XVII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Alienation and Loneliness

  Romashov cuts himself off from his comrades, experiences profound loneliness, and finds solace only in solitary walks and his secret love for Shurochka.

• Class and Social Hierarchy

  The chapter starkly contrasts the privileged officer class with the brutalized soldiers like Khliabnikov, highlighting the dehumanizing effects of military hierarchy.

• Hypocrisy and Corruption

  Romashov reflects on the hypocrisy of the military caste and the corruption of institutions that exploit and abuse the powerless.

• Individual vs. Institution

  Romashov's internal rebellion against the military system and his decision to leave active service exemplify the conflict between personal conscience and institutional demands.

Characters to notice

• Sublieutenant Romashov

  Undergoes a profound inward change, isolates himself, befriends Khliabnikov, contemplates leaving military service, dreams of a literary career, and continues his secret nightly vigils near Shurochka's house.

• Khliabnikov

  A wretched soldier who visits Romashov; his sad family circumstances and brutal treatment by the military system are revealed.

• Shurochka

  Romashov's beloved; she sends him a curt, angry letter after he throws flowers into her window, forbidding further Romeo-and-Juliet antics.

• Captain Sliva

  Mentioned as having caught wind of Romashov's changed attitude toward soldiers, making disparaging remarks about 'damned Liberals.'

• Lieutenant Nikoläiev

  Shurochka's husband; mentioned as being invited to a whist party at the commander's, allowing Romashov to approach the house.

Key passages

• “From this night Romashov underwent a profound inward change. He cut himself entirely adrift from the company of his comrades, usually took his dinner at home, never frequented the soirées dansantes of his regiment, and ceased to indulge in drink.”

  Romashov experienced a deep personal transformation, isolating himself from fellow officers, dining alone, avoiding regimental dances, and giving up alcohol.

  Highlights Romashov's deliberate withdrawal from military social life.

• “The soldier Khliabnikov used to visit him, but at first, however, only after being again urged to do so. Afterwards his visits became more and more frequent.”

  Khliabnikov initially visited Romashov only when pressed, but gradually came more often.

  Shows the development of an unlikely friendship between officer and soldier.

• “With surprise, terror, and pain Romashov realized that Fate had daily united him by the closest ties with hundreds of these grey 'Khliabnikovs,' with those defenceless victims of their own ignorance and brutal coarseness, of the officers' heartless indifference and cruelty, of a humiliating, systematic slavery.”

  Romashov was shocked and pained to realize that he was daily connected to countless suffering soldiers like Khliabnikov, victims of ignorance, officer cruelty, and systematic oppression.

  Captures Romashov's growing awareness of systemic injustice.

• “He wished he could write a novel or a great romance, the leitmotif of which should be his contempt and disgust for military life.”

  He dreamed of writing a novel whose central theme would be his disdain for military life.

  Reveals Romashov's literary aspirations and his critique of the military.

• “Never dare to repeat what you did yesterday. Courting in the Romeo and Juliet style is always absurd, particularly in this little hole of a place.”

  Shurochka angrily forbids Romashov from repeating his flower-throwing gesture, calling such romantic courtship foolish in their small town.

  Shurochka's pragmatic and dismissive response to Romashov's romantic gesture.