NOTES ON BERTOLT BRECHT’S THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE The Author

Bertolt Brecht is a playwright of German origin, who lived between 1898 – 1956. His other plays include: The

Beggar, Drums in the Night, Man Equals Man and Life of Galileo. In addition, he also wrote short stories and

poems. All these were originally written in German but later translated to English.

The Title

The title of the text is taken from a case in the story whereby Azdak as Judge orders Shauwa to draw a circle

around young Michael who is at the centre of a custody row between Natella Abashwili and Grusha Vashnadze.

The child is placed at the centre of the circle and both women are ordered to pull him out of the ‘chalk circle’

and whoever manages to do so will get him. Natella, who is the child’s real mother, wins but the child is given to

Grusha, the maid, because she shows motherly love by refusing to pull too hard, afraid that she might harm the

child.

The Setting

The story of the Caucasian chalk circle is set in the Soviet State of Georgia towards the end of the Second World

War in 1944

Synopsis / Plot summary

The play begins with a prologue which deals with a dispute over a farmland. The dispute is between two groups

– the fruit growing commune and the goat herding commune – each claims ownership of the farmland. The land

is given to the fruit growing commune who have more elaborate plans to realize the farm’s full potential, despite

the fact that the land originally belonged to the goat herding commune. After the peaceful resolution of the

dispute, the peasants celebrate and Arkadi, a singer, agrees to tell them a Chinese story about the ‘chalk circle’ in

order to justify the ruling.

The story begins on Easter Sunday, when Georgi Abashwili, the governor, is killed by his brother – the Fat

Prince, in a coup. The Fat Prince takes over the leadership of the city as everyone, including the governor’s wife,

Natella, flees the city. Grusha, who is the governor’s maid, escapes with the Governor’s son, Michael, after his

mother leaves him behind.

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Grusha heads to the north where her brother lives but she encounters many obstacles along the way as she tries to

hide young Michael from the Fat Prince’s soldiers who want to kill him. She, for instance, pays two piasters for

Michael’s milk, hits a soldier with a piece of firewood and risks both hers and Michael’s life to cross a bridge

that is about to collapse.

When Grusha reaches the north, she seeks refuge in her brother’s house. Lavrenti, her brother, later forces her

into a marriage with a ‘dying man’ called Jussup. Their marriage ceremony is conducted by a drunken monk.

Soon after, the guests learn that the war is over. The ‘dying man’, who had feigned sickness to avoid going to

war, miraculously recovers and Grusha is stuck with a husband she did not want. Grusha’s real love, Simon

Shashava, who had been taking part in the war, returns and finds Grusha already married.

Soon after, the soldiers discover Grusha and forcefully take Michael away from her and return him to the city

claiming that she belongs to the governor’s wife. Grusha follows Michael to the city. Natella also comes back to

the city to claim custody of Michael so that she can inherit Georgi’s estate. The dispute over who should get

Michael goes before the city judge, Azdak, who decides that a chalk circle be drawn on the floor and the child be

placed in the middle. The two women are then ordered to pull him out of the circle and whoever manages would

get him. Natella pulls so hard that she manages to get Michael out of the circle whereas Grusha refuses to pull

hard for fear that they might tear the child apart. The judge then rules in favour of Grusha and orders Natella to

leave. In the end, Grusha is also divorced from Jussup by the same judge.

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PrologueSummer of 1945

The play begins with a conflict between members of two farms – Goat Farm Rosa Luxemburg and Fruit Farm

Galinsk. Both claim ownership of a valley. The goat herding commune want the piece of land because they are

the original owners of the land before they were forcefully moved away. The fruit growing commune on the

other hand have laid an elaborate plan on how they would utilize the land. They plan to irrigate it and plant

vineyards and orchards.

A delegate from the capital city – Tiflis – is sent to arbitrate on the dispute. After listening to both their claims,

he decides to award the land to members of the Fruit Farm Galinsk. This decision is accepted by both parties and

the two groups decided to celebrate by eating and drinking. A famous singer –Arkadi – is invited to entertain the

people and he performs an old Chinese song entitled “The Chalk Circle”. This song is about a similar case

whereby a baby was given to a woman who deserved it and not the real mother.

Discussion points:

What is the relevance / role of the prologue in the text?

Do you agree with the Delegate’s ruling in the prologue?

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ACT SUMMARIES1 - The Noble ChildArkadi, the singer begins by narrating the story of the governor of Grusinia – Georgi Abashwili – a rich man

with a wife, son, many horses and soldiers, and a large palace. Georgi and his family go to church on the

morning of Easter Sunday where they meet beggars and petitioners on the gateway. The governor, however, does

not listen to their grievances and his soldiers push the crowds back using whips.

The governor’s son, Michael, is brought out to be seen for the first time. He is driven in a decorated carriage and

accompanied by his mother – Natella Abashwili and two doctors. Prince Kazbeki, the governor’s brother, comes

to greet the governor and bows before Michael. Natella informs the prince that the governor intends to demolish

slums in order to expand his garden. A messenger arrives from the capital with important news for the governor.

The governor refuses to listen to him saying he does not wish to receive to military news before dinner.

Meanwhile, Grusha – a maid in the governor’s kitchen – is left behind to look for goose for the family’s banquet.

She briefly meets with Simon Shashava – a young soldier, before she goes home to prepare dinner. However,

shortly after the governor returns, the palace is surrounded by the Prince’s soldiers (Ironshirts) who arrest the

governor before he could even talk to the architects or the messenger from the capital.

Later, the governor is executed and Natella is forced to run away to the capital. She, however, concentrates too

much on which clothes to carry that she forgets her baby – Michael. Simon is ordered to escort Natella to the

capital. Before going, he meets Grusha and gives her a silver chain that his mother had given him. Grusha

promises to wait for Simon and to be faithful until he comes back.

After Natella leaves, Grusha and the other servants discover that Michael has been left behind. Despite the chaos,

violence and terror in the city, Grusha stays with Michael throughout the night as other servants run away. In the

morning, she leaves with the child and heads to the north.

Discussion points:

Is it ironical that the governor is killed on Easter Sunday? Explain.

“The Fat Prince is right to overthrow the governor.” Do you agree with this statement?

Was it a mistake for the governor to ignore the messenger from the capital?

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2. The Flight into the Northern MountainsGrusha carries Michael in a sack and leaves the city for the north with the Fat prince’s Ironshirts in hot pursuit.

She sings ‘the song of the four generals’ on her journey. When Michael is hungry, she tries to suckle him but she

has not milk so she is forced to spend two piasters for a pitcher of milk, which amounts to her week’s pay.

Grusha continues until she reaches River Sirra, where she notices the homestead of a peasant couple who have

milk. She decides to leave Michael at their doorstep and hides behind a tree to see what would happen. The

peasant woman takes the child and wants to keep it but her husband refuses suggesting they give it to the local

priest.

Convinced that Michael is in good hands, Grusha decides to go back but shortly comes across the Fat Prince’s

Ironshirts. The Corporal, who is in charge questions Grusha about the child but she lies that she has not seen it

and is going to meet Simon. Grusha fears that the Ironshirts will find Michael where she had left him and she

quickly runs back to the farmhouse to warn the couple to hide the child.

The peasant woman agrees to hide Michael but when the corporal questions her, she becomes frightened and

reveals everything. The corporal discovers where Michael is hidden but before he can get to him, Grusha grabs a

piece of firewood and hits the corporal on the head until he collapses. She then grabs Michael and runs away.

Grusha continues on her journey to the north with the Ironshirts, who are on horse-back, close behind him. She

reaches at the foot of Janga – Tau Glacier, where she decides to adopt. She removes his silken shirt and wraps

him in rags.

Eventually, she arrives at the bridge on the glacier where she sings ‘the song of the rotten bridge’. One rope of

the bridge is broken while the other is rotting making it lean dangerously on one side. She finds a group of

merchants who are unable to cross. They warn her not to cross and one merchant woman even tells her to leave

the baby behind. In the end, she manages to cross the bridge just as the Ironshirts arrive. On the opposite side of

the bridge, she triumphantly sings ‘the song to the child’ as she laughs her way to freedom.

Discussion points

Grusha makes many sacrifices in this act, can you identify them?

Was it right for Grusha to use violence on the Corporal?

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3. The Northern Mountains Grusha is optimistic that she would be received warmly by her brother. When she arrives at Lavrenti’s home she

is so weak, exhausted and sickly that she almost collapses. Lavrenti is afraid that his wife will not allow Grusha

to stay because of her ‘fatherless’ child and so he makes up a story that Grusha is on her way to her husband’s

home in the mountains.

Grusha lives in her brother’s home for six months while Lavrenti organizes to find a husband for her. Lavrenti

finds a woman whose son is ‘dying’ and they agree to marry Grusha to Jussup. Jussup’s mother discovers that

Grusha has a baby and demands to be given more money which Lavrenti does.

The wedding takes place in Jussup’s bedroom and is conducted by a drunken Monk whom Jussup’s mother hires

cheaply. The Monk marries Grusha to Jussup but tries to inquire about the child. Jussup’s mother tells him to

keep quiet and threatening to tell the neighbours that he had been seen drinking in a tavern.

The visitors are served with cakes while they talk among themselves. There is also entertainment by musicians

who are invited by the Monk without the mother-in-law’s knowledge. Some of the visitors inform the rest that

the war is over. Grusha drops a cake pan when she hears this news and kneels down to pray with the silver cross

in her hands.

Jussup, the ‘dying’ man, surprises everyone by ‘recovering’ from his condition and waking up. He is

immediately angered by the amount of food that her mother is giving the visitors. He orders all the visitors to

leave and kicks them out. Grusha is shocked on realizing that she has a husband and yet she is waiting for

Simon.

When the mother-in-law scrubs Jussup’s back, he claims that this is work for Grusha. Jussup does not appreciate

Grusha and reprimands her at every opportunity he gets. He demands that she performs her wifely duties because

buying a woman in town is expensive. As Grusha is stuck with Jussup, Michael grows very fast while the face of

Simon grows dimmer in Grusha’s memory.

Michael is playing with other children while Grusha washes clothes along the river. The playing children enact

the beheading of the Governor. Michael is told to play the role of the Governor but he refuses and insists on

being the one to ‘chop the Governor’s head’. Grusha observes the children playing and then turns to see Simon

who is standing on the other side of the river. Simon fears that he may have come back too late – especially after

seeing a child’s cap on the ground. Grusha admits that there is a child but she denies being its mother.

Simon does not believe Grusha and he demands his silver cross back. Suddenly, the other children come back

shouting that the soldiers have taken Michael away. Some soldiers come and inform her that they have been

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ordered to take the boy back to the city. She tries to beg them to leave him but they refuse. She eventually

decides to follow them to the city though she is afraid of meeting Natella – Michael’s real mother.

Discussion points

Is Simon right to demand his silver cross back?

“Like father, like son.” Do you agree with this statement in relation to Jussup and his mother?

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4. The Story of the JudgeThe singer tells the story of Azdak the city judge and many of his unusual rulings. The Grand Duke pretends to

be a beggar and seeks refuge in Azdak’s house. Azdak notices that the ‘beggar’ eats and licks cheese like a

Grand Duke. He also notices that the fugitive’s hands are white and he accuses him of being a swindler. The

fugitive offers to pay him a hundred thousand piasters not to be exposed but Azdak turns it down.

When a local policeman, Shauwa, comes to look for the Prince’s rabbit, Azdak tells him to arrest him for

catching a man. He, however, does not expose the fugitive at this point. Later, though, he discovers that the man

he has been hiding, and has allowed to escape, is the Grand Duke. He feels guilty and considers himself a traitor.

He orders Shauwa to take him to the Capital – Nuka – for trial.

In Nuka, the city judge has been hanged. Azdak narrates to the Ironshirts the story of ‘Too Long a War’ and

sings the ‘Song of Injustice in Persia’. The story and the song reflect the consequences of war in Persia and the

injustice in Nuka and Grusinia. The Ironshirts unchain Azdak and they all start drinking.

The Fat Prince arrives with his nephew, Bizergan Kazbeki, whom he wants appointed as City Judge. Azdak

proposes that the nephew be first tested on his knowledge of the law. In a play within a play, Azdak plays the

part of the Grand Duke who is brought in front of the nephew for judgment. The Ironshirts are so impressed by

Azdak that they choose him as Judge instead of the Fat Prince’s nephew.

The era of Azdak as judge is considered the ‘age of justice’. He makes controversial judgments mostly in favour

of the poor. He never refers to the book of law and because of this he becomes popular among the poor but hated

by the rich.

Later, it is revealed that the Grand Duke is back in power and the Fat Prince has been arrested and beheaded.

Azdak is fearful that the rich, who he has denied justice, will want to get their revenge. Natella arrives with the

adjutant to seek justice for her child who has been stolen by a servant. Azdak promises to have the servant

beheaded but Natella does not believe him.

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5. The Chalk CircleGrusha is in the capital awaiting the arrival of the Judge who is going to determine her fate and that of Michael.

She is accompanied by the Governor’s former cook who has come to offer her support. While waiting for the

judge, Grusha notices the Corporal whom she had hit on the head and is afraid that he might remember her. The

Corporal remembers the incident but cannot confront Grusha because he does not want it to be known that he

wanted to kill the child. Simon, who is also present, offers to help Grusha by declaring that the child is his.

Natella is accompanied by her lawyers who assure her that the case will be judged by another judge because the

Grand Duke was back and he was expected to appoint a new judge to replace Azdak. Shortly, Azdak is brought

in badly beaten, bloodied and in chains. The Ironshirts manhandle him and remove the gown on his back.

Suddenly, a messenger arrives with information that the Grand Duke has reappointed Azdak.

Azdak resumes his position as judge and takes the case of Grusha and Natella as his first assignment. Natella’s

lawyers present her case first by emphasizing that blood is thicker than water and so Michael belongs to her

biological mother. Grusha, on the other hand, explains all the troubles that she had undergone for Michael’s

sake. One of Natella’s lawyers, unfortunately, reveals that the Governor’s estate was tied to Michael and that

Natella could not access it without the child. This revelation throw into light the real reason why Natella wants

Michael.

Judge Azdak orders Shauwa to draw a circle with a piece of chalk on the floor of the courtroom and then directs

that the child be placed in the middle of the chalk circle. The two women are told to pull the child from the circle

and that whoever wins would get the child. Natella’s lawyers argue that Grusha was likely to win because she is

younger and as a maid – stronger. The judge ignores his argument and the two women start to pull. The women

are given two chances and Natella wins both. Grusha is unable to pull for fear that she might tear the child whom

she has spent a long time trying to protect.

The judge rules that the child be given to Grusha and she is advised to leave the city. Azdak also grants Grusha a

divorce from her husband Jussup instead of the Old Couple that had wanted it. Natella is told to go and the

Governor’s land which she wanted is given to the city to use as a play ground for children. The play ends with a

party where everybody is invited and they help Judge Azdak to disappear from the scene.

Discussion points

Do you agree with Azdak’s judgment in this case? Why or why not?

What is the importance of having a lawyer in a court of law?

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THEMESWhen a writer creates a story, there is something that he/she wants to communicate to the reader or listener. This

message is called a theme. Usually, poems and short stories and poems may contain one or two themes but

novels and plays, usually have many themes.

A theme is not stated directly, hence, the author will use different characters and events in order to bring out the

message or themes. In the play, ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’, some of the major themes that Brecht addresses

are:

Abuse of power

Greed / materialism

Selflessness

Social class inequality

Justice

Betrayal

Political and social turbulence

Deceit, hypocrisy and religiosity

Conflict / antagonism

Love

Irresponsibility

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Abuse of power / Misuse of powerAbuse of power occurs when people in authority misuse the power bestowed upon them by virtue of their

position or office. One may misuse his/her powers to enrich him/herself or to mistreat others. In the text, power

is abused by the Governor, Natella, the soldiers / Ironshirts and the Fat Prince.

The Governor abuses power by enriching himself whereas his people remain poor. He is said to be as rich as

Croesus, with very many horses and a vast estate yet many of his people are beggars. When he goes to church, he

is confronted by many beggars, petitioners and mothers with hungry children. They cry for him to reduce the

high taxes (pg. 14). His son has two doctors (p. 15) and he is said to be preparing to tear down slums to start the

building of the east wing of his garden. He does not care about where the poor, slum people will go.

Natella is also seen to abuse her powers through her treatment of servants. She orders them around, insults them

and even uses physical violence on them. For example, she beats up a young woman whom she accuses of

almost tearing up her dress. She tells her, “I’ll kill you, you bitch!” (p.24)

The Ironshirts/soldiers also abuse their powers on many occasions. They lash the people with thick whips when

they move nearer to see Michael. The Corporal also abuses his powers when harassing Grusha by making sexual

advances at her (p. ). The soldiers also use violence on Azdak when they beat him on realizing that the Grand

Duke is back.

The Fat Prince and the other princes also abuse their powers by overthrowing the Grand Duke and his Governor.

The Fat Prince goes ahead and raids his brother’s palace and arrests the Governor. He then kills him and orders

the Ironshirts to hang his head on the door. He also orders them to look for Michael and to kill him (p.28). He

also tries to have his nephew, Bizergan Kazbeki, appointed as the new Judge (p. 71).

Azdak also abuses power by favouring the poor in his judgments. Though his actions are motivated by the

injustices that the poor have endured, he misuses his powers as judge in seeking revenge. He, for example, rules

in favour of the bandit who is clearly a criminal.

Finally, it is the misuse of power that leads to other social ills such as injustice, violence and political instability.

When those who are entrusted with power in society misuse it, it begets social and political turmoil. The citizens

will find it difficult to obey authority if those in power do not obey the rules they expect others to follow.

Discussion point

Can you think of people in your society that abuse power? Discuss.

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Greed and MaterialismGreed is whereby a person wants to have everything to him/herself. A materialistic person, on the other hand, is

one who believes that money is more important than anything else in life. In the text, greed and materialism are

evident in the Governor, the Fat Prince, Natella, the Mother-in-Law, the Corporal and others.

Georgi Abashwili is not satisfied with his riches. He is as rich as Croesus and yet he still wants to acquire more

land by demolishing the houses of slum dwellers. While, many of the Governor’s people and their children are

sleeping hungry, the Governor is preparing to have geese for dinner.

Natella is materialistic in the way she values her clothes and jewelry. She is not satisfied with what she has and

still complains about her husband only building for his son (p.19). After her husband is arrested, she forgets

about him and her baby and instead concentrates on ensuring that she carries all her clothes. In the end, she only

bothers to look for Michael after she realizes that she needs him on order to inherit her husband’s estates.

The Fat Prince and the other princes organize to overthrow the Grand Duke and the Governor. This is purely out

of greed for power. The Fat Prince is greedy over his brother’s wealth and power that he wants to take it by

force. Because of greed for power, he plans to have one of his relatives as Judge too.

The Mother-in-Law is also seen to be greedy and materialistic. When Lavrenti goes to seek for a husband for his

sister, the Mother-in-Law demands for four-hundred piasters. When she discovers that Grusha has a child, she

demands another two-hundred. Instead of hiring a priest to conduct the wedding, the Mother-in-Law goes to look

for a monk, who would be cheaper. She also complains about spending money to take care of the mourners.

Greed and materialism is also evident in the Old Man who demands three piasters from Grusha for milk. The

Old Man does not care that the milk is for the baby and Grusha is forced to use her two week’s wages to buy it.

When Grusha leaves Michael on the doorsteps of the Peasant Couple, the husband tells his wife not to feed the

baby but instead to take it to the village priest. Even the Corporal is materialistic when he decides to sell their

horses and walk instead when pursuing Grusha and Michael (p.33)

A society that is greedy and materialistic becomes morally bankrupt. Greed and materialism leads to other vices

such as corruption, exploitation and selfishness. When people value money or property too much, they lose

important human values such as generosity, kindness and love for one another.

Discussion Point

Does greed / materialism make people in the society rich or poor?

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SelflessnessSelflessness is whereby puts the welfare of others ahead of his or her own. A selfless person will sacrifice what

he/she has to the benefit of others who may be less privileged or vulnerable. In the text, Grusha shows a lot of

selflessness especially towards Michael who is not her real child.

First, when the Governor is beheaded and Natella takes off, Grusha decides to remain behind and take care of

Michael the whole night. She is almost caught when the Fat Prince and the Ironshirts come back to hang the

governor’s head on the door-way. When Grusha tries to leave Michael, she hears as if it is telling her, “Woman,

help me” (p.28)

The following day, Grusha picks the baby and heads for the north with it (p.29). On the way, she has to buy the

baby milk. Even thought the Old Man sells the milk exorbitantly, she sacrifices her two week salary to buy it for

the sake of the baby. When she realizes she can no longer feed the baby, she decides to leave it on the door-step

of the Fat Peasant Woman, who has plenty of milk, a husband and a roof over her head. (p.34)

Secondly, when the Ironshirts, led by the Corporal, discover where Michael is hidden, Grusha risks her life by

hitting the Corporal, taking the baby and running away. Grusha, again, risks her life and that of Michael by

daring to cross the rotten bridge even after she is warned by the merchants (p.41)

Thirdly, during winter, Grusha has to bear the discomfort of staying in the house of her sister-in-law who is very

religious and pious. She is hidden in a small dark room away from the neighbours to avoid being an

embarrassment to his brother’s family (p.47).

Fourthly, Grusha accepts to get married to a ‘dying ma’ – Jussup, for Michael’s sake. She sacrifices her promise

to Simon because she needs to provide food and a home for Michael. When Simon comes back and finds Grusha

married, he becomes upset but Grusha decides to stay with Michael rather than follow him. When the soldiers

come for Michael, she follows them forgetting the danger she is putting herself into.

Finally, she risks getting arrested by going back to the capital where Natella and the Corporal are waiting for her.

Natella accuses her of stealing a child while the Corporal wants to arrest her for injuring him. Grusha is,

however, prepared to face Natella in a court of law where judge Azdak decides the case in her favour.

The decision to give Grusha the child is purely based on the kind of sacrifices she makes for him. When the

judge orders that the two women pull the baby, Grusha is unable to use force because of fear of destroying what

she has sacrificed so much for.

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Social Class InequalitySocial class inequality is a situation whereby a society is divided into groups according to their economic,

political and social status. In the text, the difference between the rich and the poor is very pronounced. While the

Grand Duke, the Governor, the princes and their families are affluent, other members of society are poor and

dying of hunger.

Georgi Abashwili, the governor, is as rich as Croesus, while he has many beggars in his doorsteps and petitioners

in his courtyard (p.14). He has “a healthy…many horses…” (p.13-14) and yet, many of his people live in slums.

When he and his family goes to church, the baby is brought in an expensive carriage accompanied by two

doctors. The poor people, on the other hand, display their thin, emaciated babies while others hold up crutches

and petitions.

The children of the poor are sent to war but when they get injured, they are not compensated. The children of the

rich, on the other hand, are not sent to war. Some of the petitioners beg for mercy for their relatives who have

been arrested unfairly, “My brother is innocent, Your Grace, misunderstanding…” (p. ). While one of the

Governor’s servants collects the petitions, another distributes coins from a purse with the Governor paying little

attention.

The poor people in the text are not supposed to intermingle with the rich. When the people move forward to air

their grievances to the Governor, the soldiers lash them with whips. Even when they only want to see young

Michael, they are forced back by the soldiers violently. (p.14)

Despite all the poverty around, the Governor has employed two doctors to look after Michael even though he is

not sick. Poor people such as Grusha cannot get even time to go to church on Easter Sunday as she is forced to

go and look for a goose for the family dinner. Despite her hard work, she will not even eat it herself, “I’ll eat the

feathers.” (p.17)

The poor people in society have to put their lives at risk in order to protect the rich. Simon Shashava and the

Adjutant, for example has to escort Natella to the Capital. Even though he wants to remain behind and marry

Grusha, he has no choice but to follow orders. Natella risks the lives of her servants by delaying their exit from

the palace that is under attack. She wastes a lot of time sorting out her dresses and jewelry until the Adjutant has

to force her to leave (p.25).

The people in higher positions mistreat those below them. For example, the Corporal harasses and intimidates

one of the young soldiers because the soldier was unable to beat up the husband of a fat girl they had met. He

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even tells him that he won’t get promoted (p.33). The Corporal sells the soldiers horses and forces them to walk

without limping – even though they are tired. To add salt to injury, he forces them to sing louder and louder.

In the courtroom, Natella says, “At least there are no common people here, thank God, I can’t stand their smell.

It always gives me migraines.” One of Natella’s lawyers also describes Azdak as, the lowest fellow ever seen in

Judge’s gown.” (p.88) Natella also refers to Grusha as, “a creature” and when she sees Michael dressed in rags,

she says that he must have been in a pigsty.

Even though Azdak makes an attempt to address inequality in this society, the return of the Grand Duke shows

that class inequality in society cannot be fully eradicated. Poor people in society will always suffer injustices and

prejudices in the hands of the rich.

DISCUSSION POINT

Can you think of cases in your community where the rich have treated the poor unfairly?

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BetrayalBetrayal means to hurt an individual, group or country by going against its/his/her trust in you. One can betray

another by harming him/her or by helping his/her enemy. In the text, betrayal can be seen in the Fat Prince, the

Ironshirts, the Servants, the doctors, the Peasant woman, Natella, Jussup and Grusha.

The Fat Prince betrays his brother, the Governor, by plotting to have him arrested, assassinated and removed

from power. When the Governor goes to church, he meets the Fat Prince who wishes him a happy Easter and

pretends to be happy to see the governor’s baby – Michael. After the Fat Prince gets the Governor killed, he

takes over power and sends the Ironshirts to look for Michael and kill him.

The Governor’s servants and doctors also betray him. As soon as the Governor is arrested and the war breaks

out, they all run away. One of the servants tells Grusha to leave immediately, and not to save Michael. One of

the doctors also says that he cannot stay a minute longer in that accursed house “…on that little brat’s account.”

(p.21)

Betrayal is also evident among the Ironshirts. After the Governor’s palace is attacked, the guards whose work is

to defend him refuse to do so. They refuse to obey and instead stare coldly and indifferently at the Adjutant who

tries to give them orders. Only the Adjutant and a few Ironshirts remain loyal by protecting the Governor’s wife

and escorting her to the capital.

The Peasant Woman betrays Grusha by revealing to the Corporal that Michael is not hers. This is in contrast to

what she had promised Grusha about keeping the identity of the child a secret. This betrayal forces Grusha to go

back and take the child, hitting the Corporal in the process and hence endangering her life and that of Michael

even more.

Lavrenti, Grusha’s brother also betrays her by arranging to have her married off instead of accommodating her.

Grusha expects to be welcomed warmly and given a place to stay until Simon returns but instead she is hidden

because her brother’s wife does not want embarrassment. She is even forced to lie to her sister-in-law that she is

on her way to meet her husband in order to be allowed to stay with a child. (p.47)

Jussup betrays his country by refusing to join other young men in going to war. He instead lies in bed pretending

to be seriously sick. Immediately he learns that the war is over, he wakes up, much to the surprise of everyone in

the room.

Natella betrays her husband and child when the war breaks out. She escapes from the palace and leaves Michael

behind. She tells one of the servants to put the child down and instead go to look for her little saffron coloured

16

boots to match with her green dress. She does not even show remorse for her husband’s death and does not

bother to look for Michael until she is told that she cannot inherit her husband’s estates without him.

Grusha also betrays Simon by agreeing to marry Jussup. Simon and Grusha had made a promise to each other to

get married as soon as he returned from escorting Natella to the Capital but when he comes back, he finds

Grusha married and with a child. Even though Grusha gets married because of unfortunate circumstances and the

child is not hers, Simon is angry and disappointed because he cannot marry her. After realizing the truth about

Grusha’s marriage, Simon decides to support Grusha even in court.

In conclusion, betrayal is the source of all the major events that take place in the text. It is the betrayal of the

Governor that leads to war in the city which in turn forces Grusha onto her journey. The rich and those in power

also betray the poor and those whom they are expected to serve. Characters such as Azdak try to address the

injustices of those who feel betrayed.

DISCUSSION POINTS

Does the Governor betray the people? If, yes, how?

Do the Princes betray the country? If, yes, how?

17

JusticeThere is a lot of injustice in the text mostly perpetuated by the rich, the powerful and those in authority. The

people seek justice through the courts, through petitioning the Governor and sometimes through seeking revenge

on their own. Justice is dispensed primarily through the court system. However, this is not as portrayed in the

text.

In the prologue, the Delegate from Tiflis comes to hear and determine the case between the Goat Herders and the

Fruit Growers. Justice is seen to be served when, first, each group is given a chance to explain why they deserve

the farm. After their presentations, the Delegate decides in favour of the Fruit Farmers because they have more

elaborate plans for the farm. Even though the Goat Herders are the original owner of the land, they don’t have

any meaningful plans for it. The verdict in this case is arrived at on the basis of reasonable consensus rather than

strict law. The two parties are satisfied with the decision and they decide to partake in drinking together.

The people also seek justice through petitioning the Governor. However, this not a good option because he does

not heed to their cries and instead they are whipped and pushed back by the Ironshirts. The beggars and

petitioners have various grievances including; too much tax, corrupt officials, arrested family members etc.

When the Governor is overthrown by the Fat Prince, the people feel a sense of justice which is, however, short-

lived.

The court is specifically established to dispense justice to all. However, in the text, the people have little faith in

the court which is seen to always rule in favour of the rich. After the Governor is killed, even the City Judge is

hung because he is also seen to be part of the injustices suffered by the people.

Judge Azdak represents justice, especially to the poor. When he discovers that he has been harbouring the Grand

Duke, he tells Shauwa to take him to the City (Nuka) for judgment. Unfortunately, at Nuka, the city Judge has

been hung and Azdak cannot get the justice he wants. Ironically, Azdak is appointed judge after he impresses the

Ironshirts with his knowledge of the legal system and the injustices that the people have suffered.

Judge Azdak practices a brand of justice that, in some cases, sets the guilty free and punishes the victims. He,

largely, rules in favour of the poor as a way of addressing the injustice that they have long suffered. For example,

he rules in favour of the Doctor, who is accused of neglecting his patient. (p.77), he rules against Ludovica who

is a ‘victim of rape’, he acquits the Old Woman accused of theft, he rules in favour of Grusha and even

‘erroneously’ signs off the divorce of Grusha and Jussup instead of the Old Couple.

Some people, like the Farmers, feel aggrieved by his ‘unfair’ rulings and seek their own justice through revenge.

They beat him up when they realize that the Grand Duke is back and the war is over. Surprisingly, the Grand

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Duke reappoints Azdak as City Judge which saves his life. Azdak enjoys some justice from the Grand Duke for

the help he had offered him when he was on the run.

There cannot be peace without justice in society. Those who are treated unfairly and unjustly will always look

for ways to get some justice. Even though the courts are the main avenues for seeking justice, they can only be

useful if people have faith in them. The courts should also view people as being equal and hence dispense justice

without fear or favour.

POINTS TO THINK ABOUT

1. Is it right for an individual to seek justice through revenge?

2. Apart from the courts, where else can one seek justice in your community?

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Political and Social InstabilityPolitical and social instability in society is a result of poor leadership. Poor leadership on the other hand, leads to

other social problems such as hunger, insecurity, injustice and poverty. When the people get fed up, they may

choose to forcefully remove those in office through a coup or an uprising. This, in turn, brings about political

and social instability through war.

In the prologue, the setting is in the ruins of what was once a thriving Caucasian village before the war (p.7).

Everything in the village has been ruined; tobacco is rationed and wine (p.8). The villagers have also lost many

people as a result of political warfare. The Goat Herders have been forced to leave their land and go elsewhere

on orders from the government.

The effects of warfare are also evident in Nuka where the Governor is confronted with many beggars, cripples

and petitioners. A lot of resources have gone to finance the war which has resulted to hunger and poverty among

the people. Many soldiers have died with others suffering injuries – this has resulted to many cripples in

clutches. To make matters worse, the Governor is contemplating bringing down their houses (slums).

Political instability often affects the poor more than the rich. The singer comments: “when the house of a great

one collapses, many little ones are slain” (p.20). Political instability leads to displacement of people as evidenced

by the Grand Duke, who has to run and seek refuge in the house of Azdak. Natella also has to run to the capital

for her own safety while Grusha heads for the North.

Political instability also creates food shortages as seen when Grusha is unable to get milk for Michael. She is

force to pay two piasters for a little drop. The Old Man says, “We have no milk. The soldiers from the city have

our goats. Go to the soldiers if you want milk.” (p.31)

Warfare instills fear in people as evident in Jussup. He feigns sickness to avoid being drafted into the army. The

Peasant Woman is fearful of the soldiers that she denounces Michaela and betrays Grusha to the Corporal. The

Grand Duke, Natella and Grusha run away from the City due to fear after the war breaks.

Political and social instability give rise to many other social evils such as corruption, violence, irresponsibility,

negligence of duty etc. Warfare has many adverse effects to people in society. These include: displacement of

people, fear, food shortages, insecurity and injustice.

POINTS TO THINK ABOUT

1. Who is responsible for the political instability in the text?

2. How does political instability cause food shortage?

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Deceit, Religiosity and Hypocrisy Deceit is dishonesty whereas hypocrisy is when a person’s actions are different from what s/he says. Religiosity,

on the other hand, is whereby one pretends to be religious but his/her actions are contrary to the religion that s/he

follows. Many characters in the text are either, deceitful, pious or hypocritical.

Georgi Abashwili, the Governor, is deceitful and hypocritical when he and his family attend church on Easter

Sunday. On the doorway, they are met by beggars and petitioners, who want help from him. He, however, does

not bother to listen to their cries and instead allows his bodyguards to whip them and push them back. This is

contrary to what a devoted Christian should do. While the family goes to church, they don’t care to allow the

servants, like Grusha, time to go to church as well.

The Fat Prince is deceitful and hypocritical when he also attends church and even wishes his brother a ‘happy

Easter Sunday’ and bows before Michael. (p.15). The Fat Prince does all this while he knows that he will behead

the Governor after the church service.

Religiosity, hypocrisy and excessive piety is displayed by Aniko. When Grusha arrives at her brother’s, she is

hungry and worn out but instead of Aniko welcoming her warmly and sympathizing with her, she questions her

especially about the child. When Grusha collapses due to fatigue, Aniko quickly accuses her of carrying scarlet

fever – a dangerous infectious disease.

Grusha is forced to lie to Aniko that she is married and that she is going to meet her husband in the mountains.

This is after Lavrenti warns her that Aniko is very religious and will not allow her to stay if she has a child with

no father. (p.45-46) Aniko’s hypocrisy is seen by the way she shouts at her servants and how she wears two pairs

of socks to church – ever since her servant was seen in church with a hole in her stocking.

Lavrenti is hypocritical as well when he pretends to help Grusha by marrying her off to a ‘dying man’ instead of

giving her a place to stay in his own home. He even uses his own money to pay off the Mother-in-Law to accept

the marriage to take place.

The Monk is hypocritical when he accepts to be paid to keep quiet about the existence of a child. He is also

dishonest because he is drunk instead of being a role model for others in society. The mourners are also

hypocritical by the way they seem to be concerned with the food being served instead of the impending death of

Jussup.

Jussup is deceptive when he pretends to be a person who is sick and whose death is imminent. He fools

everybody, including his own mother, to the point that a funeral is arranged. When he learns through what the

guests are saying, that the war is over, he makes a sudden recovery much to the shock of the guests.

21

Grusha suffers as a result of the deception, hypocrisy and religiosity around her. She suffers under the roof of the

Governor, she is mistreated in her brother’s house and because of Jussup’s deception, she gets a husband she

does not want.

POINTS TO THINK ABOUT

1. Is Azdak hypocritical / deceptive?

2. Are the Ironshirts hypocritical/deceptive?

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Conflict / Antagonism A conflict is a disagreement between two or more individuals or groups. The text addresses several conflicts

such as: the conflict between the two land owning groups; the rich and the poor; the Governor and the Princes;

Grusha and Natella; and Grusha and Jussup.

Firstly, the play begins with a conflict between the Goat Herders’ Collective Farm and the Fruit Growing

Commune. These two groups quarrel over the ownership of the valley that has been left by the Soviet army after

the end of the war. The Fruit growers want to develop the land for farming while the goat herders want it because

it originally belonged to them. A Delegate from the State Reconstruction Commission is sent from Tiflis – the

capital, to hear their case. A decision is made to award the fruit growers because of their good plans for the

valley.

Secondly, the poor and the rich are in conflict over resources. The Governor, George Abashwili, is extremely

rich yet he ignores the plight of those under him. His courtyard is filled with beggars and petitioners who want

his assistance but he gives them the deaf ear. He ignores the pleas from the beggars and parents holding

emaciated children in their hands. Instead, the Ironshirts whip and push back the poor to give way for the

Governor and his family. In contrast, the Governor spends a lot of money on his son’s clothes, carriage and even

intends to build him a palace. He also has plans to demolish slums belonging to the poor to give room for his

garden. The poor welcome the death of the Governor and support the coup that also overthrows the Grand Duke

from power.

Thirdly, the Princes have a conflict with the Governor and the Grand Duke. The country is at war which is being

fought by the Princes. The Princes, however, feel that they are not receiving enough support from the Grand

Duke and the Governor. They devise a plot to overthrow the two leaders by killing them. While the Grand Duke

manages to escape, the Governor is caught and beheaded in his palace. Eventually, the Grand Duke secures

support from other countries and he manages to take back his seat and kills the Fat Prince and the other

conspirators.

Fourthly, there is the main conflict which is between Natella and Grusha over who should keep the baby

Michael. Their case is taken before judge Azdak who orders that a chalk circle be drawn on the floor of the court

and the two women ordered to pull Michael from the centre. After Natella wins twice, the judge rules that the

child be given to Grusha since she shows motherly love by not pulling too hard.

Finally, there is a conflict between Grusha and Jussup. This happens after she gets married to him while thinking

that he is about to die. After it is announced that the war is over, Jussup wakes up and starts to mistreat Grusha

by ordering her to treat him like a husband. “…Get the brush! To hell with you! Are you the wife here? Or are 23

you a visitor?...you’re my wife and you’re not my wife….God has given you sex – and what d’you do? I don’t

have ten piasters to buy myself a woman in the city.” (p.56-57) Grusha, finally, manages to divorce him.

POINTS TO THINK ABOUT

Is there conflict between:

Grusha and the Corporal?

The Monk and Jussup’s mother?

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LoveLove is presented in the following ways: parental love i.e. the love that parents have for their children, filial love

i.e. the love that exists between siblings, and romantic love which is the intimate love between two people of the

opposite sex who are not related by blood.

Parental love is the love that a father or mother has for the child. However, the text shows that one does not need

to be the real parent in order to have parental love for a child. Natella, who is Michael’s real mother, does not

show much love for him. She is more concerned with her material possessions than her child. She, for instance,

wastes time packing her clothes and jewelry that she does not know that Michael has been left behind when war

breaks out in the city. The Governor, on the other hand, shows an extreme form of parental love by showering

Michael with a lot of care and wealth. He wants to construct a palace for him and has even hired two doctors to

take care of him.

Grusha displays parental love when she takes Michael as her own son and protects him from the Fat Prince and

the Ironshirts who want to kill him. She spends all her money on him and even risks her own life when she hits

the Corporal on the head and dares to cross the rotten bridge for his sake. Even though she had promised Simon

that she would wait for him, she goes ahead and agrees to marry Jussup so that Michael could have a home.

Grusha’s love for Michael shows itself before the court when she is unable to pull him too hard out of the chalk

circle and that is why judge Azdak rules in her favour.

Filial love is evident between Grusha and her brother Lavrenti. This is when Grusha walks on foot to the North

in hope that her brother will shelter her and the child. Lavrenti tries his best to protect Grusha from his wife,

Aniko, who is a pious Christian. He lies to his wife that Grusha’s child has a father who lives in the North and

that they are on their way there. He even arranges a bogus marriage between Grusha and Jussup to enable his

sister get a place to live and a home for her child. Even though, Lavrenti appears cowardly and his actions seem

immoral, his intention is to see that his sister is safe and gets a comfortable place to stay.

Romantic love is evident in Simon and Grusha. Before Simon leaves for the capital, he leaves Grusha a necklace

as a symbol of their engagement. They promise not to get into other relationships but to wait for each other.

However, when the war is over and Simon returns, he finds Grusha married and with a child. He is angry and

demands his necklace back. On realizing the truth about Grusha’s marriage and the child’s identity, Simon

decides to support Grusha during her case with Natella and even volunteers to tell the court that the child is his.

In the end, the judge gives Grusha the child and grants her a divorce from Jussup which allows Simon to have a

wife and a child.

25

POINTS TO THINK ABOUT

Is there parental love between Jussup and his mother?

Is there romantic love between the Governor and his wife?

26

Irresponsibility This is refusal to attend to one’s duty or failure to do what one is expected. In the text, the leadership, especially

on the part of the Governor is portrayed as very irresponsible. Georgi is very rich and yet his people are

extremely poor. He does not want to listen to their pleas even though it is his responsibility, as a Governor, to

ensure that they have all the necessities of life. Instead of improving the poor people’s houses, he wants to

demolish them to give way for his own garden.

When the Governor attends church, he finds many beggars and petitioners waiting for him on the doorway. He

shows no interest in them and instead they are whipped back by his Ironshirts. On the contrary, when it comes to

his own son, he spends a lot of money on his clothes and even plans to put up a palace for him. He has hired two

doctors to ensure he does not fall sick and he is even driven in a golden carriage.

The Governor shows no interest in the ongoing war and when the injured Rider comes with a message, he does

not want to listen to him. He says that he does not wish to receive military news before dinner. Surprisingly, he

finds time to speak with the architects. Perhaps his refusal to receive the confidential papers from the Rider may

have resulted to his death. The Rider may have been carrying a warning for him to run just as the Grand Duke

does.

Natella is an irresponsible mother who not only neglects her duties as a mother but also concentrates more on

clothing and jewelry instead. After the Governor is killed, Natella runs away with the Adjutant but she forgets to

check whether she has the baby with her. She spends time quarreling with her servants and picking her clothes

and shoes that she does not confirm where the baby is.

The Governor’s servants are also irresponsible by abandoning the palace and even leaving Michael behind when

they run away. The two doctors charged with the responsibility of taking care of Michael are also irresponsible

when they keep blaming each whenever the baby cries. When the palace is under attack, they also take off

leaving it behind.

POINTS TO THINK ABOUT

Is the Monk irresponsible?

Does irresponsibility lead to conflict in the text? If so, how?

27

CHARACTERIZATION AND ROLE

Definition of Terms

Characterization is the description of a person’s personality or behaviour. This does not include their physical

appearance or social status. Therefore adjectives like tall, brown, rich, beautiful cannot be used to describe a

person’s personality. Adjectives that describe a person’s character are called character traits or personality

traits. Examples of character traits are: arrogant, proud, sympathetic, generous, honest, cowardly, timid etc.

When dealing with characterization, we can tell a the character traits of a character through;

1. What the character does i.e. through his / her actions.

2. What he / she says i.e. through their choice of words and language.

3. What other people say about the character. (although not always reliable)

4. What the author says about that character.

5. What the character thinks; their inner thoughts and feelings about others or life in general.

Characters can generally be described as Major or Minor. Major characters are those that appear often in the text

while minor ones are those that appear in a few places in the text.

The main character in a novel or play is called the protagonist. In most cases, the protagonist will have another

character(s) that is against him/her. This character(s) is called the Antagonist(s). In The Caucasian Chalk Circle,

the Grusha is the protagonist while she has Natella, the Fat Prince and the Ironshirts as her main antagonists.

A character can also be described as round or flat. A round character is one who is fully developed and has

many character traits some even contradicting each other e.g. He may be kind and cruel at the same time. A flat

character on the other hand is one who is not fully developed and possesses only few traits and hence behaves in

only one way and not the other.

A character may also be described as static or dynamic. A static character is one who does not change their

behaviour in any way from the start of the story to the end. A dynamic character however changes their

behaviour as the story progresses. A dynamic character is therefore more developed than a static one.

The author creates his characters with a purpose in the novel or play. Every character therefore plays a part in the

development of the plot, themes and the structure of the story. This part is called the role of the character.

Therefore, without the characters playing their roles, the story would not be complete. 28

Grusha VashnadzeGrusha is the protagonist/heroine in the play. She takes care of Michael after his mother leaves him behind. She

can also be described as:

Loving / caring / concerned

She is concerned about Simon escorting Natella to the capital, “Isn’t it dangerous to go with her?....you’re not a

knife. You’re a man”. (p.23).

She also shows concern for the Governor when she asks, “What have they done with the Governor?” (p.26).

Her love is evident when she sacrifices her money, safety and comfort for the sake of Michael. She also refuses

to pull Michael out of the chalk circle for fear of tearing him up, “I brought him up. Shall I also tear him to bits?

I can’t.” (p.98)

Courageous / bold

She shows courage by crossing the rotten bridge and hitting the Corporal on the head with a piece of wood.

When the iron shirts come for Michael, she is not afraid of following them up to the capital where he had been

taken.

Determined / resolute

A determined person is one who will do everything and anything to achieve his/her goal. Grusha is so

determined to keep Michael safe that she even allows herself to get married to Jussup for the sake of the child.

Her determination also helps her face Natella in court and eventually win the case.

Honest

Grusha is honest when she tells her brother the truth about the child not having a father. She also does not lie to

Simon about her marriage to Jussup.

Motherly

Grusha gives Michael all the treatment that a mother could give a child. Even though Michael is not hers, she

feeds, clothes and protects him as though he were her child. Her motherly instincts also come into play when she

is unable to pull him out of the chalk circle. Natella, the biological mother, on the other hand, does not show any

motherly love for her child.

Possessive

A possessive person is one who will not give away his/her property easily. Grusha is possessive of Michael and

refuses to give him up even to his real mother. She says, “He is mine. I brought him up.” (p.87)

Appreciative

She shows appreciation to Simon for offering to swear before the court that he is Michael’s father. She says,

“Thank you Simon.” (p.87)

29

Short tempered

She flies off the handle when in the courtroom when she tells the judge, “I can understand your wanting to cut it

short. Now I’ve seen what you accepted!” (p94)

Obedient

Even though she’s dressed up and ready to go the Easter Sunday service, she, obediently goes to get the goose

for dinner because she is ordered to do so.

Role:

Grusha plays the role of the protagonist/heroine in the text. She plays the following roles:

Plot development – she takes Michael and runs away with him which forces the iron shirts to go after her.

She marries Jussup and the final case in court is between her and Natella.

Character development – through her, we understand other characters like Lavrenti, Aniko, Mother-in-Law

and Jussup

Theme development – through Grusha, themes such as Love, justice, conflict, violence, hypocrisy and

selflessness are developed.

Style development – through her, styles like irony, satire, juxtaposition and songs are developed.

YOUR TASK

Identify and illustrate the character traits of Simon Shashava.

Identify the role played by Simon Shashava

30

AzdakAzdak is the village scribe/recorder. He can also be described as:

Intelligent / wise / skillful / knowledgeable

He is knowledgeable about the political affairs of Persia. He narrates to the iron shirts about the country’s

political turbulence and how the citizens were suffering.

During the appointment of a new judge the iron shirts are impressed by his intelligence and select him as the

winner. He wittingly and skillfully sings the ‘song of injustice in Persia which talks about the evils in their

country such as injustice, corruption, inhumanity and poverty.

He is also skillful in court when he reprimands Grusha for telling ‘lies’ to the court and yet he rules in favour of

her. (p.93) Azdak’s intelligence reaches its climax when he comes up with the idea of the Chalk Circle. Through

this, he is able to identify the woman who cares more for Michael.

Authoritative

He authoritatively orders the old beggar to stop snorting and to stand still and once he discovers that he is a

fraud, he orders him to eat cheese like a poor man. He also shows authoritativeness when he hands out his

sentences in court. He admonishes Shauwa and orders him to go home and repent.

Considerate / judicious / sensible

A considerate person is one who listens to what others have to say before making a decision. Azdak is

considerate when he gives chances to each party, in his courtroom, to tell their side of the story. For example, he

allows the Natella’s lawyers to explain their case while also allowing Natella to tell her side too. (p.91)

He is sensible when he refuses to divorce a couple that had been married for forty years and instead divorces

Grusha from Jussup. He is judicious when he uses the chalk circle to determine the woman who deserves to be

given the child.

Discerning / intuitive

A discerning person is one who is able to make small observations about others or things around him/her. Azdak

is discerning and intuitive when he notes that the ‘beggar’ is eating like a Grand Duke. (p.64)

Humorous

When he learns that Grusha is engaged to Simon yet married to Jussup, he makes a joke that maybe Simon was

not good in bed. When Grusha accuses him of not knowing the law, he says, “There’s something in that. I’m an

ignorant man. Haven’t even a decent pair of pants under this gown.: (p.94)

Contrite / remorseful

A remorseful person is one who feels sorry for making a mistake. Azdak is remorseful when he discovers that he

has given shelter to the Grand Duke. He goes to the city and demands to be tried, “In the name of justice, I ask to

be severely judged in public trial. I’m contemptible, I am a traitor! A branded criminal!” (p.66)

31

Persevering / enduring

After the war is over, he is caught by the iron shirts and Farmers who beat him up and tear up his clothes off his

back. He is pushed back and forth until he faints. He, nonetheless, perseveres all these and still wipes himself to

take the judge’s sit. (p.89)

Insolent / abusive / disrespectful

He insults the old man after he discovers that he’s not a beggar. He calls him a “…walking swindler! Peasant,

flogger and a leech.” He even calls Shauwa an animal, “I couldn’t hand over a bedbug to that animal.” (p.65)

He refers to the Ironshirts as dogs, “You, you dog! Good morning, dogs! How goes it, dogs! How’s the dog

world?” (p.89) this is after they beat him up.

Selfless / self sacrificing

He sacrifices himself to be tried as a traitor for harboring a fugitive in his house. He considers himself a traitor

for letting the Grand Duke escape and orders Shauwa to take him to the capital to be tried.

unscrupulous / undisciplined

he handles his case is a peculiar manner. For example, he sits in the judge’s chair peeling an apple and he even at

one time listens to two cases at one go. Sometimes he hears cases out of court and his chair has to be carried. He

presides over a case at the tavern while drinking some wine. He sits on the book of law instead of referring to it.

he, at times, sits on the floor (p.83) and fines people randomly, for example, Grusha is fined ten, twenty, thirty

and finally forty piasters.

Role:

Azdak represents the voice of reason and social justice by taking from the rich and giving to the poor. His role

can be described as:

Plot development – Azdak contributes to the plot by sheltering the Grand Duke and performing as a judge.

He is the one who finally determines who will take Michael and he manages to divorce Grusha from Jussup.

Character development – through Azdak, other characters are developed, for example, Shauwa, the Grand

Duke, Ironshirts, the Lawyers, Grusha and Natella.

Theme development – themes such as Justice, self sacrifice, betrayal , social class inequality and political

turbulence are developed through him.

Style development – he contributes to the development of styles such as: play within a play, irony, satire,

humour and songs.

YOUR TASK

Identify and illustrate the character traits of Shauwa.

Identify the role of Shauwa

32

Arsen Kazbeki (The Fat Prince)Arsen Kazbeki is a brother to Georgi Abashwili. He can also be described as:

Hypocritical / Pretentious

He pretends to wish the Governor’s wife well on Easter Sunday, yet he has a plan to kill his husband. “Happy

Easter, Natella Abashwili! What a day!” (p.15). he even lauds the Governor’s intentions of bringing down the

slums to extend his garden as ‘good news’. (p.15) This is hypocritical of him since he and the other plans have

plans to remove the Governor and the Grand Duke from power because of poor governance.

He pretends to be fair in the appointment of a new judge by conducting a mock interview of his nephew yet he

intends to have him as judge. He tells him, “Don’t worry, my little fox. The job’s yours.” (p.71)

He talks of peace, yet he has brought violence and killings. He says, “My friends, we need peace, peace, peace in

Grusinia!” (p.71)

Sadistic / Callous / Inhuman

He portrays inhumanity by decapitating the Governor and then hanging his head on the wall. His callous nature

does not stop him from wanting to kill a child. He says, “It’s a pity they took the brat along though. I need him,

urgently.” (p.28)

Crafty /Scheming / Cunning

He plans and executes the Governor’s death when nobody expects it – on Easter Sunday. He also schemes to

have his nephew installed as Judge. He cleverly pretends to leave the decision to the Ironshirts, knowing very

well that they will choose his cousin over Azdak. He says that the interview is, “a mere formality, my little

fox…” (p.72)

Authoritarian /Dictatorial / Domineering

He orders the Ironshirts to pin the Governor’s head against the wall. He says, “Here! In the middle…That’s not

the middle. Further to the right. That’s it.” (p.28)

During the mock trial, he dictates to the ‘judge’ (his nephew) on the sentence he should give out. He tells him,

“Hang him! Hang him!” (p.74)

After the mock trial, he orders withdraw but the Ironshirts to go away instead, “You go away so that the right

man can get the right chair.” (p.74)

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Corrupt

The fat prince and the other princes lose the war because of their greed and corruption. Azdak says, “Embezzled

funds, sent sick horses. During attack, drinking in whorehouse” (p.94)

He brings his nephew to be installed as judge so that he can be able to control the court through him. He tells

him, “…we catch the Grand Duke. We won’t have to please this rabble anymore.” (p.71)

Role:

The Fat Prince plays a role in:

Plot Development – it is Prince Kazbeki who kills the Governor which sets off a series of events like Natella

running tot the capital and leaving the baby behind. It is he who orders the capture of Michael that forces

Grusha to run to the Northern Mountains and to get married in the process.

He also contributes to the appointment of Azdak as judge by giving the Ironshirts the opportunity to

select the winner.

His capture and death also brings the Grand Duke back to power.

Character Development – he helps in the development of characters like Georgi Abashwili, Natella, Grusha,

Ironshirts, Azdak and his nephew, Bizergan Kazbeki.

Theme Development – through the Fat Prince, themes such as violence, abuse of power, betrayal and

competition/greed for power are developed.

Style Development – his character also contributes in styles such as: irony since it is ironic that in the end he

also suffers the same fate as the Governor, figurative language when he says, “when it was raining yesterday,

I thought to myself, gloomy holidays! But this morning, the sky was gay. I love a gay sky…” (p.15) and play

within a play when he allows his nephew to take part in the interview to determine if he’s fit to be judge.

YOUR TASK:

Identify and illustrate the main character traits of the Grand Duke

What is the role of the Grand Duke in the text?

Natella Abashwili34

She is the wife of Georgi Abashwili and mother to Michael. She may also be described as:

Conceited / Vain / Arrogant

Natella thinks of herself as very superior and important. She is concerned about small matters like the baby

coughing and demands that the doctors pay more attention to him. She’s even jealous of her husband concerning

himself more with Michael than herself. She says, “But Georgi, of course, will only build for his little Michael.”

(p.18)

She complains that the palace she lives in is a slum. She says, “It is impossible to live in such a slum.” (p.18)

She does not want to ride on horseback even in light of the prevailing danger. She says, “Such nonsense. I

wouldn’t dream of going on horseback!” she still wants to be carried in a carriage which is more comfortable.

Materialistic / Greedy

She values her material possessions more than people. When the war breaks out in the palace, she forces the

servants to help her look for her dresses instead of running for their lives. She says, “I’ve got to take this silver

dress – it cost a thousand Piasters…the wine coloured one?” (p.25)

She is only interested in Michael after she learns that without him, she cannot inherit Georgi’s estate.

Contemptuous / Insolent / Offensive / Obnoxious / Spiteful / Abusive / Rude

She insults and beats up a young woman whom she accuses of ruining her dress. She tells her, “Nothing in your

head, but making eyes at Shalva…I’ll kill you. You bitch!” before beating her up. (p.24)

She is rude and refers to others as ‘creatures’. She says, “What sort of creature is that, Shalva?” in reference to

Azdak. (p.85). she also asks, “Is that the creature?” in reference to Grusha She also says that Michael has been

living in a pigsty because he’s dressed in rags.

At the courtroom, she’s happy that there are no common people around since she can’t stand their smell which

gives her migraines.

Careless / Irresponsible

She orders the woman holding Michael to put the child down and instead go to get her, her little saffron coloured

boots from the bedroom. She is irresponsible because she does not remember to find out where the child is

before she leaves.

Pretentious / Hypocritical

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In the courtroom, she pretends that she’s affected by the loss of her child. She says, “A most cruel fate, sir, forces

me to describe to you the tortures of a bereaved mother’s soul. The anxiety, the sleepless nights, the…” (p.92).

even the cook knows how hypocritical Natella is. She says, “All the mistress was thinking was what dresses

she’d take along.” (p.89)

She is also hypocritical by attending the Easter Sunday service and yet she does not live her life as a Christian

should.

Villainous / Wicked / Sadistic

She claps her hands hysterically when Azdak is lifted up and dragged under the noose. She says, “I disliked that

man from the moment I first saw him.” (p.89)

Role:

Natella contributes to the overall text through:

Plot development – she is the mother of Michael and it is her action of leaving behind the child that makes it

end up with Grusha. It is because of her that Grusha has to fight in court for the right to be Michael’s mother.

Character development – she helps in developing the characters of Gerogi Abashwili, Grusha, the two

doctors, the two lawyers, the adjutant and even Azdak.

Theme development – she contributes to themes such as: parental love, justice, materialism, hypocrisy and

social class inequality.

Style development – through her, literary styles such as irony since she ironically does not get the child and

yet she’s its real mother and satire because her materialistic nature is exaggerated and ridiculed.

YOUR TASK:

Identify and illustrate the main character traits of Georgi Abashwili.

What is the role of Georgi Abashwili in the text?

Lavrenti 36

He is Grusha’s brother and husband to Aniko.

Henpecked

A henpecked person is one who is constantly under the control of his wife or girlfriend. Lavrenti is henpecked by

his wife, Aniko, who is a staunch Christian. When Grusha arrives at his home, his first reaction is to worry about

what his wife will say. He tells her, “(quietly, quickly) is there s father? (As she shakes her head) I thought not.

We must think up something. She’s religious.” (p.45)

His wife will not allow Grusha to stay in their home with a child without a father and Lavrenti has to lie to her

that she is married and that her husband has gone to war.

Fearful / cowardly / timid

Lavrenti is so fearful about what his wife will say when she sees Grusha with a child and no father he warns her

that she cannot stay there for long because Aniko is religious.

Because of his cowardice, he is unable to defend Grusha even when she has to be hidden in a dark dingy

workroom away from people. The singer comments, “The cowardly brother…gives her shelter.” (p.47)

Deceitful / dishonest / untrustworthy /untruthful / insincere.

Lavrenti is deceitful when he lies to his wife that Grusha is married and that she is on her way to the other side of

the mountain to meet her husband who is in the war.

He is dishonest when he plans for Grusha to marry a ‘dying peasant’ so that she can have a home and a farm.

He is also untrustworthy when he takes Aniko’s milk money and uses it to pay off the Mother-in-Law for the

wedding to take place.

Crafty / cunning / wily / scheming.

He cunningly schemes a plan to wed Grusha and in the process, save himself from Aniko’s wrath. He arranges a

secret wedding between a ‘dying man’ – Jussup and Grusha without informing Aniko or even Grusha herself. He

cleverly convinces Grusha that she will only get a husband on paper and not in her bed. He says, “You don’t

need a man in bed. You need a man on paper…and when you met him, he was at the last gap. You’re a widow.

What do you say?” (p.49)

Calculating

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He does not want Grusha and Aniko to talk and he calculatingly tells Aniko to go and look after the cake herself.

He says, “Would you look after the cake yourself dear.” (p.46)

He tries to hide Aniko’s weaknesses and religiosity by telling Grusha that, “she has a good heart but she is very,

very sensitive.” (p.48)

He even tells Grusha that Aniko is very worried about her husband who is in the war. He says, “You can’t

imagine how worried about your soldier-husband…she says and lies awake.” (p.48)

Role:

Lavrenti plays a pivotal role in:

Plot development – he offers shelter to Grusha and he is the reason why she chooses to embark on her

journey to the Northern Mountains. He also arranges for the marriage between Grusha and Jussup.

Theme development – he is instrumental in the development of themes such as: filial love, betrayal,

materialism and societal decadence.

Character development – he contributes in developing characters like: Grusha, Aniko, Mother-in-Law and

the Monk.

Style development – helps in developing literary styles such as: irony when he ‘helps’ his sister by arranging

for her a marriage to a ‘dying man’. Satire when he is scared of his wife to the extent of speaking in low

tones and lying to her.

YOUR TASK:

Identify and illustrate the character traits of Aniko

What role does Aniko play in the text?

Mother-in-Law38

She is the mother to Jussup and becomes mother-in-law to Grusha after the two get married. She can also be

described as:

Materialistic / greedy

She agrees to be paid 400 piasters to allow Grusha to marry her son. When she realizes that Grusha has a child,

she decides to increase the amount by 200 piasters. She says, ‘My Jussup doesn’t have to marry a girl with

child…alright, make it another 200 piasters.” (p.30)

Even after receiving 600 piasters from Lavrenti, she goes on to look for the cheapest Monk to conduct the

wedding instead of hiring a Priest. She does this because she’s greedy and wants to save most of that money.

Lavrenti says, “She saved on the priest, the wretch! Hired a cheap monk.” (p.50)

Opportunistic

She is opportunistic when she takes her son’s illness as a chance for her to make money. “The son of this peasant

woman is going to die…how much does the peasant woman want? Four hundred piasters.” (p.49)

Pretentious / liar

She pretends that Grusha is Jussup’s bride who has come from the city. She tells the guests, “My son’s bride has

just arrived from the city. An emergency wedding is about to be celebrated.” (p.51)

She’s also not happy about the high number of guests. She says to the Monk, “I might have known you couldn’t

keep your trap shut.” (p.51)

She also tells lies to the monk that Grusha has no child. She says, ‘Is there a child? I don’t see a child…you

understand? Or it may turn out I saw all sorts of things at the tavern.” (p.52)

Role

The mother-in-law is important in:

Plot development – she agrees to have her son getting married to Grusha and is pivotal to the success of the

wedding.

Character development – she contributes to the development of characters like: Jussup, Grusha, Lavrenti and

the Monk.

Theme development – she helps to develop themes such as: materialism, greed and societal decadence.

39

Style development – she contributes to development of literary styles such as: irony since she does not know

that her son is pretending to be sick and yet she lives with him and humour when she gets a drunk monk to

conduct the wedding.

YOUR TASK:

Identify and illustrate the character traits of Jussup.

Explain the role Jussup plays in the text.

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Language and Style

Irony

Irony is a situation whereby what happens is the opposite of what we expect. It is a contrast between appearance

and reality. There are different forms of irony in literature:

Verbal irony:

This is also known as sarcasm and it occurs when one says the opposite of what he/she means. Sarcasm is meant

to hurt the feeling of a person.

Situational irony

This is a case whereby a situation occurs which is different from what we expect. For example, it is ironical that

Azdak goes to the city to be tried and ends up being the judge.

Comic irony

This happens when an ironic situation leads to a funny ending. For example, it is comic irony when Jussup, who

is supposed to be dying, suddenly wakes up when he learns that the war is over.

Tragic irony

This is when the results of an ironic situation are tragic or lead to death. For example, it is tragic irony when

Natella, who is the real mother of Michael, loses her child in court.

Dramatic irony

This is when the audience or readers of a play have more information regarding the events in the text than some

of the characters. For instance, it is dramatic irony that we, the audience, already know that Grusha is married,

something which Simon does not know when he returns to look for her.

Other instances of irony are:

The death of Georgi Abashwili is ironical because even though he is wealthy and has many servants and

bodyguards protecting him, they do not protect him from being beheaded.

It is ironical that the doctors who are supposed to take care of Michael are the first to abandon him when the

war breaks out.

41

There is irony when the other servants seem to be more concerned about the death of the Governor while his

wife, Natella, seems less concerned.

It is ironical that Grusha is not warmly received when she goes to her brother where she hopes to hide away

from the Ironshirts. Instead of protecting her, Lavrenti marries her off to Jussup.

It is also ironic that Natella runs off forgetting to carry her child, Michael, with her.

There is Irony in the court when Azdak rules against the Farmers and yet their chicken had been stolen.

The drunk Monk who conducts the marriage ceremony between Grusha and Jussup has been drinking in the

tavern and is drunk throughout the ceremony. This is irony because we don’t expect such behaviour from a

religious man.

Aniko presents herself as a very sensitive and religious but, ironically, she does not seem to care that Grusha

is sick. She’s only interested in knowing whether the child has a father.

There is tragic irony when the Fat Prince suffers the same fate as the Governor. He is beheaded when the

Grand Duke comes back to power.

It is ironical that the Fruit Growing commune is awarded the valley when its real owners are the Goat

Herding commune.

It is also ironic that Natella does not inherit the Governor’s estate and instead, it goes back to the public

while the Governor’s garden becomes a public playground for all children.

Your Task:

Provide other examples of irony from the text.

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SatireSatire is a presentation of human folly (weaknesses) in a light, humourous or ridiculous way. Satire involves the

treatment of serious societal issues in a comical way. In the text, the following cases are presented satirically.

Natella’s carelessness that leads to her son, Michael, being left behind is a satirical attack on the materialistic

individuals in society who put material possessions ahead of other more important matters like family.

Azdak’s appointment as judge is a satirical portrayal of the dysfunctional court systems in society. He is

neither qualified nor fit to hold the office of judge, yet, he is given the position.

Azdak’s handling of cases in, his courtroom, are ridiculous to the point of comical. In one instance, he

handles two cases at a go, while in another he hears a case while drinking at the tavern. He does not refer his

judgments to any written law. Instead of reading from the book of laws to make judgment, he uses it as a

pillow for his chair.

Though the use of a chalk circle is ingenious, it is ridiculous, unorthodox and not based on any written law.

Azdak uses this to determine the rightful owner of Michael.

Satire is also used to present the cowardly nature of Lavrenti. He has to whisper in his own house for fear of

being heard by his wife Aniko.

The wedding of Grusha to Jussup is filled with satire. It is conducted by a drunken monk who has just been

fetched from the tavern. The mother-in-law is unhappy about the large number of guests and to make matters

funnier, she has to speak on her son’s behalf when exchanging marriage vows.

When Jussup wakes up, he immediately starts to chase away the guests and complaining about the amount of

food that they are being given. This is satirical because it addresses the issue of moral decadence whereby

some people in society will do anything to avoid contributing to society.

The Farmers’ and Ironshirts’ action of beating up Azdak are a satirical portrayal of citizens taking the law

into their own hands while the Ironshirts, who are supposed to uphold the law, are joining in.

Your Task:

Identify other instances of satire from the text.

43

Play within a Play This is when another play is running within the main play. The story of the Caucasian Chalk Circle itself is a

play within another. The three main plays in the text are:

The play about the Goat Herders and the Fruit Farmers.

In this play, the goat farmers and fruit farmers are disputing over ownership of the valley. A delegate from the

capital is sent to arbitrate their case and eventually rules in favour of the fruit farmers. The singer, Arkadi, is

invited to entertain the guests after they are all happy about the ruling. The singer chooses to sing to them a

Chinese story – the Caucasian Chalk Circle – as a justification of the ruling made by the delegate.

The play about Grusha and Michael

This play takes us through the struggles that Grusha undergoes in her bid to take care of Michael whose father,

the Governor, is killed and mother, Natella, flees to the capital.

o The play about Michael and the other children

In this play, Michael and the other children enact the beheading of the Governor by the Fat Prince.

Michael wants to play the role of the Fat Prince much to the displeasure of the others who think he is

too small.

This play helps us in understanding the character of Michael as, “a chip off the old block”. He is as

authoritative as his own father – Georgi Abashwili. The play also highlights the violent and barbaric

nature of society which has been copied by children.

The play about Azdak as Judge

This play looks at Azdak, the village recorder, and how he encounters the Grand Duke at his home and

unknowingly lets him go. He goes to report himself to the Ironshirts in the city hoping that he will be arraigned

in court for harbouring and allowing a fugitive to escape. However, when he finds out that the previous judge has

been hanged, he is chosen by the Ironshirts as the replacement.

It is important to understand his poor background in order to comprehend his judgments. He declares the poor

innocent and finds the rich guilty. He handles cases in a casual manner and never refers to the book of laws. It is,

therefore, not surprising that he uses an unconventional way of deciding whom to give the young Michael to.

44

o The play about Azdak and the Fat Prince’s Nephew

In this play, Azdak takes the part of the Grand Duke while the Nephew plays that of Judge. The

play helps us understand the reasons why the Grand Duke and the Princes are at loggerheads. It

also exposes the abuse of power, greed, corruption and injustice being perpetuated by the princes

on the people of Grusinia. It also exposes the character of the Nephew as incompetent as a judge.

All the plays make significant contributions in the development of the plot, themes, characters and style in the

text.

45

Figurative LanguageThis is when a writer uses words, phrases or expressions in a manner that creates a mental image, picture or

figure in the mind of the reader. The writer can use figurative language through the use of similes,

personification and metaphors.

Metaphors

This is when one thing is directly referred to as something else. For example;

Michael is referred to as “the apple of the Governor’s eye” which means he loved him more than

anything else.

Grusha refers to Simon as “pigheaded” (p.22) This means that Simon is stubborn for wanting to put

himself in danger by escorting Natella to the capital.

The soldiers who pursue Grusha to the north are referred to as “bloodhounds”. Bloodhounds are dogs

trained to look for people.

The monk refers to the drunken peasant as “a little drum”. This means that he makes a lot of noise.

An Ironshirt refers to Azdak as “a queer bird” which means that Azdak is strange/funny.

Similes

This is when one thing is likened to another with the use of words such as ‘like’ or ‘as…as…’ Examples from

the text include:

After the Governor is caught and beheaded, one of the servants remarks, “What about us? We’ll be

slaughtered like chicken as always.: (p.21)

When wooing Grusha, Simon asks her, “Is young lady as healthy as a fish in water?”

When at her brother’s house, Grusha tell Michael, “Michael, we must be clever. If we make ourselves as

small as cockroaches, the sister-in-law will forget we’re in the house.

When Lavrenti finds Grusha and Michael in the workroom, he asks them, “Why are you sitting there

muffed up like coach-men, you two?” (p.48)

Azdak says that the law “is like the spleen. You mustn’t hit – that would be fatal.” He says this to show

that if the post of judge is given to unqualified people like the Nephew, it can have dire consequences on

the people.

46

Personification

This is when inanimate objects, ideas, animals or characters are given human attributes. These human attributes

could be actions, thoughts, feelings, emotions or characteristics. In other words, they are made to behave and act

like human beings. Examples of personification in the text include:

Grusha tells Michael, “You mustn’t be afraid of the wind. He’s a poor thing. He has to push the clouds

along the gets quite cold doing it. And the snow isn’t so bad, either Michael. It covers the little fir trees so

they won’t die in winter.(p.42)

The wind is personified in the above example.

YOUR TASK:

Identify any other case of personification from the text.

47

Juxtaposition / Contrast

This is whereby two people or ideas are put side by side in order for the reader to see the differences. It is used as

a means of enhancing dramatic effect. Some of the people/ideas that have been contrasted include:

There is contrast between the living standards of the Governor and his family with that of his people.

When he goes to church, he is met with very many poor people at the church door but instead of listening

to them, his soldiers order them to clear the way. (p.14)

There is juxtaposition of the goat herders and the fruit farmers. They are placed side by side by the

delegate who asks each side to explain why they should get the valley.

Grusha is also contrasted with Natella. While Grusha values Michael more than anything in the world,

Natella on the other hand values her clothes, jewelry and shoes more than the child.

The rich are also contrasted with the poor in the text. While rich people like the Grand Duke, can afford

to part with thousands of Piasters (p.64), the poor, such as Grusha cannot even afford to buy milk worth 2

Piasters.

YOUR TASK:

Look for other instances of contrast / juxtaposition in the text.

48

HumourHumour is the creation of incidences, characters or situations that elicit laughter from the audience of a novel,

play or short story. Instances of humour can be seen in the following cases:

When the two doctors in charge of Michael, quarrel over each and every issue – no matter how trivial.

Whenever the baby cries, they blame each other over who is responsible. (P.15-16)

When Natella faints, the two doctors argue over who should take care of her. “Niko Mikadze, it is your

duty as a doctor to attend Natella Abashwili…you neglect your duty…” (p.21)

The two doctors even fight one another in the middle of the catastrophe that has befallen the Governor’s

palace. This presents humour that lessens the tension created by the assassination of Georgi Abashwili.

It is humourous to see the Governor’s wife acting so vain and materialistic when she orders her servants

to grab only the ‘essentials’ which end up being her entire wardrobe. “Only essentials! Quick, open the

trunks! I’ll tell you what I need…the green one…the one with the fur trimming…Then put him down a

moment and get my saffron – coloured boots…need them for the green dress” (p.24-25)

There is humour when Jussup is asked if he prepared to take Grusha as his wife until death do them part.

He is ‘too sick’ to answer and his mother answers for him by saying, “Of course, he is. Didn’t you hear

him say ‘yes’?” (p.51)

It is humourous how Jussup wakes up suddenly much to the amazement of the guests. The humour is

compounded by his selfishness when he asks, “How many more cakes are you going to stuff down their

throats? D’you think I can shit money?” (p.55)

It is also hilarious to see the mother-in-law threatening to expose the monk as a drunkard when he

discovers that Grusha has a child. “Is there a child? I don’t see a child…you understand? Or it may turn I

saw all sorts of things at the tavern.” (p.52)

Humour helps in releasing the tension created by serious occurrences or when subjects are addressing a serious

issue. It also contributes in the development of themes such as hypocrisy, materialism, irresponsibility,

negligence, vanity and others.

YOUR TASK

Identity other examples of humour from the text.

49

SongsThe story of the Caucasian Chalk Circle is largely narrated through the use of songs. The singer, Arkadi, and

other characters in the play use songs throughout the text in the following cases:

The Governor is introduced through a song. (p.13) The song helps in describing how wealthy Georgi

Abashwili is and his character. The song also juxtaposes Georgi’s richness with the poverty of his people.

A song is also used to introduce Simon and Grusha. The song tells us about their relationship.

The impending attack on the Governor’s palace is foreshadowed by a song. (p.18). This song creates

suspense because we don’t know what will happen next.

The song on p. 20 describes the Governor’s execution. This contributes in plot development.

A song is used at the end of the first chapter to describe how Grusha decides to take the child, Michael and

head for the North.

The song on p.33 reveals the soldiers’ feelings about leaving their loved ones behind and going to war.

When Grusha abandons Michael at the home of a peasant she is left with both joy and sadness. These

feelings are captured in the song on p. 35

The song on p.36 encourages Grusha to keep running since the soldiers are closing in on her.

The song of the rotten bridge depicts the kind of risk that she is willing to take to flee from the Ironshirts and

save Michael’s life.

The first song in part 3 of the text is a song of hope. Grusha hopes that Michael and she will be welcomed

warmly by her brother Lavrenti. This song creates irony because she does not get the reception she is

anticipating.

When Jussup wakes up, Grusha is confused because she now has a husband. The songs on p. 56 and 57

reveal her confused state of mind.

The song on p.63 presents a flashback to the day the Governor was executed and how Azdak had found the

Grand Duke in the wood and had hidden him in his hut.

The singer sings about how Azdak had found and sheltered the Grand Duke but later denounces himself by

ordering the policeman – Shauwa – to arrest him. This song helps us understand the character of Azdak as a

believer in justice – even if it means him being arrested.

Songs play a key role in character development, plot development and theme development. Without the use of

songs, the text would not be complete.

YOUR TASK

Identify other instance of use of songs and determine their effectiveness to the plot of the text.

50

Proverbs and Wise SayingsProverbs and sayings are short, witty statements whose meaning is hidden. Proverbs and saying rely on one’s

knowledge of metaphors, similes and symbols in one’s community. Proverbs and sayings are usually used to

encourage, warn, cajole, ridicule or advice. Some of the proverbs and wise sayings used in the text include:

When Grusha warns Simon about the danger in accompanying Natella to the capital, he asks, “Isn’t the

stabbing dangerous for the knife?” (p.21) He implies that danger lies everywhere and as a soldier, he can

protect himself.

When Grusha accepts Simon’s proposal in a hurry, Simon tells her, “Haste, they say, is the wind that blows

down the scaffolding.” Meaning that if the scaffolding (a temporary structure that is used to shelter workers

who construct buildings) is blown away, then, the permanent building cannot be built.

When Michael insists on being the one to ‘cut off the Governor’s head’, Grusha says, “Even the duck is a

swimmer they say.” (p.58). This means that Michael is as authoritative as his father – the late Governor.

When Azdak realizes that the Old man is not a beggar, the Old man wants to make a proposition for Azdak

not to alert the police. But Azdak is surprised and he remarks, “The bitten man scratches his fingers bloody,

and the leech that’s biting him makes him a proposition!” (p.64) This means that the rich mistreat the poor

without negotiation but when it’s their turn to suffer, they want to negotiate.

Even though Michael is not Grusha’s son, she feels like its real mother. The cook alludes to this when she

says, “Even a borrowed coat keeps a man warm.” (p.87) Meaning that a child can have the same effect even

to people who are not its real parents.

Natella’s lawyer argues that his client deserves to be given the baby because, “Blood, as the popular saying

goes, is thicker than water.” (p.90)

When Simon thinks that Azdak is demanding for a bribe, he remarks that, “A well can’t be filled with dew,

they say.” (p.90) He means that one needs money to satisfy corrupt people.

When Simon does not seem to realize that Azdak is on the side of the poor, the judge says, “A fool’s worst

enemy is himself.” (p.94)This means that one’s foolishness can prevent him from getting what he wants.

YOUR TASK

Identify other proverbs and sayings used in the text and explain their meanings and usage.

51

TIME FOR THE CAUCASIAN CHALK ...

CASE 1

The first case is between an invalid and a doctor. The invalid says the doctor caused his stroke because he paid

for the doctor’s education and then had a stroke when he heard that the doctor was practicing for free. He wants

his investment back.

RULING: Azdak rules that the invalid has to pay 1000 piasters as a fine, and that the doctor must treat him for

no charge if he suffers another stroke.

CASE 2 

Involves a blackmailer who demanded money from a landowner who had raped his own niece However, the

blackmailer will not tell the name of the landowner to the court. 

RULING: The blackmailer has to pay the court half of his blackmailing fees to keep the landowner's name

quiet. 

CASE 3

The next case is brought by an innkeeper who charges that his stableman raped his daughter-in-law, Ludovica.

He caught the stableman in the act, he says. 

RULING: Azdak tells Shauwa to drop a knife, and then asks Ludovica to pick it up. He watches as her hips

sway. Azdak then fines the Innkeeper the little roan and takes Ludovica to the stables on the pretext of

investigating the “scene of the crime”. 

CASE 4

Granny, an old peasant woman next tells Azdak that several miracles have occurred at her house. She was given

a cow, a ham flew into her house through the window, and the landlord waived her rent. 

Three farmers claim, on the other hand, that Granny's brother-in-law Irakli stole the cow, the ham, and

threatened the landlord until he waived the rent money. 

RULING: Azdak fines the farmers for not believing in miracles and drinks a bottle of wine with Granny and her

brother-in-law, Irakli.

CASE 5

Involves an old couple who have lived together for forty years but now don’t like each other and want a divorce. 

RULING: AZDAK signs the divorce papers but Shauwa points out to him that he has made a mistake. He has

divorced Grusha from Jussup instead of the old couple. Azdak apologizes but says he never retracts a judgment.52

CASE 6

Azdak calls for the chalk circle test. He explains, “The true mother is she who has the strength to pull the child

out of the circle, towards herself” Natella pulls the child out of the circle. Azdak accuses Grusha of not pulling.

He orders the test again, and again, Grusha lets go. She explains, “I’ve brought him up! Am I to tear him to

pieces?” 

RULING: Grusha is the true mother, but he tells her to take the child and get out of town.

PLAY WITHIN A PLAY 1

The children’s game of playing beheading the Governor is important in three aspects:

1) It is a satirical comment on the past politics of Grusinia, which has now become nothing but a bad memory

among children.

2) It a makes a mockery of the adult world. 

3) It also foreshadows the death of the Fat Prince, which would have already happened during Grusha’s

wedding, months before Simon comes to her. 

It is important to realize that the children are foreshadowing only the action in the play; in terms of sequential

action the Fat Prince has already been beheaded since the Grand Duke returned to power several months earlier

during Grusha's wedding.

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