My head, head
Head serving!
Served my head
Exactly thirty years and three years.
Ah, the little head did not last
Neither self-interest, nor joy,
No matter how good a word
And not a high rank;
Only the head survived
Two tall poles
maple crossbar,
Another loop of silk.
folk song

That night I did not sleep and did not undress. I intended to go at dawn to the fortress gates, from where Marya Ivanovna was to leave, and there to say goodbye to her for the last time. I felt a great change in myself: the agitation of my soul was much less painful for me than the despondency in which I had recently been immersed. With the sadness of parting, vague but sweet hopes, and impatient expectation of dangers, and feelings of noble ambition merged in me. The night passed unnoticed. I was about to leave the house, when my door opened, and a corporal came to me with a report that our Cossacks left the fortress at night, forcibly taking Yulai with them, and that unknown people were driving around the fortress. The thought that Marya Ivanovna would not have time to leave horrified me; I hurriedly gave the corporal some instructions and immediately rushed to the commandant.

It's already dawned. I was flying down the street when I heard my name being called. I stopped. "Where are you going? - said Ivan Ignatich, catching up with me. - Ivan Kuzmich is on the shaft and sent me for you. The scarecrow has come." “Did Marya Ivanovna leave?” I asked with heartfelt trepidation. “I didn’t have time,” Ivan Ignatich answered, “the road to Orenburg is cut off; the fortress is surrounded. Too bad, Pyotr Andreevich!”

We went to the rampart, an elevation formed by nature and fortified with a palisade. All the inhabitants of the fortress were already crowding there. The garrison stood at gunpoint. The gun was moved there the day before. The commandant paced in front of his small formation. The proximity of danger animated the old warrior with extraordinary vivacity. Across the steppe, not far from the fortress, about twenty men rode on horseback. They seemed to be Cossacks, but among them were Bashkirs, who could easily be recognized by their lynx hats and quivers. The commandant walked around his army, saying to the soldiers: “Well, kids, let’s stand up for the empress mother today and prove to the whole world that we are brave people and a jury!” The soldiers loudly expressed their zeal. Shvabrin stood beside me and gazed intently at the enemy. People traveling around the steppes, noticing movement in the fortress, gathered in a group and began to talk among themselves. The commandant ordered Ivan Ignatich to point his cannon at their crowd and himself put the wick. The core whirred and flew over them without doing any harm. The riders, scattered, immediately galloped out of sight, and the steppe became empty.

Then Vasilisa Yegorovna appeared on the rampart, and with her Masha, who did not want to leave her. "Well? the commandant said. - How is the battle going? Where is the enemy? “The enemy is not far away,” answered Ivan Kuzmich. - God willing, everything will be fine. What, Masha, are you scared? “No, papa,” answered Marya Ivanovna, “at home alone is more terrible.” Then she looked at me and smiled with an effort. I involuntarily clutched the hilt of my sword, remembering that the day before I had received it from her hands, as if in defense of my dear. My heart was on fire. I imagined myself to be her knight. I was eager to prove that I was worthy of her power of attorney, and I began to look forward to the decisive moment.

At this time, from behind the height, which was half a verst from the fortress, new horse crowds appeared, and soon the steppe was littered with many people armed with spears and tails. Between them rode a man in a red caftan on a white horse, with a drawn saber in his hand: it was Pugachev himself. He stopped; he was surrounded, and, apparently, at his command, four people separated and galloped at full speed right under the fortress. We recognized them as our traitors. One of them held a sheet of paper under his cap; the other had Yulai's head stuck on a spear, which, shaking it off, he threw over the palisade to us. The poor Kalmyk's head fell at the commandant's feet. The traitors shouted: “Do not shoot: go out to the sovereign. The sovereign is here!

A. S. Pushkin. Captain's daughter. audiobook

“Here I am! shouted Ivan Kuzmich. - Guys! shoot!" Our soldiers fired a volley. The Cossack holding the letter staggered and fell off his horse; others jumped back. I glanced at Marya Ivanovna. Struck by the sight of Yulai's bloody head, stunned by the volley, she seemed to be unconscious. The commandant called the corporal and ordered him to take the sheet from the hands of the murdered Cossack. The corporal went out into the field and returned, leading the dead man's horse by the bridle. He handed the commandant a letter. Ivan Kuzmich read it to himself and then tore it to shreds. Meanwhile, the rebels, apparently, were preparing for action. Soon the bullets began to whistle near our ears, and several arrows stuck near us into the ground and into the stockade. Vasilisa Egorovna! the commandant said. - This is not a woman's business; take Masha away; you see: the girl is neither alive nor dead.

Vasilisa Yegorovna, subdued under the bullets, glanced at the steppe, on which a great movement was noticeable; then she turned to her husband and said to him: “Ivan Kuzmich, God is free in the stomach and death: bless Masha. Masha, come to your father."

Masha, pale and trembling, went up to Ivan Kuzmich, knelt down and bowed to him on the ground. The old commandant crossed her three times; then he lifted it and, after kissing it, said to her in a changed voice: “Well, Masha, be happy. Pray to God he won't leave you. If there is a kind person, God grant you love and advice. Live as Vasilisa Yegorovna and I lived. Well, goodbye, Masha. Vasilisa Yegorovna, take her away as soon as possible. (Masha threw herself on his neck and sobbed.) “Let's kiss, too,” said the commandant, crying. - Farewell, my Ivan Kuzmich. Let me go, if in what I annoyed you! “Farewell, farewell, mother! said the commandant, embracing his old woman. - Well, that's enough! Go, go home; yes, if you have time, put a sundress on Masha. The commandant and her daughter left. I looked after Marya Ivanovna; she looked back and nodded her head at me. Here Ivan Kuzmich turned to us, and all his attention was directed to the enemy. The rebels gathered near their leader and suddenly began to dismount from their horses. “Now stand strong,” said the commandant, “there will be an attack ...” At that moment there was a terrible screech and screams; The rebels ran towards the fortress. Our gun was loaded with buckshot. The commandant let them in at the closest distance and suddenly blurted out again. The buckshot hit the very middle of the crowd. The rebels retreated in both directions and backed away. Their leader was left alone in front ... He waved his saber and, it seemed, persuaded them with fervor ... The scream and squeal, which had ceased for a minute, immediately resumed again. “Well, guys,” said the commandant, “now open the gate, beat the drum. Guys! forward, on a sortie, after me!

The commandant, Ivan Ignatitch, and I found ourselves instantly behind the ramparts; but the drowsy garrison did not move. “What are you, kids, standing? shouted Ivan Kuzmich. “To die like this is to die: a service business!” At that moment, the rebels ran up to us and broke into the fortress. The drum is silent; the garrison abandoned their guns; I was knocked off my feet, but I got up and, together with the rebels, entered the fortress. The commandant, wounded in the head, stood in a bunch of villains who demanded keys from him. I rushed to his aid; several hefty Cossacks seized me and tied me with sashes, saying: “Here it will be for you, disobedient sovereign!” We were dragged through the streets; the inhabitants came out of their houses with bread and salt. There was a bell ringing. Suddenly they shouted in the crowd that the sovereign was waiting for the prisoners in the square and was taking the oath. The people poured into the square; we were driven there.

Pugachev sat in armchairs on the porch of the commandant's house. He was wearing a red Cossack caftan trimmed with galloons. A tall sable cap with gold tassels was pulled down over his sparkling eyes. His face looked familiar to me. Cossack foremen surrounded him. Father Gerasim, pale and trembling, stood at the porch, with a cross in his hands, and seemed to silently beg him for the upcoming sacrifices. A gallows was hastily erected on the square. When we approached, the Bashkirs dispersed the people and introduced us to Pugachev. The ringing of the bells has subsided; there was a deep silence. "Which commandant?" the impostor asked. Our sergeant stepped out of the crowd and pointed to Ivan Kuzmich. Pugachev looked menacingly at the old man and said to him: “How dare you oppose me, your sovereign?” The commandant, exhausted from the wound, gathered his last strength and answered in a firm voice: “You are not my sovereign, you are a thief and an impostor, you hear!” Pugachev frowned gloomily and waved his white handkerchief. Several Cossacks picked up the old captain and dragged him to the gallows. A maimed Bashkir, whom we interrogated the day before, found himself on its crossbar. He held a rope in his hand, and a minute later I saw poor Ivan Kuzmich thrown into the air. Then they brought Ivan Ignatich to Pugachev. “Swear allegiance,” Pugachev told him, “to Tsar Pyotr Fedorovich!” “You are not our sovereign,” Ivan Ignatich answered, repeating the words of his captain. “You, uncle, are a thief and an impostor!” Pugachev again waved his handkerchief, and the good lieutenant hung beside his old boss.

The queue was behind me. I looked boldly at Pugachev, preparing to repeat the answer of my generous comrades. Then, to my indescribable amazement, I saw among the rebellious foremen Shvabrin, cropped in a circle and in a Cossack caftan. He went up to Pugachev and said a few words in his ear. "Hang him up!" - said Pugachev, without looking at me. They put a noose around my neck. I began to read a prayer to myself, bringing sincere repentance to God for all my sins and praying for the salvation of all those close to my heart. I was dragged under the gallows. “Do not fear, do not fear,” the destroyers repeated to me, perhaps really wanting to encourage me. Suddenly I heard a cry: “Wait, damned! wait!..” The executioners stopped. I look: Savelich lies at the feet of Pugachev. “Dear father! said the poor uncle. - What do you think about the death of a master's child? Let him go; for him they will give you a ransom; but for the sake of example and fear, they ordered me to hang at least the old man!” Pugachev gave a sign, and they immediately untied me and left me. “Our father has mercy on you,” they told me. At this moment I can’t say that I rejoice at my deliverance, I won’t say, however, that I regret it. My feelings were too vague. I was again taken to the impostor and put on my knees before him. Pugachev held out his sinewy hand to me. "Kiss the hand, kiss the hand!" they were talking about me. But I would have preferred the cruelest execution to such vile humiliation. “Father Pyotr Andreevich! whispered Savelich, standing behind me and pushing me. - Do not be stubborn! what are you worth? spit and kiss the villain ... (ugh!) kiss his hand. I didn't move. Pugachev lowered his hand, saying with a grin: “His honor, to know, is stupefied with joy. Raise it!" “They picked me up and left me free. I began to look at the continuation of the terrible comedy.

The people began to take the oath. They approached one by one, kissing the crucifix and then bowing to the impostor. The garrison soldiers were standing right there. The company tailor, armed with his blunt scissors, cut their braids. Shaking themselves off, they approached Pugachev's hand, who proclaimed forgiveness to them and accepted them into his gang. All this went on for about three hours. Finally Pugachev got up from his chair and stepped down from the porch, accompanied by his foremen. A white horse, adorned with a rich harness, was brought to him. Two Cossacks took him by the arms and put him on the saddle. He announced to Father Gerasim that he would dine with him. At that moment, a woman screamed. Several robbers dragged Vasilisa Yegorovna onto the porch, disheveled and stripped naked. One of them had already dressed up in her shower jacket. Others carried featherbeds, chests, tea utensils, linen and all the junk. “My fathers! cried the poor old woman. - Release your soul to repentance. Fathers, take me to Ivan Kuzmich. Suddenly she looked at the gallows and recognized her husband. "Villains! she screamed in a frenzy. - What did you do to him? You are my light, Ivan Kuzmich, daring soldier's little head! neither Prussian bayonets nor Turkish bullets touched you; not in a fair fight did you lay down your stomach, but perished from a runaway convict! - "Take away the old witch!" Pugachev said. Then the young Cossack hit her on the head with his saber, and she fell dead on the steps of the porch. Pugachev left; the people rushed after him.

I was frightened and began to ask Ivan Ignatich not to say anything to the commandant; persuaded him by force; he gave me his word, and I decided to back down from him.

I spent the evening, as usual, at the commandant's. I tried to appear cheerful and indifferent, so as not to arouse any suspicion and avoid annoying questions; but I confess that I did not have that composure, which is almost always boasted by those who were in my position. That evening I was disposed towards tenderness and tenderness. I liked Marya Ivanovna more than usual. The thought that perhaps I was seeing her for the last time gave her something touching in my eyes. Shvabrin appeared immediately. I took him aside and informed him of my conversation with Ivan Ignatich. “Why do we need seconds,” he told me dryly, “we can do without them.” We agreed to fight for stacks that were near the fortress, and to appear there the next day at seven o'clock in the morning. We talked, apparently, so friendly that Ivan Ignatich blabbed for joy. “It would be so long ago,” he said to me with a satisfied look, “a bad peace is better than a good quarrel, and dishonest, so healthy.”

- What, what, Ivan Ignatich? - said the commandant, who was reading cards in the corner, - I did not listen carefully.

Ivan Ignatich, noticing signs of displeasure in me and remembering his promise, became embarrassed and did not know what to answer. Shvabrin arrived in time to help him.

“Ivan Ignatich,” he said, “approves of our world peace.

- And with whom, my father, did you quarrel?

- We had a rather big argument with Pyotr Andreevich.

- Why so?

- For a real trifle: for a song, Vasilisa Yegorovna.

- Found something to quarrel about! for the song!.. but how did it happen?

- Yes, here's how: Pyotr Andreevich recently composed a song and today sang it in front of me, and I sang my favorite:

captain's daughter

Don't go for a walk at midnight.

Disorder came out. Pyotr Andreevich was also angry; but then he reasoned that everyone is free to sing whatever they want. That was the end of the matter.

Shvabrin's shamelessness nearly made me mad; but no one, except me, understood his rude blunt words; at least no one paid any attention to them. From songs, the conversation turned to poets, and the commandant noticed that they were all dissolute people and bitter drunkards, and friendly advised me to leave poetry, as it was contrary to the service and leading to nothing good.

Shvabrin's presence was intolerable to me. I soon took leave of the commandant and his family; having come home, examined his sword, tried its end and went to bed, ordering Savelich to wake me up at the seventh hour.

The next day, at the appointed time, I was already behind the stacks, waiting for my opponent. Soon he also appeared. “We might be caught,” he told me, “we must hurry.” We took off our uniforms, remained in the same camisoles and drew our swords. At that moment, Ivan Ignatitch suddenly appeared from behind a stack and about five invalids. He demanded us to the commandant. We obeyed with vexation; the soldiers surrounded us, and we went to the fortress after Ivan Ignatich, who led us in triumph, striding with surprising importance.

We entered the commandant's house. Ivan Ignatich opened the doors, solemnly proclaiming: "Brought!" We were met by Vasilisa Yegorovna. "Ah, my fathers! What does it look like? as? what? in our fortress start killing! Ivan Kuzmich, now they are under arrest! Pyotr Andreevich! Alexei Ivanovich! bring your swords here, serve, serve. Palashka, take these swords to the closet. Pyotr Andreevich! I didn't expect this from you. How are you not ashamed? Good Alexey Ivanovich: he was discharged from the guards for murder, he does not believe in the Lord God; and what are you? are you going there?"

Ivan Kuzmich fully agreed with his wife and said: “Do you hear, Vasilisa Yegorovna speaks the truth. Fights are formally prohibited in the military article. Meanwhile Palashka took our swords from us and took them to the closet. I couldn't help laughing. Shvabrin retained his importance. “With all due respect to you,” he told her coolly, “I can’t help but notice that you need not bother to put us under your judgment. Leave it to Ivan Kuzmich: that's his business." – “Ah! my dad! - objected the commandant, - but aren’t husband and wife one spirit and one flesh? Ivan Kuzmich! What are you yawning? Now seat them in different corners for bread and water, so that they get rid of nonsense; Yes, let Father Gerasim impose penance on them, so that they pray to God for forgiveness and repent before people.

Ivan Kuzmich did not know what to decide. Marya Ivanovna was extremely pale. Little by little the storm subsided; The commandant calmed down and made us kiss each other. Palashka brought us our swords. We left the commandant apparently reconciled. Ivan Ignatich accompanied us. “Shame on you,” I told him angrily, “to report on us to the commandant after you gave me your word not to do it!” “Like God, I didn’t tell Ivan Kuzmich,” he replied, “Vasilisa Egorovna found out everything from me. She ordered everything without the knowledge of the commandant. However, thank God that it all ended like that. With that word, he turned back home, and Shvabrin and I were left alone. “Our business cannot end with this,” I told him. “Of course,” Shvabrin replied, “you will answer me with your blood for your insolence; but we will probably be looked after. We'll have to pretend for a few days. Goodbye!" And we parted, as if nothing had happened.

Returning to the commandant, I, as usual, sat down next to Marya Ivanovna. Ivan Kuzmich was not at home; Vasilisa Egorovna was busy with housework. We spoke in undertones. Marya Ivanovna tenderly reprimanded me for the anxiety caused by my whole quarrel with Shvabrin. “I just died,” she said, “when they told us that you were going to fight with swords. How strange men are! For one word, which they would surely forget about in a week, they are ready to cut themselves and sacrifice not only their lives, but also the conscience and well-being of those who ... But I am sure that you are not the instigator of the quarrel. It’s true, Alexei Ivanovich is to blame.”

“And why do you think so, Marya Ivanovna?”

- Yes, so ... he is such a mocker! I don't like Alexei Ivanovich. He is very disgusting to me; but it is strange: I would never want him to dislike me in the same way. That would worry me.

“And what do you think, Marya Ivanovna?” Does he like you or not?

Marya Ivanovna stammered and blushed.

“I think,” she said, “I think I like you.

- Why do you think so?

Because he married me.

- Married! Did he marry you? When?

- Last year. Two months before your arrival.

- And you didn't go?

- As you will see. Alexei Ivanovich, of course, is an intelligent man, and of a good family, and has a fortune; but when I think that it will be necessary to kiss him under the crown in front of everyone ... No way! for any welfare!

Marya Ivanovna's words opened my eyes and explained a lot to me. I understood the stubborn slander with which Shvabrin persecuted her. He probably noticed our mutual inclination and tried to distract us from each other. The words that gave rise to our quarrel seemed to me even more vile when, instead of coarse and obscene mockery, I saw in them deliberate slander. The desire to punish the insolent evil-tonguer became even stronger in me, and I began to look forward to an opportunity.

I didn't wait long. The next day, when I was sitting at the elegy and nibbling my pen in anticipation of a rhyme, Shvabrin knocked under my window. I left my pen, took my sword and went out to him. “Why delay? - Shvabrin told me, - they don't look after us. Let's go to the river. No one will stop us there." We set off in silence. Descending a steep path, we stopped at the very edge of the river and drew our swords. Shvabrin was more skilful than I, but I am stronger and bolder, and Monsieur Beaupré, who was once a soldier, gave me several lessons in swordsmanship, which I took advantage of. Shvabrin did not expect to find such a dangerous adversary in me. For a long time we could not do each other any harm; Finally, noticing that Shvabrin was weakening, I began to attack him with vigor and drove him almost into the river itself. Suddenly I heard my name spoken loudly. I looked around and saw Savelich running towards me along the upland path... At that very moment I was hit hard in the chest below my right shoulder; I fell and fainted.

The historical story "The Captain's Daughter" was first published by Pushkin in 1836. According to researchers, the work is at the intersection of romanticism and realism. The genre is not precisely defined either - some consider The Captain's Daughter a story, others a full-fledged novel.

The action of the work takes place during the period of the uprising of Emelyan Pugachev and is based on real events. The story is written in the form of memoirs of the protagonist Pyotr Andreevich Grinev - his diary entries. The work is named after Grinev's beloved, Marya Mironova, the captain's daughter.

main characters

Pyotr Andreevich Grinev- the main character of the story, a nobleman, an officer on behalf of whom the story is told.

Maria Ivanovna Mironova- daughter of captain Mironov; "a girl of about eighteen, chubby, ruddy".

Emelyan Pugachev- the leader of the peasant uprising, "forty years old, medium height, thin and broad-shouldered", with a black beard.

Arkhip Savelich- an old man who from an early age was Grinev's tutor.

Other characters

Andrey Petrovich Grinev- Father of Pyotr Andreevich, retired prime minister.

Ivan Ivanovich Zurin- an officer whom Grinev met in a tavern in Simbirsk.

Alexey Ivanovich Shvabrin- an officer whom Grinev met in the Belogorsk fortress; joined the rebels of Pugachev, testified against Grinev.

Mironov Ivan Kuzmich- captain, father of Marya, commandant in the Belogorsk fortress.

Chapter 1. Sergeant of the Guard

The father of the protagonist, Andrey Petrovich Grinev, retired as a prime minister, began to live in his Simbirsk village, married the daughter of a local nobleman. From the age of five, Petya was given to the upbringing of the aspirant Savelich. When the main character turned 16, his father, instead of sending him to St. Petersburg to the Semenovsky regiment (as previously planned), sent him to serve in Orenburg. Savelich was sent along with the young man.

On the way to Orenburg, in a tavern in Simbirsk, Grinev met the captain of the hussar regiment Zurin. He taught the young man to play billiards, offered to play for money. After drinking the punch, Grinev got excited and lost a hundred rubles. The distressed Savelich had to repay the debt.

Chapter 2

On the way, Grinev dozed off and had a dream in which he saw something prophetic. Peter dreamed that he came to say goodbye to his dying father, but in bed he saw "a man with a black beard". The mother called the peasant Grinev's "planted father", told him to kiss his hand so that he would bless him. Peter refused. Then the man jumped up, grabbed an ax and started killing everyone. A terrible man affectionately called: "Do not be afraid, come under my blessing." At that moment Grinev woke up: they had arrived at the inn. In gratitude for the help, Grinev gave the counselor his hare sheepskin coat.

In Orenburg, Grinev was immediately sent to the Belogorsk fortress, to the team of Captain Mironov.

Chapter 3

"Belogorsk fortress was forty miles from Orenburg." On the very first day, Grinev met the commandant and his wife. The next day, Pyotr Andreevich made the acquaintance of officer Alexei Ivanovich Shvabrin. He was sent here "for murder" - "stabbed a lieutenant" during a duel. Shvabrin constantly made fun of the commandant's family. Mironov's daughter Marya liked Pyotr Andreevich very much, but Shvabrin described her as "a complete fool".

Chapter 4

Over time, Grinev found in Mary "a prudent and sensitive girl." Pyotr Andreevich began to write poetry and somehow read one of his works, dedicated to Marya, Shvabrin. He criticized the verse and said that the girl would prefer "a pair of earrings" instead of "gentle rhymes". Grinev called Shvabrin a scoundrel and he challenged Pyotr Andreevich to a duel. The first time they failed to get along - they were noticed and taken to the commandant. In the evening, Grinev learned that Shvabrin had been wooing Marya last year and had been refused.

The next day, Grinev and Shvabrin again met in a duel. During the duel, Savelich ran up and called out to Pyotr Andreevich. Grinev looked around, and the enemy struck him "in the chest below the right shoulder."

Chapter 5

All the time while Grinev was recovering, Marya looked after him. Pyotr Andreevich offered the girl to become his wife, she agreed.

Grinev wrote to his father that he was going to get married. However, Andrei Petrovich replied that he would not give consent to marriage and would even bother to transfer his son "somewhere far away." Upon learning of the answer of Grinev's parents, Marya was very upset, but did not want to get married without their consent (in particular, because the girl was a dowry). From then on she began to avoid Pyotr Andreevich.

Chapter 6

The news came that "the Don Cossack and schismatic Yemelyan Pugachev" escaped from under the guard, gathered a "villainous gang" and "produced indignation in the Yaik villages". It soon became known that the rebels were going to go to the Belogorsk fortress. Preparations have begun.

Chapter 7

Grinev did not sleep all night. A lot of armed people gathered at the fortress. Pugachev himself rode between them on a white horse. The rebels broke into the fortress, the commandant was wounded in the head, Grinev was captured.

The crowd shouted "that the sovereign is waiting for the prisoners in the square and is taking the oath". Mironov and Lieutenant Ivan Ignatich refused to take the oath and were hanged. The same fate awaited Grinev, but at the last moment Savelich threw himself at Pugachev's feet and asked to be let go of Pyotr Andreevich. Shvabrin joined the rebels. Mary's mother was killed.

Chapter 8

Marya hid the priestess, calling her her niece. Savelich told Grinev that Pugachev was the same peasant to whom Pyotr Andreevich had given a sheepskin coat.

Pugachev summoned Grinev. Pyotr Andreevich admitted that he would not be able to serve him, since he was a “natural nobleman” and “sworn to the empress”: “My head is in your power: let me go - thank you; you execute - God will judge you; and I told you the truth." The sincerity of Pyotr Andreevich struck Pugachev, and he let him go "on all four sides."

Chapter 9

In the morning, Pugachev told Grinev to go to Orenburg and tell the governor and all the generals to wait for him in a week. The leader of the uprising appointed Shvabrin as the new commander in the fortress.

Chapter 10

A few days later news came that Pugachev was moving towards Orenburg. Grinev received a letter from Marya Ivanovna. The girl wrote that Shvabrin was forcing her to marry him and treated her very cruelly, so she asked Grinev for help.

Chapter 11

Not having received support from the general, Grinev went to the Belogorsk fortress. On the way, Pugachev's people seized them and Savelich. Grinev told the leader of the rebels that he was going to the Belogorsk fortress, since there Shvabrin offends an orphan girl - Grinev's bride. In the morning, Pugachev, together with Grinev and his people, drove to the fortress.

Chapter 12

Shvabrin said that Marya was his wife. But when they entered the girl’s room, Grinev and Pugachev saw that she was pale, thin, and from the food in front of her there was only “a jug of water covered with a slice of bread”. Shvabrin reported that the girl was Mironov's daughter, but Pugachev still let Grinev go with his lover.

Chapter 13

Approaching the town, Grinev and Marya were stopped by guards. Pyotr Andreevich went to the major and recognized him as Zurin. Grinev, after talking with Zurin, decided to send Marya to her parents in the village, while he himself remained to serve in the detachment.

At the end of February, Zurin's detachment set out on a campaign. Pugachev, after being defeated, again gathered a gang and went to Moscow, causing confusion. "Gangs of robbers were outrageous everywhere." "God forbid to see a Russian rebellion, senseless and merciless!".

Finally Pugachev was caught. Grinev went to his parents, but a paper arrived about his arrest in the Pugachev case.

Chapter 14

Grinev, on orders, arrived in Kazan, he was put in prison. During the interrogation, Pyotr Andreevich, not wanting to involve Marya, kept silent about why he was leaving Orenburg. Grinev's accuser, Shvabrin, claimed that Pyotr Andreevich was a spy for Pugachev.

Marya Ivanovna was received by Grinev's parents "with sincere cordiality". The news of the arrest of Pyotr Andreevich amazed everyone - he was threatened with life exile in Siberia. To save her lover, Marya went to St. Petersburg and stayed in Tsarskoye Selo. During a morning walk, she got into a conversation with an unfamiliar lady, told her her story and that she had come to ask the Empress for Grinev's pardon.

On the same day, the carriage of the Empress was sent for Marya. The Empress turned out to be the same lady with whom the girl had spoken in the morning. The Empress pardoned Grinev and promised to help her with the dowry.

According to not Grinev, but the author, at the end of 1774, Pyotr Andreich was released. "He was present at the execution of Pugachev, who recognized him in the crowd and nodded his head to him." Soon Grinev married Marya. "The manuscript of Pyotr Andreevich Grinev was delivered to us from one of his grandsons."

Conclusion

In the historical story of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter" both main and secondary characters deserve attention. The most controversial figure in the work is Emelyan Pugachev. The cruel, bloodthirsty leader of the rebels is portrayed by the author as a person who is not devoid of positive, somewhat romanticized qualities. Pugachev appreciates the kindness and sincerity of Grinev, helps his beloved.

The characters that oppose each other are Grinev and Shvabrin. Pyotr Andreich remains true to his ideas to the last, even when his life depended on it. Shvabrin easily changes his mind, joins the rebels, becomes a traitor.

Story test

To test your knowledge, after reading the summary of the story, take the test:

Retelling rating

Average rating: 4.4. Total ratings received: 14590.

My head, head
Head serving!
Served my head
Exactly thirty years and three years.
Ah, the little head did not last
Neither self-interest, nor joy,
No matter how good a word
And not a high rank;
Only the head survived
Two tall poles
maple crossbar,
Another loop of silk.
folk song

That night I did not sleep and did not undress. I intended to go at dawn to the fortress gates, from where Marya Ivanovna was to leave, and there to say goodbye to her for the last time. I felt a great change in myself: the agitation of my soul was much less painful for me than the despondency in which I had recently been immersed. With the sadness of parting, vague but sweet hopes, and impatient expectation of dangers, and feelings of noble ambition merged in me. The night passed unnoticed. I was about to leave the house, when my door opened and a corporal came to me with a report that our Cossacks left the fortress at night, forcibly taking Yulai with them, and that unknown people were driving around the fortress. The thought that Marya Ivanovna would not have time to leave horrified me; I hurriedly gave the corporal some instructions, and immediately rushed to the commandant.
It's already dawned. I was flying down the street when I heard my name being called. I stopped. "Where are you going?" - said Ivan Ignatich, catching up with me. - "Ivan Kuzmich is on the rampart, and he sent me for you. The Pugach has come." - Did Marya Ivanovna leave? I asked with heartfelt trepidation. “I didn’t have time,” Ivan Ignatich answered: “The road to Orenburg is cut off; the fortress is surrounded. Bad, Pyotr Andreevich!”
We went to the rampart, an elevation formed by nature and fortified with a palisade. All the inhabitants of the fortress were already crowding there. The garrison stood at gunpoint. The gun was moved there the day before. The commandant paced in front of his small formation. The proximity of danger animated the old warrior with extraordinary vivacity. Across the steppe, not far from the fortress, about twenty men rode on horseback. They seemed to be Cossacks, but among them were Bashkirs, who could easily be recognized by their lynx hats and quivers. The commandant walked around his army, saying to the soldiers: "Well, kids, let's stand up for the mother empress today, and prove to the whole world that we are brave people and a jury!" The soldiers loudly expressed their zeal. Shvabrin stood beside me and gazed intently at the enemy. People traveling around the steppes, noticing movement in the fortress, gathered in a group and began to talk among themselves. The commandant ordered Ivan Ignatich to point his cannon at their crowd, and he himself put the wick. The core whirred and flew over them without doing any harm. The riders, scattered, immediately galloped out of sight, and the steppe became empty.
Then Vasilisa Yegorovna appeared on the rampart, and with her Masha, who did not want to leave her. - "Well?" - said the commandant. - "What is the battle like? Where is the enemy?" “The enemy is not far away,” answered Ivan Kuzmich. - God willing, everything will be fine. What, Masha, are you scared? - "No, papa," answered Marya Ivanovna; "it's scarier at home alone." Then she looked at me and smiled with an effort. I involuntarily clutched the hilt of my sword, remembering that the day before I had received it from her hands, as if in defense of my dear. My heart was on fire. I imagined myself to be her knight. I was eager to prove that I was worthy of her power of attorney, and I began to look forward to the decisive moment.
At this time, from behind the height, which was half a verst from the fortress, new cavalry crowds appeared, and soon the steppe was littered with a multitude of people armed with spears and tails. Between them rode a man in a red caftan on a white horse, with a drawn saber in his hand: it was Pugachev himself. He stopped; he was surrounded and, apparently, at his command, four people separated and galloped at full speed right under the fortress itself. We recognized them as our traitors. One of them held a sheet of paper under his cap; the other had Yulai's head stuck on a spear, which, shaking it off, he threw over the palisade to us. The poor Kalmyk's head fell at the commandant's feet. The traitors shouted: "Don't shoot; go out to the sovereign. The sovereign is here!"
"Here I am!" shouted Ivan Kuzmich. - "Guys! shoot!" Our soldiers fired a volley. The Cossack holding the letter staggered and fell off his horse; others jumped back. I glanced at Marya Ivanovna. Struck by the sight of Yulai's bloody head, stunned by the volley, she seemed to be unconscious. The commandant called the corporal and ordered him to take the sheet from the hands of the murdered Cossack. The corporal went out into the field and returned, leading the dead man's horse under the mouth. He handed the commandant a letter. Ivan Kuzmich read it to himself and then tore it to shreds. Meanwhile, the rebels apparently prepared for action. Soon the bullets began to whistle near our ears, and several arrows stuck near us into the ground and into the stockade. "Vasilisa Egorovna!" - said the commandant. - "It's not a woman's business here; take Masha away; you see: the girl is neither alive nor dead."
Vasilisa Yegorovna, subdued under the bullets, glanced at the steppe, on which a great movement was noticeable; then she turned to her husband and said to him: "Ivan Kuzmich, God is free in the stomach and death: bless Masha. Masha, come to your father."
Masha, pale and trembling, went up to Ivan Kuzmich, knelt down and bowed to him on the ground. The old commandant crossed her three times; then he raised it and, after kissing it, said to her in a changed voice: “Well, Masha, be happy. Pray to God: he will not leave you. If there is a kind person, God grant you love and advice. Farewell, Masha, Vasilisa Yegorovna, take her away as soon as possible. (Masha threw herself on his neck and sobbed.) "We'll kiss, too," said the commandant, weeping. - "Farewell, my Ivan Kuzmich. Let me go, if I have annoyed you in anything!" - "Farewell, farewell, mother!" - said the commandant, embracing his old woman. Go, go home; yes, if you have time, put a sundress on Masha. "The commandant and her daughter left. I looked after Marya Ivanovna; she looked around and nodded her head to me. Then Ivan Kuzmich turned to us, and all his attention was directed at the enemy. The rebels gathered near their leader, and suddenly they began to dismount from their horses. "Now stand strong," said the commandant; "there will be an attack..." At that moment there was a terrible screeching and shouting; close distance, and suddenly fired again. The buckshot hit the very middle of the crowd. The rebels rushed back in both directions and backed away. Their leader was left alone in front ... He waved his saber and, it seemed, persuaded them with fervor ... for a minute, immediately resumed again. "Well, guys," said the commandant; "now open the gate, beat the drum. Guys! forward, on a sortie, behind me!"
The commandant, Ivan Ignatitch, and I found ourselves instantly behind the ramparts; but the drowsy garrison did not move. "What are you, kids, standing?" shouted Ivan Kuzmich. - "To die, so to die: a service business!" At that moment, the rebels ran up to us and broke into the fortress. The drum is silent; the garrison abandoned their guns; I was knocked off my feet, but I got up and, together with the rebels, entered the fortress. The commandant, wounded in the head, stood in a bunch of villains who demanded keys from him. I rushed to his aid: several hefty Cossacks grabbed me and tied me with sashes, saying: "That's it for you, disobedient sovereign!" We were dragged through the streets; the inhabitants came out of their houses with bread and salt. There was a bell ringing. Suddenly they shouted in the crowd that the sovereign was waiting for the prisoners in the square and was taking the oath. The people poured into the square; we were driven there.
Pugachev sat in armchairs on the porch of the commandant's house. He was wearing a red Cossack caftan trimmed with galloons. A tall sable cap with gold tassels was pulled down over his sparkling eyes. His face looked familiar to me. Cossack foremen surrounded him. Father Gerasim, pale and trembling, stood at the porch, with a cross in his hands, and seemed to silently beg him for the upcoming sacrifices. A gallows was hastily erected on the square. When we approached, the Bashkirs dispersed the people and introduced us to Pugachev. The ringing of the bells has subsided; there was a deep silence. "Which commandant?" asked the impostor. Our sergeant stepped out of the crowd and pointed to Ivan Kuzmich. Pugachev looked menacingly at the old man and said to him: "How dare you oppose me, your sovereign?" The commandant, exhausted from his wound, gathered his last strength and answered in a firm voice: "You are not my sovereign, you are a thief and an impostor, you hear!" Pugachev frowned gloomily and waved his white handkerchief. Several Cossacks picked up the old captain and dragged him to the gallows. A maimed Bashkir, whom we interrogated the day before, found himself on its crossbar. He held a rope in his hand, and a minute later I saw poor Ivan Kuzmich upturned in the air. Then they brought Ivan Ignatich to Pugachev. "Swear allegiance" - Pugachev told him - "sovereign Peter Feodorovich!" “You are not our sovereign,” answered Ivan Ignatich, repeating the words of his captain. - You, uncle, are a thief and an impostor! - Pugachev again waved his handkerchief, and the good lieutenant hung beside his old boss.
The queue was behind me. I looked boldly at Pugachev, preparing to repeat the answer of my generous comrades. Then, to my indescribable amazement, I saw among the rebellious foremen Shvabrin, cropped in a circle and in a Cossack caftan. He went up to Pugachev and said a few words in his ear. "Hang him up!" - said Pugachev, without looking at me. They put a noose around my neck. I began to read a prayer to myself, bringing sincere repentance to God for all my sins and praying for the salvation of all those close to my heart. I was dragged under the gallows. "Do not fear, do not fear," the destroyers repeated to me, perhaps really wanting to encourage me. Suddenly I heard a cry: "Wait, damned ones! wait a bit!" The executioners stopped. I look: Savelich lies at the feet of Pugachev. "Father dear!" said the poor uncle. - "What do you want in the death of a master's child? Let him go; they will give you a ransom for him; but for the sake of example and fear, order me to hang at least an old man!" Pugachev gave a sign, and they immediately untied me and left me. “Our father has mercy on you,” they told me. At this moment I cannot say that I rejoice at my deliverance, but I will not say that I even regret it. My feelings were too vague. I was again taken to the impostor and put on my knees before him. Pugachev held out his sinewy hand to me. "Kiss the hand, kiss the hand!" they were talking about me. But I would have preferred the cruelest execution to such vile humiliation. "Father Pyotr Andreevich!" whispered Savelich, standing behind me and pushing me. - "Do not be stubborn! What is it to you? Spit and kiss the villain ... (ugh!) Kiss his hand." I didn't move. Pugachev lowered his hand, saying with a grin: "His nobility to know is stupefied with joy. Raise him!" - They picked me up and left me free. I began to look at the continuation of the terrible comedy.
The people began to take the oath. They approached one by one, kissing the crucifix and then bowing to the impostor. The garrison soldiers were standing right there. The company tailor, armed with his blunt scissors, cut their braids. Shaking themselves off, they approached Pugachev's hand, who proclaimed forgiveness to them and accepted them into his gang. All this went on for about three hours. Finally Pugachev got up from his chair and stepped down from the porch, accompanied by his foremen. A white horse, adorned with a rich harness, was brought to him. Two Cossacks took him by the arms and put him on the saddle. He announced to Father Gerasim that he would dine with him. At that moment, a woman screamed. Several robbers dragged Vasilisa Yegorovna onto the porch, disheveled and stripped naked. One of them had already dressed up in her shower jacket. Others carried featherbeds, chests, tea utensils, linen and all the junk. "My fathers!" cried the poor old woman. - "Release your soul to repentance. Dear fathers, take me to Ivan Kuzmich." Suddenly she looked at the gallows and recognized her husband. "Villains!" she screamed in a frenzy. - "What did you do to him? You are my light, Ivan Kuzmich, a daring soldier's head! Neither Prussian bayonets nor Turkish bullets touched you; you did not put your stomach in a fair fight, but disappeared from a runaway convict!" - Kill the old witch! Pugachev said. Then the young Cossack hit her on the head with his saber, and she fell dead on the steps of the porch. Pugachev left; the people rushed after him. ***

[Our short retelling of The Captain's Daughter can be used for a reader's diary. On our website you can read the full text of The Captain's Daughter by chapter, as well as an analysis of this story and a biography of A. S. Pushkin.]

Together with his faithful serf tutor Savelyich, Petrusha went to Orenburg. On the way, in one of the taverns in Simbirsk, the impudent captain Zurin beat the inexperienced young man for a hundred rubles in billiards.

Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter", Chapter 2 "Counselor" - summary

Leaving Simbirsk with a coachman, Petrusha and Savelich fell into a strong snowstorm. They were almost covered in snow. Salvation was brought only by an unexpected meeting in an open field with a strange man who showed the way to the inn. On the way to the court, Grinev dozed off in a wagon and saw a mysterious dream about how a black-bearded man affectionately called him to himself, calling himself an imprisoned father, but mercilessly chopped everyone who stood around with an ax.

Having spent the night in the hut, Petrusha in the morning, to celebrate, presented his hare sheepskin coat to the savior, for which he sincerely thanked him. The leader met in the field and the owner of the inn were talking to each other in some strange, understandable phrases only to them.

Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter", Chapter 3 "Fortress" - summary

Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter", Chapter 4 "Duel" - summary

The caustic and impudent Shvabrin spoke of all the inhabitants of the fortress caustically and dismissively. Grinev soon began to dislike him. Petrusha especially did not like Shvabrin's greasy jokes about the captain's daughter Masha. Grinev entered into a quarrel with Shvabrin, and he challenged him to a duel. The reason for Shvabrin's irritation was also revealed: he had previously unsuccessfully wooed Masha and now saw Grinev as his rival.

During the duel with swords, the strong and courageous Petrusha almost drove Shvabrin into the river, but he was suddenly distracted by the cry of Savelich, who ran up. Taking advantage of the fact that Grinev turned away for a moment, Shvabrin wounded him below the right shoulder.

Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter", Chapter 5 "Love" - ​​a summary

For five days the wounded Petrusha lay unconscious. He was courted not only by the faithful Savelich, but also by Masha. Grinev fell in love with the captain's daughter, and generously reconciled with Shvabrin.

Petrusha wrote to his father, asking him for his blessing to marry Masha. But the parent responded with a sharp refusal. He already knew about the filial duel. Petrusha suspected that the perfidious Shvabrin had informed his father about her. Grinev offered Masha to get married against the will of his parents, but she said that she could not go for it. Petrusha took the refusal of his beloved as a heavy blow and fell into a gloomy mood of the spirit, until unexpected events suddenly brought him out of anguish. (See Masha Mironova and Grinev in The Captain's Daughter.)

Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter", Chapter 6 "Pugachevshchina" - summary

At the beginning of October 1773, Captain Mironov called the officers to his place and read to them the notice that had come from the higher authorities. It reported that a certain rebel Emelyan Pugachev had gathered a villainous gang, raised a rebellion in the surrounding areas and had already taken several fortresses.

The captain was very worried. The garrison of Belogorskaya was small, its fortifications were weak, and the hope for local Cossacks was very doubtful. Soon a Bashkir with outrageous sheets was captured nearby, and then the news came that Pugachev had taken the neighboring Nizhneozernaya fortress. The rebels hanged all the officers there.

Captain Mironov and his wife Vasilisa Egorovna decided to take their daughter Masha to Orenburg. Masha said goodbye to Grinev, sobbing into his chest.

Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter", Chapter 7 "Attack" - a summary

But Masha did not have time to leave. The very next morning, Belogorskaya was surrounded by Pugachev's gangs. The defenders of the fortress tried to defend themselves, but the forces were too unequal. After a hot attack, crowds of rebels burst behind the ramparts.

Pugachev jumped up, sitting in armchairs, began to administer his court. Captain Ivan Kuzmich and his assistant Ivan Ignatich were hanged on a gallows built right there. Grinev was surprised to see that Shvabrin had already managed to put on a Cossack caftan and was sitting next to Pugachev. The rebels dragged Petrusha to the gallows. He was already saying goodbye to life when Savelich threw himself at the feet of Pugachev, begging him to pardon his master. Emelyan gave a sign, and Grinev was released. (See Pugachev's image in The Captain's Daughter and Pugachev's Characteristics in The Captain's Daughter.)

The rebels began to rob houses. Masha's mother, Vasilisa Yegorovna, ran out onto the porch of one of them, screaming, and immediately fell dead from the blow of a Cossack saber.

Pugachev's court. Artist V. Perov, 1870s

Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter", Chapter 8 "The Uninvited Guest" - a summary

Grinev learned that Masha was hidden at Akulina Pamfilovna's priest's place in order to protect her from violence. But just in this house Pugachev came to feast with his comrades. Popadya hid the captain's daughter in the next room, passing her off as a sick relative.

Savelyich, who approached Grinev, asked if he recognized Pugachev. It turned out that the rebellious leader was the same “leader” who once led them out of the snowstorm to the inn, having received a rabbit coat for this. Grinev realized that Pugachev pardoned him in gratitude for this gift.

A Cossack ran up and said that Pugachev was demanding Grinev to his table. Petrusha was given a place at the feast of the robber leaders, who, after a drunken conversation, sang the song "Don't make noise, mother green oak tree."

When everyone dispersed, Emelyan reminded Grinev of the incident at the inn and invited him to his service, promising to "produce field marshals." Grinev refused. Pugachev was almost angry, but the sincerity and courage of the nobleman made an impression on him. Patting Grinev on the shoulder, he allowed him to leave the fortress wherever he wished.

Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter", Chapter 9 "Separation" - summary

On the morning of the next day, Pugachev with his crowds set out from the Belogorsk fortress, leaving Shvabrin as its new chief. Masha, whose hand Shvabrin once harassed, was in his power! It was not possible to take her out of the fortress: from shocks, the captain's daughter had a fever at night, and she lay unconscious.

Grinev could only rush to Orenburg and beg the local military authorities to send a detachment to liberate Belogorskaya. On the way, he was overtaken by a Cossack with a horse and a sheepskin coat, which Pugachev “granted” to him.

Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter", Chapter 10 "The Siege of the City" - a summary

Arriving in Orenburg, Grinev told the general about what had happened in Belogorskaya, and at the military council advocated decisive action. But the opinion of cautious adherents of defensive tactics prevailed. The authorities preferred to sit behind the strong walls of Orenburg. Pugachev soon approached the city and began its siege.

Famine has opened in Orenburg. The brave Grinev daily participated in sorties, fighting with the rebels. In one battle, he accidentally met with a familiar Cossack from Belogorskaya, who gave him a letter from Masha. She reported that Shvabrin was forcibly forcing her to marry him, threatening otherwise to send her as a concubine to Pugachev.

Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter", chapter 11 "Rebellious Sloboda" - summary

Mad with grief, Grinev decided to go alone to Masha in order to save her. The devoted Savelich insisted that he would follow the journey with him. Passing on the exit from Orenburg the settlement where Pugachev's headquarters was located, they were captured by a patrol of five men with clubs.

Grinev was brought to the hut to Pugachev, who immediately recognized him. When questioned, Petrusha explained that he was going to Belogorskaya to save his bride, whom Shvabrin offends there. In a fit of generosity, Pugachev said that tomorrow he would go to Belogorskaya with Grinev and marry him himself to Masha.

In the morning they left. Grinev, sitting with Pugachev in the same wagon, persuaded him to stop the hopeless rebellion. The rebellious leader, in response, told a tale about a raven that feeds on carrion and lives for 300 years, and an eagle that dies at 33, but drinks fresh blood.

Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter", Chapter 12 "The Orphan" - a summary

In the Belogorsk fortress, at first Shvabrin did not want to give Masha away, but under the threats of Pugachev, he involuntarily conceded. It turned out that he kept Masha locked up, feeding her only bread and water.

Pugachev allowed Grinev and the captain's daughter to go wherever they wished. The next day their wagon left Belogorskaya.

A. S. Pushkin. Captain's daughter. audiobook

Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter", Chapter 13 "Arrest" - a summary

Not far from the fortress, the wagon was stopped by government soldiers who had arrived to pacify the Pugachev rebellion. The head of this unit was Ivan Zurin, who had once beaten Grinev in a Simbirsk tavern and now recognized him. Petrusha joined his unit as an officer, and sent Masha with Savelich to his parents' estate.

Pugachev's uprising was soon crushed. Grinev was looking forward to the day when he would be allowed to go to his native estate, to his father, mother and Masha. But Zurin suddenly received an order to arrest Grinev and send him to Kazan - to the Investigative Commission on the Pugachev case.

Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter", chapter 14 "Court" - summary

Shvabrin, who was captured during the pacification of the rebellion, acted as a witness against Grinev. He claimed that Petrusha was a secret agent of Pugachev and transmitted information about the state of the besieged Orenburg to him. Grinev was found guilty and sentenced to death, which Empress Catherine II replaced with eternal exile in Siberia.

Having received news of this, the selfless Masha went to St. Petersburg to ask her betrothed for mercy. Having settled near Tsarskoye Selo, during a morning walk in the garden, she met Catherine II herself and told her the details of the history of her family and Grinev. (See the image of Catherine II in The Captain's Daughter.)

The Empress ordered that the innocent officer be fully acquitted. Grinev married the captain's daughter, and their offspring prospered for a long time in the Simbirsk province.