Notes on “The Caucasian Chalk Circle”: Scene 6 - The Chalk Circle

Characters

Principals:
• The Singer as narrator (plus other musicians)
• Grusha, our protagonist
• Michael
• Judge Azdack
• Simon Chachava
• Natella Abashvilli and the Adjutant
• Shotta, the Corporal

Other:
• Former Governor’s cook
• Ironshirts
• Two lawyers
• Three farmers
• The rider
• Old unhappy couple

Plot synopsis:

In the final scene of the play, the trial is held to decide whether Grusha or Natella Abashvilli is Michael’s true mother. The Judge, Azdack, is nearly executed before the trial can even begin, but the rider delivers a message from the Grand Duke that makes Azdack official Judge in the region, likely as repayment for Azdack helping the Grand Duke to escape.
At the start of the trial, Simon and the former governor’s cook agree to help Grusha create a lie to explain how Michael is her child. However, Grusha ends up abandoning their plans when she becomes fed up with the unfairness of the situation. Natella’s side is paying off Azdack, and he throws extra charges at Grusha for menial offenses. She explodes in anger at him, and Azdack decides to take a momentary break to see who wishes to see him next; an old couple that wishes to get divorced.
The way Azdack decides to settle the matter is to have Michael stand in the middle of a Chalk Circle with Grusha on one side of him and Natella on the other. The idea proposed was that whichever woman managed to pull Michael out of the circle first would get to keep him. However, both times the test is payed out, Grusha refuses to pull on Michael, and so ends up letting go of him. Natella easily wins the challenge, but Azdack reveals that was not the point; rather, by showing a reluctance to hurt Michael, even temporarily, Grusha has proved herself to be more of a mother. As Natella and her lawyers leave, Azdack signs the divorce papers - but instead of doing it for the old couple., he does it for Grusha and her husband in the mountains, allowing her to marry Simon. The scene ends with Azdack holding a dance for everyone, and Grusha and Simon discussing plans to start a new life together with Michael as a real family.
Also, the Abashvilli’s estate is going to be torn down and turned into a garden.