The House of the Dead · Chapter
Comrades explained
The narrator reflects on his relationships with fellow convicts, particularly the 'gentlemen' or political prisoners.
What happens
The narrator reflects on his relationships with fellow convicts, particularly the 'gentlemen' or political prisoners. He describes Akim Akimitch as an indifferent convict who has fully settled into prison life, and discusses the Polish prisoners, including M., B., and Z. The chapter also recounts the release of a political prisoner, the major's change of heart toward the politicals after B. paints his house, and the major's subsequent downfall. The narrator explains the relative treatment of political prisoners compared to common convicts under the harsh military regime.
Themes in this chapter
Community and Alienation
The narrator's struggle to connect with fellow convicts, especially Akim Akimitch, highlights the alienation he feels despite being surrounded by others.
Power and Cruelty
The major's arbitrary flogging of Z. and his later apology illustrate the capricious exercise of power and the possibility of redemption within the prison hierarchy.
Human Dignity and Dehumanization
The major's apology to Z., acknowledging his wrongdoing, shows a glimmer of humane feeling in a system designed to dehumanize convicts.
Characters to notice
- Alexandr Petrovitch Goryanchikov
The narrator, reflecting on his interactions with fellow convicts and his own misery during the first year.
- Akim Akimitch
Described as an absolutely indifferent convict who has established himself permanently in prison; his calm demeanor depresses the narrator.
- Z.
A political prisoner who was flogged unjustly by the major; later receives an apology from the major.
- B.
A skilled painter among the political prisoners; his work painting the major's house leads to improved treatment for the politicals.
- M.
A political prisoner of noble character, but mistrustful and self-controlled; the narrator respects him but cannot feel affection.
Key passages
“I dreamt I had a letter from my mother... You are free! Your mother has petitioned in your favour, and her petition has been granted.”
A political prisoner is unexpectedly released after his mother's successful petition.
The release of a comrade brings joy to the prison community.
“Z., said he, I wronged you. I gave you a flogging for nothing, I know it. I regret it... I, I, your commanding officer have sent for you, to ask you your forgiveness.”
The major apologizes to Z. for a previous unjust flogging, acknowledging his error.
A rare moment of remorse from a cruel authority figure.
“He was a profoundly mistrustful and embittered man with a wonderful power of self-control. But this very excess of self-control was what I did not like; one somehow felt that he would never open his heart to anyone.”
M. is described as a guarded and self-controlled man, making it difficult for the narrator to form a close bond with him.
The narrator's observation of the emotional barriers among political prisoners.