(the essay is divided into pages)
The story of A. S. Pushkin “ Captain's daughter» - work of art, which presents real events Pugachev's uprising. The events already described by Pushkin the historian in “The History of the Pugachev Rebellion” are rethought by Pushkin the artist. Having become part of poetic fiction, included in the context of a “historical story,” these events are filled with deep moral and philosophical content.
“The Captain's Daughter” was written in the form of memoirs, historical notes of Pyotr Grinev, an eyewitness to the Pugachev uprising. This form of storytelling, as well as the genre of the work ( historical story) emphasize the objectivity of the author, who himself (under the guise of the Publisher) appears only in the afterword. Nevertheless, the presence in the text of a different point of view (expressed, for example, in epigraphs and the title) allows us to evaluate the events taking place differently than Grinev.
The peculiarity of the depiction of the Pugachev rebellion in “The Captain’s Daughter” is that historical processes become the backdrop for the development of the fate of individual heroes. Grinev does not show the full “scale” of the uprising. It is important that he describes only what “he himself witnessed.” This helps us look at history “from the inside”, “experience” it by reading a “human” document, and not an official document.
The main principle of depicting the Pugachev rebellion is the constant opposition of the noble and the peasant, the human and the “historically inevitable”, the personal and the state. The irreconcilable struggle of the nobility with the “black people”, the clash of various social “truths” underlie ideological conflict"The Captain's Daughter" The revolt is the culmination of this struggle; it finally “shapes” the worlds of the nobility and peasantry - symmetrical, in many ways similar: each with its own king and its own ideas about state power.
From the point of view of the nobles, rebels are “robbers”, “thieves”, “swindlers”. For them, Pugachev’s impostor is “unforgivable insolence.” The “natural nobleman” Grinev is of the same opinion: recognizing a “tramp as a sovereign” seems to him cowardice. On the other hand, in his memoirs he paints an image of a completely different Pugachev - Pugachev, who embodies people's dreams of a kind, just king.
Pushkin’s Pugachev is “woven” from folklore, his description corresponds to popular ideas about the royal appearance: he rides a white horse, decorated with rich harness, dressed in a “red caftan trimmed with galloons,” and a high sable hat pulled down over his “sparkling eyes.” The ataman steams like a king in the bathhouse, “at dinner he deigned to eat two roast pigs... all the techniques are so important...”, the Cossack says about him.
The image of Pugachev is compared with the image of Catherine (representative of the power of the nobility), and, as M. Tsvetaeva writes, “how much more regal in his gesture is a man who calls himself a sovereign than an empress posing as a hanger-on.”
Not only Pugachev himself, but the entire world of rebels is covered in special folk poetry, fairy-tale, folk symbols. At the “strange military council” (where everyone “bragged, offered their opinions and freely challenged Pugachev”), Grinev hears a “mournful barge hauler song”: “Don’t make noise, mother green oak tree.” What shocks him with “pyitic horror” is not so much the song itself, but the people singing it, doomed to the gallows.” The song seems to reveal the very idea of Pugachev’s rebellion: its “grandiosity, courage and audacity” and, at the same time, its tragic doom. The rebellion does not carry the destruction of the confrontation; Pugachev himself understands that “in case of failure” his guys will “ransom their neck” with his head.
The rioters amaze Grinev with their cruelty; he calls the scene of the execution of “sovereign disobedients” and the taking of the oath in the square a “terrible comedy” Belogorsk fortress. At the same time, the “destroyers” pushing Grinev to the gallows whisper to him: “don’t worry, don’t worry,” “as if wanting to cheer him up.”
N. M. Konshin wrote to Pushkin: “How ferocious in his bitterness good people Russian! And they pity and torture!..” The cruelty of the rebels seems to be a response to the cruelty of the state, for example, Captain Mironov is hanged by the very Bashkir whom the captain wanted to torture. The Bashkir has neither a nose, nor ears, nor a tongue - he has already been “in the traps” of 1741! Cruelty turns out to be an “inevitable companion of social struggle,” a law of history that is based on the social difference between the “fugitive Cossack” and the “nobleman.” Only humanity, human “inconsistency,” and mercy can overcome the course of historical and social processes.
Surely every child and adult knows what Pushkin’s work is about, but many of them have never wondered why the story is called “The Captain’s Daughter.” This question can be answered by studying the history of creation, as well as the content of the story.
Pyotr Andreevich went to work
Many people have wondered more than once why the story is called “The Captain’s Daughter,” because all the main events are connected with the leader of the robbers, Emelyan Pugachev.
Pyotr Andreevich - main character stories. His father decided to send his son to serve so that he would become a real man and know how hard it really is to fight. Before sending Peter away, Andrei Petrovich told his son: “Take care of your honor from a young age.” It is important to note that Grinev did not disobey his father and preserved his honor, winning the respect and recognition of the main robber - Pugachev.
The first meeting of Grinev and Pugachev
All readers of Pushkin's story probably know and remember the content well. “The Captain's Daughter” is a work that probably did not leave indifferent any reader not only of that time, but also of ours. Everyone who read the story remembers how the first meeting of Grinev and Pugachev took place, because it was on her that the further fate main characters.
When Pyotr Andreevich went to work with Savelich, on the way the heroes of the story were caught in a snowstorm, because of which Grinev and his friend could not find their way. However, on the way they met a stranger who helped Grinev and Savelich. For this, in gratitude, Peter gave the man a hare sheepskin coat.
Second meeting between Grinev and Emelyan
No one could have thought that the second meeting completely depended on the first meeting of Emelyan and Peter.
The second time the men had to meet in a less friendly environment. It was Emelyan Pugachev who was supposed to execute the commandant, his wife and daughter, and Grinev was destined to die with them. Unfortunately, Emelyan executed Masha Mironova’s father and mother, but Peter, to his own surprise, remained alive. The next day, he learned that Pugachev had pardoned him out of kindness: Emelyan turned out to be the stranger to whom Grinev gave the sheepskin coat.
Theme "The Captain's Daughter"
The main idea of the work is quite interesting and deep. Many people wonder why the story is called “The Captain’s Daughter,” because we are talking specifically about Pugachev. It should be noted that not only the line that was associated with Emelyan was important for Pushkin. The author wanted to highlight both Masha and Pyotr Grinev. Alexander Sergeevich wanted to draw the reader’s attention to heroic deeds Grinev and Masha, who were made to be together and never part. Peter went to the general for help, knowing that at any moment he could be detained by Pugachev’s people, as happened on the way back to the Belogorsk fortress. Masha Mironova helped her lover by telling everything to the empress, who became Peter’s salvation.
The theme of “The Captain's Daughter” is quite deep and touching, because all the main events unfold around the love of Grinev and Masha.
Writing "The Captain's Daughter"
The history of the creation of “The Captain's Daughter” is known to few readers, but it contains a clue to the title of the work. It must be said that initially the story should have been called “The History of the Pugachev Rebellion.” Pushkin was provided with secret materials about the uprising, as well as about the actions of the authorities to suppress it. The author decided to go to the places where all the main events took place. However, Alexander Sergeevich could not help but think that his work did not fall within the framework of the censorship of that time. In this regard, the poet decided that the content of the work and its title needed to be slightly adjusted.
The history of writing the story reflects how its content has changed. “The Captain's Daughter” was finally corrected and completed only on October 19, 1836. This work was published in Sovremennik a month before the poet’s death.
Why is the work of A.S. Pushkin is called “The Captain’s Daughter”
The history of the creation of "The Captain's Daughter" shows the reader how the theme changed and main idea stories. Pushkin could not publish the original version of his work due to the fact that censorship would immediately react to it and, naturally, the publication of the story would be banned.
It is from here that you can understand why the story is called “The Captain's Daughter.” If the author had called his creation differently, then there is a high probability that the story would never have been published.
Pushkin’s work “The Captain’s Daughter” probably did not leave indifferent any reader of that and our time. It reflects the real and strong love people who were ready to do the craziest things for each other. If you delve into the study of the standards, prohibitions and censorship of that time, it becomes clear why the story is called “The Captain's Daughter”.
Choose only ONE of the tasks given below (2.1−2.4). In the answer form, write down the number of the task you have chosen, and then give a full, detailed answer to problematic issue(in a volume of at least 150 words), involving the necessary theoretical and literary knowledge, relying on literary works, the author’s position and, if possible, revealing his own vision of the problem. When answering a question related to lyrics, you must analyze at least 2 poems (their number can be increased at your discretion).
2.2. Do you agree with V. Nabokov’s statement that “Sobakevich is the most poetic character in the book”? Justify your point of view. (According to the poem by N.V. Gogol “ Dead souls».)
2.3. Why do the events that reveal the “history of Pechorin’s soul” take place not in St. Petersburg, but in the Caucasus? (Based on the novel by M. Yu. Lermontov “Hero of Our Time.”)
Explanation.
Comments on essays
2.1. Why does A. S. Pushkin put the novel about the Pugachev rebellion in the form of an eyewitness memoir? (based on the novel "The Captain's Daughter")
The form of memoirs chosen by the author speaks of his historical vigilance. In the 18th century, it was indeed possible to describe the “Pugachevism” in a similar way in memoirs for grandchildren. It is no coincidence that the author chose Peter Grinev as a memoirist. Pushkin needed a witness who was directly involved in the events, who would be personally acquainted with Pugachev and his entourage.
Pushkin deliberately chose a nobleman for this. As a nobleman by his social origin and an officer called upon by oath to pacify rebellion, he is faithful to duty. And we see that Pyotr Grinev really did not lose his officer’s honor. He is kind, noble. To Pugachev’s offer to serve him faithfully, Grinev firmly refuses, since he swore allegiance to the Empress. But he also rejects the uprising “as a senseless and merciless riot,” bloodshed. Pyotr Grinev consistently tells us not only about bloody and cruel massacres, similar to the massacre in the Belogorsk fortress, but also about the just actions of Pugachev, about his broad soul, peasant ingenuity, and peculiar nobility.
2.2. Do you agree with V. Nabokov’s statement that “Sobakevich is the most poetic character in the book”? Justify your point of view (based on N.V. Gogol’s poem “Dead Souls”)
Gogol's talent is unique. Gogol introduced subtle shades of smell, taste, color and paint into literature. Who did not admire, reading “Dead Souls”, the vivid descriptions of the estates of landowners. And what about lunch at Sobakevich’s? Isn't this a masterpiece? artistic word? That is why Nabokov, analyzing “Dead Souls,” calls Sobakevich “the most poetic character in the book.”
2.3. Why do the events that reveal the “history of Pechorin’s soul” take place not in St. Petersburg, but in the Caucasus? (based on the novel by M. Yu. Lermontov “Hero of Our Time”)
M. Yu. Lermontov’s novel “Hero of Our Time” is a striking example psychological novel. It consists of five independent chapters, united by the main actor- Grigory Alexandrovich Pechorin.
The content of the novel allows us to reconstruct the life story of the main character. If you follow the chronology of events, you get something like this: Pechorin was expelled from St. Petersburg to the Caucasus. On the way to his place of duty, he stops in Taman, where he meets with smugglers. Later the hero arrives in Pyatigorsk for mineral waters, where for a duel with Grushnitsky he is sent under the command of Maxim Maksimych to the fortress. Having been away in Cossack village, Pechorin experiences the story with Vulich (“Fatalist”), and upon returning to the fortress, Bela is kidnapped. Pechorin is transferred to Georgia, then he returns to St. Petersburg. Five years later, again finding himself in the Caucasus, on the way to Persia, Pechorin meets Maxim Maksimych and the officer who wrote the travel notes. On the way back from Persia, Pechorin dies.
Fed up with metropolitan life, Pechorin hopes that there will be no place for boredom in the Caucasus. There was a war in the Caucasus. The hero is not afraid to look death in the eye. Again, in the face of death, a person cannot lie. Therefore, Pechorin’s confession is absolutely sincere.
2.4. Why are the heroes of many early stories A.P. Chekhov officials?
The official was not a new figure in Russian literature, because officialdom is one of the most widespread classes in old Russia. And in Russian literature, legions of officials pass before the reader - from registrars to generals. In Chekhov he (the official) becomes completely independent collective image, carrying within itself the many-sided features of an entity designated by the concept of “rank” in human society.
This is how the theme of the “little man” ended in Chekhov’s stories - one of the strongest themes of Russian classical literature, going back to Pushkin and Gogol, continued and developed by Dostoevsky. The heroes of the works of these writers were people of low social status, completely crushed by life, but trying with all their might to resist the injustice reigning in Russia. Beings destitute and oppressed, these “little people” were indeed worthy of compassion, deprived of the care and protection of the state, “humiliated and insulted” by the power of higher officials.
And here Chekhov is the direct successor of this humanistic tradition of democratic Russian literature, quite clearly showing in his early stories the omnipotence of the police and bureaucratic arbitrariness. Chekhov's little man“- the official becomes “petty”, forced to hide, go with the flow, obey the habits and laws established in the community...
In fact, Chekhov no longer depicts small people, but what prevents them from being big - he depicts and generalizes the small in people.