Summary of the captain's daughter in general. Alexander Pushkin - the captain's daughter

Take care of your honor from a young age.

Chapter I
Sergeant of the Guard

“If only he were a guard captain tomorrow.”

- That’s not necessary; let him serve in the army.

- Well said! let him push...

………………………………………………………

Who's his father?

My father, Andrei Petrovich Grinev, in his youth served under Count Minich and retired as prime minister in 17.... Since then, he lived in his Simbirsk village, where he married the girl Avdotya Vasilievna Yu., the daughter of a poor nobleman there. There were nine of us children. All my brothers and sisters died in infancy.

Mother was still pregnant with me, as I had already been enlisted in the Semenovsky regiment as a sergeant, by the grace of Guard Major Prince B., a close relative of ours. If, more than anything else, mother had given birth to a daughter, then the priest would have announced the death of the sergeant who had not appeared, and that would have been the end of the matter. I was considered on leave until I finished my studies. At that time, we were not brought up in the traditional way. From the age of five I was given into the hands of the eager Savelich, who was granted my uncle status for his sober behavior. Under his supervision, in my twelfth year, I learned Russian literacy and could very sensibly judge the properties of a greyhound dog. At this time, the priest hired a Frenchman for me, Monsieur Beaupré, who was discharged from Moscow along with a year's supply of wine and Provençal oil. Savelich did not like his arrival very much. “Thank God,” he grumbled to himself, “it seems the child is washed, combed, and fed. Where should we spend extra money and hire monsieur, as if our people were gone!”

Beaupre was a hairdresser in his homeland, then a soldier in Prussia, then he came to Russia pour être outchitel, not really understanding the meaning of this word. He was a kind fellow, but flighty and dissolute to the extreme. His main weakness was his passion for the fair sex; Often, for his tenderness, he received pushes, from which he groaned for whole days. Moreover, he was not (as he put it) and the enemy of the bottle, that is (speaking in Russian) he liked to take a sip too much. But since we only served wine at dinner, and then only in small glasses, and the teachers usually carried it around, my Beaupre very soon got used to the Russian liqueur and even began to prefer it to the wines of his fatherland, as it was much healthier for the stomach. We hit it off immediately, and although he was contractually obligated to teach me in French, German and all sciences, but he preferred to quickly learn from me how to chat in Russian, and then each of us went about his own business. We lived in perfect harmony. I didn't want any other mentor. But soon fate separated us, and for this reason.

The washerwoman Palashka, a fat and pockmarked girl, and the crooked cowwoman Akulka somehow agreed at the same time to throw themselves at mother’s feet, blaming themselves for their criminal weakness and complaining with tears about the monsieur who had seduced their inexperience. Mother didn’t like to joke about this and complained to the priest. His reprisal was short. He immediately demanded the Frenchman's channel. They reported that Monsieur was giving me his lesson. Father went to my room. At this time, Beaupre was sleeping on the bed in the sleep of innocence. I was busy with business. You need to know that a geographical map was issued for me from Moscow. It hung on the wall without any use and had long tempted me with the width and goodness of the paper. I decided to make snakes out of it and, taking advantage of Beaupre's sleep, I set to work. Father came in at the same time as I was adjusting the bast tail to the Cape of Good Hope. Seeing my exercises in geography, the priest pulled me by the ear, then ran up to Beaupre, woke him up very carelessly and began to shower him with reproaches. Beaupre, in confusion, wanted to get up but could not: the unfortunate Frenchman was dead drunk. Seven troubles, one answer. Father lifted him out of bed by the collar, pushed him out of the door and drove him out of the yard that same day, to Savelich’s indescribable joy. That was the end of my upbringing.

I lived as a teenager, chasing pigeons and playing leapfrog with the yard boys. Meanwhile, I was sixteen years old. Then my fate changed.

One autumn, my mother was making honey jam in the living room, and I, licking my lips, looked at the seething foam. Father at the window was reading the Court Calendar, which he receives every year. This book always had a strong influence on him: he never re-read it without special participation, and reading this always produced in him an amazing excitement of bile. Mother, who knew by heart all his habits and customs, always tried to shove the unfortunate book as far away as possible, and thus the Court Calendar did not catch his eye sometimes for entire months. But when he found it by chance, he would not let it out of his hands for hours at a time. So, the priest read the Court Calendar, occasionally shrugging his shoulders and repeating in a low voice: “Lieutenant General!.. He was a sergeant in my company!.. He was a holder of both Russian orders!.. How long ago have we…” Finally, the priest threw the calendar on the sofa and plunged into reverie, which did not bode well.

Suddenly he turned to his mother: “Avdotya Vasilyevna, how old is Petrusha?”

“Yes, I’ve just reached my seventeenth year,” answered my mother. “Petrusha was born in the same year that Aunt Nastasya Gerasimovna became sad, and when else...

“Okay,” interrupted the priest, “it’s time for him to go into service. It’s enough for him to run around the maidens and climb dovecotes.”

The thought of imminent separation from me struck my mother so much that she dropped the spoon into the saucepan and tears streamed down her face. On the contrary, it is difficult to describe my admiration. The thought of service merged in me with thoughts of freedom, of the pleasures of St. Petersburg life. I imagined myself as a guard officer, which, in my opinion, was the height of human well-being.

Father did not like to change his intentions or postpone their implementation. The day for my departure was set. The day before, the priest announced that he intended to write with me to my future boss, and demanded pen and paper.

“Don’t forget, Andrei Petrovich,” said mother, “to bow to Prince B. for me; I, they say, hope that he will not abandon Petrusha with his favors.

- What nonsense! - answered the priest, frowning. - Why on earth would I write to Prince B.?

“But you said that you would like to write to Petrusha’s boss.”

- Well, what’s there?

- But the chief Petrushin is Prince B. After all, Petrusha is enrolled in the Semenovsky regiment.

- Recorded by! Why do I care that it’s recorded? Petrusha will not go to St. Petersburg. What will he learn while serving in St. Petersburg? hang out and hang out? No, let him serve in the army, let him pull the strap, let him smell gunpowder, let him be a soldier, not a chamaton. Enlisted in the Guard! Where is his passport? give it here.

Mother found my passport, which was kept in her box along with the shirt in which I was baptized, and handed it to the priest with a trembling hand. Father read it with attention, placed it on the table in front of him and began his letter.

Curiosity tormented me: where are they sending me, if not to St. Petersburg? I didn’t take my eyes off Father’s pen, which was moving quite slowly. Finally he finished, sealed the letter in the same bag with his passport, took off his glasses and, calling me, said: “Here is a letter for you to Andrei Karlovich R., my old comrade and friend. You are going to Orenburg to serve under his command.”

So, all my bright hopes were dashed! Instead of a cheerful life in St. Petersburg, boredom awaited me in a remote and remote place. The service, which I had been thinking about with such delight for a minute, seemed to me like a grave misfortune. But there was no point in arguing! The next day, in the morning, a road wagon was brought to the porch; They packed it with a suitcase, a cellar with a tea set, and bundles of buns and pies, the last signs of home pampering. My parents blessed me. Father told me: “Goodbye, Peter. Serve faithfully to whom you pledge allegiance; obey your superiors; Don’t chase their affection; don’t ask for service; do not dissuade yourself from serving; and remember the proverb: take care of your dress again, but take care of your honor from a young age.” Mother, in tears, ordered me to take care of my health and Savelich to look after the child. They put a hare sheepskin coat on me, and a fox fur coat on top. I got into the wagon with Savelich and set off on the road, shedding tears.

That same night I arrived in Simbirsk, where I was supposed to stay for a day to purchase the necessary things, which was entrusted to Savelich. I stopped at a tavern. Savelich went to the shops in the morning. Bored of looking out the window at the dirty alley, I went to wander through all the rooms. Entering the billiard room, I saw a tall gentleman, about thirty-five, with a long black mustache, in a dressing gown, with a cue in his hand and a pipe in his teeth. He played with a marker, who, when he won, drank a glass of vodka, and when he lost, he had to crawl under the billiards on all fours. I started watching them play. The longer it went on, the more frequent the walks on all fours became, until finally the marker remained under the billiards. The master uttered several strong expressions over him in the form of a funeral word and invited me to play a game. I refused out of incompetence. This apparently seemed strange to him. He looked at me as if with regret; however, we started talking. I found out that his name is Ivan Ivanovich Zurin, that he is the captain of the ** hussar regiment and is in Simbirsk receiving recruits, and is standing in a tavern. Zurin invited me to dine with him as God sent, like a soldier. I readily agreed. We sat down at the table. Zurin drank a lot and treated me too, saying that I needed to get used to the service; he told me army jokes that almost made me laugh, and we left the table perfect friends. Then he volunteered to teach me to play billiards. “This,” he said, “is necessary for our serving brother. On a hike, for example, you come to a place - what do you want to do? After all, it’s not all about beating the Jews. Involuntarily, you will go to a tavern and start playing billiards; and for that you need to know how to play!” I was completely convinced and began to study with great diligence. Zurin loudly encouraged me, marveled at my quick successes and, after several lessons, invited me to play for money, one penny at a time, not to win, but so as not to play for nothing, which, according to him, is the worst habit. I agreed to this too, and Zurin ordered punch to be served and persuaded me to try, repeating that I needed to get used to the service; and without punch, what is the service! I listened to him. Meanwhile, our game continued. The more often I sipped from my glass, the more courageous I became. Balls kept flying over my side; I got excited, scolded the marker, who counted God knows how, increased the game hour by hour, in a word, I behaved like a boy who had broken free. Meanwhile, time passed unnoticed. Zurin looked at his watch, put down his cue and announced to me that I had lost a hundred rubles. This confused me a little. Savelich had my money. I started apologizing. Zurin interrupted me: “Have mercy! Don't worry. I can wait, but in the meantime we’ll go to Arinushka.”

What do you want? I ended the day as dissolutely as I started it. We had dinner at Arinushka's. Zurin kept adding more to me every minute, repeating that I needed to get used to the service. Getting up from the table, I could barely stand; at midnight Zurin took me to the tavern.

Savelich met us on the porch. He gasped when he saw the unmistakable signs of my zeal for service. “What has happened to you, sir? - he said in a pitiful voice, - where did you load this? Oh my goodness! Such a sin has never happened in my life!” - “Be quiet, you bastard! “I answered him, stuttering, “you’re probably drunk, go to bed... and put me to bed.”

The next day I woke up with a headache, vaguely remembering yesterday’s incidents. My thoughts were interrupted by Savelich, who came to me with a cup of tea. “It’s early, Pyotr Andreich,” he told me, shaking his head, “you start walking early. And who did you go to? It seems that neither the father nor the grandfather were drunkards; There’s nothing to say about my mother: from her childhood she never deigned to take anything into her mouth except kvass. And who is to blame for everything? damn monsieur. Every now and then, he would run to Antipyevna: “Madam, wow, vodka.” So much for you! There is nothing to say: he taught me good things, son of a dog. And it was necessary to hire an infidel as an uncle, as if the master no longer had his own people!”

I was ashamed. I turned away and told him: “Get out, Savelich; I don’t want tea.” But it was difficult to calm Savelich down when he started preaching. “You see, Pyotr Andreich, what it’s like to cheat. And my head feels heavy, and I don’t want to eat. A person who drinks is good for nothing... Drink cucumber pickle with honey, but it would be better to get over your hangover with half a glass of tincture. Would you like to order it?"

At this time, the boy came in and gave me a note from I.I. Zurin. I unfolded it and read the following lines:

“Dear Pyotr Andreevich, please send me and my boy the hundred rubles that you lost to me yesterday. I am in dire need of money.

Ready for service

Ivan Zurin."

There was nothing to do. I assumed an indifferent look and, turning to Savelich, who was and money, and linen, and my affairs, a steward, ordered to give the boy one hundred rubles. "How! For what?" – asked the amazed Savelich. “I owe them to him,” I answered with all possible coldness. "Must! - Savelich objected, more and more astonished from time to time, - but when, sir, did you manage to owe him? Something is wrong. It’s your will, sir, but I won’t give you any money.”

I thought that if at this decisive moment I did not overcome the stubborn old man, then in the future it would be difficult for me to free myself from his tutelage, and, looking at him proudly, I said: “I am your master, and you are my servant. The money is mine. I lost them because I felt like it. And I advise you not to be smart and do what you are ordered.”

Savelich was so amazed by my words that he clasped his hands and was dumbfounded. “Why are you standing there!” – I shouted angrily. Savelich began to cry. “Father Pyotr Andreich,” he said in a trembling voice, “don’t kill me with sadness. You are my light! listen to me, old man: write to this robber that you were joking, that we don’t even have that kind of money. One hundred rubles! God you are merciful! Tell me that your parents firmly ordered you not to play, except like nuts...” - “Stop lying,” I interrupted sternly, “give me the money here or I’ll drive you away.”

Savelich looked at me with deep sorrow and went to collect my debt. I felt sorry for the poor old man; but I wanted to break free and prove that I was no longer a child. The money was delivered to Zurin. Savelich hastened to take me out of the damned tavern. He came with the news that the horses were ready. With an uneasy conscience and silent repentance, I left Simbirsk, without saying goodbye to my teacher and without thinking of ever seeing him again.

Chapter II
Counselor

Is it my side, my side,

Unfamiliar side!

Was it not I who came upon you?

Wasn’t it a good horse that brought me:

She brought me, good fellow,

Agility, good cheerfulness

And the tavern's hop drink.

Old song

My thoughts on the road were not very pleasant. My loss, at the prices at that time, was significant. I could not help but admit in my heart that my behavior in the Simbirsk tavern was stupid, and I felt guilty before Savelich. All this tormented me. The old man sat sullenly on the bench, turned away from me, and was silent, only quacking occasionally. I definitely wanted to make peace with him and didn’t know where to start. Finally I told him: “Well, well, Savelich! that's enough, let's make peace, it's my fault; I see for myself that I am guilty. Yesterday I misbehaved, and I wronged you in vain. I promise to behave smarter and obey you in the future. Well, don't be angry; let's make peace."

- Eh, Father Pyotr Andreich! - he answered with a deep sigh. – I’m angry with myself; It's all my fault. How could I have left you alone in the tavern! What to do? I was confused by sin: I decided to wander into the sacristan’s house and see my godfather. That's it: I went to see my godfather and ended up in prison. Trouble and nothing more! How will I show myself to the gentlemen? what will they say when they find out that the child is drinking and playing?

To console poor Savelich, I gave him my word that in future I would not dispose of a single penny without his consent. He gradually calmed down, although he still occasionally grumbled to himself, shaking his head: “A hundred rubles! Isn’t it easy!”

I was approaching my destination. Around me stretched sad deserts, intersected by hills and ravines. Everything was covered with snow. The sun was setting. The carriage was traveling along a narrow road, or more precisely along a trail made by peasant sleighs. Suddenly the driver began to look to the side and, finally, taking off his hat, turned to me and said: “Master, would you order me to turn back?”

- What is this for?

– Time is unreliable: the wind rises slightly; see how it sweeps away the powder.

- What a problem!

– Do you see what there? (The coachman pointed his whip to the east.)

“I see nothing but the white steppe and the clear sky.”

- And there - there: this is a cloud.

I actually saw a white cloud at the edge of the sky, which at first I took for a distant hill. The driver explained to me that the cloud foreshadowed a snowstorm.

I heard about the blizzards there and knew that entire convoys were covered in them. Savelich, in agreement with the driver’s opinion, advised him to turn back. But the wind did not seem strong to me; I hoped to get to the next station in time and ordered to go quickly.

The coachman galloped off; but kept looking to the east. The horses ran together. Meanwhile, the wind became stronger hour by hour. The cloud turned into a white cloud, which rose heavily, grew and gradually covered the sky. It began to snow lightly and suddenly began to fall in flakes. The wind howled; there was a snowstorm. In an instant, the dark sky mixed with the snowy sea. Everything has disappeared. “Well, master,” the coachman shouted, “trouble: a snowstorm!..”

I looked out of the wagon: everything was darkness and whirlwind. The wind howled with such ferocious expressiveness that it seemed animated; the snow covered me and Savelich; the horses walked at a pace - and soon stopped. “Why aren’t you going?” – I asked the driver impatiently. “Why go? - he answered, getting off the bench, - God knows where we ended up: there is no road, and there is darkness all around. I started to scold him. Savelich stood up for him: “And I would have disobeyed,” he said angrily, “I would have returned to the inn, had some tea, rested until the morning, the storm would have subsided, and we would have moved on. And where are we rushing? You’d be welcome to the wedding!” Savelich was right. There was nothing to do. The snow was still falling. A snowdrift was rising near the wagon. The horses stood with their heads down and occasionally shuddering. The coachman walked around, having nothing better to do, adjusting the harness. Savelich grumbled; I looked in all directions, hoping to see at least a sign of a vein or a road, but I could not discern anything except the muddy whirling of a snowstorm... Suddenly I saw something black. “Hey, coachman! - I shouted, “look: what’s black there?” The coachman began to peer closely. “God knows, master,” he said, sitting down in his place, “a cart is not a cart, a tree is not a tree, but it seems that it is moving. It must be either a wolf or a man." I ordered to go towards an unfamiliar object, which immediately began to move towards us. Two minutes later we caught up with the man. “Hey, good man! - the coachman shouted to him. “Tell me, do you know where the road is?”

- The road is here; “I’m standing on a solid strip,” answered the roadie, “but what’s the point?”

“Listen, little man,” I told him, “do you know this side?” Will you undertake to take me to my lodging for the night?

“The side is familiar to me,” answered the traveler, “thank God, it’s well-trodden and traveled far and wide.” Look what the weather is like: you’ll just lose your way. It’s better to stop here and wait, maybe the storm will subside and the sky will clear: then we’ll find our way by the stars.

His composure encouraged me. I had already decided, surrendering myself to God’s will, to spend the night in the middle of the steppe, when suddenly the roadman quickly sat down on the beam and said to the coachman: “Well, thank God, he lived not far away; turn right and go."

- Why should I go to the right? – the driver asked with displeasure. -Where do you see the road? Probably: the horses are strangers, the collar is not yours, don’t stop driving. “The coachman seemed right to me.” “Really,” I said, “why do you think that they lived not far away?” “But because the wind blew away from here,” answered the roadman, “and I heard the smell of smoke; know the village is close." His intelligence and subtlety of instinct amazed me. I told the coachman to go. The horses tramped heavily through the deep snow. The wagon moved quietly, now driving onto a snowdrift, now collapsing into a ravine and rolling over to one side or the other. It was like sailing a ship on a stormy sea. Savelich groaned, constantly pushing against my sides. I lowered the mat, wrapped myself in a fur coat and dozed off, lulled by the singing of the storm and the rolling of the quiet ride.

I had a dream that I could never forget and in which I still see something prophetic when I consider the strange circumstances of my life with it. The reader will excuse me: for he probably knows from experience how human it is to indulge in superstition, despite all possible contempt for prejudice.

I was in that state of feelings and soul when materiality, yielding to dreams, merges with them in the unclear visions of first sleep. It seemed to me that the storm was still raging and we were still wandering through the snowy desert... Suddenly I saw a gate and drove into the manor’s courtyard of our estate. My first thought was the fear that my father would be angry with me for my involuntary return to my parents’ roof and would consider it deliberate disobedience. With anxiety, I jumped out of the wagon and saw: mother met me on the porch with an appearance of deep grief. “Hush,” she tells me, “your father is dying and wants to say goodbye to you.” Struck with fear, I follow her into the bedroom. I see the room is dimly lit; there are people with sad faces standing by the bed. I quietly approach the bed; Mother lifts the curtain and says: “Andrei Petrovich, Petrusha has arrived; he returned after learning about your illness; bless him." I knelt down and fixed my eyes on the patient. Well?.. Instead of my father, I see a man with a black beard lying in bed, looking at me cheerfully. I turned to my mother in bewilderment, telling her: “What does this mean? This is not father. And why should I ask for a man’s blessing?” “It doesn’t matter, Petrusha,” my mother answered me, “this is your imprisoned father; kiss his hand and may he bless you...” I did not agree. Then the man jumped out of bed, grabbed the ax from behind his back and began swinging it in all directions. I wanted to run... and couldn’t; the room was filled with dead bodies; I stumbled over bodies and slid in bloody puddles... The scary man called me affectionately, saying: “Don’t be afraid, come under my blessing...” Horror and bewilderment took possession of me... And at that moment I woke up; the horses stood; Savelich tugged at my hand, saying: “Come out, sir: we’ve arrived.”

-Where have you arrived? – I asked, rubbing my eyes.

- To the inn. The Lord helped, we ran straight into a fence. Come out, sir, quickly and warm yourself up.

I left the tent. The storm still continued, although with less force. It was so dark that you could put out your eyes. The owner met us at the gate, holding a lantern under his skirt, and led me into the room, cramped, but quite clean; a torch illuminated her. A rifle and a tall Cossack hat hung on the wall.

The owner, a Yaik Cossack by birth, seemed to be a man of about sixty, still fresh and vigorous. Savelich brought the cellar behind me and demanded a fire to prepare tea, which I never seemed to need so much. The owner went to do some work.

- Where is the counselor? – I asked Savelich. “Here, your honor,” the voice from above answered me. I looked at the Polati and saw a black beard and two sparkling eyes. “What, brother, are you cold?” - “How not to vegetate in one skinny armyak! There was a sheepskin coat, but let’s be honest? I laid the evening at the kisser’s: the frost did not seem too great.” At that moment the owner came in with a boiling samovar; I offered our counselor a cup of tea; the man got off the floor. His appearance seemed remarkable to me: he was about forty, average height, thin and broad-shouldered. His black beard showed streaks of gray; the lively big eyes kept darting around. His face had a rather pleasant, but roguish expression. The hair was cut into a circle; he was wearing a tattered overcoat and Tatar trousers. I brought him a cup of tea; he tasted it and winced. “Your Honor, do me such a favor - order me to bring a glass of wine; tea is not our Cossack drink.” I willingly fulfilled his wish. The owner took a damask and a glass out of the stall, walked up to him and, looking into his face: “Ehe,” he said, “you’re in our land again!” Where did God bring it?” My counselor blinked significantly and answered with a saying: “He flew into the garden, pecked hemp; Grandmother threw a pebble - yes, it missed. Well, what about yours?”

- Yes, ours! - the owner answered, continuing the allegorical conversation. “They started ringing for vespers, but the priest didn’t say: the priest is visiting, the devils are in the graveyard.”

“Be quiet, uncle,” my tramp objected, “there will be rain, there will be fungi; and if there are fungi, there will be a body. And now (here he blinked again) put the ax behind your back: the forester is walking. Your honor! For your health!" - With these words, he took the glass, crossed himself and drank in one breath. Then he bowed to me and returned to the floor.

I couldn’t understand anything from this thieves’ conversation at the time; but later I guessed that it was about the affairs of the Yaitsky army, which at that time had just been pacified after the riot of 1772. Savelich listened with an air of great displeasure. He looked with suspicion first at the owner, then at the counselor. Inn, or, in the local language, able, was located on the side, in the steppe, far from any settlement, and very much looked like a robber's haven. But there was nothing to do. It was impossible to even think about continuing the journey. Savelich's anxiety amused me very much. Meanwhile, I settled down for the night and lay down on a bench. Savelich decided to go to the stove; the owner lay down on the floor. Soon the whole hut was snoring, and I fell asleep like the dead.

Waking up quite late in the morning, I saw that the storm had subsided. The sun was shining. The snow lay in a dazzling veil on the vast steppe. The horses were harnessed. I paid the owner, who took such a reasonable payment from us that even Savelich did not argue with him and did not bargain as usual, and yesterday’s suspicions were completely erased from his mind. I called the counselor, thanked him for his help and told Savelich to give him half a ruble for vodka. Savelich frowned. “Half a ruble for vodka! - he said, - what is this for? Because you deigned to give him a ride to the inn? It's your choice, sir: we don't have any extra fifty. If you give everyone vodka, you’ll soon have to starve.” I couldn't argue with Savelich. The money, according to my promise, was at his complete disposal. I was annoyed, however, that I could not thank the person who rescued me, if not from trouble, then at least from a very unpleasant situation. “Okay,” I said coolly, “if you don’t want to give half a rouble, then take him something from my dress. He is dressed too lightly. Give him my hare sheepskin coat."

- Have mercy, Father Pyotr Andreich! - said Savelich. - Why does he need your hare sheepskin coat? He will drink it, the dog, in the first tavern.

“This, old lady, is not your sadness,” said my tramp, “whether I drink or not.” His nobility grants me a fur coat from his shoulder: it is his lordly will, and it is your serf’s business not to argue and obey.

- You are not afraid of God, robber! - Savelich answered him in an angry voice. “You see that the child doesn’t understand yet, and you’re glad to rob him, for the sake of his simplicity.” Why do you need a master's sheepskin coat? You won’t even put it on your damned shoulders.

“Please don’t be smart,” I told my uncle, “now bring the sheepskin coat here.”

- Lord, master! - my Savelich groaned. – The hare sheepskin coat is almost brand new! and it would be good for anyone, otherwise it’s a naked drunkard!

However, the hare sheepskin coat appeared. The man immediately began trying it on. In fact, the sheepskin coat that I had grown out of was a little narrow for him. However, he somehow managed to put it on, tearing it apart at the seams. Savelich almost howled when he heard the threads crackle. The tramp was extremely pleased with my gift. He walked me to the tent and said with a low bow: “Thank you, your honor! God reward you for your virtue. I will never forget your mercies." - He went in his direction, and I went further, not paying attention to Savelich’s annoyance, and soon forgot about yesterday’s blizzard, about my counselor and about the hare’s sheepskin coat.

Arriving in Orenburg, I went straight to the general. I saw a man who was tall, but already hunched over with old age. His long hair was completely white. The old, faded uniform resembled a warrior from the time of Anna Ioannovna, and his speech was strongly reminiscent of a German accent. I gave him a letter from my father. At his name, he looked at me quickly: “My dear!” - he said. - How long ago, it seems, Andrei Petrovich was even younger than your age, and now he has such a hammer ear! Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!” He opened the letter and began to read it in a low voice, making his comments. “Dear Sir Andrei Karlovich, I hope that your Excellency”... What kind of ceremony is this? Ugh, how inappropriate he is! Of course: discipline is the first thing, but is this how they write to the old comrade?.. “Your Excellency has not forgotten”... um... “and... when... the late Field Marshal Min... campaign... also... Karolinka”... Ehe, brooder! So he still remembers our old pranks? “Now about the matter... I’ll bring my rake to you”... um... “keep a tight rein”... What are mittens? This must be a Russian proverb... What does “handle with gloves” mean?” – he repeated, turning to me.

“This means,” I answered him with an air as innocent as possible, “to treat him kindly, not too strictly, to give him more freedom, to keep a tight rein.”

“Hm, I understand... “and don’t give him free rein” - no, apparently, Yesha’s mittens mean the wrong thing... “At the same time... his passport”... Where is he? And, here... “write off to Semyonovsky”... Okay, okay: everything will be done... “Allow yourself to be embraced without rank and... by an old comrade and friend” - ah! finally I guessed... and so on and so forth... Well, father,” he said, having read the letter and putting my passport aside, “everything will be done: you will be transferred as an officer to the *** regiment, and so as not to waste time, then tomorrow go to the Belogorsk fortress, where you will be on the team of Captain Mironov, a kind and honest man. There you will be in real service, you will learn discipline. There is nothing for you to do in Orenburg; distraction is harmful to a young person. And today you are welcome to dine with me.”

“It’s not getting any easier hour by hour! - I thought to myself, - what did it serve me that even in my mother’s womb I was already a guard sergeant! Where has this got me? To the *** regiment and to a remote fortress on the border of the Kyrgyz-Kaisak steppes!..” I dined with Andrei Karlovich, the three of us with his old adjutant. Strict German economy reigned at his table, and I think that the fear of sometimes seeing an extra guest at his single meal was partly the reason for my hasty removal to the garrison. The next day I said goodbye to the general and went to my destination.

Guard - special selected troops. The first guards regiments (Semenovsky, Preobrazhensky) appeared in Russia under Peter I. Unlike the rest of the army, they enjoyed advantages.

3

And the steward of money, and linen, and my affairs - a quote from the poem by D. I. Fonvizin “Message to my servants.” Caregiver (bookish, outdated) – a person who takes care of something, is in charge of something.

Chapter 1. Sergeant of the Guard. The chapter opens with the biography of Peter Grinev: his father served, retired, there were 9 children in the family, but everyone except Peter died in infancy. Even before his birth, Grinev was enrolled in the Semenovsky regiment. Until he reached adulthood, he was considered to be on vacation. The boy is raised by Uncle Savelich, under whose guidance Petrusha masters Russian literacy and learns to judge the merits of a greyhound dog. Later, the Frenchman Beaupré was assigned to him, who was supposed to teach the boy “French, German and other sciences,” but he did not educate Petrusha, but drank and went around with girls. The father soon discovers this and throws the Frenchman out. When Peter is seventeen years old, his father sends him to serve, but not to St. Petersburg, as his son had hoped, but to Orenburg. In parting words to his son, the father tells him to take care of “his dress again, but his honor from a young age.” Upon arrival in Simbirsk, Grinev meets captain Zurin in a tavern, who teaches him to play billiards, gets him drunk and wins 100 rubles from him. Grinev “behaved like a boy who had broken free.” The next morning Zurin demands the winnings. Grinev, who wants to show his character, forces Savelich, despite his protests, to give out money and, ashamed, leaves Simbirsk.

Chapter 2 Counselor. On the way, Grinev asks Savelich for forgiveness for his stupid behavior. On the way they are caught in a snowstorm. They go astray. They meet a man whose “sharpness and subtlety of instinct” amazes Grinev; the man asks to accompany them to the nearest home. In the wagon, Grinev has a dream that he arrives at the estate and finds his father near death. Peter approaches him for a blessing and sees a man with a black beard instead of his father. Grinev’s mother assures him that this is his imprisoned father. The man jumps up, begins to swing an ax, the room is filled with dead bodies. The man smiles at Peter and calls him for his blessing. At the inn, Grinev looks at the counselor. “He was about forty, average height, thin and broad-shouldered. His black beard showed streaks of gray, and his large, lively eyes darted about. His face had a rather pleasant, but roguish expression. His hair was cut into a circle, he was wearing a tattered army coat and Tatar trousers.” The counselor talks to the owner in “allegorical language”: “I flew into the garden, pecked hemp; Grandma threw a pebble, but missed it.” Grinev brings the counselor a glass of wine and gives him a rabbit sheepskin coat. From Orenburg, his father's old friend Andrei Karlovich R. sends Grinev to serve in the Belogorsk fortress (40 versts from the city).

Chapter 3 Fortress. The fortress looks like a village. Everything is in charge of a reasonable and kind old woman, the commandant’s wife, Vasilisa Egorovna. The next morning, Grinev meets Alexei Ivanovich Shvabrin, a young officer “of short stature, with a dark face and extremely ugly, but extremely lively.” Shvabrin was transferred to the fortress for the duel. Shvabrin tells Grinev about life in the fortress, describes the commandant’s family, and speaks especially unflatteringly about the commandant Mironov’s daughter, Masha. Shvabrin and Grinev are invited to dinner at the commandant's family. Along the way, Grinev sees a “training”: commandant Ivan Kuzmich Mironov commands a platoon of disabled people. He himself is dressed in a cap and a Chinese robe.

Chapter 4 Duel. Grinev becomes very attached to the commandant’s family. He is promoted to officer. Grinev communicates a lot with Shvabrin, but he likes him less and less, and especially his caustic remarks about Masha. Grinev dedicates mediocre love poems to Masha. Shvabrin sharply criticizes them and insults Masha in a conversation with Grinev. Grinev calls him a liar, Shvabrin demands satisfaction. Before the duel, on the orders of Vasilisa Yegorovna, they are arrested, the courtyard girl Palashka even takes away their swords. After some time, Grinev learns from Masha that Shvabrin wooed her, but she refused (this explains Shvabrin’s persistent slander towards the girl). The duel resumes, Grinev is wounded.

Chapter 5 Love. Masha and Savelich are caring for the wounded. Grinev proposes to Masha. Writes a letter to his parents. Shvabrin comes to visit Grinev and admits that he himself was to blame. Grinev's father denies his son a blessing (he also knows about the duel, but not from Savelich. Grinev decides that Shvabrin told his father). Masha avoids Grinev, does not want a wedding without the consent of her parents. Grinev stops visiting the Mironovs’ house and loses heart.

Chapter 6 Pugachevism. The commandant receives notification of the bandit gang of Emelyan Pugachev attacking the fortress. Vasilisa Egorovna finds out everything, and rumors about the attack spread throughout the fortress. Pugachev calls on the enemy to surrender. One of the appeals falls into the hands of Mironov through a captured Bashkir who has no nose, ears or tongue (consequences of torture). Ivan Kuzmich decides to send Masha away from the fortress. Masha says goodbye to Grinev. Vasilisa Egorovna refuses to leave and remains with her husband.

Chapter 7 Getting started. At night, the Cossacks leave the Belogorsk fortress under the banners of Pugachev. The Pugachevites attack the fortress. The Commandant and the few defenders of the Fortress are defending themselves, but the forces are unequal. Pugachev, who captured the fortress, organizes a “trial.” Ivan Kuzmich and his comrades are executed (hanged). When it’s Grinev’s turn, Savelich throws himself at Pugachev’s feet, begging him to spare the “master’s child,” and promises a ransom. Pugachev agrees. Residents of the city and garrison soldiers swear allegiance to Pugachev. A naked Vasilisa Yegorovna is taken out onto the porch and killed. Pugachev leaves.

Chapter 8 Uninvited Guest. Grinev is tormented by the thought of Masha's fate... She is hidden by the priest, from whom Grinev learns that Shvabrin has gone over to Pugachev's side. Savelich tells Grinev that he recognized Pugachev as a counselor. Pugachev calls Grinev to his place. Grinev leaves. “Everyone treated each other like comrades and did not show any special preference to their leader... Everyone boasted, offered their opinions and freely challenged Pugachev.” The Pugachevites sing a song about the gallows. Pugachev's guests disperse. Face to face, Grinev honestly admits that he does not consider Pugachev a tsar. Pugachev: “Isn’t there good luck for the daring? Didn’t Grishka Otrepiev reign in the old days? Think what you want about me, but don’t leave me behind.” Pugachev releases Grinev to Orenburg, despite the fact that he promises to fight against him.

Chapter 9 Separation. Pugachev orders Grineva to inform the Orenburg governor that the Pugachevites will be in the city in a week. Pugachev himself leaves the Belogorsk fortress, leaving Shvabrin as commandant. Savelich gives Pugachev a “register” of the lord’s plundered goods, Pugachev, in a “fit of generosity,” leaves him without attention and without punishment. He favors Grinev with a horse and a fur coat from his shoulder. Masha gets sick.

Chapter 10 Siege of the city. Grinev goes to Orenburg to visit General Andrei Karlovich. At the military council “there was not a single military person.” “All the officials talked about the unreliability of the troops, about the unfaithfulness of luck, about caution and the like. Everyone believed that it was more prudent to remain under the cover of cannons behind a strong stone wall than to experience the happiness of weapons in an open field.” Officials offer to bribe Pugachev's people (put a high price on his head). The constable brings Grinev a letter from Masha from the Belogorsk fortress (Shvabrin forces her to marry him). Grinev asks the general to give him a company of soldiers and fifty Cossacks to clear the Belogorsk fortress. The general, of course, refuses.

Chapter 11 Rebellious settlement. Grinev and Savelich go alone to help Masha. On the way, they are grabbed by Pugachev’s people. Pugachev interrogates Grinev about his intentions in the presence of his confidants. Grinev admits that he is going to save an orphan from Shvabrin’s claims. The confidants propose to deal not only with Shvabrin, but also with Grinev - to hang both of them. Pugachev treats Grinev with obvious sympathy (“debt is paid in good faith”), promises to marry him to Masha. In the morning, Grinev goes to the fortress in Pugachev’s wagon. In a confidential conversation, Pugachev tells him that he would like to go to Moscow, “my street is cramped; I have little will. My guys are smart. They are thieves. I have to keep my ears open; at the first failure, they will ransom their neck with my head.” Pugachev tells Grinev a Kalmyk tale about an eagle and a raven (the raven pecked carrion, but lived up to 300 years, and the eagle agreed to starve, “it’s better to get drunk with living blood,” but not to eat the carrion, “and then what God will give”).

Chapter 12 Orphan. In the fortress, Pugachev finds out that Shvabrin is mocking Masha, starving her. Pugachev “by the will of the sovereign” frees the girl and wants to immediately marry her to Grinev. Shvabrin reveals that she is the daughter of Captain Mironov. Pugachev decides that “execute, so execute, favor, so favor” and releases Grinev and Masha.

Chapter 13 Arrest. On the way from the fortress, soldiers arrest Grinev, mistaking him for a Pugachevo, and take him to their superior, who turns out to be Zurin. On his advice, Grinev decides to send Masha and Savelich to his parents, and continue to fight himself. “Pugachev was defeated, but was not caught” and gathered new detachments in Siberia. He is pursued, caught, the war ends. Zurin receives an order to arrest Grinev and send him under guard to Kazan to the Investigative Commission in the Pugachev case.

Chapter 14 Judgment. According to Shvabrin's charges, Grinev is suspected of serving Pugachev. Grinev is sentenced to exile in Siberia. Grinev's parents became very attached to Masha. Not wanting to abuse their generosity, Masha goes to St. Petersburg, stops in Tsarskoe Selo, meets the empress in the garden and asks for mercy from Grinev, explaining that he came to Pugachev because of her. At the audience, the Empress promises to arrange Masha’s fate and forgive Grinev. Grinev is released from custody. He was present at the execution of Pugachev, who recognized him in the crowd and nodded his head to him, which a minute later, dead and bloody, was shown to the people.

Variant of the summary of the story "The Captain's Daughter"2

The novel is based on the memoirs of fifty-year-old nobleman Pyotr Andreevich Grinev, written by him during the reign of Emperor Alexander and dedicated to the “Pugachevism,” in which seventeen-year-old officer Pyotr Grinev, due to a “strange combination of circumstances,” took an involuntary part.
Pyotr Andreevich recalls his childhood, the childhood of a noble undergrowth, with slight irony. His father Andrei Petrovich Grinev in his youth “served under Count Minich and retired as prime minister in 17.... Since then he lived in his Simbirsk village, where he married the girl Avdotya Vasilievna Yu., the daughter of a poor nobleman there.” There were nine children in the Grinev family, but all of Petrusha’s brothers and sisters “died in infancy.” “Mother was still my belly,” recalls Grinev, “as I was already enrolled in the Semenovsky regiment as a sergeant.” From the age of five, Petrusha is looked after by the stirrup Savelich, who was granted him the title of uncle “for his sober behavior.” “Under his supervision, in my twelfth year, I learned Russian literacy and could very sensibly judge the properties of a greyhound dog.” Then a teacher appeared - the Frenchman Beaupré, who did not understand “the meaning of this word,” since in his homeland he was a hairdresser, and in Prussia he was a soldier. Young Grinev and the Frenchman Beaupre quickly got along, and although Beaupre was contractually obligated to teach Petrusha “French, German and all sciences,” he preferred to soon learn from his student “to chat in Russian.” Grinev's education ends with the expulsion of Beaupre, who was convicted of dissipation, drunkenness and neglect of the duties of a teacher. Until the age of sixteen, Grinev lives “as a minor, chasing pigeons and playing leapfrog with the yard boys.” In his seventeenth year, the father decides to send his son to serve, but not to St. Petersburg, but to the army to “sniff gunpowder” and “pull the strap.” He sends him to Orenburg, instructing him to serve faithfully “to whom you swear allegiance,” and to remember the proverb: “Take care of your dress again, but take care of your honor from a young age.” All the “brilliant hopes” of young Grinev for a cheerful life in St. Petersburg were destroyed, and “boredom in the deaf and distant side” awaited ahead. Approaching Orenburg, Grinev and Savelich fell into a snowstorm. A random person met on the road leads the wagon, lost in the snowstorm, to the edge. While the wagon was “quietly moving” towards housing, Pyotr Andreevich had a terrible dream, in which fifty-year-old Grinev sees something prophetic, connecting it with the “strange circumstances” of his future life. A man with a black beard is lying in Father Grinev’s bed, and mother, calling him Andrei Petrovich and “a planted father,” wants Petrusha to “kiss his hand” and ask for a blessing. A man swings an ax, the room fills with dead bodies; Grinev stumbles over them, slips in bloody puddles, but his “scary man” “kindly calls out,” saying: “Don’t be afraid, come under my blessing.” In gratitude for the rescue, Grinev gives the “counselor,” who is dressed too lightly, his hare sheepskin coat and brings him a glass of wine, for which he thanks him with a low bow: “Thank you, your honor! May the Lord reward you for your virtue.” The appearance of the “counselor” seemed “remarkable” to Grinev: “He was about forty years old, average height, thin and broad-shouldered. His black beard showed streaks of gray; the lively big eyes kept darting around. His face had a rather pleasant, but roguish expression.” The Belogorsk fortress, where Grinev was sent from Orenburg to serve, greets the young man not with formidable bastions, towers and ramparts, but turns out to be a village surrounded by a wooden fence. Instead of a brave garrison there are disabled people who do not know where the left and where the right side is, instead of deadly artillery there is an old cannon filled with garbage. The commandant of the fortress, Ivan Kuzmich Mironov, is an officer “from soldiers’ children”, an uneducated man, but honest and kind. His wife, Vasilisa Egorovna, completely manages it and looks at the affairs of the service as her own. Soon Grinev becomes “native” for the Mironovs, and he himself “imperceptibly became attached to a good family.” In the Mironovs’ daughter Masha, Grinev “found a prudent and sensitive girl.” Service does not burden Grinev; he is interested in reading books, practicing translations and writing poetry. At first, he becomes close to Lieutenant Shvabrin, the only person in the fortress close to Grinev in education, age and occupation. But soon they quarrel - Shvabrin mockingly criticized the love “song” written by Grinev, and also allowed himself dirty hints regarding the “character and customs” of Masha Mironova, to whom this song was dedicated. Later, in a conversation with Masha, Grinev will find out the reasons for the persistent slander with which Shvabrin pursued her: the lieutenant wooed her, but was refused. “I don’t like Alexei Ivanovich. He’s very disgusting to me,” Masha admits to Grinev. The quarrel is resolved by a duel and the wounding of Grinev. Masha takes care of the wounded Grinev. The young people confess to each other “the inclination of their hearts,” and Grinev writes a letter to the priest, “asking for parental blessing.” But Masha is homeless. The Mironovs have “only one soul, the girl Palashka,” while the Grinevs have three hundred souls of peasants. The father forbids Grinev to marry and promises to transfer him from the Belogorsk fortress “somewhere far away” so that the “nonsense” will go away. After this letter, life became unbearable for Grinev, he falls into gloomy reverie and seeks solitude. “I was afraid of either going crazy or falling into debauchery.” And only “unexpected incidents,” writes Grinev, “which had an important influence on my whole life, suddenly gave my soul a strong and beneficial shock.” At the beginning of October 1773, the commandant of the fortress received a secret message about the Don Cossack Emelyan Pugachev, who, posing as “the late Emperor Peter III,” “gathered a villainous gang, caused outrage in the Yaik villages and had already taken and destroyed several fortresses.” The commandant was asked to “take appropriate measures to repel the aforementioned villain and impostor.” Soon everyone was talking about Pugachev. A Bashkir with “outrageous sheets” was captured in the fortress. But it was not possible to interrogate him - the Bashkir’s tongue was torn out. Any day now, the residents of the Belogorsk fortress are expecting Pugachev's attack. The rebels appear unexpectedly - the Mironovs did not even have time to send Masha to Orenburg. At the first attack the fortress was taken. Residents greet the Pugachevites with bread and salt. The prisoners, among whom was Grinev, are led to the square to swear allegiance to Pugachev. The first to die on the gallows is the commandant, who refused to swear allegiance to the “thief and impostor.” Vasilisa Egorovna falls dead under the blow of a saber. Grinev also faces death on the gallows, but Pugachev has mercy on him. A little later, Grinev learns from Savelich the “reason for mercy” - the chieftain of the robbers turned out to be the tramp who received a hare sheepskin coat from him, Grinev. In the evening, Grinev is invited to the “great sovereign.” “I have pardoned you for your virtue,” Pugachev says to Grinev, “Do you promise to serve me with zeal?” But Grinev is a “natural nobleman” and “sworn allegiance to the Empress.” He cannot even promise Pugachev not to serve against him. “My head is in your power,” he says to Pugachev, “if you let me go, thank you, if you execute me, God will be your judge.” Grinev’s sincerity amazes Pugachev, and he releases the officer “on all four sides.” Grinev decides to go to Orenburg for help - after all, Masha, whom the priest passed off as her niece, remained in the fortress in a severe fever. He is especially concerned that Shvabrin, who swore allegiance to Pugachev, was appointed commandant of the fortress. But in Orenburg, Grinev was denied help, and a few days later rebel troops surrounded the city. Long days of siege dragged on. Soon, by chance, a letter from Masha falls into the hands of Grinev, from which he learns that Shvabrin is forcing her to marry him, threatening otherwise to hand her over to the Pugachevites. Once again Grinev turns to the military commandant for help, and again receives a refusal. Grinev and Savelich leave for the Belogorsk fortress, but near the Berdskaya settlement they are captured by the rebels. And again, providence brings Grinev and Pugachev together, giving the officer the opportunity to fulfill his intention: having learned from Grinev the essence of the matter for which he is going to the Belogorsk fortress, Pugachev himself decides to free the orphan and punish the offender. On the way to the fortress, a confidential conversation takes place between Pugachev and Grinev. Pugachev is clearly aware of his doom, expecting betrayal primarily from his comrades; he knows that he cannot expect “the mercy of the empress.” For Pugachev, like an eagle from a Kalmyk fairy tale, which he tells Grinev with “wild inspiration,” “than to feed on carrion for three hundred years, it is better to drink living blood once; and then what God will give!” Grinev draws a different moral conclusion from the fairy tale, which surprises Pugachev: “To live by murder and robbery means for me to peck at carrion.” In the Belogorsk fortress, Grinev, with the help of Pugachev, frees Masha. And although the enraged Shvabrin reveals the deception to Pugachev, he is full of generosity: “Execute, so execute, favor, so favor: this is my custom.” Grinev and Pugachev part on a friendly basis. Grinev sends Masha to his parents as a bride, while he himself remains in the army out of “duty of honor.” The war “with bandits and savages” is “boring and petty.” Grinev’s observations are filled with bitterness: “God forbid that we see a Russian rebellion, senseless and merciless.” The end of the military campaign coincides with the arrest of Grinev. Appearing before the court, he is calm in his confidence that he can justify himself, but Shvabrin slanderes him, exposing Grinev as a spy dispatched from Pugachev to Orenburg. Grinev is convicted, disgrace awaits him, exile to Siberia for eternal settlement. Grinev is saved from shame and exile by Masha, who goes to the queen to “beg for mercy.” Walking through the garden of Tsarskoye Selo, Masha met a middle-aged lady. Everything about this lady “involuntarily attracted the heart and inspired confidence.” Having found out who Masha was, she offered her help, and Masha sincerely told the lady the whole story. The lady turned out to be an empress who pardoned Grinev in the same way as Pugachev had pardoned both Masha and Grinev.

1. Petr Andreevich Grinev– the son of a retired military man who puts honor above all else. Until the age of 16, I was underage. Throughout the story, it is shown how Peter grows up and changes, turning into a mature man. The guy’s beloved, Masha Mironova, played a big role in shaping his character. For her sake, he risks his life, grows spiritually and morally;
2. Alexey Shvabrin- the complete opposite of Grinev. Serves in the Belogorsk fortress for 5 years, is punished for murder. A sarcastic, arrogant, mean, cunning guy was refused by Masha Mironova. Because of this, he goes into a duel with Peter;
3. Masha Mironova- a young girl, the daughter of the commandant of the fortress. The story “The Captain's Daughter” is named after her. Masha personifies a highly moral and noble person, pure and gentle. Going through difficulties, Masha remains faithful to her principles;
4. Pugachev Emelyan- leader of the uprising, calls himself “Great Sovereign” Peter III. An impostor who ended up executed.

Excursion into the past

At the beginning of the story, Pyotr Grinev tells the reader about his youth and childhood. He is the only one in the family to survive. There were 9 children in total. His mother was a noblewoman, and his father was a retired major. The family's wealth was average, although Peter lived on a family estate in the Simbirsk province. The little boy was raised almost all the time by the servant Savelich. He pampered the boy as if he were his own son, teaching him based on stories about fairy-tale characters. Together they observed changes in nature, went fishing and hunting. Savelich himself could read, could write, and was a real storyteller.

Peter's father was not involved in raising his son and hired as a teacher the French hairdresser Beaupré, who was a rare reveler - a libertine and a drunkard. When it became clear that the mannered Frenchman could not teach the boy anything, he was kicked out.

At the age of seventeen, they decided to send Petrusha to the service for correction, since the boy’s education was poor. To give his son a comprehensive education, his father, Andrei Petrovich, exiled him to Orenburg. The servant Savelich was also attached to the boy. Peter was upset because he dreamed of leaving for St. Petersburg.

To the service!

According to the rules, young nobles were assigned to some regiment for service. Peter's father sends his son to a remote garrison in the Orenburg province, because he was afraid that his son would go on a spree in St. Petersburg.

On the way to work they stopped at a tavern. The entire treasury was kept by Savelich, since Peter was still too young to manage finances. At the tavern Petrushe meets captain Zurin, who invites him to play billiards.

Then Zurin offers to play for money. The inexperienced young man agrees, believing that he is good with a cue. Peter loses a hundred rubles. At that time this was a lot of money. Savelich does not want to repay the debt and persuades the master to come to his senses and not compensate for the loss. But Grinev immediately puts everything in its place, hinting who is the servant and who is the master, and orders the debt to be paid. Pyotr Grinev explained to the servant that paying the debt is a matter of honor.

Buran in the steppe

After paying the debt, Grinev promises Savelich not to play for money anymore, regretting his mistake. It's still a long drive and the servant forgives the young master. Because of Peter's carelessness, they get into trouble - a strong storm is approaching. The young man orders the coachman to continue the journey and soon they get stuck in the steppe, where they will have to camp for the night.

Everyone understands that they have lost their way, and are pretty cold. An old stranger helped the travelers and led them to the nearest house. As a sign of gratitude, Pyotr Grinev wanted to give the old man money, but Savelich did not allow it. And the master gave away the hare sheepskin coat.

Petrusha fell asleep in the hut and had a dream, which he later calls prophetic. He dreamed of his mother and his home; his mother reported that his father was dying. He goes on to say that he sees a man he doesn’t know, sitting on his father’s bed and calling himself his mother’s husband. The stranger wants to receive his father's blessing, but Andrei Petrovich does not give it. The man grabs an ax and kills everyone. Peter remains the only living observer.

When Peter arrived in Orenburg, his father’s colleague sent him to an even greater wilderness - the Belgorod fortress. The guy is even more upset.

In the Belogorsk fortress

In the fortress, which was located forty miles from Orenburg, people hunted, fished, and worked in the garden. The employees trained on the parade ground and rarely fired a cannon.

The owner of the fortress was Ivan Kuzmich Mironov, although his wife, Vasilisa Egorovna, controlled everything. The commandant and his wife also had a daughter, Mashenka. The family was simple and sincere, which Peter immediately liked. True, on this day the acquaintance of Mashenka and Petrusha did not take place.

In the fortress, which was very similar to a village, Peter met the young lieutenant Alexei Ivanovich Shvabrin, who was sent into exile for a duel where he killed his opponent. Shvabrin constantly spoke unkindly about everyone, spoke sarcastically about Mashenka, making her look like a fool. Which he conveyed to Grinev. But when Petya himself met Masha, he thought that Alexey was a liar.

Shvabrin's deceit

Peter was left to live with the Cossack Semyon Kuzov. Peter's accommodation was handed down to Semyon as punishment from the Mironov family for weeding in their garden. Thus began the monotonous days of Peter’s service. Soon Grinev noticed that Alexey Shvabrin began to treat him dismissively and warily. This happened because they both liked the commandant’s daughter, Mashenka.

Shvabrin perceived Grinev as a rival. Masha herself refused Alexey’s marriage proposal. For refusing, he began to shame her in front of other people and show her in an unflattering light. Although in fact Masha was an honest and kind girl. The girl's father and mother were worried about their daughter, as they could not provide her with a dowry.

Duel and letter home

One day, inspired by thoughts of a girl, Grinev wrote a poem in which the name Maria was written. Alexey Shvabrin read Peter’s work and began to ridicule him, advising him to win Mashenka’s favor not with poems, but with material things. He offered to give her a pair of earrings. Grinev flared up and called Alexei a liar.

Shvabrin challenged Peter to a duel, since such an insult was inappropriate for an officer. The young men decided to fight with swords. In the end, it didn't come to a duel. The commandant's wife Vasilisa found out about the fight and forbade it to take place. The guys agreed, but later tried to fight with swords again. But in the morning, Ivan Ignatich and several other men brought the young men to Vasilisa Yegorovna. She scolded the young people again and let them go.

Masha found out about the duel and told Grinev that Shvabrin was wooing her. Peter understood why Alexey flared up and again appointed a duel in which Grinev was wounded. When he woke up, he saw that Mashenka was sitting in front of him.

Petya realized that he was in love with the girl and wrote a letter to his parents, in which he asked for a blessing for the wedding. However, Peter's father refuses, because he believes that his son is not yet ripe for marriage.

Unrest in the city, attack on the fortress

Trouble begins in the fortress. Mironov receives orders to prepare for defense against the rebels. Allegedly, Emelyan Pugachev perjures himself and calls himself Peter III. He escaped from custody and is causing fear among those around him. One hope is that the robbers will pass by the fortress.

Ivan Kuzmich asks to take Masha and his wife to Orenburg, where the protection in the fortress is stronger. Vasilisa Egorovna refuses to leave and decides not to leave her husband alone. Mashenka says goodbye to Grinev, but she fails to leave. All roads are blocked. Some people went over to the side of the robbers, and the Belogorsk fortress surrenders.

All employees are offered to accept the new ruler Pugachev, but everyone refuses. For this, Masha's father and Ivan Ivanovich will be executed. Next they were supposed to kill Peter, but Savelich begged Pugachev to take pity and have mercy on the guy. The servant later tells Peter that the old man who saved them from the storm and the one to whom Grinev gave the sheepskin coat was Emelyan Pugachev.

Vasilisa Egorovna finds out that her husband was hanged and says that she cannot live without her husband. One of the rebels wounds her to death. Masha gets sick. Pugachev settles next to her. Pugachev is told that this is the priest’s niece so that he does not kill Masha.

Departure to Orenburg

Grinev is released from the fortress to convey that he demands the surrender of the city. Before this, they talk for a long time, and Pugachev tells Peter a fairy tale about an eagle and a raven. Peter draws a different conclusion about what he heard than Pugachev. Grinev does not agree to swear allegiance to Emelyan, saying that he is loyal to the empress.

Peter leaves for Orenburg, knowing that Masha remains in the fortress. He goes straight to the general and asks to recapture the fortress. A council is assembled, on which officials sit. It was decided not to take risks and not to attack the fortress. Peter is confused and upset, he doesn’t know how to rescue Mashenka.

Pugachev recruits more and more people into his detachment and tries to attack Orenburg. However, this time the city held out and it was impossible to break through the defenses. One day, Peter is given a letter from Mashenka. He reads with excitement. It turns out that Shvabrin was assigned to keep order in the fortress and he gave Masha three days to think about it so that she would become his wife. To which Masha writes in a letter: “It’s better to die than to be with Shvabrin.”

Grinev heads to the Belogorsk fortress together with Savelich. With great difficulty, with Emelyan’s permission, Peter manages to take Masha out of the fortress. Shvabrin catches up and says that Masha is the commandant’s daughter. But Pugachev replies that it is his rule not to cancel a pardon if he has already decided to do so.

Trip to relatives and military investigation

The uprising is defeated, Pugachev's troops retreat beyond the Urals. Grinev sent Masha to his parents and they greeted her as one of their own. The same captain Zurov, to whom Grinev repaid a debt of one hundred rubles, helped send Mashenka to Peter’s parents.

Clouds gathered over Grinev. He was summoned to the investigator and accused of treason and relations with rebels. The denunciation of Peter was written by Shvabrin. Peter tries to justify himself, but does not want to expose his beloved. The investigation finds Peter guilty and imposes punishment - hanging. But later the punishment is replaced with lifelong exile to Siberia. Masha understands that Peter suffered punishment because of her, wanting to protect her.

Denouement

Mashenka goes to the Empress herself. Peter's parents believe that Masha does not want to marry a traitor to her homeland and sadly say goodbye to her. However, Masha returns back with a victory for pardon from the empress herself. Masha proved that Grinev suffered punishment out of nobility. Mashenka becomes a rich bride, as she receives gifts from the empress herself. The Empress thus compensates her daughter for the death of her father Ivan Mironov.

The lovers get married and move to live in the Simbirsk province. Pugachev is executed on Red Square, and Grinev goes to the execution to look him in the eyes with gratitude one last time. Their gazes meet at the end.

Test on the story The Captain's Daughter

The basis of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin’s novel “The Captain’s Daughter,” conceived in 1833, was based on materials about the Pugachev rebellion. And this is quite justified, because the author was then working on the historical essay “The History of Pugachev.” Alexander Sergeevich managed to collect unique material about these events thanks to a trip to the Urals, where he had the opportunity to communicate with living Pugachevites and record their stories.

Just as at that time, almost two hundred years ago, this work will be of interest to the reader now.

The main characters of the novel:

Petr Andreevich Grinev

Petr Andreevich Grinev- a sixteen-year-old youth, the son of retired Prime Major Grinev, whom his father sent for military service to the Orenburg Fortress. By the will of fate, he ended up in the Belgorod fortress, where he fell in love with the daughter of captain Ivan Kuzmich Mironov, Maria Ivanovna. Pyotr Andreevich is a decent man, intolerant of meanness and betrayal, selfless, striving at all costs to protect his bride at a time when she falls into the hands of the traitor Shvabrin, an evil and terrible man. To do this, he risks his life and gets involved with the rebel Emelyan Pugachev, although he does not even allow the thought of betrayal and, like Shvabrin, to go over to the side of the enemy and swear allegiance to the impostor. A distinctive feature of Grinev is the ability to be grateful for good. At the moment of obvious danger threatening from Pugachev, he shows wisdom and wins over the robber.

Emelyan Pugachev

Emelyan Pugachev - the controversial image of the chieftain of a gang of robbers who rebelled against the nobles, will not leave any of the readers indifferent. From history we know that this is a real person, a Don Cossack, the leader of the peasant war, the most famous of the impostors who posed as Peter III. During Grinev’s first meeting with Pugachev, he sees that the rebel’s appearance is not remarkable: a forty-year-old man, broad-shouldered, thin, with darting eyes, and a pleasant, albeit roguish, expression.

Cruel and stern, dealing without mercy with generals and those who do not want to swear allegiance to him, Pugachev, however, during the third meeting with Grinev reveals himself as a man who wants to give mercy to whomever he wants (of course, it is clear that he has played too much at the sovereign ). Emelyan is even dependent on the opinions of his entourage, although, contrary to the advice of those close to him, he does not want to execute Peter and acts for his own reasons. He understands that his game is dangerous, but it is too late to repent. After the rebel was caught, he was subjected to the well-deserved death penalty.

Maria Ivanovna Mironova

Maria Ivanovna Mironova is the daughter of the captain of the Belogorod fortress, Ivan Kuzmich Mironov, a kind, pretty, meek and modest girl, capable of loving passionately. Her image is the personification of high morality and purity. Thanks to the dedication of Masha, who wanted at all costs to save her beloved from lifelong shame due to imaginary betrayal, her beloved Peter returned home completely justified. And this is not surprising, because the kind girl sincerely told Catherine the Second the real truth.

Alexey Shvabrin

Alexey Shvabrin is the complete opposite of Pyotr Grinev in actions and character. A cunning, mocking and evil person who knows how to adapt to circumstances, he achieves his goal through deception and slander. A stab in the back during a duel with Grinev, going over to the side of the rebel Pugachev after the capture of the Belogorodskaya fortress, mockery of the poor orphan Masha, who never wanted to become his wife, reveal the true face of Shvabrin - a very low and vile person.

Minor characters

Andrey Petrovich Grinev- Peter's father. Strict with his son. Not wanting to look for easy ways for him, at the age of sixteen he sends the young man to serve in the army, and by the will of fate he ends up in the Belogorodskaya fortress.

Ivan Kuzmich Mironov- captain of the Belogorodskaya fortress, where the events of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin’s story “The Captain’s Daughter” unfold. Kind, honest and faithful, devoted to the Fatherland, who wished better to die than to break the oath.

Vasilisa Egorovna- the wife of Captain Mironov, kind and thrifty, who was always aware of all events in the fortress. She died from the saber of a young Cossack on the threshold of her house.

Savelich- a serf of the Grinevs, assigned to Petrusha since childhood, a devoted servant, an honest and decent person, ready to always help and protect the young man in everything. Thanks to Savelich, who stood up for the young master in time, Pugachev did not execute Peter.

Ivan Ivanovich Zuev- the captain who beat Petrusha in Simbirsk and demanded a debt of one hundred rubles. Having met Pyotr Andreevich for the second time, he persuaded the officer to serve in his detachment.

Broadsword- Serf of the Mironovs. The girl is lively and brave. Fearlessly strives to help his owner, Maria Ivanovna.

Chapter first. Sergeant of the Guard

In the first chapter, Pyotr Grinev talks about his childhood. His father, Andrei Petrovich Grinev, was a prime major, and since he retired, he settled in a Siberian village and married Avdotya Vasilyevna Yu, the daughter of a poor nobleman, who gave birth to nine children. Many of them did not survive, and Peter himself, from his mother’s womb, was “enlisted in the Semenovsky regiment as a sergeant, by the grace of the Major of the Guard, Prince B...”.

Grinev’s childhood was at first unremarkable: until the age of twelve, Petya was under the supervision of Savelich, learning to read and write in Russian; then the father hired the French hairdresser Beaupre for the boy, but the lessons with him did not last long. For drunkenness and indecent behavior, the priest kicked out the Frenchman, and from then on the child was partially left to his own devices. However, from the age of sixteen, the fate of Pyotr Grinev changed dramatically.

“It’s time for him to serve,” his father once said. And then, writing a letter to Andrei Karlovich R., his old comrade, and gathering his son, he sent him to Orenburg (instead of St. Petersburg, where the young man was supposed to go serve in the guard). Petya didn’t like such a drastic change in circumstances, but there was nothing he could do: he had to come to terms with it. The servant Savelich was ordered to look after him. On the way, stopping at a tavern where there was a billiard room, Peter met Ivan Ivanovich Zurin, captain of the hussar regiment. At first, it would seem that their friendship began to grow stronger, but due to his inexperience, the young man succumbed to the persuasion of his new acquaintance and lost a hundred rubles to him, and besides, he also drank a lot of punch, which greatly upset the servant. The money had to be given back, much to Savelich’s displeasure.

Chapter two. Counselor

Peter felt guilty and was looking for an opportunity to make peace with Savelich. After talking with the servant and relieving his soul, the young man promised to behave smarter in the future, but still it was a pity for the money thrown away.

A storm was approaching, as was foreshadowed by a small cloud. The coachman offered to return back to avoid severe bad weather, but Peter did not agree and ordered to go faster. The consequence of such recklessness on the part of the young man was that they were overtaken by a blizzard. Suddenly, in the distance, the travelers saw a man, and, having caught up with him, they asked how to get onto the road. Having sat down in the wagon, the traveler began to assure that there was a village nearby, because there was a whiff of smoke. Heeding the stranger’s advice, the coachman, Savelich and Peter went where he said. Grinev dozed off and suddenly saw an unusual dream, which he later considered prophetic.

Peter dreamed that he returned to his estate, and his sad mother reported that his father was seriously ill. She brought her son to the sick bed so that dad would bless him before his death, but instead the young man saw a man with a black beard. “This is your imprisoned father; kiss his hand, and may he bless you...” Mom insisted, but since Peter never wanted to agree, the black-bearded man suddenly jumped up and began swinging the ax left and right.

Many people died, dead bodies were lying everywhere, and the terrible man kept calling the young man to come under his blessing. Peter was very frightened, but suddenly he heard Savelich’s voice: “We’ve arrived!” They found themselves at an inn and entered a clean, bright room. While the owner was fussing about the tea, the future soldier asked where their counselor was. “Here,” suddenly answered a voice from the floor. But when the owner started an allegorical conversation with him (as it turned out, telling jokes about the affairs of the Yaitsk army), Peter listened to him with interest. Finally, everyone fell asleep.

The next morning the storm subsided, and the travelers began to get ready for the road again. The young man wanted to thank the counselor by giving him a hare sheepskin coat, but Savelich objected. However, Peter showed persistence, and the tramp soon became the happy owner of a good-quality, warm thing from the master's shoulder.

Arriving in Orenburg, Pyotr Andreevich Grinev appeared before the general, who knew his father well and therefore treated the young man favorably. Having decided that there was nothing for him to do in Orenburg, he decided to transfer him as an officer to the *** regiment and send him to the Belogorod fortress, to Captain Mironov, an honest and kind man. This upset the young soldier, because he was going to learn discipline in an even greater wilderness.

We bring to your attention “Analysis of “Little Tragedies of Alexander Pushkin,” which describes strong and extraordinary personalities, within each of which a conflict is brewing, which inevitably leads to tragic consequences.

Chapter three. Fortress

The Belogorsk fortress, located forty miles from Orenburg, contrary to Peter’s expectations, was an ordinary village. The commandant's office turned out to be a wooden house. The young man entered the hallway, then into the house, and saw an old woman in a headscarf sitting by the window. She introduced herself as the hostess. Having learned the reason why Peter came to them, the grandmother consoled him: “And you, father, do not be sad that you were sent to our outback... If you endure it, you will fall in love...”

Thus began a new life for the sixteen-year-old boy. The next morning he met Shvabrin, a young man exiled to the Belogorsk fortress for a duel. He turned out to be witty and far from stupid.

When Vasilisa Yegorovna invited Pyotr Andreevich to dinner, the new comrade followed him. During the meal the conversation flowed peacefully, the hostess asked many questions. We touched on different topics. It turned out that Masha, the captain's daughter, is very timid, unlike her brave mother. Grinev had conflicting feelings about her, because at first Shvabrin described the girl as stupid.

Chapter Four. Duel

Days passed, and the new life in the Belogorodskaya fortress seemed to Peter, to some extent, even pleasant. Every time he dined with the commandant, he became better acquainted with Maria Ivanovna, but Shvabrin’s caustic remarks about this or that person ceased to be perceived with the same cheerfulness.

One day Pyotr Andreevich shared his new poem about Masha with his friend (in the fortress he sometimes did creative work), but unexpectedly he heard a lot of criticism. Shvabrin literally ridiculed every line written by Grinev, and it is not surprising that a serious quarrel arose between them, threatening to develop into a duel. The desire for a duel nevertheless took hold in the hearts of the former comrades, but, fortunately, Ivan Ignatievich, who arrived in time to the place of the appointed duel, prevented the implementation of the dangerous plan.

However, the first attempt was followed by another, especially since Grinev already knew the reason why Shvabrin treated Masha so badly: it turns out that last year he wooed her, but the girl refused. Fueled by a feeling of extreme hostility towards Alexei Ivanovich, Peter agreed to a duel. This time everything ended worse: Grinev was wounded in the back.

We bring to your attention the poem by A.S. Pushkin’s “The Bronze Horseman”, which combines the story of the fate of an ordinary resident of St. Petersburg who suffered during the flood, Eugene and historical and philosophical reflections on the state...

Chapter five. Love

The young man lay unconscious for five days, and when he woke up, he saw an alarmed Savelich and Maria Ivanovna in front of him. Suddenly, Grinev was so overcome by love for the girl that he felt extraordinary joy, all the more convinced that Masha harbored reciprocal feelings. The young people dreamed of linking their destinies, but Peter was afraid not to receive his father’s blessing, although he tried to write him a convincing letter.

Youth took its toll, and Peter began to recover quickly. The joyful mood that the hero of the novel now experienced every day also played a positive role. Being not vindictive by nature, he made peace with Shvabrin.

But suddenly the happiness was darkened by news from the father, who not only did not consent to the marriage, but scolded his son for unreasonable behavior and threatened to petition to be transferred away from the Belogorodskaya fortress.

In addition, the mother, having learned about the injury of her only son, went to bed, which upset Peter even more. But who reported him? How did the father know about the duel with Shvabrin? These thoughts haunted Grinev, and he began to blame Savelich for everything, but he, in his defense, showed a letter in which Peter’s father showered him with rude expressions for concealing the truth.

Maria Ivanovna, having learned about her father’s categorical reluctance to bless them, resigned herself to fate, but began to shun Grinev. But he completely lost heart: he stopped going to the commandant, holed up in the house, and even lost the desire to read and talk of any kind. But then new events occurred that influenced the entire future life of Pyotr Andreevich.

Chapter six. Pugachevshchina

In this chapter, Pyotr Andreevich Grinev describes the situation in the Orenburg province at the end of 1773. During that turbulent time, disturbances broke out in various places, and the government took strict measures to suppress riots on the part of the wild peoples inhabiting the province. Trouble also reached the Belogorodskaya fortress. That day, all the officers were urgently summoned to the commandant, who told them important news about the threat of an attack on the fortress by the rebel Emelyan Pugachev and his gang. Ivan Kuzmich sent his wife and daughter to visit the priest in advance, and locked his maid Palashka in a closet during a secret conversation. When Vasilisa Yegorovna returned, at first she could not find out from her husband what really happened. However, seeing how Ivan Ignatievich was preparing the cannon for battle, she guessed that someone might attack the fortress and cunningly found out information about Pugachev from him.

Then harbingers of trouble began to appear: a Bashkir, captured with outrageous letters, who at first they wanted to flog in order to obtain information, but, as it turned out later, not only his ears and nose were cut off, but also his tongue; An alarming message from Vasilisa Yegorovna that the Nizheozernaya fortress had been taken, the commandant and all the officers had been hanged, and the soldiers were in captivity.

Peter was very worried about Maria Ivanovna and her mother, who were in danger, and therefore offered to hide them for a while in the Orenburg fortress, but Vasilisa Egorovna was categorically against leaving home. Masha, whose heart was aching from the sudden separation from her beloved, was hastily prepared for the journey. The girl, sobbing, said goodbye to Peter.

Chapter seven. Attack

Unfortunately, the alarming forecasts came true - and now Pugachev and his gang began to attack the fortress. All roads to Orenburg were cut off, so Masha did not have time to evacuate. Ivan Kuzmich, anticipating his imminent death, blessed his daughter and said goodbye to his wife. The fierce rebels rushed into the fortress and captured the officers and commandant. Ivan Kuzmich, as well as lieutenant Ivan Ignatievich, who did not want to swear allegiance to Pugachev, who was posing as a sovereign, were hanged on the gallows, but Grinev was saved from death thanks to the kind and faithful Savelich. The old man begged the “father” for mercy, suggesting that it would be better to hang him, but to let the master’s child go. Peter was released. Ordinary soldiers swore allegiance to Pugachev. Vasilisa Egorovna, who was dragged naked from the commandant’s house, began to cry out for her husband, cursing the escaped convict, and died from the saber of a young Cossack.

Chapter eight. Uninvited guest

Alarmed by the unknown about Masha’s fate, Pyotr Andreevich entered the commandant’s destroyed house, but saw only a frightened Broadsword, who reported that Maria Ivanovna was hidden with the priest, Akulina Pamfilovna.

This news excited Grinev even more, because Pugachev was there. He rushed headlong to the priest's house and, entering the vestibule, saw the Pugachevites feasting. Quietly asking Pasha to call Akulina Pamfilovna, he asked the priest about Masha’s condition.

“He’s lying, my dear, on my bed...” she answered and said that Pugachev, when he heard Masha’s moan, began to wonder who was behind the partition. Akulina Pamfilovna had to come up with a story on the spot about her niece, who had been ill for two weeks. Pugachev wanted to look at her, but no amount of persuasion helped. But, fortunately, everything worked out. Even Shvabrin, who had gone over to the side of the rebels and was now feasting with Pugachev, did not betray Maria.

A little reassured, Grinev came home, and there Savelich surprised him by informing him that Pugachev was none other than a tramp they met on the way to Orenburg, to whom Pyotr Andreevich presented a hare sheepskin coat.

Suddenly one of the Cossacks came running and said that the ataman demanded Grinev to come to him. I had to obey, and Peter went to the commandant’s house, where Pugachev was. The conversation with the impostor evoked conflicting feelings in the young man’s soul: on the one hand, he understood that he would never swear allegiance to the newly-minted ataman, on the other hand, he could not expose himself to the risk of death by calling himself a deceiver to his face. Meanwhile, Emelyan was waiting for an answer. "Listen; I’ll tell you the whole truth,” the young officer spoke. - Think about it, can I recognize you as a sovereign? You are a smart man: you would see for yourself that I am deceitful.”

Who am I, in your opinion?
- God knows you; but whoever you are, you are telling a dangerous joke..."

In the end, Pugachev gave in to Peter's request and agreed to let him go.

Chapter Nine. Parting

Pugachev generously released Grinev to Orenburg, ordering him to inform him that he would be there in a week, and appointed Shvabrin as the new commander. Suddenly Savelich handed the chieftain a piece of paper and asked him to read what was written there. It turns out that they were talking about the property of the commandant’s house plundered by the Cossacks and about compensation for damage, which angered Pugachev. However, this time he pardoned Savelich. And before leaving, Grinev decided to visit Maria again and, entering the priest’s house, he saw that the girl was unconscious, suffering from a severe fever. Anxious thoughts haunted Peter: how to leave a defenseless orphan in the midst of evil rebels. It was especially depressing that Shvabrin, who could cause harm to Masha, became the new commander of the impostors. With pain in his heart, tormented by strong emotions, the young man said goodbye to the one whom in his soul he already considered his wife.

On the way to Orenburg, a traitorous constable overtook him and Savelich, informing him that “his father favors a horse and a fur coat from his shoulder,” and even half a sum of money (which he lost along the way). And although the sheepskin coat was not worth even half of what was plundered by the villains, Peter still accepted such a gift.

Chapter ten. Siege of the city

So, Grinev and Savelich arrived in Orenburg. The sergeant, having learned that those who had arrived were from the Belogorodskaya fortress, led them to the house of the general, who turned out to be a good-natured old man. From a conversation with Peter, he learned about the terrible death of Captain Mironov, about the death of Vasilisa Yegorovna and that Masha remained with the priest.

A few hours later, a military council began, at which Grinev was present. When they began to discuss how to act in relation to criminals - defensively or offensively, only Peter expressed a firm opinion that it was necessary to decisively confront the villains. The rest were inclined to a defensive position.

The siege of the city began, as a result of which hunger and misfortune raged. Grinev was worried about the unknown about the fate of his beloved girl. And once again, having gone to the enemy’s camp, Peter unexpectedly encountered the constable Maksimych, who gave him a letter from Maria Ivanovna. The news where the poor orphan asked to protect her from Shvabrin, who was forcibly forcing her to marry him, infuriated Peter. He rushed headlong into the general's house, asking for soldiers to quickly clear the Belogorodskaya fortress, but finding no support, he decided to act on his own.

Chapter Eleven. Rebel settlement

Peter and Savelich rush to the Belogorodskaya fortress, but on the way they are surrounded by rebels and taken to their chieftain. Pugachev is again favorable to Grinev. After listening to Pyotr Andreevich’s request to free Masha from Shvabrin’s hands, he decides to go to the fortress. On the way they have a conversation. Grinev persuades Pugachev to surrender to the mercy of the empress, but he objects: it’s too late to repent...

Chapter twelve. Orphan

Contrary to Shvabrin’s assurances that Maria Ivanovna was ill, Pugachev ordered him to be taken to her room. The girl was in a terrible state: she was sitting on the floor, in a torn dress, with disheveled hair, pale, thin. Nearby stood a jug of water and a loaf of bread. Emelyan began to be indignant at Shvabrin for deceiving him by calling Masha his wife, and then the traitor revealed a secret: the girl was not the niece of the priest, but the daughter of the deceased Mironov. This angered Pugachev, but not for long. Grinev managed to justify himself here, too, because, having learned the truth, the impostor’s people would have killed the defenseless orphan. In the end, to Peter's great joy, Emelyan allowed him to take the bride. We decided to go to the village to visit our parents, because it was impossible to either stay here or go to Orenburg.

Chapter thirteen. Arrest

In anticipation of long happiness, Pyotr Andreevich set off on the road with his beloved. Suddenly a crowd of hussars surrounded them with terrible abuse, confusing them with Pugachev’s traitors. The travelers were arrested. Having learned about the impending danger of the prison, where the major ordered him to be imprisoned and the girl personally brought to him, Grinev rushed to the porch of the hut and boldly entered the room, where, to his surprise, he saw Ivan Ivanovich Zuev. When the situation became clearer, and everyone realized that Maria was not Pugachev’s gossip at all, but the daughter of the late Mironov, Zuev came out and apologized to her.

After some persuasion on the part of Ivan Ivanovich, Grinev decided to stay in his detachment, and send Maria with Savelich to her parents in the village, handing over a covering letter.

So Pyotr Andreevich began to serve in Zuev’s detachment. The pockets of uprising that broke out in places were soon suppressed, but Pugachev was not caught immediately. More time passed before the impostor was neutralized. The war ended, but, alas, Grinev’s dreams of seeing his family did not come true. Suddenly, like a bolt from the blue, a secret order came to arrest him.

Chapter fourteen. Court

Although Grinev, who, according to Shvabrin’s denunciation, was considered a traitor, could easily justify himself to the commission, he did not want to involve Maria Ivanovna in this situation, and therefore kept silent about the true reason for his sudden departure from the Orenburg fortress and meeting with Pugachev.

Maria, meanwhile, was warmly received by Peter's parents and sincerely explained why their son had been arrested, refuting any idea of ​​treason. However, a few weeks later the priest received a letter saying that Pyotr Grinev was sentenced to exile and would be sent to eternal settlement. This news was a big blow for the family. And then Maria decided to go to St. Petersburg and personally explain the situation, meeting with the Empress, Catherine the Second. Fortunately, the girl’s plan was a success, and providence contributed to this. On an autumn morning, already in St. Petersburg, she got into conversation with a lady of about forty and told her about the reason for her arrival, not even suspecting that the Empress herself was in front of her. Sincere words in defense of the one who risked his life for the sake of his beloved touched the empress, and she, convinced of Grinev’s innocence, gave the order to release him. The happy lovers soon reunited their destinies. Pugachev was overtaken by a well-deserved execution. Standing on the scaffold, he nodded his head to Pyotr Grinev. A minute later it flew off his shoulders.

“The Captain's Daughter” - a novel by A. S. Pushkin

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In this article we will describe the work of A.S. A chapter-by-chapter retelling of this short novel, published in 1836, is offered to your attention.

1. Sergeant of the Guard

The first chapter begins with the biography of Pyotr Andreevich Grinev. The father of this hero served, after which he retired. There were 9 children in the Grinev family, but eight of them died in infancy, and Peter was left alone. His father registered him even before his birth as Pyotr Andreevich and was on vacation until he came of age. Uncle Savelich serves as the boy's teacher. He supervises the development of Russian literacy by the Petrushas.

After some time, the Frenchman Beaupre was discharged to Peter. He taught him German, French, and various sciences. But Beaupre did not raise the child, but only drank and walked. The boy's father soon discovered this and drove the teacher away. At the age of 17, Peter was sent to serve, but not to the place where he had hoped to go. He goes to Orenburg instead of St. Petersburg. This decision determined the future fate of Peter, the hero of the work "The Captain's Daughter."

Chapter 1 describes the parting words of a father to his son. He tells him that it is necessary to take care of honor from a young age. Petya, having arrived in Simbirsk, meets Zurin, the captain, in a tavern, who taught him to play billiards, and also got him drunk and won 100 rubles from him. It was as if Grinev had broken free for the first time. He behaves like a boy. Zurin demands the allotted winnings in the morning. Pyotr Andreevich, in order to show his character, forces Savelich, who protests this, to give out money. After which, feeling pangs of conscience, Grinev leaves Simbirsk. This is how Chapter 1 ends in the work “The Captain’s Daughter”. Let us describe further events that happened to Pyotr Andreevich.

2. Counselor

Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin tells us about the further fate of this hero of the work "The Captain's Daughter". Chapter 2 of the novel is called "Counselor". In it we meet Pugachev for the first time.

On the way, Grinev asks Savelich to forgive him for his stupid behavior. Suddenly a snowstorm begins on the road, Peter and his servant lose their way. They meet a man who offers to take them to the inn. Grinev, riding in a cab, has a dream.

Grinev's dream is an important episode of the work "The Captain's Daughter". Chapter 2 describes it in detail. In it, Peter arrives at his estate and discovers that his father is dying. He approaches him to take the last blessing, but instead of his father he sees an unknown man with a black beard. Grinev is surprised, but his mother convinces him that this is his imprisoned father. A black-bearded man jumps up waving an ax, dead bodies fill the entire room. At the same time, the man smiles at Pyotr Andreevich and also offers him a blessing.

Grinev, already standing, examines his guide and notices that he is the same man from the dream. He is a forty-year-old man of average height, thin and broad-shouldered. There is already a noticeable streak of gray in his black beard. The man’s eyes are alive, and one can feel the sharpness and subtlety of his mind in them. The counselor's face has a rather pleasant expression. It's picaresque. His hair is cut into a circle, and this man is dressed in Tatar trousers and an old Armenian coat.

The counselor talks with the owner in “allegorical language.” Pyotr Andreevich thanks his companion, gives him a hare sheepskin coat, and pours a glass of wine.

An old friend of Grinev’s father, Andrei Karlovich R., sends Peter from Orenburg to serve in the Belogorsk fortress located 40 miles from the city. This is where the novel "The Captain's Daughter" continues. The chapter-by-chapter retelling of further events occurring in it is as follows.

3. Fortress

This fortress resembles a village. Vasilisa Egorovna, a reasonable and kind woman, the wife of the commandant, is in charge of everything here. The next morning Grinev meets Alexey Ivanovich Shvabrin, a young officer. This man is short, extremely ugly, dark-skinned, very lively. He is one of the main characters in the work "The Captain's Daughter". Chapter 3 is the place in the novel where this character first appears to the reader.

Because of the duel, Shvabrin was transferred to this fortress. He tells Pyotr Andreevich about life here, about the commandant’s family, while speaking unflatteringly about his daughter, Masha Mironova. You will find a detailed description of this conversation in the work “The Captain's Daughter” (Chapter 3). The commandant invites Grinev and Shvabrin to a family dinner. On the way, Peter sees a “training” going on: a platoon of disabled people is led by Ivan Kuzmich Mironov. He is wearing a “Chinese robe” and a cap.

4. Duel

Chapter 4 occupies an important place in the composition of the work "The Captain's Daughter". It says the following.

Grinev really likes the commandant's family. Pyotr Andreevich becomes an officer. He communicates with Shvabrin, but this communication brings the hero less and less pleasure. Grinev especially doesn’t like Alexei Ivanovich’s caustic remarks about Masha. Peter writes mediocre poems and dedicates them to this girl. Shvabrin speaks sharply about them, while insulting Masha. Grinev accuses him of lying, Alexey Ivanovich challenges Peter to a duel. Vasilisa Egorovna, having learned about this, orders the arrest of the duelists. Broadsword, the yard girl, deprives them of their swords. After some time, Pyotr Andreevich learns that Shvabrin was wooing Masha, but was refused by the girl. He understands now why Alexey Ivanovich slandered Masha. A duel is scheduled again, in which Pyotr Andreevich is wounded.

5. Love

Masha and Savelich are caring for the wounded man. Pyotr Grinev proposes to a girl. He sends a letter to his parents asking for blessings. Shvabrin visits Pyotr Andreevich and admits his guilt before him. Grinev’s father does not give him a blessing, he already knows about the duel that took place, and it was not Savelich who told him about it. Pyotr Andreevich believes that Alexey Ivanovich did this. The captain's daughter does not want to get married without her parents' consent. Chapter 5 tells about this decision of hers. We will not describe in detail the conversation between Peter and Masha. Let's just say that the captain's daughter decided to avoid Grinev in the future. The chapter-by-chapter retelling continues with the following events. Pyotr Andreevich stops visiting the Mironovs and loses heart.

6. Pugachevshchina

The commandant receives a notification that a bandit gang led by Emelyan Pugachev is operating in the surrounding area. attacks fortresses. Pugachev soon reached the Belogorsk fortress. He calls on the commandant to surrender. Ivan Kuzmich decides to expel his daughter from the fortress. The girl says goodbye to Grinev. However, her mother refuses to leave.

7. Attack

The attack on the fortress continues with the work "The Captain's Daughter". The chapter-by-chapter retelling of further events is as follows. At night, the Cossacks leave the fortress. They go over to the side of Emelyan Pugachev. The gang attacks him. Mironov, with a few defenders, is trying to defend himself, but the forces of the two sides are unequal. The person who has captured the fortress organizes a so-called trial. The commandant, as well as his comrades, are executed on the gallows. When it’s Grinev’s turn, Savelich begs Emelyan, throwing himself at his feet, to spare Pyotr Andreevich, and offers him a ransom. Pugachev agrees. Residents of the city and soldiers swear an oath to Emelyan. They kill Vasilisa Yegorovna, bringing her naked onto the porch, as well as her husband. Pyotr Andreevich leaves the fortress.

8. Uninvited Guest

Grinev is very worried about how the captain’s daughter lives in the Belogorsk fortress.

The chapter-by-chapter content of further events in the novel describes the subsequent fate of this heroine. A girl is hiding near the priest, who tells Pyotr Andreevich that Shvabrin is on Pugachev’s side. Grinev learns from Savelich that Pugachev is accompanying them on the road to Orenburg. Emelyan calls Grinev to come to him, he comes. Pyotr Andreevich draws attention to the fact that everyone behaves like comrades with each other in Pugachev’s camp, and does not show preference to the leader.

Everyone boasts, expresses doubts, challenges Pugachev. His people sing a song about the gallows. Emelyan's guests leave. Grinev tells him in private that he does not consider him a king. He replies that good luck will be for the daring, because Grishka Otrepiev once ruled. Emelyan releases Pyotr Andreevich to Orenburg despite the fact that he promises to fight against him.

9. Separation

Emelyan gives Peter the order to tell the governor of this city that the Pugachevites will soon arrive there. Pugachev, leaving, leaves Shvabrin as commandant. Savelich writes a list of Pyotr Andreevich’s plundered goods and sends it to Emelyan, but he, in a “fit of generosity,” does not punish the daring Savelich. He even gives Grinev a fur coat from his shoulder and gives him a horse. Meanwhile, Masha is sick in the fortress.

10. Siege of the city

Peter goes to Orenburg, to see Andrei Karlovich, the general. Military people are absent from the military council. There are only officials here. It is more prudent, in their opinion, to remain behind a reliable stone wall than to try their luck in an open field. Officials offer to put a high price on Pugachev’s head and bribe Emelyan’s people. A police officer from the fortress brings a letter from Masha to Pyotr Andreevich. She reports that Shvabrin is forcing her to become his wife. Grinev asks the general to help, to provide him with people in order to clear the fortress. However, he refuses.

11. Rebel settlement

Grinev and Savelich rush to help the girl. Pugachev's people stop them on the way and lead them to the leader. He interrogates Pyotr Andreevich about his intentions in the presence of his confidants. Pugachev's people are a hunched, frail old man with a blue ribbon worn over his shoulder over a gray overcoat, as well as a tall, portly and broad-shouldered man of about forty-five. Grinev tells Emelyan that he came to save an orphan from Shvabrin’s claims. The Pugachevists propose to simply solve the problem with both Grinev and Shvabrin - hang them both. However, Pugachev clearly likes Peter, and he promises to marry him to a girl. Pyotr Andreevich goes to the fortress in the morning in Pugachev’s tent. He, in a confidential conversation, tells him that he would like to go to Moscow, but his comrades are robbers and thieves who will betray the leader at the first failure, saving their own necks. Emelyan tells a Kalmyk fairy tale about a raven and an eagle. The raven lived for 300 years, but at the same time pecked carrion. But the eagle chose to starve rather than eat the carrion. It’s better to drink living blood one day, Emelyan believes.

12. Orphan

Pugachev learns in the fortress that the girl is being bullied by the new commandant. Shvabrin starves her. Emelyan frees Masha and wants to marry her right away with Grinev. When Shvabrin says that this is Mironov’s daughter, Emelyan Pugachev decides to let Grinev and Masha go.

13. Arrest

On the way out of the fortress, soldiers take Grinev under arrest. They mistake Pyotr Andreevich for a Pugachevo man and take him to the boss. It turns out to be Zurin, who advises Pyotr Andreevich to send Savelich and Masha to their parents, and for Grinev himself to continue the battle. He follows this advice. Pugachev’s army was defeated, but he himself was not caught; he managed to gather new troops in Siberia. Emelyan is being pursued. Zurin is ordered to take Grinev under arrest and send him under guard to Kazan, putting him under investigation in the Pugachev case.

14. Court

Pyotr Andreevich is suspected of serving Pugachev. Shvabrin played an important role in this. Peter is sentenced to exile in Siberia. Masha lives with Peter's parents. They became very attached to her. The girl goes to St. Petersburg, to Tsarskoe Selo. Here she meets the empress in the garden and asks to have mercy on Peter. He talks about how he ended up with Pugachev because of her, the captain’s daughter. Briefly chapter by chapter, the novel we described ends as follows. Grinev is released. He is present at the execution of Emelyan, who nods his head, recognizing him.

The genre of historical novel is the work "The Captain's Daughter". The chapter-by-chapter retelling does not describe all the events; we have mentioned only the main ones. Pushkin's novel is very interesting. After reading the original work "The Captain's Daughter" chapter by chapter, you will understand the psychology of the characters, and also learn some details that we have omitted.