The House of the Dead · Chapter
Endnotes explained
The endnotes provide translator's and author's notes clarifying historical and cultural references in the text, including punishments under Nicholas I, the kantonist system, the term 'sirota,' political prisoners, a reference to Gogol's Dea
What happens
The endnotes provide translator's and author's notes clarifying historical and cultural references in the text, including punishments under Nicholas I, the kantonist system, the term 'sirota,' political prisoners, a reference to Gogol's Dead Souls, corporal punishment reforms, the Polish rising of 1863, passports, tramps, military jargon, and superstitious murders.
Key passages
“The torture of palki or the 'sticks,' described in Part II , Chapter II is meant. It was a favourite form of punishment under Nicholas I , who was nicknamed Nicholas Palka or the 'stick.'”
The punishment of 'palki' (sticks) mentioned in Part II, Chapter II was a common method under Nicholas I, who was called Nicholas Palka.
Clarifies the historical context of a specific punishment.
“Kantonists were soldiers' sons brought up in a military settlement and bound to serve in the army—a special class no longer existing.”
Kantonists were sons of soldiers raised in military settlements and required to serve in the army, a class that has since disappeared.
Defines a historical social class.
“Orphan—in Russian sirota .”
The Russian word for orphan is 'sirota'.
Provides a translation note.
“I.e. political.”
This refers to political prisoners.
Clarifies a reference to political status.
“A character in Gogol’s Dead Souls .”
This is a reference to a character from Gogol's novel Dead Souls.
Identifies a literary allusion.
“All that I am writing here about corporal punishment was true in my time. Now I am told that all this is changed and still changing.”
The descriptions of corporal punishment were accurate for the author's era, but reforms have since occurred.
Notes the evolution of punishment practices.