Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin

"Duel"

Returning from the parade ground, Second Lieutenant Romashov thought: “I won’t go today: I can’t bother people every day.” Every day he sat with the Nikolaevs until midnight, but in the evening of the next day he again went to this cozy house.

“I’ve received a letter from your lady,” reported Gainan, a Cheremis who was sincerely attached to Romashov. The letter was from Raisa Alexandrovna Peterson, with whom they dirtyly and boringly (and for quite a long time) deceived her husband. The cloying smell of her perfume and the vulgarly playful tone of the letter caused unbearable disgust. Half an hour later, embarrassed and annoyed with himself, he knocked on the Nikolaevs’ door. Vladimir Yefimitch was busy. For two years in a row, he had failed the exams for the academy, and Alexandra Petrovna, Shurochka, did everything so that the last chance (it was only allowed to enter up to three times) was not missed. Helping her husband prepare, Shurochka had already mastered the entire program (only ballistics was not given), but Volodya moved very slowly.

With Romochka (that’s what she called Romashov), Shurochka began to discuss a newspaper article about fights recently allowed in the army. She sees them as a necessity that is severe for Russian conditions. Otherwise, officers like Archakovsky or a drunkard like Nazansky will not emerge among officers. Romashov did not agree to include Nazansky in this company, who said that the ability to love, like talent, is not given to everyone. Once this man was rejected by Shurochka, and her husband hated the lieutenant.

This time Romashov stayed near Shurochka until they said it was time to sleep.

At the next regimental ball, Romashov plucked up the courage to tell his mistress that it was all over. Peterson's wife vowed revenge. And soon Nikolaev began to receive anonymous letters with hints about the special relationship between the second lieutenant and his wife. However, there were plenty of ill-wishers besides her. Romashov did not allow the non-commissioned officers to fight and strongly objected to the “dentists” from among the officers, and promised Captain Sliva that he would file a report against him if he allowed him to beat the soldiers.

The authorities were also dissatisfied with Romashov. In addition, money was getting worse, and the bartender would no longer even lend cigarettes. My soul felt bad because of the feeling of boredom, the meaninglessness of the service and loneliness.

At the end of April, Romashov received a note from Alexandra Petrovna. It reminded of their common name day (Tsarina Alexandra and her faithful knight George). Having borrowed money from Lieutenant Colonel Rafalsky, Romashov bought perfume and at five o’clock was already at the Nikolaevs’. The picnic turned out to be noisy. Romashov sat next to Shurochka, almost did not listen to Osadchy’s rantings, toasts and flat jokes of the officers, experiencing a strange state similar to a dream. His hand sometimes touched Shurochka’s hand, but neither he nor she looked at each other. Nikolaev seemed unhappy. After the feast, Romashov wandered into the grove. Footsteps were heard from behind. It was Shurochka coming. They sat down on the grass. “I’m in love with you today,” she admitted. She saw Romochka in a dream, and she really wanted to see him. He began to kiss her dress: “Sasha... I love you...” She admitted that she was worried about his closeness, but why was he so pathetic. They have common thoughts and desires, but she must refuse him. Shurochka stood up: let’s go, they’ll miss us. On the way, she suddenly asked him not to visit them anymore: her husband was besieged by anonymous letters.

A review took place in mid-May. The corps commander toured the companies lined up on the parade ground, looked at how they marched, how they performed rifle techniques and reformed to repel unexpected cavalry attacks - and was dissatisfied. Only the fifth company of Captain Stelkovsky, where they were not tortured with shagistics and did not steal from the common cauldron, deserved praise.

The worst thing happened during the ceremonial march. Even at the beginning of the review, Romashov seemed to be caught up in some kind of joyful wave, as if he felt like a particle of some formidable force. And now, walking ahead of his half-company, he felt himself an object of general admiration. Screams from behind made him turn around and turn pale. The formation was mixed up - and precisely because he, Second Lieutenant Romashov, having ascended in his dreams to the skies, all this time was shifting from the center of the ranks to the right flank. Instead of delight, he suffered public shame. To this was added an explanation with Nikolaev, who demanded that everything be done to stop the flow of anonymous letters, and also not to visit their house.

Going over what had happened in his memory, Romashov quietly walked to the railway track and in the darkness saw soldier Khlebnikov, the subject of bullying and ridicule in the company. “Did you want to kill yourself?” - he asked Khlebnikov, and the soldier, choking with sobs, said that they were beating him, laughing, the platoon commander was extorting money, and where to get it. And he is unable to teach: he has suffered from a hernia since childhood.

Romashov suddenly found his grief so trivial that he hugged Khlebnikov and started talking about the need to endure. From that time on, he understood: faceless companies and regiments consist of such Khlebnikovs, suffering from their grief and having their own destiny.

The forced distance from officer society allowed me to focus on my thoughts and find joy in the very process of the birth of a thought. Romashov saw more and more clearly that there were only three worthy callings: science, art and free physical labor.

At the end of May, a soldier in Osadchy’s company hanged himself. After this incident, continuous drinking began. First they drank in the congregation, then they moved to Shleifersha. This is where a scandal broke out. Bek-Agamalov rushed with a saber at those present (“Everyone get out of here!”), and then his anger turned to one of the young ladies, who called him a fool. Romashov grabbed his hand: “Bek, you won’t hit a woman, you’ll be ashamed all your life.”

The revelry in the regiment continued. Romashov found Osadchy and Nikolaev at the meeting. The latter pretended not to notice him. There was singing all around. When silence finally reigned, Osadchy suddenly began a funeral service for the suicide, interspersing it with dirty curses. Romashov was overcome with rage: “I won’t allow it! Keep quiet! In response, for some reason, Nikolaev, his face distorted with anger, shouted to him: “You yourself are a disgrace to the regiment! You and the various Nazanskys!” “What does Nazansky have to do with it?

Or do you have reasons to be unhappy with him? Nikolaev swung, but Romashov managed to throw the rest of the beer in his face.

On the eve of the meeting of the officers' court of honor, Nikolaev asked the enemy not to mention the name of his wife and anonymous letters. As one would expect, the court determined that the quarrel could not be ended by reconciliation.

Romashov spent most of the day before the fight with Nazansky, who convinced him not to shoot. Life is an amazing and unique phenomenon. Is he really so committed to the military class, does he really believe in the supposed higher meaning of the army order so much that he is ready to risk his very existence?

In the evening, Romashov found Shurochka at his home. She began to say that she had spent years building her husband’s career. If Romochka refuses to fight for the sake of love for her, then there will still be something dubious about it and Volodya will almost certainly not be allowed to take the exam. They must certainly shoot, but not one of them must be wounded. The husband knows and agrees. Saying goodbye, she threw her arms behind his neck: “We won’t see each other again. So let’s not be afraid of anything... One time... let’s take our happiness...” and pressed her hot lips to his mouth.

In an official report to the regimental commander, Staff Captain Dietz reported the details of the duel between Lieutenant Nikolaev and Second Lieutenant Romashov. When, on command, the opponents went to meet each other halfway, Lieutenant Nikolaev wounded the second lieutenant in the upper right abdomen with a shot, and he died seven minutes later from internal hemorrhage. The report was accompanied by the testimony of the junior doctor Mr. Znoiko.

Second Lieutenant Romashov decided not to go to the Nikolaevs today. The orderly brought letters “from the lady.” With Raisa Peterson, they have been dirtyly and boringly deceiving her husband for a long time. The vulgar tone of the letter and the cloying smell of perfume evoked disgust. And Romashov went to the Nikolaevs. Vladimir was preparing for exams at the academy, and Shurochka helped him. She had already mastered the entire program, but her husband could not cope.

They discussed the news about allowing combat in the army. Shurochka sees the need for them, otherwise there will be cheaters and drunkards.

At the regimental ball, Romashov told his mistress that the affair was over. Raisa vowed revenge. Nikolaev began receiving anonymous letters with hints about Romashov and Shurochka. There were plenty of enemies: the lieutenant forbade the non-commissioned officers to fight and condemned the punching of the officers. He threatened Captain Sliwa with a report if he allowed the soldiers to be beaten.

The bosses are dissatisfied with Romashov, money is getting worse. I feel bad from loneliness, boredom, and the meaninglessness of service.

On the day of the general name day, Romashov, having borrowed money, bought perfume, and came to the Nikolaevs. The picnic was noisy. Romashov sat next to Shurochka. His hand touched Shurochka’s hand. Then Romashov wandered into the grove. Shurochka followed him. She asked me not to come again: they write anonymous letters to my husband. They have common desires, but she must refuse.

During the review on the march, a terrible thing happened: walking ahead of his half-company and experiencing joy, Romashov broke the formation. The delight was replaced by public shame. There was also an explanation with Nikolaev: he demanded to stop the flow of anonymous messages, not to visit them.

Romashov, lost in thought, reached railway, spotted soldier Khlebnikov. Sobbing, he said how they laughed at him, beat him, how the platoon commander demanded money, how difficult his training was for him with a hernia. His grief seemed trivial to Romashov.

One day, Romashov found Osadchy and Nikolaev at a meeting. Osadchy dragged on the funeral service, interspersing it with curses. Romashova shouted in rage: be silent! Nikolaev swung, Romashov threw beer in his face.

The officer's court of honor ruled that a duel was necessary.

Shurochka came in the evening. She talked about the years spent on her husband’s career. If Romashov refuses the fight, there will be a stain on her husband’s honor. He won't be accepted into the academy. She allegedly spoke to her husband - no one should even be injured. She suddenly fell to him: let’s take our happiness once...

The official report on the fight read: Nikolaev wounded Romashov in the stomach, and he died seven minutes later. The testimony of the junior doctor was also included.

Essays

The author and his characters in A. I. Kuprin’s story “The Duel” Ideological and artistic originality of A. Kuprin’s story “The Duel” Test of love (based on the story “The Duel” by A. I. Kuprin) CRITICAL IMAGE OF ARMY SOCIETY IN A. I. KUPRIN’S STORY “DUEHL” The world of human feelings in prose of the early 20th century Moral and social problems in A. Kuprin’s story “The Duel.” Moral and social problems of Kuprin’s story “The Duel” The moral quest of Kuprin’s heroes using the example of the heroes of the story “The Duel” Story by A.I. Kuprin's "Duel" as a protest against depersonalization and spiritual emptiness Duel in “Duel” (based on the story of the same name by A.I. Kuprin) Duel of violence and humanism Debunking the romance of military service (based on the story “The Duel”) Russia in the works of A. I. Kuprin (based on the story “The Duel”) The strength and weakness of the nature of Second Lieutenant Romashov (based on the story “The Duel” by A. I. Kuprin) The power of love (based on the story “The Duel” by A. I. Kuprin) The meaning of the title and problems of A. I. Kuprin’s story “The Duel” The meaning of the title of A. I. Kuprin’s story “The Duel” Class morality of officers based on Kuprin’s story “The Duel” Three proud callings of a person based on the story “The Duel” by A. I. Kuprin

Year of publication of the book: 1905

Alexander Kuprin’s story “The Duel” is considered by many to be one of the most significant works in the author’s work. It is thanks to such works that Kuprin occupies a high place in our history. The writer dedicated his story to , whom he considered his teacher. And he received high marks from him for this work. The story “The Duel” has been filmed six times under different titles. The last one dates back to 2014.

The plot of the story “The Duel” briefly

In Kuprin’s story “The Duel” you can read about the young second lieutenant Georgy Alekseevich Romashov. He had recently graduated from college and was now finishing his evening classes with the sixth company. The junior officers gathered together and talked about the stupidity of these activities. Their conversation was interrupted by the appearance of the Circassian Bek-Agamalov. Even cavalrymen could envy his ability to ride a horse. He then told the news that the commander demands that the officers cut down scarecrows. This caused a heated discussion about the relevance of this skill in modern warfare, but then everyone unanimously decided to try it. Romashov was never good at this. And this time he fell flat on his face again, not only missing the scarecrow, but also ripping the skin off his finger. But Bek-Agamalov successfully demolished half of the scarecrow. Meanwhile, the regiment commander appeared. He was clearly not in the mood and first a soldier from Romashov’s company fell under the hot hand, and then the second lieutenant himself. As a result, Romashov received four days of house arrest, and his captain Sliva received a reprimand.

After the parade ground was empty, Georgy Alekseevich felt his loneliness. On the way home, he was wondering where to go in the evening. The city was small and the only decent place was the station, where a lot of people gathered when the Prussian train arrived. But he felt sorry for him, and remembering how a beautiful first-class passenger laughed at him not so long ago, he decided that there was nothing to do at the station today. The whole way home was filled with dreams of how he would learn and how he would give orders to Colonel Shulgovich. He was so lost in dreams that he ran and waved his arms.

At home, he was again occupied with thoughts about where to go in the evening. Recently, he often spent evenings in the house of Lieutenant Vladimir Efimovich Nikolaev. But today he firmly decided not to go there. This decision was changed by a letter from Raisa Alexandrovna Peterson, with whom he had long been having an affair behind her husband’s back. The woman hinted that they had not seen each other for a week, and today her husband would not be at home. After reading the letter, Romashev decided to go to the Nikolaevs again. And if they came from the Petersons, he told his orderly Gainana to answer that the owner didn’t know.

Further in the summary of Kuprin’s “Duel” you will learn how, approaching the Nikolaevs’ house, he saw Alexandra Petrovna Nikolaeva in the window. He admired her for a long time, hoping that she was talking so sweetly about him. Then he finally decided to go into the house. Vladimir Efimovich was busy preparing to enter the military academy. Shurochka actively helped him with this and even invented her own method. And she did it even better than her husband. The only thing she was not good at was ballistics, which was cluttered with many formulas. At Shurochka’s suggestion, the conversation came down to fights, which were allowed again. The girl condemned this decision and considered it barbaric. At the same time, in her opinion, duels were needed among officers. So, for example, she would have gladly killed Nazansky for introducing Romashov to vodka. In parting, she even said that instead of Nazansky’s company, it would be better for Georgy Alekseevich to come to their house.

The next day was not fun for the main character of the story “The Duel” Kuprin. He was under house arrest and could not take part in the fuss associated with the review. In general, all the officers in the unit tried to avoid work and were more preoccupied with their financial problems. Often at the expense of soldiers' money. But before the show, everyone seemed to come to life. But Romashov had time to think. For example, why does his orderly buy him cigarettes with his own money? Even the barman won’t lend him a loan for a year. And only the Nikolaevs’ visit brightened up this day. The next day he was stunned by the adjutant's visit. The regiment commander demanded him to come to him. Romashov quickly got dressed and arrived at Shulgovich’s. First, the colonel began to shout at him that Romashov was drinking a lot and would soon go downhill. But then I saw in the eyes of the main character that one more word and this could be the last straw. After that, he cooled down a little and even invited him to dinner. They talked a lot and turned out to be fellow countrymen from Penza. Only Romashov was from Narovchatsky district, and Shulgovich from Insarsky. During lunch, the colonel made many comments to Romashov about the cutlery, which embarrassed him.

Subsequent events in Kuprin’s story “The Duel” take place at the ball. In the first years, Romashov loved this action, but then he realized that the ladies went to the ball in the same dresses, and they did not know how to use their blush at all. And the atmosphere of the holiday was too pompous. During the ball, he tried in every possible way to avoid meeting Raisa Peterson, but this failed. During their dance, he decided to break off the relationship. This caused a storm of emotions and promises of revenge. Moreover, in this she could count on her husband, who, as you know, loved his wife very much. And more than once he was noticed for meanness in his service against his wife’s former favorites.

Then gray everyday life rushed on. There was drilling of soldiers, training and preparation for the review. Romashov ruined his relationship with Sliva by reprimanding him about the cruel treatment of soldiers, and in the meantime he fell deeper and deeper into debt. Therefore, when on April 23 he received an invitation to a picnic in honor of Shurochka’s day, he realized that he had no money for a gift. I had to borrow ten rubles. But when Romashov was already approaching the Nikolaevs’ house, something in Shurochka’s letter alerted him. He had already completely decided to pass, but Shurochka came out to meet him personally. This stopped his flight. The picnic was not so much fun as it was noisy. Romashov kept trying to find out from Shurochka why she was so unusual today and why her husband was so cold towards him. But the girl still eluded the answer. Only when it was getting light Romashov moved further into the forest. Shurochka slid behind him. The main character confessed his love to her, and Shurochka admitted that she was also attracted to him. But you can’t call it love – it’s more like pity. But despite this, they can no longer meet. After all, her husband receives anonymous messages about their alleged relationship. Therefore, Shurochka asks Romashov not to come to their house anymore.

Further in Kuprin’s work “The Duel” you can read about how on the first of May the entire regiment marched to the camp. The camp was two miles from the city. Soldiers and junior officers lived there. All except the sixth company, whose barracks were completely run down. In the camp the drill only intensified. Only the fifth company, commanded by Captain Stelkovsky, broke out of this rhythm. He didn’t yell at his soldiers, didn’t hit them, and they looked well-fed. But his discipline was ironclad. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that on the parade ground on May fifteenth it was his company that earned the general’s praise. But Romashov, as always, made a mistake. During the march, he became so proud of himself that he knocked the whole company out of rhythm. As a result, it turned out to be a herd, and the second lieutenant himself received a severe reprimand, seven days in the guardhouse and the requirement to write an application for transfer to another company.

All this could not but leave a deep mark on the vulnerable soul of the protagonist of the story “The Duel.” He was walking home alone when Nikolaev met him on the railway line. Vladimir Efimovich did not hide the fact that he was waiting for Romashov. They didn't say hello, but went straight to the point. Nikolaev told his former friend about anonymous notes and rumors spread by some unknown person. All this spoiled his wife's reputation. Romashov agreed that this was unacceptable and promised to try to stop it. Besides, main character promised never to visit the Nikolaevs’ house again. After that, Romashov wandered around the city all evening and only a few pictures remained in his memory. He woke up again on the railway track. By this time, he was increasingly visited by thoughts of suicide. Strangely enough, soldier Khlebnikov prevented this. He was one of the weakest soldiers, who was always beaten by officers and ordinary soldiers. Apparently he also had thoughts of suicide. Subsequently, Romashov invited him to his place and found out everything about his unhappy life. After that, he firmly decided, having served his three mandatory years, to go into the reserves. He even began to think about his profession. But the more he thought, the more he became convinced that for a person there are only three types of activity - science, art and physical labor. And literature, like the main character, fascinated him most of all.

After that incident on the parade ground, Romashov avoided the officers, and indeed any other society. He spent hours thinking or spending hours under Shurochka’s windows. One day he even threw a bouquet at her window. But soon I received a note not to do this again. At the end of May, a soldier in Captain Osadchy’s company hanged himself. This would not be something strange if it did not happen on exactly the same day as a year ago. Romashov had to be present at the autopsy. And soon the captain himself came to him, who was insanely drunk. He practically forced Romashov to one of his drinking parties. When all the officers were already quite drunk, they decided to go to the brothel. There, the insane Bek-Agamalov almost hacked a woman to death. Romashov stopped him. This helped him a little later, when the drunken company returned to the salon. Here Osadchy sang a funeral song, which caused a scandal. As a result, the drunken Nikolaev began to insult Romashov, who poured the remains of beer in his face and a fight broke out. The main character woke up already in the corner, and Bek-Agamalov was saying something to Nikolaev.

The next morning, the main character of the work “The Duel” by Kuprin received a note demanding that the officers of the Nth Regiment appear before the court. Romashov arrived at six and was asked to wait. Soon Nikolaev left the courtroom. He didn’t say anything, and the main character tried not to notice him. But Nikolaev sat down next to him and, trying so that no one would see this, asked not to talk about the anonymous letters and their debates. Romashov fulfilled his request. He did not tell any of the court officers this. And he ignored all attempts by Captain Peterson to bring up this topic. Already in the evening, the court of officers rendered its verdict - a duel.

You can read Kuprin’s story “The Duel” online on the Top Books website.

In his work A.I. Kuprin wanted to show negative side service in the army, focusing on the cruelty and violence reigning in the regiment. A chapter-by-chapter summary of Kuprin’s story “The Duel” will help the reader understand the true cause of the conflict that broke out between two officers, which ultimately led to dire consequences.

Main characters

• Georgy Romashov- second lieutenant. Hopelessly in love with a married lady.
• Alexandra Nikolaeva (Shurochka)- Nikolaev's wife. The secret passion of Georgy Romashov.
• Vladimir Nikolaev- Shurochka's husband. Lieutenant. Romashov's opponent in a duel.

Chapter 1

It was getting dark. Classes in the sixth company were coming to an end. The soldiers exchanged jokes. The pleasant conversation was interrupted by the appearance of Colonel Shulgovich, who that day was clearly in a bad mood.

Second Lieutenant Romashov received the most punishment for not being able to competently lead a company. In addition to Romashov, a Tatar soldier who did not understand anything in Russian received a severe reprimand from the colonel. The second lieutenant tried to defend his ward, for which he angered his superiors even more. As punishment, he is given house arrest for four days.

Chapter 2

IN Lately Romashov was increasingly overcome by a bitter feeling of loneliness. He felt out of place around the officers, whom he avoided. And now he must go to the officers’ meeting. The very thought of it disgusted him. George, unexpectedly for himself, changes his route, heading towards the house instead of the garrison.

Chapter 3

Arriving home, Romashov, without undressing, fell onto the bed. The orderly was rattling something in the hallway. Bad thoughts continued to creep into my head. While he lay there, thinking about how to move on, there was a quiet knock on the door. The orderly brought a letter from Raisa.

Raisa is a married lady, but this fact did not bother her. The girl invites Romashov to a square dance. Georgy tears up his mistress’s letter and swears to himself that today he will pay his last visit to the house of Lieutenant Nikolaev, where Shurochka lived, causing emotional unrest in his heart.

Chapter 4

In the Nikolaevs' house, preparations for the academy exam were in full swing. Officer Nikolaev's wife Shurochka dreamed that her husband would go there and quickly take her away from these places.

Chapter 5

Georgy got home late. I decided to visit my friend Nazansky. Nazansky shows Georgiy a letter from the woman he once loved. Georgy recognizes Shurochka’s handwriting. At home, George was waiting for another letter from his mistress. Raisa openly threatened him.

Chapter 6

The beginning of house arrest. Romashov does not leave the house. Shurochka came to visit him in person along with her husband. In her hands was a basket of hot pies. The girl clearly makes it clear to him that he is only her friend and nothing more.

Chapter 7

Colonel Shulgovich scolds Romashov for standing up for the soldier. He doesn’t forget to mention the second lieutenant’s drunkenness. After a reprimand, Shulgovich changes his anger to mercy, inviting Georgy to a dinner party.

Romashov goes home again in a depressed mood, feeling his worthlessness in this world. In the evening he takes out a notebook covered in clumsy handwriting. This was the third story he wrote. No one around him knew about his secret passion for writing.

Chapter 8

Romashov goes to the ball where officers' meetings are held. Among the ladies, he sees Raisa, in whose gaze there was nothing good.

The duel became a topic of conversation among the officers. Some considered it stupidity, others that only blood could wash away the stain of resentment.

Chapter 9

Romashov is terribly annoyed by Raisa. While dancing a square dance with her, he becomes disgusted with her. Georgy admits to her that everything is over between them. Raisa threatens him that she will take revenge.

Chapter 10

During the morning exercise, the soldiers had a heated discussion about punishment in the army. Romashov was an ardent opponent of cruelty and violence towards soldiers. He was tired and disgusted with everything, but service is service. Having overcome himself, he goes to officer training.

Chapter 11

Georgy does not see the point in officer training. Every day the same thing. Tired of the thoughts that weighed on him, he decided to relax after the service. Together with a friend, they go to a bar, where Romashov drinks himself into unconsciousness.

Chapter 12

Romashov suffers from the fact that he has not seen Shurochka for a long time. A pleasant surprise for him was an invitation from the Nikolaev couple to his name day. Georgy goes to ask to borrow money for a gift for the birthday girl.

Chapter 13

Going on a picnic to Shurochka, Georgy had bad feelings. It seemed to him that Shurochka’s husband began to guess about his attitude towards her. After talking with Nikolaev, Romashov realized that he was not mistaken about him.

Chapter 14

Shurochka and Romashov managed to find time to talk. The girl admits that she likes him, but does not see any prospects in their relationship. Shurochka asks not to come to their house anymore. Every day the postman brings anonymous letters indicating their relationship, and she has no need to anger her husband once again. He's already become overly suspicious lately.

Chapter 15

The regiment is in full swing preparing for the new review. Romashov can’t concentrate on work. As a result, a complete failure during the review. The soldiers were unable to perform well, and the second lieutenant again received a reprimand for this. Plus a week of guardhouse. Romashov is in despair. For the first time he has thoughts of suicide.

Chapter 16

On the way to the house, Nikolaev meets him. A serious conversation takes place between them about anonymous letters. Georgy promises not to come to their house anymore, in order to avoid gossip and rumors.

Chapter 17

IN Once again Romashov became convinced that the army was not for him. He decided that as soon as he served the required three years, he would immediately leave here.

Chapter 18

There is a state of emergency. One of the soldiers hanged himself. The soldiers decide to relieve tension after such news in a brothel. One of the officers causes a pogrom by raising his hand against a woman. Romashov manages to calm him down and resolve the conflict that arose between them.

Chapter 19

The officers continue to drink. Unexpectedly, Nikolaev, also tipsy, joined the company. A quarrel arises between him and George.

Chapter 20

Romashov is summoned to the authorities. The officers' court decided that only a duel could resolve the current conflict. Duels were not prohibited by law. A fight can be avoided if one of the participants submits a resignation letter.

Chapter 21

Romashov goes to Nazansky for advice on what to do. Nazansky persistently convinces not to participate in the fight. It's better to leave the army and start a new life.

Chapter 22

Shurochka was waiting for Romashov at home. She persistently asked the man to take part in the duel. If her husband does not take part in the duel, he will never be accepted into the academy, and she will not survive this. Shurochka makes it clear that no one will get hurt in the duel. She agreed with her husband on this matter. The fight will be purely symbolic.

Chapter 23

The duel did not go according to the rules. Nikolaev violates the terms of the agreement and inflicts a mortal wound on Romashov. The second lieutenant dies from his wound before he can fire back.

In the sixth company, evening classes are coming to an end. The practical regulations of the garrison service are studied. Young soldiers are confused, lost, fearing reprisals, and fall into one extreme or the other. Junior officers are talking on the parade ground: Lieutenant Vetkin - “a bald, mustachioed man of about thirty-three, a merry fellow, a talker, a singer and a drunkard”, Second Lieutenant Romashov, who is only serving for the second year, and Ensign Lbov - “a lively, slender boy”, a lover of army jokes. They don’t understand why the soldiers should be drilled just before the review - after all, they will get tired and won’t be able to show themselves. Prancing on a horse, Lieutenant Bek-Agamalov appears. He invites his comrades to practice cutting clay effigies, and he is the only one who excels in this art. Colonel Shulgovich arrives in a carriage. He checks the training of one of Romashov’s subordinates, Tatar Sharafutdinov. He gets lost, Romashov stands up for him and ends up under house arrest “for not understanding military discipline.” His immediate superior, Captain Sliwa, was reprimanded.

Romashov wanders along the highway, remembering the scene on the parade ground. “Vengeful, fantastic, intoxicating dreams” boil within him: now he prepares and enters the academy, now he graduates from it and becomes an officer of the general staff, now he witnesses how Colonel Shulgovich is scolded at maneuvers, now he pacifies a rebellion, achieves glory in war and even before the war - in the service of a spy. Carried away, he starts running. Then he stops, embarrassed by the stupidity of what comes to mind.

At home, Romashov asks his orderly Gainan if he was invited to see Lieutenant Nikolaev for the evening. “No way,” he replies, and Romashov once again promises himself not to go to the Nikolaevs. He is hopelessly in love with the lieutenant's wife Alexandra Petrovna. Romashov recalls how he planned his life a year ago - a thorough acquaintance with classical literature, studying languages, music lessons, preparation for the academy. And now he doesn’t even touch books, drinks vodka in the officers’ meeting, and has started a “dirty and boring” relationship with a regimental lady. He ashamed. Guinan brings him a letter from this very lady, Raisa Peterson. The fact that the letter smells cloyingly of perfume, the tone of the letter - everything irritates Romashov. He tears up the letter and realizes that he will still go to the Nikolaevs. Gainan asks the owner to give him a bust of Pushkin (Guinan is an idolater).

Approaching the Nikolaevs’ house, Romashov looks through the window for a long time at Alexandra Petrovna and Shurochka. Entering the house, he is pretty embarrassed. Nikolaev, as always, is cramming. Shurochka does not want to live in the outback among vulgarity, philistinism and intrigue, she needs a big society, light, music, smart interlocutors, worship, so she, sparing no time, helps her husband prepare for the exam at the academy, which he has already failed twice. Feeling emotional, Shurochka cries “angry, proud, proud tears,” but quickly calms down and turns the conversation to the topic of officer fights. She believes that a duel is both a massacre and a bloody buffoonery, that the Russians have a wrong idea of ​​what officer’s honor is, and for this they need fights that eliminate “mischief, familiar ridicule... foul language, throwing decanters at each other’s heads with the aim of all - not to hit, but to miss.” In her opinion, an officer should be a model of correctness, which cannot be said about regiment officers. Shurochka speaks especially disapprovingly of the “happy drunkard” Nazansky and the “card sharper” Archakovsky. Nikolaev goes to bed after dinner, and Romashov finds himself forced to take his leave.

Coming out onto the porch, Romashov hears Nikolaev’s orderly, Stepan, complaining about him to a friend: “Walk, walk every day.” And why go, the devil only knows!” He blushes with shame and decides “to spite” Shurochka to go to Nazansky. He was suspended from service for a month due to heavy drinking and tells Romashov that, after taking a sip of alcohol, he feels free and thinks a lot “about faces, about meetings, about characters, about books, about women.” According to Nazansky, “love has its peaks, accessible only to a few out of millions.” Nazansky once dreamed of falling in love with an “extraordinary woman” and devoting “his whole life, all his thoughts” to her. He tells Romashov about his love for such a woman, with whom he had to break up because he could not stop drinking. However, there was no romance between them: “only ten to fifteen meetings, five or six intimate conversations.” He shows her only letter. Romashov recognizes Shurochka’s handwriting, and the reason for her hostility towards Nazansky becomes clear to him. Returning home, he finds a second note from Raisa with threats and hints about Romashov’s “affair” with Shurochka and demanding that he definitely be in the meeting on Saturday. Having fallen asleep, Romashov sees himself in a dream as a carefree child. He wakes up on a pillow wet with tears.

“With the exception of a few ambitious and careerists, all officers served as forced, unpleasant, disgusting corvée, languishing in it and not loving it.” They robbed soldiers, played cards day and night, drank a lot, but “before big shows, everyone, young and old, pulled themselves together and pulled each other along.” And now, before the May parade, the regiment had been “hasty, feverish work for two weeks now, and Sunday was awaited with equal impatience by both tired officers and twitched, stunned soldiers.”

For Romashov, however, “all the charm of this sweet holiday was lost” due to the arrest.

He remembers how his mother punished him by tying his leg to the bed with a thread. He did not dare to break this thread. He compares his current state with the thread that held him. Romashov thinks and comes to the conclusion that only his own “I” is important in life: after all, the concepts of homeland, duty, honor, love are meaningless when they are not felt by a person. Gainan treats Romashov, whose credit at the store has run out, to a smoker, and he, upset, thinks that the soldiers cannot be treated as a gray mass, because each of the soldiers has his own “I”. Shurochka passes by the window, she calls out to Romashov, and he opens the window. Her husband appears and takes her away. Shurochka returns and in a whisper asks Romashov to come over more often, since she has no other friends.

The regimental adjutant takes Romashov to the colonel. He scolds Romashov, who loses consciousness from the surging feelings, not the least of which was hatred. Shulgovich, a gentle man by nature, brings him to his senses and invites him to stay for lunch. At home, Romashov finds Gainan in the closet praying in front of a bust of Pushkin. Romashov decides that he will no longer force the orderly to do all the work and will begin to dress and undress himself. In the evening he does not go to the meeting, but stays at home to write a story entitled “The Last Fatal Debut,” the third in a row.

On Saturday evening, at the officers' meeting, several officers play billiards. Little by little the ladies arrive. In the mess hall, the officers argue about the fights that have just been authorized. Captain Osadchiy believes that the duel must necessarily have a fatal outcome. He is opposed by Second Lieutenant Mikhin, who believes that sometimes the highest wisdom lies in forgiveness and refusal to fight. Lieutenant Archakovsky, who is considered a sharper and almost a bandit, calls Mikhin a decadent. At the request of Raisa Peterson, dancing begins. Lieutenant Colonel Lech, drunk, tells Romashov a parable about the strategist Moltke, who promised to give a purse of gold to the officer from whom he heard at least one smart word, but died without ever finding such a thing.

Raisa deliberately sits close to Romashov and flirts with her partner, Lieutenant Olizar. During the quadrille she dances with Romashov, Raisa creates an ugly scene: she bursts out with abuse at Shurochka, hypocritically regrets that for the sake of Romashov she sacrificed her husband, “this ideal, wonderful man.” Romashov smiles, remembering how she called her husband a fool, a blockhead and started affairs with every young officer who arrived in the regiment. Romashov invites her to separate peacefully, since they do not love each other. He returns to the dining room, tries to be frank, to “talk to his heart” with Vetkin, but sadly realizes that there is no one who would understand his thoughts.

In the morning, Romashov is late for class as usual. Captain Plum scolds him. “This man was a rough and heavy fragment of the former cruel discipline, which had receded into the realm of legend, with general fighting, petty formalism, marching at three tempos and fist reprisals.” True, he never delayed money letters to the soldiers and personally monitored the company boiler, so only in one fifth company did the people look better fed and more cheerful than his. But he did not let the young officers down. Meanwhile, classes continue. Romashov's subordinate, non-commissioned officer Shapovalenko, swings at the weak and downtrodden soldier Khlebnikov, who fails to pull himself up on the crossbar. Romashov pulls Shapovalenko back. After the gymnastics, when the soldiers were given a ten-minute rest, the officers converge on the parade ground. Plum talks about military discipline,

about the old order, when a commander could beat a soldier with impunity. Romashov replies that assault is an abomination, that beating a soldier is dishonorable, and threatens to file a report with the regiment commander against Sliva.

At company school, soldiers do “literature”, then in the yard - “preparatory exercises for shooting.” After classes, Romashov and Vetkin went to the meeting and drank a lot of vodka together. “Romashov, almost losing consciousness, kissed Vetkin, cried on his shoulder with loud hysterical tears, complaining about the emptiness and melancholy of life...” Romashov did not remember how he got home and who put him to bed.

Shurochka invites Romashov to celebrate their common name day. He borrows money for a gift and a cab from Lieutenant Colonel Rafalsky (who is called Brem because he keeps animals at home).

Romashov comes to the Nikolaevs and sees three double-window carriages near the fence. Invited guests gradually gather.

Name days are celebrated outside the city. After Osadchy’s toast to the wars of past years, Shurochka and Romashov leave. She tells Romashov that she dreamed about dancing a waltz with him, and he confesses his love to her, swears that he will achieve fame and success. She admits that she is also attracted to him: “But why are you so pathetic! After all, pity is the sister of contempt. Think I can't respect you. Oh, if only you were strong!” She doesn’t love her husband, doesn’t want a child, but doesn’t intend to cheat on her husband. When they return, Nikolaev scolds his wife, who responds to him “with an indescribable expression of indignation and contempt.”

The rich bachelor Captain Stelkovsky loves to hire young girls as servants and, having seduced them, let them go. But his company is the best in the regiment. Stelkovsky is patient, cool-headed, persistent, and does not hit soldiers. The officers don't like him, but the soldiers adore him.

May 15th is viewing day. All the officers raise the soldiers to march at four in the morning. Stelkovsky's company appears on the parade ground at a quarter to ten. During the review, all companies except his are not up to par. What remains is the ceremonial march. Romashov dreams that the general will notice and praise him, he is so carried away by dreams that he loses alignment, and the half-company following him huddles together. Soldier Khlebnikov falls into the dust and, in front of the general’s eyes, almost on all fours catches up with his own. Romashov understands that he is disgraced forever and all he can do is shoot himself. Captain Sliva demands that he submit a report on transfer to another company. Romashov is painfully ashamed. On the way to the camp, Romashov catches the sergeant major beating Khlebnikov, but does not find the strength to intercede.

Nikolaev forbids Romashov to visit their house, since anonymous letters arrive every day discrediting Shurochka’s reputation. Arriving at the meeting, Romashov hears officers talking about his failure, and Sliva declares that Romashov is not an officer, but “so, some kind of interjection.” Romashov wanders around the city and dreams of committing suicide so that everyone will regret his death. He reproaches God for turning away from him. Suddenly he sees a man in gray heading towards railway tracks. The ego of Khlebnikov, who also decided to commit suicide. Romashov consoles him. The soldier cries, complains about the cruelty of his comrades, the extortion of his platoon commander, and his health. For the first time, Romashov thinks about the fact that there are thousands of such Khlebnikovs, but he doesn’t remember the faces of his subordinates.

“From that night a deep spiritual change occurred in Romashov. He began to withdraw from the company of officers, dined most of the time at home, did not go to dance evenings in the congregation at all, and stopped drinking. He has definitely matured, become older and more serious.” He brings Khlebnikov closer to him, arranging for him a small additional income, and begins to think about retirement, about civilian professions: “science, art and free physical labor.” No matter how hard he tries, he cannot see Shurochka.

Captain Osadchy's soldier commits suicide. In the company of other officers, Osadchy drinks a lot in the meeting. One day Romashov ends up with them. After the meeting, the officers go to the brothel and push out two civilians. Bek-Agamalov hits dishes and mirrors with his sword, Romashov stops him, and the officers return to the meeting.

Osadchy and Vetkin sing a suicide note. Romashov demands to stop mocking the dead man. Nikolaev appears and accuses Romashov and Nazansky of disgracing the regiment, threatens to beat Romashov, who throws the rest of the beer from his glass in his face.

The officers' court sentences Romashov and Nikolaev to a duel. No one mentions Shurochka, over whom they will have to fight.

Drunk Nazansky, whom Romashov visits, says that Romashov will forgive Nikolaev, but he will never forgive himself for killing a person and will not forget about it. Nazansky and Romashov ride a boat, talk about the meaning of life, about the collapse in the army. Nazansky sees the reason for the collapse in contempt for a free personality; he believes that the time will come when “a free soul, and with it a creative thought and a cheerful thirst for life” will triumph. Nazansky advises Romashov to resign from the army in order to find out “in freedom” how wonderful life is.

At home, Romashov finds Shurochka, she says that she does not love her husband, but his career is her future, persuades Romashov to shoot with Nikolaev (“in a duel that ends in reconciliation, there is always something dubious, and the reputation of an officer of the General Staff should be without fluff "). Before separation, she gives herself to Romashov.

The last chapter of the story is the protocol of the duel, which indicates that Nikolaev wounded Romashov in the upper right abdomen. Romashov failed to fire back and died immediately after the seconds decided to consider the fight over.

Kuprin's story "The Duel" was first published in 1905. The work belongs to the tradition of neorealist prose in Russian literature. Central storyline The story associated with its title is a conflict between two officers, Romashov and Nikolaev, over the wife of the second. Their quarrel led to a duel and the death of the main character. In the work, the author touches on the problem of the relationship between the individual and society, reveals the theme of cruelty in the army, the humiliation of ordinary soldiers by command staff, and exposes the horror and vulgarity of officer society.

Main characters

Georgy Alekseich Romashov– 22 years old, second lieutenant, “serving only the second year in the regiment”; “he was of average height, thin”, “awkward due to great shyness”; dreamy young man.

Alexandra Petrovna Nikolaeva (Shurochka)- the woman with whom Romashov was in love; Nikolaev's wife.

Vladimir Efimych Nikolaev- lieutenant, Shurochka’s husband, with whom Romashov fought.

Other characters

Vasily Nilovich Nazansky- an officer, a drunkard, was in love with Alexandra Petrovna.

Raisa Alexandrovna Peterson- “regimental lady”, Romashov’s mistress, wife of Captain Peterson.

Shulgovich- regiment commander.

Chapter 1.

The sixth company is undergoing training. Colonel Shulgovich, who arrived at the company, scolded Second Lieutenant Romashov for the fact that the soldiers greeted the commander in an inappropriate manner. Romashov began to justify one of the soldiers, and was subjected to house arrest for four days for his insolence.

Chapter 2.

Romashov increasingly experienced “the painful consciousness of his loneliness and being lost among strangers, unfriendly or indifferent people.” Instead of going to the officers' meeting, Grigory went home.

Chapter 3.

Arriving home, Romashov asked the orderly if there was anyone from Lieutenant Nikolaev, but the answer was negative. Grigory visited the Nikolaevs almost every day for the last three months.

After graduating military school, Romashov thought that while in service he would engage in self-education. However, instead, he has a “dirty and boring relationship with the regimental lady,” “and more and more often he is burdened by the service, and his comrades, and own life» .

The orderly brought a letter from Romashov's mistress Raisa. The woman invited him to visit, invited him to a square dance next Saturday. Having torn up the letter, Romashov decided to go to the Nikolaevs “for the last time.”

Chapter 4.

Alexander Petrovna’s husband, Vladimir Efimych Nikolaev, “had to take an exam at the Academy of the General Staff and spent the whole year preparing for it persistently, without rest.” This was already the third exam - he had failed the previous two years and the third was the last chance. Shurochka really wanted her husband to do this, since she hated the life they were living now.

When Romashov came to the Nikolaevs, during the conversation Shurochka remembered that officer fights had become legalized. She believed that Russian officers needed duels: “then we won’t have card sharpers among the officers” and “serious drunkards” like officer Nazansky.

Chapter 5.

Leaving the Nikolaevs, Romashov “to spite her” goes to Nazansky. While talking, the men started talking about love. Nazansky believed that love “has its peaks, accessible only to a few out of millions.” Nazansky read Romashov a letter from the woman he loved. Romashov realized that this woman was Alexandra Petrovna. Nazansky also guessed about Grigory’s feelings for Shurochka.

Arriving home, Romashov found a letter from Raisa. She knew that Grigory visited the Nikolaevs every evening and wrote that she would “repay him cruelly.”

Chapter 6.

Romashov was under house arrest. Shurochka came to him and brought him some pies. Romashov kissed the woman’s hand. In parting, Shurochka said that Grigory was her only friend.

Chapter 7.

Gregory was taken to the colonel. Shulgovich scolded Romashov because of rumors: they reported that the officer was drinking. After the conversation, the colonel invited Gregory to an officer's lunch. Romashov returned home “feeling lonely, sad, lost in some strange, dark and hostile place.”

Chapter 8.

Romashov came to the ball at the officers' meeting house. Gradually the ladies began to arrive, and Raisa also arrived. In the expression of her eyes, Romashov saw “some kind of cruel, evil and confident threat.”

The officers discussed duels in the army, their opinions differed - some considered duels stupid, others were of the opinion that an insult could only be washed away with blood.

Chapter 9

Romashov, as promised, danced a quadrille with Raisa. During the dance, the woman angrily said that she would not allow her to be treated like this and began to loudly insult Shurochka. Raisa claimed that she sacrificed everything for Romashov: “I did not dare to look into the eyes of my husband, this ideal, wonderful man.” Grigory involuntarily smiled: her numerous novels were known to everyone.

Raisa's husband, Captain Peterson, was a “thin, consumptive man.” He loved his wife madly, so he forgave her all her affairs.

Chapter 10.

During morning classes, officers discussed punishments for soldiers. Romashov believed that in the army they deliberately “try to maintain rudeness and martinetry in relations between officers.”

Chapter 11.

During the exercises, Romashov performed techniques on a machine gun. He thought about a phrase said by one of the officers: if you think like Grigory, then you need to leave the service.

Chapter 12.

In the morning, Romashov received a letter from Shurochka. The woman invited him to a picnic on his name day.

Chapter 13.

Approaching the Nikolaevs' house, Romashov felt a strange, causeless anxiety. Shurochka joyfully greeted George.

Chapter 14.

During the picnic, Shurochka seemed especially charming to Romashov. When everyone scattered across the clearing in the evening, Grigory and Alexandra went deeper into the grove. Shurochka admitted that today she is in love with Romashov, but does not love her husband - “he is rude, he is insensitive, indelicate.” She kissed Georgy, but then asked Romashov not to come to them again - her husband was besieged by anonymous letters.

Chapter 15.

The officers were preparing for the May review “and knew no mercy, they were tired.” Romashov watched as company commanders beat their soldiers with particular cruelty.

When, during the review, the arriving commanders toured all the companies, Romashov felt “that these arrogant people were living some kind of special, beautiful, higher life inaccessible to him.” The review was a complete “failure of the regiment” - a “soulless, routine and negligent attitude of officers towards service” was revealed.

During the final march, Romashov, intoxicated by the music and general excitement, began to daydream and headed to the right, which is why his entire half-company “represented an ugly, broken crowd.” After the incident, everyone made fun of Romashov.

Chapter 16.

Romashov left the camp and met Nikolaev. Vladimir said that he was waiting for him here on purpose and started talking about Alexandra Petrovna. Nikolaev began to receive “boorish anonymous letters” with gossip about his wife and Romashov. Vladimir demanded that Romashov do everything to stop the spread of gossip.

Chapter 17.

Romashov “began to withdraw from the society of officers.” Georgy firmly understood that he would not remain in the army and, when the mandatory three years of service were completed, would go into the reserve.

Chapter 18.

At the end of May, a soldier in the company hanged himself. That evening, the officers drank, joked, and sang songs. At night, already pretty drunk, they went to the women. There was a fight there: a drunk officer began to chop everything with a saber, but Romashov calmed him down.

Chapter 19.

The officers went to the meeting and continued drinking and having fun. Many of the officers in the regiment were “from the clergy,” unexpectedly one of them started the panakida, and they “served” the whole thing in chorus. Romashov hit the table with his fist, forbidding such singing. The drunken officers began to riot again. Nikolaev, who unexpectedly appeared next to Romashov, said that people like Georgy and Nazansky were a disgrace to the regiment. Romashov hinted at “mysterious reasons” why Nikolaev is dissatisfied with Nazansky. A fight started between them. Romashov shouted that he was challenging Nikolaev to a duel.

Chapter 20.

In the morning, Romashov was summoned to court. A few days later, the court came to a decision that the quarrel between Nikolaev and Romashov could only be resolved by a duel.

Chapter 21.

Upset, Romashov went to Nazansky. The officer tried to dissuade Georgy from the duel, believing that Romashov needed to leave the army and not be afraid of life.

Chapter 22.

When Romashov returned home, he found Shurochka visiting him. She said that although she did not love Vladimir, “she killed part of her soul for him.” She has more pride than her husband - it was she who forced him to try again and again to enter the academy. If Nikolaev refuses the fight, he will not be accepted into the academy. Therefore, they definitely need to shoot tomorrow - none of them will be wounded. Shurochka and Georgy kissed goodbye.

Chapter 23.

Report to the regiment commander. On June 1, a duel took place between Nikolaev and Romashov. Nikolaev shot first and wounded Romashov in the upper right abdomen. Romashov was no longer able to shoot back. A few minutes later, Romashov died from internal hemorrhage.

Conclusion

“The Duel” is considered the most significant work in Kuprin’s work. Main character story - the young second lieutenant Romashov is portrayed as romantic, intelligent person with a fine mental organization. It is difficult for him to come to terms with the monotonous, philistine life in a provincial infantry regiment - during his training years, the military seemed to him to be completely different, more noble people. Realizing that he will not be able to remain in service, Romashov decides to leave the army after three mandatory years. However, an unfortunate combination of circumstances and pressure from Shurochka lead to the sudden death of Georgy. The duel becomes Romashov’s attempt to confront the world and society, but he loses in this confrontation.

Test on the story

Check your memorization of the summary content with the test:

Retelling rating

Average rating: 4.3. Total ratings received: 926.