Notes for “The Caucasian Chalk Circle”: Scene 2 - The Noble Child

Characters

Abashvilli family and named associates:
• Georgi Abashvilli, the Governor, who is executed
• Natella, his wife, who is very materialistic and self-centered
• Michael, their young son, who is left behind
• Shalva, the adjutant to the Abashvillis
• The two doctors

Principals:
• The Singer as narrator
• The fat Prince Arsen Kazbeki
• Grusha, a kitchen maid and our protagonist
• Simon Chachava, a soldier who seems to have an interest in Grusha but is separated from her

Others:
• Beggars and petitioners
• Soldiers
• Rider from the capital
• Ironshirts (special kind of guards)
• Architects
• Servants
• Young female attendant
• Cook and chef
• Stableman, nurse, and fat woman

Plot synopsis:

The Abashvilli family goes to Easter mass in the morning, with many beggars and petitioners calling out their woes. This is the first time they have taken their son Michael out in public, which draws a large crowd. The baby coughs, hinting that he may be sick.
Grusha has an encounter with a soldier she knows, Simon Chachava. He throws around various innuendos that Grusha either does not understand or intentionally ignores.
The visiting fat Prince is shown through stage directions to be up to suspicious activity with the Ironshirts. It is mentioned that a war is occurring in Persia.
Later in the palace, a revolt breaks out, and the palace guards are in on it. They arrest the governor and take him away to be executed. In the chaos, Simon tells Grusha that he has been order to accompany the governor’s wife in her escape, and gives her his cross necklace as as a keepsake. Grusha sings a short song, promising to wait for his return.
The governor’s wife insists on taking her most precious material goods with her, even as the palace begins to burn down. In their rush to escape, Michael is left behind. The nurse finds him sleeping and leaves him with Grusha, saying that she’ll return. When Grusha tells this to the others, they say that the nurse is not coming back, and advise her to leave the baby behind; after all, everyone will want to get their hands on the sole heir to the throne. Despite her good heart, Grusha is convinced at first; however, when she is the only one left, she caves in to her conscience and goes back to stay with the child. After waiting some time for someone else to come for him, she decides to take Michael away with her.