The Duel
What is The Duel about?
The Duel (1905) is Aleksandr Kuprin’s masterpiece, a novel set among officers of a provincial Russian infantry regiment. Lieutenant Romashov, a sensitive young officer, struggles against the brutality, boredom, and dehumanization of military life while pursuing an ill-fated love affair with a fellow officer’s wife. The novel’s frank depiction of army corruption, alcoholism, and the abuse of enlisted soldiers caused a sensation upon publication and contributed to the reform debate following Russia’s defeat in the Russo-Japanese War.
Main themes in The Duel
Military life
Military life emerges as a defining element in The Duel, shaping character development.
Anti-war fiction
Anti-war fiction emerges as a defining element in The Duel, shaping character development.
Russian army
The presence of russian army in The Duel connects readers to its enduring relevance.
Forbidden love
The presence of forbidden love in The Duel connects readers to its enduring relevance.
Why The Duel is still relevant today
The Duel is a powerful anti-military novel that exposes the dehumanizing effects of institutional violence, resonating with readers who value humanistic literature. Read it free online on TextStack.
More by this author
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Duel about?
A sensitive young Russian officer struggles against the brutality and corruption of provincial military life while pursuing a doomed love affair, in this powerful anti-military novel.
Where can I read The Duel online?
You can read The Duel by Aleksandr Kuprin free online on TextStack.