Kuprin "Duel". Summary of the story

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Alexander Kuprin's story "Duel" was published in 1905 in the collection "Knowledge". It is dedicated to Maxim Gorky. This work did not go unnoticed and in a very short period became very popular in society. To flaunt the military life of soldiers and officers of the early twentieth century - that's why Kuprin wrote "Duel". The summary of the story allows the reader to take a closer look at the insignificant existence of the army, which was kept only by the rudeness and cruelty of the officers and the humiliation of the soldiers.

“Duel”, a summary of which introduces the reader to the barracks life of ordinary soldiers, the officer environment and the personal relationships of the heroes, has become a revealing story about the rotten army system. The main character is Lieutenant Romashov - he is a kind, honest and correct person, but his environment leaves much to be desired. He has no one to communicate with, because there are only cruel and vulgar people around. Against their backdroponly decent, well-mannered, intelligent and pretty Shurochka, Lieutenant Nikolaev's wife, stands out. Her image was very well described by Kuprin.

“Duel”, a brief summary of which shows the opposition of the rudeness of officers to the kindness and gentleness of Romashov, tells the story of the main character, who is secretly in love with Alexandra Petrovna. This woman is not as innocent as she seems. A woman is ready to lie if it is beneficial for her, she does not love her husband, but for the sake of him she left her lover only because she wanted a better life. She likes Romashov, but Shurochka understands that he is an unfavorable party for her.

After the lieutenant left his mistress, anonymous letters discrediting the honor began to pour on him and Alexandra Petrovna. Nikolaev forbade Romashov to visit them so as not to compromise Shurochka. Kuprin described the feelings of the protagonist very accurately and penetratingly. “Duel”, the summary of which shows how bad and lonely the second lieutenant was, at the same time describes the life of ordinary soldiers. Looking at the suffering of the humiliated and beaten Khlebnikov, Romashov understands that his personal problems are insignificant.

The lieutenant treats his soldiers well, but he can't do anything about the cruelty of the other officers, and Kuprin clearly conveys his feelings. "Duel", the summary of which shows the inhumanity of people, characterizes Romashov as a romantic and a dreamer. But this is a passive person, because he does not seek to change something, but lets everything take its course, runs away fromreality. He is unable to re-educate the officers, to protect the unfortunate soldiers.

The final chord was the duel between Nikolaev and Romashov. It is very difficult for people like a lieutenant to live on this earth - that's what Kuprin wanted to say. The “duel”, the summary of which shows all the sincerity and honesty of the protagonist, indicates a new stage in the life of Romashov, who enters a duel with the injustice and cruelty of this world. In reality, he turns out to be too weak and lonely. The lieutenant believed his Shurochka and did not load the pistol, believing that Nikolaev would not shoot him either, but the beloved turned out to be an egoist, ready for anything for her own benefit. Romashov dies without proving anything to this cruel and unjust world.