In 1857, Turgenev’s touching, lyrical and beautiful work “Asya” saw the light. Public reviews of this story exceeded all expectations. “Asya” won the hearts of millions of readers around the world and was translated into many major European languages.
What is the secret of the attractiveness and popularity of this sad and simple love story? Let's find out.
This article will provide you with a laconic analysis of the work, a concise description of its characters and a brief retelling. “Asya” by Turgenev will certainly captivate you with its tender sentimental sensuality and ingenuous, simple chastity. It will encourage you to look at the world in a new way and teach you to value sincerity and purity.
So, meet Turgenev’s “Asya,” who won millions of hearts! Quotes and excerpts from the story mentioned in this article will give you the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful style and style of the writer, and the beautiful illustrations below will help to capture the images of the main characters and their characteristic features for a long time.
History of creation
When the story was published, its author was about forty years old. He was a very educated and talented person, with a bright, original character and a complex, extraordinary destiny.
Once, while traveling around Germany, Ivan Sergeevich became a casual observer of a fleeting picture: a decorous elderly woman was looking out from the window of the first floor of a small stone house. After a moment, the pretty face of a young girl appeared in the window on the floor above. What was the fate of these women? And what could bring them together in the same house? Turgenev’s lyrical “Asya” reflects the writer’s fantasies on this matter. Analysis of the narrative suggests that the author, with insightful, subtle psychologism, was able to convey the atmosphere of a German town and the friendship of two different, but very nice women.
I
1 reading fragment:
I liked this town for its location at the foot of two high hills, its decrepit walls and towers, centuries-old linden trees, a steep bridge over a bright river flowing into the Rhine, and most importantly, its good wine. Pretty blond German women walked along its narrow streets in the evening, immediately after sunset (it was in June), and, meeting a foreigner, said in a pleasant voice: “Guten Abend!” - and some of them did not leave even when the moon rose from behind the sharp roofs of old houses and the small stones of the pavement were clearly visible in its motionless rays.
Prototypes
They say that the prototype of the timid and sensual Asya was the writer’s own illegitimate daughter, Polina Brewer. The prototype of the main character could also be Turgenev’s half-sister, Varvara Zhitova. Both girls, deeply worried about their dubious position, could not find themselves in aristocratic society.
What did Turgenev want to convey to his reader? “Asya” (the analysis of the work is presented in the article) definitely answers this question. But before we begin a detailed study of the story, let's briefly recall the plot.
The beginning of a sad story
A brief retelling of Turgenev’s “Asia” should begin with a description of the main character on whose behalf the events are narrated.
The anonymous Mr. N.N. appears before the critical gaze of readers. He, remembering his youth, recalls the events of his tour of Europe and his acquaintance with unusual compatriots.
He meets the Gagins - a young man and a young girl, brother and sister, who are traveling together. Men quickly become close to each other, often spending time together talking and having fun.
The main characters of Turgenev’s “Asia” experience genuine feelings of friendship and sympathy for each other. Over time, Mr. N.N. begins to pay attention to his friend’s sister.
Main characters of the story
Main characters:
- Asya (Anna) is the main character of the story, the illegitimate daughter of a landowner and maid Tatyana. An orphan, after the death of her parents she is raised by her half-brother (on her father’s side), Gagin.
- N.N. - the main character, Asya's beloved. A dreamy young man has loving feelings for Asa.
- Gagin is Asya’s brother, a military man, and an amateur artist. He resigns and goes with Asya to travel abroad.
Other characters:
- A young widow - we learn about her from N.N.'s memoirs. She hurt N.N.'s pride by preferring him to the Bavarian lieutenant.
- Frau Louise is the elderly widow of the burgomaster in the city of Z., a kind and sympathetic old woman who fell in love with Asya.
main character
Asya is a special and unusual girl. She is very well read and knows how to draw beautifully, has a keen sense of beauty and has a keen sense of justice.
Asya has a changeable character and extravagant nature; at times she can be desperate and reckless. On the other hand, the girl is vulnerable and impressionable, kind and affectionate, pure and natural.
Possessing such an amazing and unusual character, she attracts the attention of the main character and forces him to look for the reasons for her strange behavior. His feelings for her are truly contradictory: he simultaneously condemns the girl and admires her.
Watching his brother and sister, the main character begins to suspect that in reality they are not like that. What kind of relationship do they have? Are they really lovers, shamelessly playing with the feelings of their friend?
To answer these questions, you need to know the life story of the main character. This is the main theme of Turgenev’s “Asia”.
XI
Reading fragment 6:
Going to the Gagins the next day, I did not ask myself whether I was in love with Asya, but I thought a lot about her; Her fate occupied me, I rejoiced at our unexpected rapprochement. I felt that only since yesterday I had recognized her; Until then she turned away from me. And so, when she finally revealed herself to me, what a captivating light illuminated her image, how new it was to me, what secret charms shyly showed through it...
I walked cheerfully along the familiar road, constantly looking at the whitewashed house from a distance. I was not only thinking about the future - I wasn’t thinking about tomorrow; I felt very good.
Asya's story
Asya is not an ordinary noblewoman. She is the daughter of a wealthy master, Gagin's father, and a poor serf. The ambiguous position, lack of upbringing and personal sorrows leave a certain imprint on the behavior and manners of the main character. She cannot skillfully and socially conduct a conversation, she cannot confidently control her feelings and emotions.
What is so attractive about Asya Turgeneva? The narrator's reviews of her indicate that the girl's main shortcomings are her main virtues. Asya is not like secular coquettes, hypocritical and thoughtless young ladies. She is endowed with imagination, passion, liveliness and spontaneity, which makes her charming and desirable in the eyes of the main character.
VIII
Reading fragment 5:
He was already over fifty years old, but he still seemed like a young man. Imagine my horror: suddenly, suspecting nothing, I receive a letter from the clerk in which he informs me of my father’s fatal illness and begs me to come as soon as possible if I want to say goodbye to him. I galloped headlong and found my father alive, but on his last legs. He was extremely happy to see me, hugged me with his emaciated arms, looked into my eyes for a long time with some kind of searching or pleading gaze, and, taking my word that I would fulfill his last request, ordered his old valet to bring Asya. The old man brought her: she could barely stand on her feet and was trembling all over.
“Here,” my father said to me with effort, “I bequeath to you my daughter—your sister.” You will learn everything from Yakov,” he added, pointing to the valet.
Asya began to sob and fell face down on the bed... Half an hour later, my father died.
Brother and sister
There is a difficult and peculiar relationship between Asya and her brother. Gagin, realizing his duty regarding his younger sister, feels love and pity for her at the same time. He treats her condescendingly and at the same time sincerely, arrogantly and at the same time kindly. And she... She is attached to him genuinely and passionately, afraid of upsetting or sullying him.
“No, I don’t want to love anyone but you, no, no, I want to love you alone - and forever,” she passionately and emotionally reveals to her brother.
Turgenev “Asya” very brief summary
A wealthy nobleman, Mr. N., travels around Europe. He lives in Germany in the small town of Z. Here Mr. N. meets other Russian travelers - Mr. Gagin and his sister, a 17-year-old girl Asya.
Mr. N. and his new acquaintances see each other often and spend a lot of time together. Mr. N. notices that Asya is behaving strangely - either flirting or acting like a child. One day Gagin tells Mr. N. the story of Asya.
It turns out that Asya and Gagin are really half brother and sister. Asya is the illegitimate daughter of Gagin’s late father and governess. Asya is only half a noblewoman. Therefore, she is embarrassed and ashamed of herself in society. She does not believe that a decent nobleman could marry her.
Despite this, Asya falls in love with Mr. N. She invites him to a secret date. On a date, Asya tells him about her feelings. In response, Mr. N. scolds Asya for ruining everything with her impatience and haste. Asya is disappointed, she runs away.
Mr. N. understands that he made a mistake, that he does not want to lose Asya and that he loves her. He plans to propose to her tomorrow. But the next morning Asya and Gagin leave the city. Mr. N. follows their tracks, but he fails to find them. They never see each other again.
20 years after this story, Mr. N. still remembers Asa. He lives as a bachelor and leads a lonely life.
This is interesting: Turgenev wrote the story “The Singers” in 1850. The work is included in the collection of essays by the writer “Notes of a Hunter.” The retelling is suitable for a reader's diary, for preparing for a literature lesson.
Unhappy love
Communication with Mr. N.N. awakens in the heart of a young and inexperienced girl a storm of new and incomprehensible feelings for her. She, who does not understand herself and is afraid of her feelings, behaves strangely and changeably, but these are not ordinary whims. Asya's behavior reflects her inner struggle and confusion, her desire to please and charm.
Unable to hide her feelings and not even realizing that this is necessary, the girl opens her soul to her brother and lover. In this childish, naive act, all of her is revealed - the innocent and impetuous Asya Turgeneva. The main characters cannot appreciate her frankness and temperament.
Gagin calls his sister crazy and laments that “she will certainly destroy herself.” However, he still notes Asya’s sublime and noble feelings, as well as her purity and sincerity.
The main character, on the contrary, cannot appreciate the rare and wonderful qualities of the girl who loves him and whom he himself loves. “To marry a seventeen-year-old girl with her temperament, how is that possible!” - thinks Mr. N.N. Yes, he cannot go against secular rules, cannot marry an illegitimate, cannot fight for his love. And even when Gagin straightforwardly and sadly asks his friend whether he is going to marry his sister, he avoids a direct answer and remains silent.
How does Turgenev end his story “Asya”? Reviews of the work indicate that the chosen epilogue is very realistic and successful.
IV
Reading fragment 4:
- How long ago did you start asking? - he answered with his unchanged, this time somewhat embarrassed smile, - are you bored with us?
- No, but yesterday I promised Frau Louise to visit her; besides, I thought that it would be better for you two together: Mr. N. (she pointed at me) will tell you something else.
She left.
“Frau Louise,” said Gagin, trying to avoid my gaze, “is the widow of the former burgomaster here, a kind, but empty old woman.” She fell in love with Asya very much. Asya has a passion for meeting people of the lower circle: I noticed that the reason for this is always pride. She’s very spoiled, as you can see,” he added, after a pause, “but what do you want me to do?” I don’t know how to collect from anyone, and even less so from her. I have to be lenient with her.
End
The main character, realizing that she is not loved and understood, decides to leave her first love forever. She doesn’t impose herself, doesn’t make a scene. She simply leaves, taking with her a broken heart and unrelenting pain.
This shows the strong side of the girl’s character - she is determined and adamant in what she considers right, her pride and wisdom are worthy of emulation.
What happened next to the main character? He admits that he never found personal happiness: “I knew other women - but the feeling that Asya aroused in me, that burning, tender, deep feeling was never repeated.”
What did Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev want to show with his work? “Asya” (the content and plot of the story are briefly described above) teaches readers that it is important to fight for their happiness, value sincerity and innocence, and not follow the lead of the majority opinion.
XXII
Reading fragment 9:
In Cologne I picked up the trail of the Gagins; I learned that they had gone to London; I set off after them; but in London all my searches remained in vain. For a long time I did not want to reconcile, I persisted for a long time, but I finally had to give up the hope of overtaking them.
And I didn’t see them anymore - I didn’t see Asya. Dark rumors reached me about him, but she disappeared from me forever. I don't even know if she's alive. Once, several years later, I caught a glimpse abroad, in a railway carriage, of a woman whose face vividly reminded me of unforgettable features... but I was probably deceived by the coincidental resemblance. Asya remained in my memory the same girl as I knew her in the best time of my life, as I saw her for the last time, leaning on the back of a low wooden chair.
Modern reviews
What impression does the pure and straightforward Asya Turgeneva make on modern readers? Reviews of this story continue to be enthusiastic and positive.
Despite the fact that much of the work is not completely clear to the hearts and minds of today’s readers, Asya’s story nevertheless encourages us to think about true feelings and relationships.
Many people like the depth of feelings and fullness of emotions conveyed by Turgenev in the book. The author wrote accurately and vividly, without unnecessary vague phrases and reasoning. It touches the heart not with pathos or eroticism, not with sarcasm or cruelty (as may be common in modern literature). No, Ivan Sergeevich describes on the pages of his story quiet and simple feelings, gentle and noble impulses that find kindness, dignity and generosity in the hidden corners of the human soul.
We really hope that this article will encourage you to take a volume of “Asi” from the library and plunge into the gentle and romantic world of Turgenev, a world where mutual understanding and morality, compassion and prudence reign. And, of course, love.
II
Reading fragment 2:
Just such a trade took place in the city of L. in front of a small hotel under the sign of the Sun, in the garden overlooking the street. Flags flew over the hotel itself and over the garden; students sat at tables under cropped stickers; a huge bulldog lay under one of the tables; off to the side, in a gazebo made of ivy, the musicians sat and played diligently, every now and then refreshing themselves with beer. On the street, in front of the low fence of the garden, quite a lot of people had gathered: the good citizens of L. did not want to miss the opportunity to gaze at the visiting guests.
Reading fragment 3:
We chatted for two hours. The day had long gone out, and the evening, at first all fiery, then clear and scarlet, then pale and vague, quietly melted and turned into night, and our conversation continued, peaceful and meek, like the air that surrounded us. Gagin ordered a bottle of Rhine wine to be brought; We sawed it slowly. The music still reached us, its sounds seemed sweeter and more tender; lights were lit in the city and over the river.
