Going into the officers ward of the hospital, Nicholas meets Túshin, the artillery captain, who has lost an arm. Also in the ward he finds Denísov. Denísov is angry about being charged with robbery. He felt the commissariat officers were the real thieves. Rostóv noticed a new, sinister, hidden feeling showed itself in the expression of Denísov’s face and the intonations of his voice. Denísov has written an angry, accusatory letter in response to his charges. His friends urge Denísov instead to be penitent and to apologize and to petition the Emperor for pardon. His friends have already written a pardon request for Denísov to sign and send to the Emperor. Denísov remains defiant until evening. But when Rostóv was leaving, Denísov signs the pardon request, saying It seems it’s no use knocking one’s head against a wall! Denísov gives the request to Rostóv for delivery to the Emperor.
quote from the chapter:
The auditor wrote out a petition for you, continued Túshin, and you ought to sign it and ask this gentleman to take it. No doubt he (indicating Rostóv) has connections on the staff. You won’t find a better opportunity. Haven’t I said I’m not going to gwovel? Denísov interrupted him, went on reading his paper. Rostóv had not the courage to persuade Denísov, though he instinctively felt that the way advised by Túshin and the other officers was the safest, and though he would have been glad to be of service to Denísov. He knew his stubborn will and straightforward hasty temper.
Book 5, Chapter 18
Denísov requests pardon from the Emperor.
Summary:
Going into the officers ward of the hospital, Nicholas meets Túshin, the artillery captain, who has lost an arm. Also in the ward he finds Denísov. Denísov is angry about being charged with robbery. He felt the commissariat officers were the real thieves. Rostóv noticed a new, sinister, hidden feeling showed itself in the expression of Denísov’s face and the intonations of his voice. Denísov has written an angry, accusatory letter in response to his charges. His friends urge Denísov instead to be penitent and to apologize and to petition the Emperor for pardon. His friends have already written a pardon request for Denísov to sign and send to the Emperor. Denísov remains defiant until evening. But when Rostóv was leaving, Denísov signs the pardon request, saying It seems it’s no use knocking one’s head against a wall! Denísov gives the request to Rostóv for delivery to the Emperor.
quote from the chapter:
The auditor wrote out a petition for you, continued Túshin, and you ought to sign it and ask this gentleman to take it. No doubt he (indicating Rostóv) has connections on the staff. You won’t find a better opportunity. Haven’t I said I’m not going to gwovel? Denísov interrupted him, went on reading his paper. Rostóv had not the courage to persuade Denísov, though he instinctively felt that the way advised by Túshin and the other officers was the safest, and though he would have been glad to be of service to Denísov. He knew his stubborn will and straightforward hasty temper.
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