Mikhail Bulgakov's novel "The White Guard" is largely autobiographical. During the civil war, the writer himself at one time served as a military doctor in Ukraine for the White Guards. Therefore, the events unfolding in this work could well be reliable.
The action of Mikhail Bulgakov's novel "The White Guard" takes place in Ukraine in the midst of the civil war. The city, which, according to the author's description, strongly resembles Kiev, is occupied by German troops. From day to day, the troops of Petliura can descend here. Confusion and turmoil reigns everywhere.
Dinner at the Turbins
In the large house of the Turbins, several military men are talking at dinner: military doctor Oleksiy Turbin, non-commissioned officer Nikolai Turbin, lieutenant Myshlevsky, second lieutenant Stepanov, nicknamed Karas, and adjutant of the headquarters of the Ukrainian armed forces, lieutenant Shervinsky. Also at the table is the sister of the Turbins, Elena.
We are talking about the terrible prospects for the arrival of Petliura's troops and the search for an opportunity to prevent this.
Oleksiy Turbin believes that if it were not for the Ukrainian hetman, in the city where many officers and junkers have accumulated, a good army could be assembled not only to repel Petliura, but also to save all of Russia.
The rest do not mind him, but argue that the reigning chaos and the desire to quickly escape from here will not lead to anything good.
At this time, Sergei Ivanovich Talberg, the husband of Elena Turbina, appears in the dining room and, as if in confirmation of the last words, informs him that he must leave the city tonight together with the German troops. Consoling his wife, he promises to return in 3 months along with Denikin's army.
Unsuccessful attempt to save the city
And at this time, a division was formed in the city under the command of Colonel Malyshev. Karas, Myshlevsky and Alexey Turbin gladly sign up for his service. The next day they must report to the division headquarters in full military bearing. However, at night, together with the German troops, the hetman leaves the city along with all his council, and Colonel Malyshev dissolves his small army. Petliura enters the city.
Alexey Turbin, who knew nothing about these events, comes to the headquarters of the already disbanded division and, knowing about what happened, tears off the officer's shoulder straps with annoyance. Walking through the city, he attracts the attention of Petliura's soldiers and with horror realizes that he forgot to remove the officer's cockade from his hat. He runs under fire from the Petliurites and one of the bullets hits him in the arm. But at the most critical moment, he is rescued by an unfamiliar young woman, hiding in her house.
Parallel to this, dramatic events are taking place outside the city. There, Colonel Nai-Tours has assembled his combat detachment, to which Nikolai Turbin also joined, and is preparing to defend the city from Petliura. A battle ensues, during which Nai Tours learns that the bulk of Petliura's troops bypassed him and entered the city. The courageous colonel gives the order to all his soldiers to leave, and he himself dies in front of Nicholas, covering his soldiers and officers.
Meanwhile, Alexei is seriously ill. He has typhus and his wounded arm is inflamed. A council of doctors comes to a terrible conclusion: Turbin will not be able to survive. But despite this, Alexei miraculously manages to avoid death.
Artillery cannonade is heard outside the window. Petliura's troops leave the city. The Red Army will soon join it.
The novel ends on these two optimistic notes.
