The Captain's Daughter

The Captain’s Daughter (1836) is a work of historical fiction by Russian writer Alexander Pushkin. Written in the form of a memoir, it tells the story of 16-year-old nobleman Pyotr Grinyov, who is sent to serve as a military captain at a remote outpost on the Kirghiz steppe in 1773. While there, he falls for the daughter of the fort’s captain, Maria Ivanovna. He is separated from his beloved when the fort is attacked by the historical rebel Pugachov and his troops during Pugachov’s Rebellion (1773-1775). Pyotr must choose whether to rescue Maria or fulfill his military duty. Pushkin is a widely acclaimed Russian writer and is the author of many works of prose and poetry, including Eugene Onegin and The Queen of Spades.

This guide is based on the Robert Chandler translation of The Captain’s Daughter published by Hesperus Press Limited in 2007.

Content Warning: The source material and this guide contain depictions of graphic violence and death.

Language Note: Russian has three forms of names: a Christian name, a patronymic, and a family name. This guide typically uses Christian names for the primary characters. For instance, Maria Ivanovna is simply referred to as “Maria” and not “Maria Ivanovna” or “Masha.” Other characters are generally referred to by their family names. The exception is the serf Arkhip Savelievich, who is referred to by his abbreviated patronymic, Savelich, throughout.

Plot Summary

Pyotr Grinyov grows up a spoiled and carefree child on his father’s enormous estate in 1770s Russia. When he turns 16, his father resolves to send him to the army so he can build character and learn responsibility. Pyotr leaves home with his devoted serf, Arkhip Savelievich or Savelich. Pyotr is sent to a remote outpost in southwest Russia called Orenburg. While at an inn, Pyotr meets a military captain named Zurin who gets Pyotr drunk and convinces him to gamble away 100 rubles. The next day, Pyotr makes Savelich pay Zurin the money he is owed, and they argue. They continue to make their way to Orenburg when they get trapped in a blizzard. In the midst of the harsh weather, they come across a mysterious man in the forest who leads them to safety at a nearby inn. The next day, Pyotr gives the mysterious man his fine hareskin coat in recompense.

Pyotr arrives in Orenburg, where the general sends Pyotr on to serve under Captain Mironov at Fort Belogorsk 25 miles away on the Kirghiz steppe. Initially, Pyotr is despondent at the prospect of serving at this sleepy fort. However, he soon meets the captain’s daughter, the charming Maria Ivanovna and falls for her. He writes her a love poem, which he shows to a fellow officer, the sinister Shvabrin. Shvabrin harshly critiques the poem and then tells Pyotr he knows Maria prefers jewelry to poetry. When Pyotr calls Shvabrin a “liar,” Shvabrin challenges Pyotr to a duel. Pyotr asks the watch commander to be his second in the duel, but the old man refuses, instead telling Pyotr he intends to inform the captain of Pyotr’s wrongheaded intention to duel illegally. The next day, Pyotr and Shvabrin sneak away to duel but are stopped by the watch commander and the captain’s wife. Not to be dissuaded, they sneak away again later that day to sword fight. Savelich comes running toward the duo to break up the fight. Distracted, Pyotr looks away and Shvabrin cuts him and badly wounds him.

Pyotr gains consciousness five days later. Maria tends to his wounds, and they affirm their love for one another. Pyotr writes to his father to ask for his consent to marry Maria. His father refuses to give his blessing and chastises Pyotr for dueling. Pyotr is despondent. Some time later, the soldiers at the fort receive news that a Cossack rebel called Pugachov is planning on attacking the fort as part of his rebellion against the Russian empire. The day before the attack, a contingent of Cossack soldiers desert the fort to join his rebellion. The rebels quickly overtake the fort in the attack and kill the captain and his wife. Maria falls ill from the stress. Shvabrin joins the rebellion and is appointed the new captain of the fort. Pyotr realizes that the rebel leader, Pugachov, is the mysterious man who led him through the blizzard and to whom he had given his hareskin coat. In recognition of their connection, Pugachov allows Pyotr to flee to Orenburg, but Pyotr is forced to leave Maria behind.

Soon after, the rebels lay siege to Orenburg. One day, on the battlefield, a rebel delivers a letter to Pyotr from Maria. She writes that Shvabrin is keeping her captive. Incensed, Pyotr begs the general in Orenburg to give him a contingent of soldiers so they can retake the fort and save Maria. When the general refuses, Pyotr and Savelich desert their posts and travel to the fort on their own. They are intercepted by Pugachov, who agrees to help Pyotr on his mission when he learns what Shvabrin has done. They ride into the fort together, and Pyotr rescues Maria.

On their way back to Pyotr’s family home, they are intercepted by Russian imperial troops. They are about to be arrested when their captain recognizes Pyotr: It is Zurin, whom Pyotr met at the inn at the beginning of his journey. Zurin tells Pyotr to send Maria and Savelich back to his family home and to join Zurin’s troops in fighting against the rebels. Some time later, Pugachov is captured and the fighting ends. Pyotr is about to return home when Zurin tells Pyotr that he is under arrest for deserting his post in Orenburg and for suspicion of collusion with Pugachov. Pyotr testifies in front of the tribunal, but he refuses to reveal that he left his post to save Maria. Shvabrin, who has been captured by imperial troops, testifies falsely against Pyotr and describes him as a spy for Pugachov. Pyotr is sentenced to exile in Siberia. When Maria hears the news of his sentence, she resolves to help him. She goes to the royal palace and petitions the Empress Catherine the Great for clemency. When the Empress hears Maria’s story, she pardons Pyotr and agrees to pay Maria’s dowry. Pyotr returns home and marries Maria. He sees Pugachov one final time at Pugachov’s execution.