ABSTRACT
Alexander Pushkin faith in acquiring independence contracted with his quickly dissipating euphoria. A nobleman whose loyalty was under investigation would not be permitted to go anywhere. The strategy he had followed so successfully at first had wilted before it had a chance to bear fruit. Pushkin had made a miscalculation in his strategy of flattering the government. The authorities responded with a subtle, persistent, yet unobtrusive insistence on direct cooperation; Pushkin’s response was, doubtless, too apathetic to suit them. Benkendorf added, on a personal note and somewhat facetiously, that he looked forward to seeing Pushkin in Petersburg. The machine, had already been set in motion and there was little chance of escape. The move from Moscow to Petersburg changed little, as for Pushkin, “The insipidness and stupidity of our two capitals are equal though different.” Pushkin tried persistently to establish some social contact with General Benckendorff.
