The social origin of Onegin. Onegin - the meaning and origin of the surname

"Eugene Onegin" rightfully stands apart among the works of Russian literature of the 19th century. This is one of the most harmonious in composition and rich in content of Pushkin's works. Alexander Sergeevich devote more than 8 years to his offspring: having started work on a novel in verse in the spring of 1823, he completed the work only by the autumn of 1831. This was the most painstaking and lengthy work on a work in his life.

He then quit work on "Eugene Onegin", then again proceeded to it. Conventionally, the work on the novel can be divided into four stages, during which many events happened in Pushkin's life: the southern exile, the Boldin autumn, and a series of stormy novels. All chapters were published gradually, as they were written, one after another. The last author's version saw the light in 1837. According to the description, the actions in the novel cover a period of time for 6 years. In the process of narration, the characters grow up, go through some life path and turn from dreamy boys and girls into mature, accomplished personalities.

Thanks to the expression of the emotions of the characters through the poetic form, the novel gets more lyricism and expressiveness, thus, the reader becomes understandable and accessible to the whole palette of feelings that the author laid in the foundation. In addition, Pushkin introduces himself into the novel as one of the heroes of the story, he keeps Tatyana's letter and meets with Onegin in St. Petersburg. The novel has many digressions, where Pushkin shares his thoughts and experiences with the reader, as if alienating himself from the course and the main line of the story.

Analysis of the work

The main plot of the work

The plot is based love line: young Tatyana Larina falls in love with the bright extraordinary personality of Eugene Onegin. Still quite young, he is already tired of the noisy fuss and tinsel surrounding him, and calls his soul cooled. A young girl in love decides to take a desperate step and writes a letter of confession, where, with the ardor characteristic of her youthful nature, she pours out her soul to Eugene and expresses hope for the opportunity romantic relationship between them. The hero does not reciprocate Tatyana, which hurts her very much. A decisive explanation takes place between the young people, and Onegin gently tells Tatyana that his callous soul is no longer able to love, even if such a young and lovely girl like Tatiana. Later, when Larina becomes a married woman and, it would seem, finds quiet family happiness, the paths of the heroes cross again. Onegin understands what a terrible mistake he made, but, unfortunately, it is no longer possible to fix anything. Tatyana pronounces her famous "... but I am given to another, and I will be faithful to him for a century ...", which puts an end to the failed love story.

Many mistakes that people tend to make, especially in youth, prevented young heroes from being together, despite their mutual love. Only after going through a series of emotional upheavals, Onegin realizes that Tatyana is the same girl with whom he could be very happy, but, as usual, he understands this too late. All this, of course, makes the reader think about whether he is making a similar mistake. And, perhaps, it immerses you in memories of past sad experiences or makes you relive passionate and tender first feelings.

Main characters

One of the main characters is Eugene Onegin. A reserved young man with a complex character. The author deliberately does not idealize his image, endowing him with all the shortcomings that are usually inherent in real person. Since childhood, he did not know the need for anything, being the son of a St. Petersburg nobleman. His soul did not gravitate towards work, was pampered by novels, balls and scientific works favorite authors. His life was as empty as that of a million of the same lordly offspring of that time, filled with revelry and debauchery, senseless burning of life. As usual, as a result of this lifestyle, Eugene became a real callous egoist, thinking only about his own pleasures. He does not put a penny on other people's feelings and easily offends a person if he does not like him or utters a phrase that is inappropriate in his opinion.

Meanwhile, our hero is not without positive traits: for example, throughout the novel, the author shows us how much Onegin gravitates towards science and knowledge. He is constantly in search of what can replenish and expand his consciousness, studies the works of philosophers, conducts intellectual conversations and disputes. In addition, unlike his peers, he very quickly gets bored with the fuss of balls and senseless pastime. Very soon, the reader can watch it personal growth, while his friends inevitably degrade one by one, turning into flabby landowners.

Despite his disappointment and dissatisfaction with the way of life that he is forced to lead, he lacks the mental strength and motivation to break this vicious circle. He did not grab onto that saving straw that the pure and bright girl Tatyana holds out to him, declaring her love.

The turning point in his life is the murder of Lensky. At this moment, Onegin's eyes open, he understands how insignificant all his former existence is. From a sense of shame and remorse, he is forced to flee, and sends him to conquer the expanses of the country in the hope of hiding from the “bloody shadow” of his murdered friend.

From a three-year voyage, he returns a completely different person, mature and conscious. Having met Tatyana again, who was already married at that time, he realizes that he has feelings for her. He sees her as an adult smart woman, an excellent companion and a holistic mature nature. He is amazed at her grandeur and secular coldness, not recognizing in her that timid and gentle country girl, as he knew her before. Now she loving wife, tactful and benevolent, restrained and calm. He falls in love with this woman without memory, and he is mercilessly rejected by her.

This was the end of the novel. future life Onegin and Tatyana remain unknown to the reader. Pushkin does not give any answer to questions about whether Eugene was able to reconcile and forget his love and how did he spend his subsequent days? Was Tatyana happy in the future married to an unloved man? All this remained a mystery.

No less important image described in the novel is the image of Tatyana Larina. Pushkin describes her as a simple noblewoman from the provinces. A modest young lady, not endowed with special beauty and external attractiveness, however, possessing a surprisingly deep multifaceted inner world. Her romantic poetic nature captivates the reader and makes her sympathize and empathize with her suffering from the first to the last line. Pushkin himself more than once confesses his love for his fictional heroine:

« Forgive me: I love so much

My dear Tatiana!

Tanya grows up quite withdrawn, immersed in own feelings, Closed Girl. Her best friends books became very early, in them she looked for answers to all questions, through the pages of novels she learned life. All the more strange for the reader is Tatyana's unexpected impulse and her frank letter to Onegin. Such behavior is not at all characteristic of her character and indicates that the feelings that flared up for Eugene were so strong that they overshadowed the mind of a young girl.

The author makes us understand that even after the refusal, and after the long departure of Onegin, and even after marriage, Tanya does not stop loving him. However, great nobility and feeling dignity does not give her the opportunity to throw herself into his arms. She respects her husband and protects her family. Having renounced Onegin's feelings, she manifests herself as exceptionally reasonable, strong and wise woman. Duty is above all for her, and this decision of hers makes the reader feel deep respect for the heroine. The suffering and later repentance of Onegin is the natural ending of his lifestyle and actions.

(Painting by K. I. Rudakova "Eugene Onegin. Meeting in the garden" 1949)

In addition to the main characters, the novel describes many minor characters, however, no one else receives such a vivid characteristic as Tatyana and Onegin. Unless the author pays some attention to Lensky. Bitterly he describes it tragic fate with an unfair ending. Pushkin characterizes him as an exceptionally pure young man, with an unsullied reputation and high moral character. He is talented and impetuous, but at the same time very noble.

Conclusion

The description of nature in the novel stands apart: the author devotes a lot of time to it. We can find in the pages of the novel beautiful pictures recreating before our eyes Moscow, St. Petersburg, Crimea, Odessa, the Caucasus and, of course, the wonderful nature of the Russian hinterland. Everything that Pushkin describes is ordinary pictures of the Russian village. At the same time, he does it so masterfully that the pictures created by him literally come to life in the reader's imagination, fascinate him.

Despite the disappointing ending of the novel, it cannot be called pessimistic at all. On the contrary, the abundance of bright living moments makes the reader believe in a wonderful future and look into the distance with hope. There are so many bright, real feelings, noble impulses and pure love that the novel is more capable of bringing the reader to positive emotions.

The whole composition of the novel is built surprisingly harmoniously, which is surprising, given the long breaks with which the author again began to work on it. The structure has a clear, slender and organic structure. Actions flow smoothly from one another, throughout the whole novel, Pushkin's favorite technique is used - a ring composition. That is, the place of initial and final events coincides. The reader can also track the specularity and symmetry of the events taking place: Tatyana and Evgeny find themselves in similar situations several times, on one of which (Tatyana's refusal) the action of the novel is interrupted.

It is worth noting that none love story in the novel does not have a successful ending: like her sister Tatyana, Olga Larina was not destined to find happiness with Lensky. The difference between the characters is shown through the opposition: Tatyana and Olga, Lensky and Onegin.

Summing up, it is worth noting that "Eugene Onegin" is truly a confirmation of Pushkin's remarkable poetic talent and lyrical genius. The novel is read literally in one breath and captures from its first line.

Makes it ambiguous and complex.

This is manifested both in the evolutionary development of the character, and compositional development the novel "Eugene Onegin".
It is this dynamism that must be considered for an objective analysis of the hero.

The image of Eugene Onegin - the personality and lifestyle of the hero

Onegin is:
Petersburg aristocrat (origin and upbringing)
egoist and rake (attitude to life and people)

However, the same upbringing and attitude was cultivated in general in the aristocratic environment of the nobles of that time. All young people in one way or another "surrendered" to the care of foreign tutors, acquiring in their upbringing the "necessary" then "secular skills":

Foreign languages

("He's completely French...")

(“Easily danced the mazurka”)

(“And bowed at ease…”)

The general education of the hero was consistent with the ideas of the same time and circle. He could quote "by the way" a couple of verses, Latin phrases, "historical anecdotes".
His day was spent in uniform studies and bustle - balls, dinners, theaters.

The novel "Eugene Onegin" was created by Pushkin for 8 years (from 1823 to 1831). If the first chapters of the novel were written by a young poet, almost a youth, then the final chapters were already written by a person with considerable life experience. This "growing up" of the poet is reflected in the novel. The protagonist - Eugene Onegin - just like the poet himself grows up, grows wiser, gains life experience, loses friends, is mistaken, suffers. How are the stages of the hero's life shown in the work? With the title of the novel, Pushkin emphasizes the central position of Onegin among other heroes of the work.

Onegin is a secular young man, a metropolitan aristocrat who received a typical upbringing for that time under the guidance of a French tutor in the spirit of literature, cut off from national and popular soil. He leads the lifestyle of "golden youth": balls, walks along Nevsky Prospekt, visits to theaters. Although Onegin studied "something and somehow," he still has high level culture, differing in this respect from most noble society. Pushkin hero- a product of this society, but at the same time it is alien to it. The nobility of the soul, "a sharp chilled mind" set him apart from the environment of aristocratic youth, gradually lead to disappointment in the life and interests of secular society, to dissatisfaction with the political and social situation: "No, his feelings cooled down early. He was tired of the noise of light ..."

The emptiness of life torments Onegin, he is overcome by spleen, boredom, and he leaves secular society, trying to engage in socially useful activities. The lordly upbringing, the lack of the habit of work (“hard work was sickening to him”) played a role, and Onegin does not complete any of his undertakings. He lives "without purpose, without labor." In the village, Onegin behaves humanely towards the peasants, but he does not think about their fate, he is more tormented by his own moods, a sense of the emptiness of life. Breaking with secular society and being cut off from the life of the people, he loses touch with the people. He rejects the love of Tatyana Larina, a gifted, morally pure girl, unable to unravel the depths of her requests, the originality of nature. Onegin kills his friend Lensky, succumbing to class prejudices, frightened by the "whisper, laughter of fools." In a depressed state of mind, Onegin leaves the village and begins wandering around Russia. These wanderings give him the opportunity to take a fuller look at life, reassess his attitude towards surrounding reality to understand how fruitlessly he wasted his life. Onegin returns to the capital and meets the same picture of the life of secular society.

Love for Tatyana, now a married woman, flares up in him. But Tatyana has unraveled the selfishness and selfishness underlying the feelings for her, and rejects Onegin's love. With Onegin's love for Tatyana, Pushkin emphasizes that his hero is capable of moral rebirth, that he is not a cold person, that the forces of life still boil in him, which, according to the poet's plan, should have awakened in Onegin the desire for social activities. The image of Eugene Onegin opens a whole gallery " extra people". Following Onegin, the images of Pechorin, Oblomov, Rudin, Laevsky were created. All these images are artistic reflection Russian reality.

A. S. Pushkin managed to overtake his era - he created an absolutely unique work, a novel in verse. The image of Eugene Onegin, the great Russian poet managed to present completely in a special way. The hero appears to the reader as complex and ambiguous. And its changes are manifested throughout the work in dynamics.

Onegin - a representative of high society

The description of Onegin's character in the novel "Eugene Onegin" can begin with the characteristics that A. S. Pushkin gives to his hero. These are the following "facts": firstly, Onegin is an aristocrat from St. Petersburg. As for his attitude towards the people around him and life philosophy, then the poet describes him as "an egoist and a rake." Such upbringing was cultivated in the nobility of that time. Children of high-ranking persons were given to the care of foreign educators. And by the beginning of their youth, tutors taught them basic skills, the presence of which can be traced in the main character of Pushkin's work. Onegin owned foreign language(“and in French completely ...”), knew how to dance (“he danced the mazurka easily”), and also had well-developed etiquette skills (“and bowed at ease”).

Surface education

At the beginning of the work, Onegin is described through the author's narration. Pushkin writes about the mental illness that befell his hero. Describing the character of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin", it can be emphasized that the root cause of this "spleen" may well be the conflict that characterized Onegin's relationship with society. After all, on the one hand, main character obeyed the rules established in the noble society; on the other hand, he internally rebelled against them. It should be noted that although Onegin was educated, this education did not differ in particular depth. “So that the child would not be exhausted, he taught him everything jokingly,” a tutor from France. In addition, Onegin can be called a seducer. After all, he knew how to "appear new, jokingly amaze innocence."

Main features at the beginning of the work

Onegin is a very controversial personality. On the one hand, his unsightly qualities of character are selfishness and cruelty. But on the other hand, Onegin is endowed with a fine mental organization, he is very vulnerable, and has a spirit striving for true freedom. It is these qualities that are the most attractive in Onegin. They make him another "hero of our time." Acquaintance with the main character occurs in the first chapter, during his irritated and bilious monologue. The reader sees young rake”, who does not see value and meaning in anything, is indifferent to everything in the world. Onegin is ironic about his uncle's illness - after all, she tore him from secular life, however, for the sake of money, he is able to endure "sighs, boredom and deceit" for some time.

Life of Onegin

Such education was characteristic of the representatives of his circle. The character of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin" at first glance may seem frivolous. Onegin in a conversation could easily quote a few verses or Latin phrases, and his daily life took place in a completely monotonous environment - balls, dinners, visits to theaters. The poet presents the life of the main character of the work by describing Onegin's office, whom he calls "a philosopher at eighteen." On the table at the main character next to Byron there is a column with a doll, as well as a large number of variety of toiletries. All this is a tribute to fashion, hobbies, aristocratic habits.

But most of all, the soul of the protagonist is occupied by the "science of tender passion", which can also be mentioned in the description of Onegin's character in the novel "Eugene Onegin". However, after meeting his main character, Pushkin warns readers that one should not be tempted to perceive Onegin as a "dummy" - he is not like that at all. All secular surroundings and habitual lifestyle do not cause any enthusiasm in the protagonist. This world bored Onegin.

Blues

The life of the protagonist was completely calm and cloudless. His empty existence was filled with entertainment and concern for his own appearance. The main character is taken over by the "English spleen", or the Russian melancholy. Onegin's heart was empty, and his mind finds no use for itself. He was disgusted not only literary work. The protagonist takes up a book, but reading does not give him any pleasure. After all, Onegin was disappointed in life, and he is not able to believe the book. The protagonist calls the apathy that has taken possession of him "disappointment", willingly covering himself with the image of Childe Harold.

However, the main character does not want and does not know how to really work. At first, he tries himself as a writer - however, he does this work "yawning", and soon puts it aside. And such boredom pushes Onegin to travel.

Onegin in the village

In the village, the main character again managed to "perk up". He is happy to observe the beauties of nature, and even makes attempts to make life easier for the serfs by changing the heavy corvée to a "light tax". However, once again Onegin is overtaken by his tormentor - boredom. And he discovers that in the village he experiences the same feelings as in the aristocratic capital. Onegin wakes up early, swims in the river, but still he gets bored with this life.

Turning acquaintance

However, the scenery changes after the main character meets Lensky, and then the Larin sisters, who live next door. Close interests and good upbringing allow Onegin to get closer to Lensky. The protagonist draws attention to his older sister, Tatyana. And in her sister, Olga (who was Lensky's lover), Onegin sees only "the lifelessness of features and soul." Tatyana's character traits in the novel "Eugene Onegin" contrast her with the main character. She is close to folk life despite the fact that he does not speak Russian well.

Her best features were brought up by a nanny, who conveyed to Tatiana the concept of moral duty, as well as the foundations of the people's worldview. The integrity of Tatyana's character in the novel "Eugene Onegin" is manifested in the courage with which she makes a confession to her lover, as well as in the nobility of her intentions, fidelity to the marital oath. Onegin's rebuke makes her more mature. The heroine changes outwardly, but retains best qualities character.

As for the character of Olga in the novel "Eugene Onegin", the poet assigns this heroine minor role. She is pretty, but Onegin immediately sees her spiritual emptiness. And this character very quickly causes rejection in an impressionable reader. In the image of Olga, the great Russian poet expresses his attitude towards the windy girls of his era. About their portrait, he says this: "I used to love him myself, but he bored me immensely."

The character of Lensky in the novel "Eugene Onegin"

Lensky appears before the reader as a freedom-loving thinker who was educated at one of the European universities. His poetry is fanned by the spirit of romanticism. However, Pushkin hastens to warn the reader that in reality Lensky remains an ignoramus, an ordinary Russian landowner. Although he is cute, he is not very refined.

Hero's Integrity

Onegin rejects Tatyana's feelings. He responds to all her love confessions with a rude rebuff. At this point in time, Onegin does not need the sincerity and purity of feelings of a village girl. However, Pushkin justifies his hero. Onegin was distinguished by decency and honesty. He did not allow himself mockery of the feelings of another person, of his naivety and purity. In addition, the reason for Larina's refusal was the coldness of Onegin himself.

Duel with Lensky

The next turning point in revealing Onegin's character is his duel with Lensky. But in this case, Onegin does not demonstrate nobility, preferring not to refuse a duel, the outcome of which was predetermined. Above Onegin's decision, like a sword of Damocles, hung the opinion of society, as well as the perversion of the values ​​that existed in that environment. And the main character does not open his heart to feeling true friendship. Lensky dies, and Onegin regards this as his own crime. And the senseless death of a friend awakens the "soul sleep" of the protagonist. The character of Eugene Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin" changes: he understands how lonely he is, and his attitude to the world takes on other shades.

Re-meeting with Tatiana

Returning to the capital, at one of the balls the protagonist again meets "the same Tatyana." And his charm knows no bounds. She married woman- but only now Onegin is able to see the kinship of their souls. In love for Tatyana, he sees the possibility of his spiritual resurrection. In addition, Onegin learns that her love for him is also still alive. However, for main character it turns out to be completely unacceptable the thought of a possible betrayal of a lawful husband.

In her soul there is a duel between feelings and duty, and it is resolved not in favor of love passions. Tatyana leaves Onegin on his knees alone. And the poet himself also leaves his hero during this scene. How his life will end remains unknown. Studies of literary critics and historians show that the poet planned to "send" Onegin to the Caucasus, or turn him into a Decembrist. However, this remained a secret, which was burned along with the final chapter of the work.

The author of the novel and its protagonist

The versatility of characters in the novel "Eugene Onegin" is revealed in the process plot development poems. Describing the events that took place in the work after Onegin's duel with Lensky, Pushkin includes a small mention of a young townswoman in the text. She asks what happened to Olga, where is her sister now, and what about Onegin - where is "this cloudy eccentric"? And the author of the work promises to tell about it, but not now. Pushkin deliberately creates the illusion of authorial freedom.

This technique can be seen as the idea of ​​a talented storyteller who has a casual conversation with his readers. On the other hand, this is how Pushkin can be characterized as real master who is fluent in the chosen manner of presenting the work. The author of the work acts as one of the characters in the novel only in relation to Onegin himself. And this indication of personal contacts will distinguish the main character from other characters. Pushkin mentions the "meeting" with Onegin in the capital, describes the first embarrassment that seized him during this meeting. Such was the manner of communication of the protagonist - caustic jokes, bile, "the anger of gloomy epigrams." Pushkin also informs the reader about general plans to see "foreign countries" with your main character.