Poem by N.A. Nekrasov’s “Who Lives Well in Rus'” is a real treasure of Russian literature. Its deep meaning and special style of writing, unique to the author, sets it apart from others. At the center of the plot lies the life of ordinary people - difficult, hopeless, poor.
Nekrasov touches on the most important issues of society of that time in his poem and tries to describe in more detail the layers of society, their manners, characteristics, and relationships. The main characters are simple men who decided to find the answer to the question “who lives well in Rus'?”
The history of the creation of Nekrasov's poem
The exact date when work on the poem began is unknown. But researchers of Nekrasov’s work drew attention to the fact that already in his first part he mentions the Poles who were exiled. This makes it possible to assume that the poet’s idea for the poem arose around 1860-1863, and Nikolai Alekseevich began writing it around 1863. Although the poet’s sketches could have been made earlier.
It is no secret that Nikolai Nekrasov spent a very long time collecting material for his new poetic work. The date on the manuscript after the first chapter is 1865. But this date means that work on the chapter “The Landowner” was completed this year.
It is known that starting in 1866, the first part of Nekrasov’s work tried to see the light of day. For four years, the author tried to publish his work and constantly fell under the discontent and harsh condemnation of censorship. Despite this, work on the poem continued.
The poet had to publish it gradually in the same Sovremennik magazine. So it was published for four years, and all these years the censor was dissatisfied. The poet himself was constantly subject to criticism and persecution. Therefore, he stopped his work for a while, and was able to start it again only in 1870. During this new period of the rise of his literary creativity, he creates three more parts to this poem, which were written at different times:
✪ “The Last One” - 1872. ✪ “Peasant Woman” -1873. ✪ “A Feast for the Whole World” - 1876.
The poet wanted to write a few more chapters, but he was working on his poem at a time when he began to fall ill, so his illness prevented him from realizing these poetic plans. But still, realizing that he would soon die, Nikolai Alekseevich tried in his last part to finish it so that the whole poem had a logical completeness.
About drunkenness
The life of the common people is filled with grief, wine and poverty. Their life is not joyful, but they want fun for the soul. How to find happiness? There is a simple way - get drunk. The author shows drunken men and explains why they drink so much in Rus'.
“...There is no measure for Russian hops...”
But no one has tried to measure grief and work. Exhausted peasants lie in the ditches, not only from wine, but also from grief and work.
“...He works himself to death, drinks until he is half to death!...”
A man does not always drink, he chooses the time: during the harvest period, it is rare that a peasant will drown his fatigue with an intoxicating drink. If you take a bucket of vodka and walk through the villages and hamlets in the “hot” time, there will be few hunters for what is proposed. The sober period passes and then the poor people
“...they drink until they become stupefied, they fall into ditches, into ditches -
It’s a shame to see!”
Families suffer from drunkenness, mothers grow old quickly, the house becomes poor:
...Little children are crying here. Wives and mothers grieve:
Is it easy from drinking
Should I call the men?...
Entire estates are sold and disappear.
“...Instead of them...drinking houses are multiplying!”
Folk signs and riddles
The Russian people are distinguished by the precision and figurativeness of their language. Nekrasov’s poem is an example of such mastery of words. The text contains many quotes that help to penetrate into the essence of the character of the common people. Signs become part of life; they determine when to start sowing, what spring will be like, and what to expect from the harvest.
“...Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo! The bread will start spiking, you will choke on the ear - you won’t cuckoo!”
How to explain that the village is located far from roads, large and small cities? Using a proverb:
“...for our side, the devil has been looking for three years.”
The text of Nekrasov’s poem contains many riddles that are used separately from the work:
“Lives, but without a body, screams, but without a tongue.”
“It flies - it’s silent, it lies - it’s silent, When it dies, then it roars”
Part - already with answers:
“The castle is a faithful dog: It doesn’t bark, doesn’t bite, and doesn’t let you into the house!”
Nekrasov chooses his words well. He deeply feels the essence of the problem, shows it from all sides, looks inside. Here's an example of a guy's stupidity:
“..I bent one - I didn’t like it, I bent the other, I pushed. And as soon as the rim straightens out - a click on the man’s forehead! A man roars over the rim, scolds the fighter with an “elm club”
Folk signs and riddles depict Rus' with amazing accuracy. They bring the image of the country closer, making it beautiful, kind, but mysterious.
Characteristics of the image of Grisha Dobrosklonov
Gregory is not like other peasants - his mind and perception of the world go far beyond the boundaries of peasant life, worries and everyday life. He is closely connected with ordinary people by a common life, poverty, half-starved existence, and the inability to dramatically change his future. But Gregory understands much more than others, he is greedy for knowledge, far-sighted, and extremely talented. Grisha composes songs glorifying the work of the common people, telling about the hardship of peasant labor and life, glorifying his Motherland. The image of mother and homeland for Grisha became one. With the songs of his mother, the boy escapes from home when he studies at the seminary: “Grisha remembered the song and in a prayerful voice quietly in the seminary, where it was dark, cold, gloomy, strict, hungry, he sang and grieved about his mother and about all the Vakhlachin, his nurse.” . The song saves a person in difficult times, Grisha knew about this from childhood, so he chose it as his weapon in the fight against the misadventures of fate.
Matrena Timofeevna Korchagina
Matryona Timofeevna Korchagina is a peasant woman. Those around her are sure that she can be called happy and satisfied with her life. But this is only at first glance. The heroine had to face difficult trials. She knows firsthand what grief is. The husband's relatives did not accept Matryona Timofeevna into their family. They insulted her and mocked her. The woman had to work in difficult conditions. And the worst thing she had to endure was the death of a small child. And her misfortunes did not end there. Therefore, her happiness was only illusory. But the woman did not give up. She showed her strong character, pulled herself together and found the strength to live on. Matryona Timofeevna can be called persistent and patient.
useful links
Check out what else we have:
- for the most rational - Summary of “Who Lives Well in Rus'”
- for the most sociable - The main characters of “Who Lives Well in Rus'”
- for the most curious - Analysis of “Who Lives Well in Rus'” Nekrasov
- for the coolest - Read “Who Lives Well in Rus'” in full
Work test
- Question 1 of 17
Savely Bogatyr
The stately and princely Savely Bogatyr in appearance resembled an old man. The character spent 40 years of his life away from his home. He was accused of being the protector of the oppressed people. But hard labor only strengthened the character of the Russian peasant. Savely Bogatyr has always been for justice and honesty. Even the difficult trials that befell him did not make him embittered and callous. The character had an incredibly big, kind heart. He had to endure a terrible tragedy. Until the end of his days, the hero of the work felt guilty before Matryona. To beg for forgiveness, Savely Bogatyr went to the monastery. His life was long and eventful. The character died at the age of 107.
