The Duel · Chapter
Endnotes explained
This chapter provides explanatory notes on various cultural, historical, and linguistic references found throughout the book, including terms related to Russian military life, geography, religion, food, and language.
What happens
This chapter provides explanatory notes on various cultural, historical, and linguistic references found throughout the book, including terms related to Russian military life, geography, religion, food, and language.
Key passages
“The Lezghins are among the medley of mountain tribes living in Daghestan and part of the Terek province. These mountaineers of the Eastern Caucasus are nearly all Sun'i Mohammedans.”
The Lezghins are one of several mountain tribes in Daghestan and the Terek region, and they are mostly Sunni Muslims.
Clarifies the ethnic and religious identity of the Lezghins.
“Schtoss is a sort of Russian hazard.”
Schtoss is a Russian gambling game similar to hazard.
Defines an unfamiliar card game.
“Corresponds to the Swedish smörgåsbord, and consists of a number of cold dishes and delicacies.”
This is like a Swedish smörgåsbord, featuring various cold dishes and delicacies.
Explains a Russian culinary term by comparing it to a well-known Scandinavian buffet.
“An old Slavonic character (l’schiza), only occurring in the Russian Bible and Ritual.”
An archaic Slavonic letter used only in Russian religious texts.
Describes a rare Cyrillic character.
“Nickname for Little Russians on account of their curious habit of cutting and fashioning their hair into a tuft (khokhol) on the crown.”
A nickname for Ukrainians, derived from their traditional hairstyle with a tuft on top.
Explains the origin of a regional nickname.