“The tragedy of a little man in the poem by A. S. Pushkin “The Bronze Horseman. The tragedy of the little man in the poem "The Bronze Horseman" Eugene the little man in the poem "The Bronze Horseman"

For some reason, some believe that the year when the poem was written " Bronze Horseman", - 1830. An analysis of biographical information makes it possible to unequivocally assert that Pushkin created it in 1833. This is one of the most perfect and striking works of Alexander Sergeevich. The author in this poem convincingly showed all the inconsistency and complexity of the turning point in Russian history. It must be emphasized that the poem occupies a special place in the work of Alexander Sergeevich.The poet in it tried to solve the problem of the relationship between the state and the individual, which has always been relevant at all times.This topic has always been at the center of the author's spiritual quest.

Genre Features

According to a tradition that has developed for a long time, a poem is a work that has a lyrical or narrative character. If initially it was rather a historical creation, then for some time now the poems began to acquire more and more romantic coloring. It was due to a tradition popular in the Middle Ages. Even later, moral-philosophical, personal issues come to the fore. The lyrical-dramatic aspects begin to intensify. At the same time, the central characters or one character (this is typical for the work of romantic writers) are drawn in the poem as independent personalities. They cease to be snatched by the author from the historical flow. Now these are not just vague figures, as before.

The image of a little man in Russian literature

little man in domestic literature- one of the cross-cutting topics. Many writers and poets of the 19th century turned to her. A. S. Pushkin touched her one of the first in his story " Stationmaster". Gogol, Chekhov, Dostoevsky and many others became the successors of this theme.

What is the image little man in Russian literature? This person is small in social terms. He is on one of the lowest levels of the social hierarchy. In addition, the world of his claims and spiritual life is extremely poor, narrow, filled with many prohibitions. philosophical and historical issues does not exist for this hero. He is in the closed and narrow world of his vital interests.

Eugene is a small person

Consider now the image of a small man in the poem "The Bronze Horseman". Eugene, her hero, is a product of the so-called St. Petersburg period of Russian history. He can be called a little man, since the meaning of Yevgeny's life is to gain bourgeois well-being: a family, a good place, a home. The existence of this hero is limited to family concerns. He is characterized by innocence to his past, since he does not yearn for either the forgotten antiquity, or the deceased relatives. These features of Eugene are unacceptable for Pushkin. It is thanks to them that this character is the image of a small man in the poem "The Bronze Horseman". Alexander Sergeevich deliberately does not give detailed description this hero. He does not even have a last name, which suggests that any other person can be put in his place. The figure of Eugene reflected the fate of many such people, whose life fell on the St. Petersburg period of history. However, the image of a little man in the poem "The Bronze Horseman" is not static, it is transformed in the course of the story. We will talk about this below.

View of Peter and Eugene

Eugene in the flood scene sits with his hands clasped in a cross (which seems to be a parallel with Napoleon), but without a hat. Behind him is the Bronze Horseman. These two figures are looking in the same direction. Nevertheless, Peter's view is different from that of Eugene. With the king, he is directed into the depths of centuries. Peter doesn't care about fate ordinary people because it solves mainly historical problems. Eugene, who represents the image of a small man in the poem "The Bronze Horseman", looks at the house of his beloved.

The main difference between Peter and Eugene

The following main difference can be identified by comparing the bronze Peter with this hero. The image of Eugene in A. S. Pushkin's poem "The Bronze Horseman" is characterized by the fact that this character has a heart and soul, he has the ability to feel, knows how to worry about the fate of the person he loves. It can be called the antipode of Peter, this idol on a bronze horse. Eugene is able to suffer, dream, grieve. That is, despite the fact that Peter reflects on the fate of the entire state, that is, he is concerned about the improvement of the lives of all people, in an abstract sense (including Eugene, who should become a resident of St. Petersburg in the future), in the eyes of the reader, Eugene, and not the king, becomes more attractive . It is he who awakens in us a living participation.

Flood in the fate of Eugene

For Yevgeny, the flood that occurred in St. Petersburg turns into a tragedy. It makes a real Hero out of this nondescript person. Eugene This certainly brings him closer to the characters romantic works, because madness - the popular Eugene wanders the streets of a city hostile to him, however, the rebellious noise of the winds and the Neva is heard in his ears. It is this noise, together with the noise in his own soul, that awakens in Yevgeny what was the main sign of a person for Pushkin - memory. It is the memory of the flood that brings the hero to Senate Square. Here he meets the bronze Peter for the second time. Pushkin splendidly described what a tragically beautiful moment it was in the life of a humble poor official. His thoughts suddenly cleared up. The hero understood what was the cause of both his own misfortunes and all the troubles of the city. Eugene recognized their culprit, the man by whose fateful will the city was founded. Hatred for this ruler of the semi-world was suddenly born in him. Eugene passionately wanted to take revenge on him. The hero is in revolt. He threatens Peter, coming up to him: "Already you!" Let's spend brief analysis scenes of rebellion in the poem "The Bronze Horseman", which will allow us to discover new features in the image of Eugene.

Protest

The inevitability and naturalness of protest is born due to the spiritual evolution of the hero. His transformation is shown artistically convincingly by the author. The protest raises Yevgeny to a new life, tragic, high, which is fraught with inevitable near death. He threatens the king with future retribution. The autocrat is terrified of this threat, because he is aware of the great power hidden in this little man, a protester, a rebellion.

At that moment, when Eugene suddenly begins to see clearly, he turns into a Man in his connection with the family. It should be noted that in this passage the hero is never named by name. This makes him somewhat faceless, one of many. Pushkin describes the confrontation between the formidable tsar personifying the autocratic power and the Man who is endowed with memory and has a heart. The promise of retribution and a direct threat are heard in the whispers of the hero who has seen the light. For them, the revived statue, "ignited" with anger, punishes this "poor madman."

Madness Eugene

It is clear to the reader that Yevgeny's protest is a single one, moreover, he pronounces it in a whisper. However, the hero must be punished. It is also symbolic that Eugene is defined as a madman. According to Pushkin, madness is an unequal dispute. From the position common sense the performance of one person against a powerful state power is real madness. But it is "holy", because silent humility brings death.

"The Bronze Horseman" is a philosophical, social poem. Pushkin shows that only a protest can save a person from a moral fall in the conditions of ongoing violence. Alexander Sergeevich emphasizes that resistance, an attempt to be indignant, to raise a voice will always be a better way out than resignation to a cruel fate.

Sections: Literature

The city was founded over the sea...

A.S. Pushkin

Lesson Objectives:

educational

to teach students the analysis of a lyrical epic work;
show two faces of Petersburg in the poem;
to show how Pushkin reveals the theme of the “little man” and how Gogol, Nekrasov, Dostoevsky reveal it in their work;

developing

to form in schoolchildren the ability to conduct a discussion, work in groups, develop the skills of comparative analysis

work with educational concepts:

poem, “little man” theme, image, metaphor, epithet, contrast; author's position;

working with metasubject concepts:

mercy, protest against injustice, beauty, outlook.

Equipment: computer, interactive whiteboard, presentation use (application).

Type of lesson: lesson-formation.

Teaching methods: conversation, teacher's word, research, problem questions.

Forms of work with students: individual communication, independent work in groups, elements of discussion.

Lesson plan.

1. introduction teachers: posing problematic questions.

2. Individual report on the topic: “The image of St. Petersburg in the work of N.V. Gogol". The theme of the “little man” in F.M. Dostoevsky “White Nights” and in the poetry of A.N. Nekrasov.

3. Analysis of the introduction of the poem, conversation, elements of discussion. Analysis of the main part of the poem. Research work in groups.

3. Reading and analysis of an excerpt from the poem: "A terrible day ...".

4. Independent work. Two faces of the city: comparative analysis. Work on the vocabulary of the poem. What is the author's position in relation to Peter I? Working with critical literature, forming one's own point of view. Petersburg today. Epigraph work.

During the classes

1st slide

1. Introductory speech of the teacher.

The theme of the “little man” is inextricably linked with the image of Peter the Great. Historical figure. The poet wrote a lot about him (“Poltava”, “Arap of Peter the Great”). Pushkin was the first to dare to reveal the theme of the “little man” in the context historical events. Three eras pass before us: the past (the deeds of Peter I, the era of Alexander I, when the flood occurred) and the era of Nicholas I, that is, the present day of Pushkin.

And the fate of the “little man” is called upon to show other consequences of the activity of the “ruler of the semi-world”, Peter I.

Analyzing the poem, we will answer the questions:

Who is to blame for the tragedy of Eugene?
What did Peter's reforms lead to?

2. Customized message.

In order to better and more fully understand the image of the city “on the shore of desert waves”, let us turn to the image of St. Petersburg in later literature.

N.V. Gogol experienced many painful moments while living in St. Petersburg. Recall the story "The Overcoat".
How does Gogol paint the image of Petersburg and the life of a “little man” in a big city?

2nd slide

Student responses

Conclusion.

A small official, occupying a certain position in society, has experienced everything in his lifetime: both humiliation and insult. The author's position is obvious here: not only a request for mercy to such as Akaky Akakievich, but at the same time an expression of protest against the injustice, evil, callousness of those whom Gogol calls "a significant person." This is Petersburg in the 1930s and 1940s. The time when Pushkin is working on the poem "The Bronze Horseman".

Student responses.

How do we see Petersburg in Dostoevsky's White Nights?
How do people live in the capital of Russia?
What is common and different in the depiction of the city in the works of Gogol and Dostoevsky?

4th slide

Is it possible to say that the loneliness, the solitude of the hero of "White Nights" is a rejection of the world around him?

5th slide

Tragic pictures of a big city in the poetry of N.A. Nekrasov.

And Gogol, and Dostoevsky, and Nekrasov, based on the best traditions of Russian literature, following Pushkin in their own way, reveals the theme of the “little man” in a big city - the capital of the Russian Empire.

3. Analysis of the poem "The Bronze Horseman".

How does Pushkin reveal the theme of the “little man”?
Why do disputes on Pushkin's views related to the theme of the “little man”, with the greatness of Peter I, not fade away today?
Who is right: the one who believes that the tragedy lies with the elements, or the one who claims that the founder of the city is guilty of the tragedies of little people? Or the existing system, which is not able to eliminate social injustice?

Student discussion.

7th slide

Three historical epochs.

What is the meaning of composition?

Introduction analysis.

With what colors does Pushkin paint the city of Petra?
What vocabulary prevails?
Students in the course of the analysis fill in part 1 of the table “Two faces of St. Petersburg”.
How does the author feel about the city?

4. Analysis of the main part.

1) Checking homework. Research work in groups.

What did Peter's transformations lead to? Has it become better for a person?

Why is the word “terrible” repeated 3 times in Part 1?

Describe the fate of Eugene, his aspirations, reflections. How does the tone of the narrative change in the story of Eugene's life and dreams?

2) Working with text.

Description of the flood (reading): “Terrible day…”

What details of the picture struck you?
Who suffered the most?
What means of expression does the poet use to paint a picture of a terrible element? (Comparisons, epithets, metaphors, syntactic means of expression)
What role do verbs play?

Independent work. Filling in the 2nd part of the table “Two faces of the city”.

Conclusion.

In the poem, the image of a monument constantly arises, rising above the earth, above the stream, above people: “in an unshakable height”, “in a dark height”, “on a height”. Are these details accidental or related to the assessment of the activities of Peter I?

Reading an excerpt.

How does this passage combine praise and rebuke for Peter?

In what sense does the author use the word "iron"?
What is the author's position?

5. Work with critical literature (different views of critics).

Whose assessment is closer to you?

Belinsky V.G. Works of Alexander Pushkin (excerpt).

Merezhkovsky D. Pushkin - 1986.

Meilakh B.S. The life of Alexander Pushkin - 1974.

controversy about complex work"Bronze Horseman".

9th slide

Who is to blame for the troubles of Eugene?

“Two truths on the scales of history - the solemn, victorious truth of Peter I and the modest truth of Eugene” (B.S. Meilakh Life of Alexander Pushkin).

All these disputes only confirm the ambiguity and versatility of Pushkin's masterpiece. This allows us to put the great Pushkin on a par with the writers and poets of the world.

10th slide

Petersburg today.

Modernity and relevance of the work.

6. The result of the lesson.

Grading.

7. Homework.

Write an essay on the topic: “A.S. Pushkin in my life”.

A. S. Pushkin became the founder of the theme of the little man in Russian literature. In his poem "The Bronze Horseman", the poet originally revealed it, describing the tragic fate of the protagonist Eugene, who became a victim because of the ambition of the head of state.

The plot of the work is based on the reception of antithesis: the image of a poor official is opposed to the great Emperor Peter I and the violent elements. And this is not accidental: it was the transformation of the powerful ruler and the flood that suddenly befell St. Petersburg that caused all the troubles of Eugene. At the same time, both phenomena are very similar to each other: Peter's reforms fell on the people just like the waves of the angry Neva on the city. Yes, on the one hand, building a new beautiful capital on swampy swamps, before which “old Moscow has faded”, and thereby “cutting a window into Europe” is undoubtedly a great accomplishment. But what was the result of such violence against nature? A terrible flood that destroyed the fate of little people.

Initially, the author describes in admiring detail the beautiful city, "Petra the Creation", to whose rich marinas "ships crowd from all ends of the earth" seek, but, before moving on to the story itself, he suddenly uses apparently contrasting sentences:

It was a terrible time

She is a fresh memory...

And then the very “little man”, Eugene, appears in the work, whose tragic fate became a clear example of the confrontation between the poor and the great sovereign. The hero, like many Russian people, strove for a quiet and measured life: by laboring himself to deliver "independence and honor", build a "humble and simple shelter", start a family and go through the whole life path next to one single person. But Evgeny's dreams and plans were destroyed in one day by the "turbulent" Neva, like tsar's arbitrariness, breaking the fate of many people, disrupting the usual course of their lives. The elements, angry, destroyed everything that was dear to the hero: beloved Parasha, her mother and home...

From now on, the life of a poor official has lost all meaning. His "disturbed mind" could not endure such "terrible shocks." Stunned by the "noise of inner anxiety", Eugene simply wandered around St. Petersburg: "neither a beast, nor a man, neither this nor that, nor a resident of the world, nor a dead ghost", he simply lived out his life.

A. S. Pushkin gives his “little man” the opportunity to rebel against Peter, “by whose will the city was founded under the sea.” The emperor appears before the hero in the form of the Bronze Horseman, who at that terrible moment was for Eugene not a “powerful ruler of fate”, but only a “proud idol”. Therefore, the unfortunate poor man dared to threaten the sovereign:

“Good, miraculous builder! -

He whispered, trembling angrily,

Already you!.. "

The senseless rebellion against Peter, whose ambition brought grief to many simple, helpless people, turned into a tragedy for Eugene: the hero falls into madness, it seems to him that the horseman is chasing him. As a result, Eugene, who rebelled against the state, ends his life on a small island in a dilapidated house of his beloved, which was once brought there by a flood.

The poem "The Bronze Horseman" (1833) is one of Pushkin's most striking and perfect works. In it, the author convincingly shows the complexity and inconsistency of a turning point in the history of our country. It should be emphasized that the poem occupies a special place in Pushkin's work. In this work, the poet tried to solve the problem of the relationship between the individual and the state, this problem was the essence of Pushkin's spiritual quest. The poet saw the possibility of achieving agreement, harmony between the individual and the state, he knew that a person can simultaneously recognize himself as part of a great state and a bright individual, free from oppression. By what principle should relations between the individual and the state be built so that the private and the public merge into one whole? Pushkin's poem "The Bronze Horseman" was a kind of attempt to answer this question. By the time of the creation of The Bronze Horseman in Russian literature, there was a need for a verse story about a modern, non-exotic and non-superhuman hero.
The plot of Pushkin's poem is quite traditional. In the exposition, the author presents us with Yevgeny, a modest official, a “little man”, whose signs of life are reduced to a minimum: “he shook off his overcoat, undressed, lay down.” Eugene from the impoverished nobles, which Pushkin briefly mentions, saying that the hero's ancestors were listed in the History of Karamzin. Evgeny's life today is very modest: he serves "somewhere", loves Parasha and dreams of marrying his beloved girl. In "The Bronze Horseman" private life and state life are presented as two closed worlds, each of which has its own laws. Eugene's world - dreams of the quiet joys of family life. The world of the state, at the origins of which Peter stood, is great accomplishments and the subordination of the whole world to its will, its order (“All flags are visiting us”). The world of the individual and the world of the state are not just separated from each other, they are hostile, each of them brings evil and destruction to the other. So, Peter lays down his city “in spite of his haughty neighbor” and destroys what is good and bad for a poor fisherman. Peter, who is trying to subdue, tame the elements, causes her evil revenge, that is, becomes the culprit of the collapse of all Eugene's personal hopes. Eugene wants to take revenge, his threat (“You already!”) is ridiculous, but full of desire for rebellion against the “idol”. In return, he receives Peter's evil revenge and madness. Those who rebelled against the state were severely punished.
Thus, the relationship between the individual and the state is based on the mutual desire for evil. And this conflict cannot be resolved. But for Pushkin himself there was nothing tragic in this contradiction. How the author solves the conflict between the individual and the state for himself, we can understand if we turn to the place of entry of the poem "The Bronze Horseman". Pushkin writes:
I love you, Petra creations. I love your strict, slender appearance, the Neva's sovereign current, its coastal granite ...
According to Pushkin, the relationship between the private and the public should be based on love, and therefore the life of the state and the individual should enrich and complement each other. Pushkin resolves the conflict between the individual and the state, overcoming the one-sidedness of both Yevgeny's worldview and the outlook on life of the side opposite to the hero. The culmination of this collision is the rebellion of the "little" man. Pushkin, raising the poor madman to the level of Peter, begins to use sublime vocabulary. In a moment of anger, Eugene is truly terrible, because he dared to threaten the Bronze Horseman himself! However, the rebellion of Eugene, who has gone mad, is a senseless and punishable rebellion. Bowing to idols become their victims. It is possible that Yevgeny's "rebellion" contains a hidden parallel with the fate of the Decembrists. This confirms the tragic ending of The Bronze Horseman.
Analyzing Pushkin's poem, we come to the conclusion that the poet showed himself in it as a true philosopher. "Little" people will rebel against higher power as long as the state exists. This is precisely the tragedy and contradiction of the eternal struggle of the weak and the strong. Who is to blame after all: the great state, which has lost interest in the private person, or the “little man”, who has ceased to be interested in the greatness of history, has fallen out of it? The reader's perception of the poem turns out to be extremely contradictory: according to Belinsky, Pushkin substantiated the tragic right of the empire, with all its state power, to dispose of the life of a private person; in the 20th century, some critics suggested that Pushkin was on Yevgeny's side; there is also an opinion that the conflict depicted by Pushkin is tragically insoluble. But it is obvious that for the poet himself in The Bronze Horseman, according to the formula of the literary critic Y. Lotman, “ the right way is not to move from one camp to another, but to "rise above the cruel age", while retaining humanity, human dignity and respect for the lives of others." Understanding and even hatred. He is aware that the readiness to sacrifice himself is the direct duty of the poet.
Poet! do not value the love of the people. Enthusiastic praise will pass a moment's noise; You will hear the court of a fool and the laughter of the cold crowd, But you remain firm, calm and gloomy.
Pushkin throughout his life confirmed his own ideals and aspirations expressed in poetry. He was not afraid of the disfavor of the powerful of this world, he boldly spoke out against serfdom; spoke in defense of the Decembrists. The life of the poet was not easy, he deliberately refused calmness and tranquility, considering the purpose of the poet - to reveal the truth to the world.
In righteous satire I will portray vice And the manners of these centuries I will expose to posterity.
The poet managed to convey his thoughts to posterity. The name of Pushkin will always be dear to those who love and understand Russian history and literature.

The poem "The Bronze Horseman" was written in 1833 in Boldin. Nicholas I did not allow it to be printed.

The poem tells about a poor civil servant Evgeny, a resident of St. Petersburg. He is in love with Parasha, who lives on the other side of the river. It would seem that nothing disturbs their happiness, except for a temporary separation, Eugene dreams of a family and prosperity, "And suddenly, like a beast frenzied, / The Neva rushed to the city.

She destroyed all supplies, flooded houses and killed many people, including Parasha. Eugene, having learned about the death of his beloved, went crazy. For a whole year he wandered around the city and saw a monument to Peter I. Eugene blamed the "brazen horseman" for all his troubles, and then it seemed to him that this majestic idol was chasing him. A little time passed, and Eugene died.

The tragedy of the "little man" is one of the most significant and popular topics in Russian literature. Each writer deals with this topic in his own way, but the purpose of the work of this subject is to show the life of ordinary people. So did Pushkin, who described the fate of the "little man" Yevgeny. Are you joining in 2019? Our team will help you save your time and nerves: we will select directions and universities (according to your preferences and recommendations of experts); we will issue applications (you will only have to sign); we will apply to Russian universities (online, by e-mail, by courier); we monitor competitive lists ( we automate the tracking and analysis of your positions); we will tell you when and where to submit the original (we will evaluate the chances and determine the best option). Entrust the routine to professionals - more details.

In his poem, he showed the image of Eugene in comparison with the forces that had a huge impact - the elements and state power.

Many writers also addressed the theme of Peter's reforms. Alexander Sergeevich treats Peter I in two ways: at the beginning of the poem, he speaks of him as a worthy ruler who cut a window to Europe; but Peter I does not know the life of a "little man", therefore he makes reforms for the benefit of the state as a whole. Peter I believed that St. Petersburg would be able to bring Russia to a new level, but he forgot about the "wretched Chukhons" - people who were not ready for transformations. The king's word is law. The dreams of Peter I came true, despite the difficulties of construction. Pushkin is delighted with the "younger capital".

And then Alexander Sergeevich brings Evgeny into life - a "little man" in a big city. Pushkin describes the thoughts of Peter I as follows: "What a thought is on the forehead! What power is hidden in it!" As we know, Peter I was thinking about Petersburg. Eugene's thoughts look miserable: "What was he thinking about? About / That he was poor, that by labor / He had to deliver / And independence and honor ..." He dreams of prosperity and a happy family: "Marry? "Why not? Maybe a year or two will pass - / I'll get a place, Parasha / I'll entrust our family / And the upbringing of children ..." There is nothing bad in these thoughts, but on behalf of Yevgeny Pushkin expressed the desires of the common people.

I believe that Pushkin, using the example of Yevgeny's life broken due to the flood, wanted to show the unfulfilled dreams of "little people", into whose lives the reforms burst like the Neva into a house. The people - in the person of Eugene - threaten the tsar: "You already! ..", but still they are afraid of the tsar, even the "bronze horseman".

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