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Sanine · Theme

Dueling and Masculine Honor

How Sanine develops Dueling and Masculine Honor.

The code of dueling is satirized through Sanine's refusal to fight Sarudine, exposing the absurdity of honor-based violence and the cowardice behind social expectations of masculinity.

Where it surfaces

  • XVI

    Novikoff's near-confrontation with Sarudine and his internal struggle over honor and impotence reflect the theme of masculine honor.

  • Chapter XXIX

    Sanine's refusal to duel Sarudine directly challenges the officer class's code of honor, exposing its absurdity and hypocrisy.

  • The Confrontation in the Garden

    Sanine's refusal to duel and subsequent physical blow challenge traditional codes of honor.

  • XXXI

    Sarudine's obsession with the disgrace of being struck in the face, his inability to provoke a duel, and the social pressure to resign highlight the absurdity and cruelty of the honor code.

  • XXXIII

    The characters debate the morality of dueling versus fisticuffs, with Sanine's blow and Sarudine's suicide highlighting the clash between traditional honor codes and modern sensibilities.