The main theme(s) of the story the Trumpeter of Krakow are patriotism, courage, and integrity. As mentioned in the prologue of the book: The Broken Note, the trumpeter playing the tune of the Heynal, he kept to his vow and believed that his life was as good as his word. When the Tartars had attacked the city, the trumpeter continued playing the trumpet and when his life was just seconds from ending he continued for whatever he could and ended with a Broken Note. This displays his honesty and not turning back on his vow. As part of that, you would need a lot of courage to withstand that incident. Yet, unfearingly, he continued even though he came face-to-face with death, and being attacked by the Tartars. Furthermore, patriotism is tied into that. The fellow trumpeter pays respect to his motherland and plays his trumpet day and night for a reason to signify the lurking enemies attacking Krakow. He pays respect to his country, and is willing to die just to keep his word to the king. In a way, the author uses forshadowing to show that after the trumpeter's demise a new man/trumpeter is willing to keep forth the same vow. His name is Pan Andrew Charnetski and also his son Joseph Charnetski. Both of these men are the people who vow to play the Heynal every hour day and night. Later, the author implies that they may arrive in the same situation as the Trumpeter, and their lives will be threatened and endangered. These are the theme(s) of the story.
