The Duel · Chapter
Chapter XXI explained
Romashov and Nasanski converse in a boat on the river.
What happens
Romashov and Nasanski converse in a boat on the river. Nasanski delivers a passionate critique of military life, detailing the brutality, hypocrisy, and absurdity of officers like Osadchi, Artschakovski, Plavski, Stelikovski, and 'Brehm'. He compares the military caste to monasticism, predicting a future reckoning. Romashov reveals his intention to duel Nikoläiev, but Nasanski argues against it, extolling the pricelessness of life and the horror of murder. Nasanski weeps but affirms life's beauty, while Romashov listens, moved.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Military Life
Nasanski delivers a scathing indictment of the officer corps, detailing brutality, hypocrisy, and the absurdity of drill, cards, and drinking.
Hypocrisy and Corruption
Officers like Plavski and Stelikovski are exposed as greedy and predatory, while 'Brehm' is kind at home but barbaric in uniform.
Futility of Violence
Nasanski argues against the duel, calling murder a murder regardless of honor, and emphasizes the pricelessness of life over senseless killing.
Individual vs. Institution
Nasanski contrasts the individual's love of life and thought with the institution's demand for conformity and violence, predicting a future reckoning.
Characters to notice
- Sublieutenant Romashov
Listens to Nasanski's tirade, expresses disgust at military brutality, and reveals his resolve to duel Nikoläiev despite Nasanski's pleas.
- Nasanski
Delivers a lengthy, impassioned critique of military life and the officer corps, argues against the duel, and weeps while affirming the beauty of life.
- Captain Osadchi
Cited by Nasanski as an example of a martinet who knocks out teeth and eyes of recruits with impunity.
- Lieutenant Artschakovski
Mentioned for brutally maltreating his servant, leading to bloodshed and further abuse by the chain of command.
- Captain Plavski
Described as a miser who cooks his own food, lives in rags, and lends money at usurious rates to fill the soul-destroying hours of garrison service.
- Captain Stelikovski
Characterized as a strong, able man whose life consists of seducing young peasant girls.
- Colonel Brehm
Portrayed as a good-natured animal lover who nevertheless brutally struck a bugler, causing blood and broken teeth, during maneuvers.
- Lieutenant Nikoläiev
Referenced as the man who insulted and struck Romashov, leading to Romashov's determination to duel him.
Key passages
“The most repulsive thing, however, is the cruel eagerness, conspicuous in so many officers, to gain a name as martinets and brutes to their men, as, for instance, Osadchi and Company, who with impunity knock out the teeth and eyes of their young recruits.”
Nasanski condemns officers like Osadchi who deliberately brutalize recruits, breaking teeth and eyes without consequence.
Highlights the systemic cruelty within the military.
“Empty-heads, idiots, pretentious imitators and parrots will, of course, at all times solemnly assure you that a murder in the course of a duel is no murder. What madmen! No, a murder is, and always will be, a murder.”
Nasanski dismisses the notion that a duel is not murder, insisting it is always a killing.
Central to the anti-duel argument and the theme of futility of violence.
“How exquisite is life! ... Look at this blue sky, this calm and silent water, and you will tremble with joy and rapture.”
Nasanski passionately extols the beauty of life, urging Romashov to appreciate the natural world.
Contrasts the ugliness of military life with the joy of existence.
