Truth Is A Virtue
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In Alexander Pushkin’s “The Captain’s Daughter”, Pyotr Grinyov is a young noble caught in a violent uprising known as Pugachev’s Rebellion. Pushkin uses this character to contrast how truth becomes a virtue and a vulnerability in times of chaos and lies.
Pyotr’s young life is guided by a personal code given to him by his father—“Take care of your honor.” This code defined Pyotr’s actions when he refuses to swear allegiance to Pugachev, even when it could have saved his life.
Pushkin presents Pyotr’s integrity as “old-fashioned yet noble”, in contrast with the self-serving and shameful behavior of others.