The Captain’s Daughter

    In the Captain’s Daughter, Alexander Pushkin paints a picture of Catherine II as a just and compassionate ruler. To what degree does this portrait of Catherine correspond with the reality of her reign prior to 1789? In your opinion, did she treat all her subjects well, or did her justice and sympathies extend more to the noble estate than to humbler classes? Draw on Hosking, Pushkin, and lectures for your discussion, being sure to consider in detail at least 3-4 laws, decrees, and/or institutions affecting nobles, peasants, and other commoners.