The Deluge · Chapter
XXXVIII explained
Kmita overhears Count Veyhard denouncing the Polish people to Baron Lisola, accusing them of venality, disorder, and lack of virtue.
What happens
Kmita overhears Count Veyhard denouncing the Polish people to Baron Lisola, accusing them of venality, disorder, and lack of virtue. Veyhard reveals plans to occupy the monastery of Yasna Gora on behalf of the Swedish king, despite being a Catholic. Kmita, tormented by the truth in Veyhard's words and his own despair, suffers a feverish night blending thoughts of Olenka and the country's ruin. At dawn, he rides on, seeing a strange light on the horizon.
Themes in this chapter
- National Identity and Resistance
Kmita's internal struggle reflects the crisis of Polish identity, as Veyhard's accusations of national decay clash with Kmita's desire to defend his country.
- Political Intrigue
Veyhard and Lisola's conversation reveals secret plans to occupy Yasna Gora, highlighting the diplomatic maneuvering between Sweden, the Empire, and Poland.
- Honor and Betrayal
Veyhard's betrayal of the country that gave him refuge and Kmita's torment over the perceived betrayal of the Polish people are central to the chapter.
Characters to notice
- Andrei Kmita
Overhears Count Veyhard's condemnation of Poland and suffers a night of feverish despair, blending thoughts of Olenka and the country's ruin.
- Count Veyhard Vjeshchovich
Denounces the Polish people to Lisola, reveals plans to occupy Yasna Gora, and provokes Kmita's anguish.
- Baron Lisola
Engages Veyhard in conversation, questioning his service to Sweden and his plans for Yasna Gora.
- Olenka Billevich
Appears in Kmita's feverish visions, symbolically blended with the country's fate.
- Prince Boguslav Radzivill
Appears in Kmita's nightmare, sneering and supporting Veyhard's words.
- Soroka
Kmita considers calling him to bleed him during the fever; later points out the strange light on the horizon.
- Yan Kazimir
Mentioned as the Polish king who can receive messages from Yasna Gora.
- Karl Gustav
Mentioned as the Swedish king who is being persuaded to occupy Yasna Gora.
Key passages
“Whoso wishes to save the Poles is merely losing time, for they will not save themselves. Only the mad, the violent, the malicious, and the venal inhabit this land.”
Anyone trying to save the Poles is wasting effort, because they are incapable of saving themselves; the country is filled only with mad, violent, malicious, and corrupt people.
Count Veyhard's bitter condemnation of the Polish people, which deeply affects Kmita.
“Too late! what is Swedish is Swedish!”
It is too late; everything now belongs to the Swedes.
A phrase from Kmita's feverish nightmare, echoing his despair over the country's and his own lost hopes.
“A miracle or what?—That is the west, and it is as if the sun were rising.”
Is it a miracle? That light is in the west, yet it looks like the sun is rising.
Soroka's observation of a strange light on the horizon at dawn, hinting at the symbolic glow of Yasna Gora.
