacre confederates. Kmita reflects on his loyalty to him.
- Olenka Billevich
Appears in Kmita's thoughts and memories; he yearns for her and hopes she will eventually understand his choices.
- Yan Kazimir
Mentioned as the king whom Boguslav pretends to support while secretly working against him.
- Pan Kharlamp
Briefly referenced in Kmita's thoughts about the road being a cure for cares.
Key passages
“If they have not forces enough, in every case they have a good sniff”
Even if the elector lacks sufficient military strength, he is shrewd and opportunistic.
Prince Boguslav dismisses the Elector of Brandenburg's motives, implying he will switch sides for personal gain.
“I hear with astonishment the words of your highness”
I am shocked by what you are saying.
Kmita reacts to Boguslav's cynical revelation about the elector's intentions.
“She is the real king, not queen! She has more wit in one finger than Yan Kazimir in his whole body.”
Queen Ludwika Maria is the true ruler, far more intelligent than King Yan Kazimir.
Boguslav expresses frustration that the queen sees through his schemes.
“I serve such a lord! I will shut my eyes and follow blindly his fortune.”
I am loyal to this master and will follow him without question.
Kmita reaffirms his devotion to Prince Yanush Radzivill despite growing doubts.
“If I should say that they are pretexts, would you give further service?”
If I admitted that his talk of the Commonwealth's good is just a cover, would you still serve him?
Boguslav tests Kmita's loyalty after Kmita asks whether Radzivill's patriotic rhetoric is sincere.
