Yashka · Chapter
XIV: An Errand from Kerensky to Kornilov explained
Maria Bochkareva recounts her mission from Kerensky to Kornilov, witnessing the growing rift between the two leaders.
What happens
Maria Bochkareva recounts her mission from Kerensky to Kornilov, witnessing the growing rift between the two leaders. She visits a disreputable women's battalion in Moscow, is nearly lynched by a mob, and is saved by General Verkhovsky. She returns to the front, where her battalion prepares for an offensive that is ultimately thwarted by the cowardice and indecision of the male soldiers. She then travels with Kornilov and Rodzianko to Petrograd, where a stormy meeting with Kerensky reveals the deep political divisions threatening Russia.
Themes in this chapter
Revolution and Disillusionment
Bochkareva reflects on the nightmare of freedom five months after the revolution, with disorder, division, and political infighting replacing the initial unity and hope.
Betrayal and Trust
Kerensky distrusts Bochkareva and Kornilov, accusing them of Tsarist sympathies, while Kornilov calls Kerensky a 'scoundrel,' illustrating the breakdown of trust among leaders.
Patriotism and Sacrifice
Bochkareva's battalion prepares to sacrifice themselves in the offensive, but the cowardice of the male soldiers undermines their efforts, highlighting the conflict between duty and self-preservation.
Characters to notice
- Maria Bochkareva
Narrator and commander of the Women's Battalion; carries out errand between Kerensky and Kornilov, reviews a disreputable Moscow women's battalion, and leads her troops in a failed offensive.
- General Kornilov
Commander-in-Chief; discusses his childhood and political views with Bochkareva, has a heated argument with Kerensky, and threatens to use the Savage Division against the government.
- Alexander Kerensky
Minister of War; agitated by Bochkareva's report, argues with Kornilov, and threatens to replace him with Alexeiev.
- Mikhail Rodzianko
President of the Duma; accompanies Bochkareva and Kornilov, mediates between Kornilov and Kerensky, and persuades Kornilov to remain as Commander-in-Chief.
- General Verkhovsky
Commander of the Moscow Military District; saves Bochkareva from a lynch mob by calming the crowd.
- General Valuyev
Commander of the Tenth Army; issues the order for the corps to attack at 3 a.m. on July 8th.
- Lieutenant Filippov
Bochkareva's adjutant; stationed in the center of the line during the aborted offensive.
- General Alexeiev
Mentioned as Kerensky's potential replacement for Kornilov; has declined the Chief Command unless given a free hand.
Key passages
“What is this, a house of shame? I cried out in my grief. You are a disgrace to the army! I would have you disbanded at once, and I shall do my best to see that you are not sent to the front!”
Bochkareva is horrified by the Moscow women's battalion, calling them a disgrace and vowing to have them disbanded.
Reflects Bochkareva's strict standards of discipline and her disdain for the perceived immorality of the Moscow unit.
“Scoundrel! exclaimed Kornilov, and he left Kerensky's study.”
Kornilov angrily calls Kerensky a scoundrel and storms out of the meeting.
Highlights the intense personal conflict between the two leaders.
“It was five months since freedom was born, only five months. But what a nightmare it had become!”
Bochkareva laments that the revolution's promise of freedom has turned into a nightmare of division and disorder.
Captures the theme of disillusionment with the revolution.
