# Chapter XVIII: The Orgies and the Intervention explained — The Duel

> Chapter companion for The Duel by Aleksandr Kuprin.

## What happens

Following a soldier's suicide in Captain Osadchi's company, the regiment descends into a period of debauchery and drinking-bouts. Romashov is drawn into the chaos, first by Viätkin and then by a violent incident at a brothel where Biek-Agamalov threatens a woman with his sabre. Romashov intervenes, physically restraining Agamalov and preventing an assault, earning a moment of tense victory. Later, Romashov, still intoxicated, is taken to a brothel at Schleyfer's, where he grapples with his longing for Shurochka and the sordid reality of his surroundings.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

The officers engage in orgies and debauchery under a quasi-official guise, revealing the moral corruption and hypocrisy within the regiment's social order.

### Futility of Violence

Biek-Agamalov's violent rage against a woman is ultimately futile, as Romashov's intervention prevents harm, highlighting the senselessness of such brutality.

### Alienation and Loneliness

Romashov's longing for Shurochka amidst the brothel's sordidness underscores his emotional isolation and the emptiness of the regiment's communal debauchery.

## Character check-ins

### Sublieutenant Romashov

Romashov is drawn into the regiment's orgies, intervenes to stop Biek-Agamalov from striking a woman, and later visits a brothel, torn between his longing for Shurochka and the debauchery around him.

### Captain Osadchi

Osadchi is the instigator and high-priest of the orgies following the suicide, organizing reckless gambling and drinking, and cynically insulting the memory of the deceased soldier.

### Lieutenant Viätkin

Viätkin, still intoxicated from the previous night, drags Romashov into the mess's revelry and later takes him to a brothel, offering him a revolver as a keepsake.

### Lieutenant Biek-Agamalov

Biek-Agamalov, in a drunken rage, threatens a woman with his sabre during the orgies, but is physically restrained by Romashov, who calms him down.

### Shurochka

Shurochka is present in Romashov's thoughts as a distant, pure memory that contrasts with the sordid brothel visit, offering him a sense of relief and longing.

### Lieutenant Bobetinski

Bobetinski is mentioned as having been cleaned out by Viätkin in a card game, losing his revolver to him.

## Key lines

> One day towards the end of May, a young soldier belonging to Captain Osadchi’s company hanged himself.

A young soldier in Captain Osadchi's company committed suicide by hanging near the end of May.

_This event triggers the subsequent orgies and drinking-bouts in the regiment._

> Romashov, with a force he never thought he was capable of, gripped Agamalov’s wrist.

Romashov, surprising himself with his strength, grabbed Biek-Agamalov's wrist to stop him from striking a woman.

_This act of intervention marks a key moment of Romashov's moral courage._

> He dreamt of how he would meet their glances, take their hands, and listen to their merry laughter and joyous songs, and he felt that all this would bring him relief and consolation in his incessant longing and torturing desire for Shurochka.

Romashov fantasized about the brothel women's company as a way to soothe his painful yearning for Shurochka.

_This reveals Romashov's conflicted emotions and his attempt to escape his obsession._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters/xviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_duel_2_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_duel_2_se/chapters