The Duel by Aleksandr Kuprin (1905)

Name: The Duel
Author: Aleksandr Kuprin

A young nobleman, a skilled swordsman, and a proud aristocrat, engages in a duel with a man he believes has insulted him. The duel takes place on a cold winter morning in the countryside. The young nobleman's opponent is an older, more experienced swordsman who is not intimidated by his younger opponent's skills. As the duel progresses, it becomes clear that the outcome will be far from certain.

By Aleksandr Kuprin · First published 1905 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Historical Fiction · 23 chapters · 113,062 words

First lines

The 6th Company's afternoon drill was nearly over, and the junior officers looked with increasing frequency at their watches, and with growing impatience. The rank and file of the new regiment were being instructed in garrison duty. Along the whole of the extensive parade-ground the soldiers stood in scattered groups: by the poplars that bordered the causeway, by the gymnastic apparatus, by the door of the company's school, and in the neighbourhood of the butts. All these places were to represent during the drill the most important buildings in the garrison -- the commander's residence, the headquarters, the powder magazine, the administration department, etc. Sentries were posted and relieved; patrols marched here and there, shouting at and saluting each other in military fashion; harsh noncommissioned officers visited and examined the sentries on duty, trying, sometimes by a trick, sometimes by pretended threats, to fool the soldiers into infringing the rules, e.g. to quit their posts, give up their rifles, to take charge of contraband articles, etc. The older men, who had had previous experience of such practical jokes, were very seldom taken in, but answered rudely, "The Tsar alone gives orders here," etc., etc. The young recruits, on the other hand, often enough fell into the snare set for them.

What this Textopian page supports

The Duel is listed on Textopian as a novel by Aleksandr Kuprin, dated 1905 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Aleksandr Kuprin
Date: 1905 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Historical Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Romance
Length: 113,062 words
Structure: 23 chapters, 1,723 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Genres

Literary Fiction — The work explores complex human emotions and moral dilemmas, focusing on character development and psychological depth.
Drama — The narrative centers around intense personal conflicts and relationships, highlighting the emotional stakes of the characters.
Historical Fiction — The setting and context reflect a specific historical period, providing insight into societal norms and values of the time.
Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the inner thoughts and motivations of the characters, examining their psychological states.