The Deluge · Chapter
Chapter XXXVI explained
Kmita travels through Swedish-occupied Poland, witnessing the degradation of the country and the collaboration of many nobles.
What happens
Kmita travels through Swedish-occupied Poland, witnessing the degradation of the country and the collaboration of many nobles. He confronts a noble about the treatment of heretics and the betrayal of the Commonwealth, and later argues with nobles in an inn about their oaths to King Yan Kazimir. He is captured by a Swedish patrol but released after explaining his business.
Themes in this chapter
- National Identity and Resistance
Kmita confronts nobles about their betrayal of the Commonwealth and their oaths to Yan Kazimir, highlighting the struggle for national identity under Swedish occupation.
- Religion and Faith
The noble discusses the persecution of Catholics by heretics and dissidents, and Kmita asserts his Catholic faith, while the Swedish captain's blasphemy leads to violence.
- Political Intrigue
Kmita navigates Swedish-controlled territory, using a false identity and dealing with commandants, while nobles debate their loyalty to the Swedish king versus Yan Kazimir.
- Honor and Betrayal
Kmita accuses nobles of betraying their oaths to Yan Kazimir and the Commonwealth, and the noble condemns Radzivill as a traitor.
Characters to notice
- Andrei Kmita
Travels under the alias Babinich, witnesses Swedish occupation and noble collaboration, confronts a noble about heretics and traitors, argues with nobles about oaths, and is captured by a Swedish patrol but released.
- Soroka
Accompanies Kmita and looks hungrily at the Swedish patrol, ready to attack.
- Pan Kyemlich
Accompanies Kmita and looks hungrily at the Swedish patrol, ready to attack.
- Stefan Charnyetski
Mentioned as having surrendered Krakow, though the news is exaggerated; he actually obtained the right to march out with his troops.
- Yan Kazimir
Referenced as the lawful king to whom oaths were sworn, and who was abandoned by the nobles.
- Yanush Radzivill
Mentioned as a powerful traitor and chief of dissidents in Lithuania.
- Karl Gustav
Referenced as the Swedish king who freed the nobles from the tyrant and is the new ruler.
Key passages
“must be that those citizens whom I see among the soldiers are fanatical traitors?" "Not merely fanatical traitors, but worse, for they are heretics," answered the noble. "They are more grievous to us Catholics than the Swedes; they are the men who plunder most, burn houses, carry off maidens, commit private offences.”
The noble explains that the heretics among the soldiers are worse than the Swedes, as they plunder, burn houses, and commit crimes without punishment.
Kmita learns about the local resentment toward heretics who collaborate with the Swedes.
“You must have two mouths—one for true and the other for false oaths, for you have sworn to Yan Kazimir!”
Kmita accuses the nobles of having broken their oath to King Yan Kazimir by swearing allegiance to Karl Gustav.
Kmita confronts nobles about their betrayal of their lawful king.
“You are all traitors!" roared Pan Andrei, "and I don’t wish to drink with you; you are servants of the Swedes."”
Kmita calls the nobles traitors and refuses to drink with them, saying they serve the Swedes.
Kmita openly insults the nobles for their collaboration with the Swedish invaders.
