Zherkov

A hussar cornet

BOOK ONE

Book One, Part Two

27 Jan: Chapter 2

A hussar cornet attached to Kutuzov’s staff. He was once in Petersburg’s wild set with Dolokhov and clearly considers himself the court jester. He does impressions of people behind their backs and invites Dolokhov to a night of gambling. Dolokhov clearly keeps his distance, as right now, he wants to be respectable, and Zherkov isn’t that.

28 Jan: Chapter 3

Moments after Kutuzov has used deep irony on an Austrian general about Austrian victories, Zherkov does something similiar outside in the corridor. The general calls him “childish” and Andrei calls him a “schoolboy”. And certainly, making light of the massacre of forty thousand men is not a good look for a grown man.

30 Jan: Chapter 5

Zherkov’s jibe leads to a demotion, so perhaps there is justice in this world. The waggish cornet delivers the message to the Hussars that the Austrians are defeated and they must go into battle.

2 Feb: Chapter 8

After his demotion to the ranks, this slippery eel has already got himself back onto the staff, where he can get rewards by doing nothing. He is now an orderly officer to Prince Bagration, who has ordered that the bridge must be burned. After the Hussars were fired on with grapeshot and two wounded, Zherkov (who remained out of range of fire) looked forward to his promotion.

10 Feb: Chapter 16

Well, hello, Zherkov. It can’t be your plan to be here, but here you are. At the Battle of Schöngrabern, he makes fun of the war tourist, an accountant who has come to see the battle.

13 Feb: Chapter 19

We always suspected him of cowardice, so it is hardly a surprise that “he was seized by panic and could not go where it was dangerous.” He had been sent to order the retreat to save the left flank where Rostov’s hussars waited.

15 Feb: Chapter 21

We learn that Zherkov was twice sent on the same mission as Andrei, to get Tushin’s battery to retire. Both times he never reached his destination. In the hut with Bagration, he lies about seeing the hussars in action. He’s looking around uneasily, unsure whether anyone can detect his guilt. He must be relieved when Tushin comes in, a scapegoat everyone can laugh at.