Let him harm the enemy. “Poem by N. A. Nekrasov “Elegy” (“Let changing fashion tell us ...”). Analysis of Nekrasov’s poem “Elegy”

Nikolai Alekseevich Nekrasov

Let changing fashion tell us,
That the old theme is “the suffering of the people”
And that poetry should forget her.

Don't believe it, boys! she doesn't age.
Oh, if only years could age her!
God's world would flourish!... Alas! bye peoples
They languish in poverty, submitting to the whips,
Like skinny herds across mown meadows,
The muse will mourn their fate, the muse will serve them,
And there is nothing stronger in the world, more beautiful than union!…
Remind the crowd that the people are in poverty,
While she rejoices and sings,
To arouse the attention of the powerful of the world to the people -
What could a lyre serve more worthily?...

I dedicated the lyre to my people.
Perhaps I will die unknown to him,
But I served him - and my heart is calm...
Let not every warrior harm the enemy,
But everyone go into battle! And fate will decide the battle...
I saw a red day: there is no slave in Russia!
And I shed sweet tears in tenderness...
“It’s enough to rejoice in naive enthusiasm,”
The Muse whispered to me. “It’s time to go forward.”
The people are liberated, but are the people happy?..

Do I listen to the songs of the reapers over the golden harvest,
Is the old man slowly walking behind the plow?
Does he run through the meadow, playing and whistling,
Happy child with his father's breakfast,
Do the sickles sparkle, do the scythes ring together -
I'm looking for answers to secret questions,
Boiling in the mind: "In recent years
Have you become more bearable, peasant suffering?
And long slavery came to replace
Has freedom finally brought a change?
IN people's destinies? into the tunes of rural maidens?
Or is their discordant melody just as sad?..”

Evening is coming. Excited by dreams
Through the fields, through the meadows filled with haystacks,
I wander thoughtfully in the cool semi-darkness,
And the song composes itself in the mind,
Recent, secret thoughts are a living embodiment:
I call for blessings on rural labors,
I promise curses to the people's enemy,
And I pray to my friend in heaven for power,
And my song is loud!.. The valleys and fields echo it,
And the echo of distant mountains sends her feedback,
And the forest responded... Nature listens to me,
But the one about whom I sing in the evening silence,
To whom are the poet’s dreams dedicated?
Alas! he does not heed and does not give an answer...

Boris Kustodiev. "The Liberation of the Peasants (Reading the Manifesto)." Painting from 1907

Nikolai Nekrasov, who dedicated most of his works to the people, describing their difficult lot, was often called a “peasant poet” and criticized for paying too much attention to the everyday life of peasants. After the abolition of serfdom in 1861, attacks on the poet from literary critics and officials intensified, as he continued to address his works to the lower strata of society, believing that their lives had not improved at all.

Finally, in 1874, wanting to respond to his opponents’ undeserved reproaches and insults, Nikolai Nekrasov wrote the poem “Elegy”, from the title of which we can conclude that this time we'll talk about something noble and graceful. This was the irony of the poet, who once again dedicated his poems to the plight of his people and tried to find an answer to the question: did the peasants really live better after the abolition of serfdom?

The poem begins with an appeal to the poet’s unknown opponents, whom he convinces that “the old theme of “the suffering of the people”” is still relevant, if only because the peasants, having received freedom, are still in poverty. And the poet considers it his duty to draw the attention of the “powerful of the world” to the problems of ordinary people, believing that this is his purpose. “I dedicated the lyre to my people,” notes Nekrasov, and there is not an ounce of pathos in these words. After all, the poet learned from his own experience what it was like to live in poverty and sometimes not even have a roof over his head. Therefore, Nekrasov notes that he is “calm in heart” and does not at all regret that the heroes of his works are not eccentric society girls, officials and aristocrats, but peasants.

Nekrasov notes that he was lucky enough to see the “red day” when serfdom was abolished, which brought “sweet tears” to the poet. However, his joy was short-lived, since, according to the author, the inspiring muse ordered him to go forward. “The people are liberated, but are the people happy?” asks the poet.

Grigory Myasoedov. "Reading of the Regulations on February 19, 1861", 1873

He tries to find the answer to this question in everyday life peasants who are still forced to bend their backs in the fields to feed themselves and their families. Observing how quickly work is in full swing during the harvest, how women sing harmoniously and harmoniously, wielding a sickle, and happy children run into the field to give breakfast to their father, Nekrasov notes that such a picture evokes peace and tranquility. However, the poet understands that problems are still hidden behind the apparent external well-being, after all, only a few of these rural workers can count on a better life, getting an education and the opportunity to learn that you can live completely differently, earning money not through hard physical labor, but through intellect.

That's why, concluding his “Elegy”, the author notes that he does not know the answer to the question of whether the peasants are living better now. And even the heroes of his numerous works are not able to objectively say whether they really became happy. On one side of the scale - freedom, on the other - hunger and poverty, because now they themselves are responsible for own life and very often they don’t even know how to manage it. At the same time, Nekrasov is well aware that the natural process of migration of yesterday’s serfs has already begun, and their yesterday’s owners take advantage of this, who buy free land for pennies. labor who does not know how to defend her rights due to illiteracy and admiration for masters, absorbed with mother’s milk. As a result, thousands of yesterday's peasants doom themselves and their families to starvation, not even suspecting that those who managed to benefit from the abolition of serfdom are still profiting from their labor.

A.N.E[rakov] Let changing fashion tell us that the old theme is “the suffering of the people” And that poetry should forget it. Don't believe it, boys! she doesn't age. Oh, if only years could age her! God's world would flourish!... Alas! While the peoples are languishing in poverty, submitting to the scourge, Like skinny herds in mown meadows, The muse will mourn their fate, and the muse will serve them, And in the world there is no stronger, more beautiful union!... Remind the crowd that the people are in poverty, While she rejoices and sings, To arouse the attention of the mighty of the world to the people - What could the lyre serve more worthily?... I dedicated the lyre to my people. Perhaps I will die unknown to him, But I served him - and my heart is calm... Let not every warrior harm the enemy, But everyone go into battle! And fate will decide the battle... I saw a red day: there is no slave in Russia! And I shed sweet tears in tenderness... “It’s enough to rejoice in naive passion,” the Muse whispered to me. “It’s time to move forward: The people are liberated, but are the people happy?.. Do I listen to the songs of the reapers over the golden harvest, Is the old man slowly walking behind plow, Is a contented child running through the meadow, playing and whistling, with his father's breakfast, Are sickles sparkling, are scythes ringing together - I'm looking for an answer to the secret questions boiling in my mind: “Have you become more bearable in recent years, peasant suffering? And did Freedom, which replaced the long slavery, finally bring a change to the people's destinies? into the tunes of rural maidens? Or is their discordant melody just as sad?..” Evening is coming. Excited by dreams, Through the fields, through the meadows lined with haystacks, I wander thoughtfully in the cool semi-darkness, And a song composes itself in my mind, A living embodiment of recent, secret thoughts: I call blessings on rural labors, I promise curses to the people’s enemy, And I pray for power to a friend in heaven , And my song is loud!.. The valleys and fields echo it, And the echo of distant mountains sends its responses to it, And the forest responded... Nature listens to me, But the one about whom I sing in the evening silence, To whom the poet’s dreams are dedicated, Alas! He does not heed - and does not give an answer... 1874

A. N. Eva

Let changing fashion tell us,
That the old theme is “the suffering of the people”
And that poetry should forget her,
Don't believe it, boys! she doesn't age.
Oh, if only years could age her!
God's world would flourish!.. Alas! bye peoples
They languish in poverty, submitting to the whips,
Like skinny herds across mown meadows,
The Muse will mourn their fate, the Muse will serve them,
And there is no stronger, more beautiful union in the world!..
Remind the crowd that the people are in poverty,
While she rejoices and sings,
To arouse the attention of the powerful of the world to the people -
What could a lyre serve more worthily?..

I dedicated the lyre to my people.
Perhaps I will die unknown to him,
But I served him - and my heart is calm...
Let not every warrior harm the enemy,
But everyone go into battle! And fate will decide the battle...
I saw a red day: there is no slave in Russia!
And I shed sweet tears in tenderness...
“It’s enough to rejoice in naive enthusiasm,”
The Muse whispered to me. - It's time to move forward:
The people are liberated, but are the people happy?..”

Do I listen to the songs of the reapers over the golden harvest,
Is the old man slowly walking behind the plow?
Does he run through the meadow, playing and whistling,
Happy child with his father's breakfast,
Do the sickles sparkle, do the scythes ring together -
I'm looking for answers to secret questions,
Boiling in the mind: “In recent years
Have you become more bearable, peasant suffering?
And long slavery came to replace
Has freedom finally brought a change?
In people's destinies? into the tunes of rural maidens?
Or is their discordant melody just as sad?..”

Evening is coming. Excited by dreams
Through the fields, through the meadows filled with haystacks,
I wander thoughtfully in the cool semi-darkness,
And the song composes itself in the mind,
Recent, secret thoughts are a living embodiment:
I call for blessings on rural labors,
I promise curses to the people's enemy,
And I pray to my friend in heaven for power,
And my song is loud!.. The valleys and fields echo it,
And the echo of distant mountains sends her feedback,
And the forest responded... Nature listens to me,
But the one about whom I sing in the evening silence,
To whom are the poet’s dreams dedicated?
Alas! he does not heed and does not give an answer...

Analysis of Nekrasov’s poem “Elegy”

Nikolai Nekrasov, who dedicated most of his works to the people, describing their difficult lot, was often called a “peasant poet” and criticized for paying too much attention to the everyday life of peasants. After the abolition of serfdom in 1861, attacks on the poet from literary critics and officials intensified, as he continued to address his works to the lower strata of society, believing that their lives had not improved at all.

Finally, in 1874, wanting to respond to his opponents’ undeserved reproaches and insults, Nikolai Nekrasov wrote the poem “Elegy,” from the title of which one can conclude that this time we will talk about something noble and elegant. This was the irony of the poet, who once again dedicated his poems to the plight of his people and tried to find an answer to the question: did the peasants really live better after the abolition of serfdom?

The poem begins with an appeal to the poet’s unknown opponents, whom he convinces that “the old theme of “the suffering of the people”” is still relevant, if only because the peasants, having received freedom, are still in poverty. And the poet considers it his duty to draw the attention of the “powerful of the world” to the problems of ordinary people, believing that this is his purpose. “I dedicated the lyre to my people,” notes Nekrasov, and there is not an ounce of pathos in these words. After all, the poet learned from his own experience what it was like to live in poverty and sometimes not even have a roof over his head. Therefore, Nekrasov notes that he is “calm in heart” and does not at all regret that the heroes of his works are not eccentric society girls, officials and aristocrats, but peasants.

Nekrasov notes that he was lucky enough to see the “red day” when serfdom was abolished, which brought “sweet tears” to the poet. However, his joy was short-lived, since, according to the author, the inspiring muse ordered him to go forward. “The people are liberated, but are the people happy?” asks the poet.

He tries to find the answer to this question in the everyday life of the peasants, who are still forced to bend their backs in the fields to feed themselves and their families. Observing how quickly work is in full swing during the harvest, how women sing harmoniously and harmoniously, wielding a sickle, and happy children run into the field to give breakfast to their father, Nekrasov notes that such a picture evokes peace and tranquility. However, the poet understands that problems are still hidden behind the apparent external well-being, after all, only a few of these rural workers can count on a better life, getting an education and the opportunity to learn that you can live completely differently, earning money not through hard physical labor, but through intellect.

That's why, concluding his “Elegy”, the author notes that he does not know the answer to the question of whether the peasants are living better now. And even the heroes of his numerous works are not able to objectively say whether they really became happy. On one scale there is freedom, on the other there is hunger and poverty, because now they themselves are responsible for their own life and very often have no idea how to manage it. At the same time, Nekrasov is well aware that the natural process of migration of yesterday’s serfs has already begun, and their yesterday’s masters are taking advantage of this, who for pennies buy free labor that does not know how to defend its rights due to illiteracy and the admiration of masters imbibed with mother’s milk. As a result, thousands of yesterday's peasants doom themselves and their families to starvation, not even suspecting that those who managed to benefit from the abolition of serfdom are still profiting from their labor.

Let changing fashion tell us,
That the old theme is “the suffering of the people”
And that poetry should forget her.
Don't believe it, boys! she doesn't age.
Oh, if only years could age her!
God's world would flourish!... Alas! bye peoples
They languish in poverty, submitting to the whips,
Like skinny herds across mown meadows,
The muse will mourn their fate, the muse will serve them,
And there is no stronger, more beautiful union in the world!…
Remind the crowd that the people are in poverty,
While she rejoices and sings,
To arouse the attention of the powerful of the world to the people -
What could a lyre serve more worthily?...

I dedicated the lyre to my people.
Perhaps I will die unknown to him,
But I served him - and my heart is calm...
Let not every warrior harm the enemy,
But everyone go into battle! And fate will decide the battle...
I saw a red day: there is no slave in Russia!
And I shed sweet tears in tenderness...
“It’s enough to rejoice in naive enthusiasm,”
The Muse whispered to me. “It’s time to go forward.”
The people are liberated, but are the people happy?..

Do I listen to the songs of the reapers over the golden harvest,
Is the old man slowly walking behind the plow?
Does he run through the meadow, playing and whistling,
Happy child with his father's breakfast,
Do the sickles sparkle, do the scythes ring together -
I'm looking for answers to secret questions,
Boiling in the mind: “In recent years
Have you become more bearable, peasant suffering?
And long slavery came to replace
Has freedom finally brought a change?
In people's destinies? into the tunes of rural maidens?
Or is their discordant melody just as sad?..”

Evening is coming. Excited by dreams
Through the fields, through the meadows filled with haystacks,
I wander thoughtfully in the cool semi-darkness,
And the song composes itself in the mind,
Recent, secret thoughts are a living embodiment:
I call for blessings on rural labors,
I promise curses to the people's enemy,
And I pray to my friend in heaven for power,
And my song is loud!.. The valleys and fields echo it,
And the echo of distant mountains sends her feedback,
And the forest responded... Nature listens to me,
But the one about whom I sing in the evening silence,
To whom are the poet’s dreams dedicated?
Alas! He doesn’t heed and doesn’t give an answer...
___________________
Date of writing: August 15-17, 1874

Analysis of the poem “Elegy” by Nekrasov

The poem “Elegy” is Nekrasov’s ironic response to the constant attacks of reactionary figures. He was constantly accused of humiliating the proud title of poet with his poems, describing the life of the dark and always drunken peasantry. The attacks intensified after the abolition of serfdom. The “most merciful granting” of freedom to those who do not deserve it provoked protests from inveterate serf owners. They were outraged that even after such an unheard of act, there were people who continued to speak out about the plight of the peasants. Without deviating from civil lyrics, Nekrasov in 1874 wrote a poem in the genre of elegy. In it, he described his thoughts on the Manifesto of 1861 and clearly expressed his views on the true calling of the poet.

According to Nekrasov, the duty of any citizen, and especially a poet, is to strive to make his country happier and more prosperous. The situation in which “peoples are languishing in poverty” should not leave anyone indifferent. “The suffering of the people” is the most pressing topic for creativity. You can’t turn a blind eye to it and describe the brilliance and senseless wasting of life by high society. The concept of “pure” art was absolutely unacceptable to Nekrasov. He was a realist and based his works on the practical benefits.

Nekrasov proudly declares: “I dedicated the lyre to my people.” He has the right to make such a statement. The poet's poems caused a wide public response and generally contributed to a change in attitudes towards the common people. Nekrasov does not expect recognition for his services; he is glad that he has made at least some contribution to improving the situation of the peasants.

The poet proceeds to analyze the consequences of the abolition of serfdom. He solemnly calls the adoption of the decree a “red day.” But years have passed. Has it changed to better life peasant? Nekrasov invites the reader to answer this question honestly. In fact, the situation of the common people remained virtually unchanged. The abolition of personal dependence was replaced by financial dependence (redemption payments).

The description of an imaginary idyll in the genre of elegy (“songs of the reapers,” “contented child”) is Nekrasov’s irony about his hopes for the abolition of slavery. He never makes an author’s assessment of the event of 1861, ending the verse with the sad remark that the people “do not heed... and do not give an answer.”

Nikolai Nekrasov, known as “ folk poet”, took in classical literature a special niche. For constant lifting peasant theme he has been criticized more than once. If you read the poem “Elegy” by Nikolai Alekseevich Nekrasov thoughtfully, then in the final lines you can see a formidable warning to those in power.

The poem was written in 1874. This time was difficult for Nekrasov. Critics did not spare him. Many of them believed that the topic of people’s suffering had long been exhausted, and Nikolai Alekseevich himself had “written himself out.” In the mid-70s, Nekrasov discovered a new genre for himself - satire. He worked on poetic pamphlets and review poems. But most of all, the poet was worried about the answer to the question that had been tormenting him for many years. In 1861, a peasant reform was carried out. Emperor Alexander II abolished serfdom. Despite this, the question “The people are liberated, but are the people happy?” continued to hover in the air.

The text of Nekrasov’s poem “Elegy,” which is taught in a literature lesson in the 10th grade, is imbued with bitter notes. The main topic is the failure of the peasant reform. Nekrasov, like many of his colleagues, ardently advocated the liberation of the peasants. Representatives of the literary intelligentsia of the second half of the 70s sincerely believed that, having ceased to be slaves, peasants would live better. But in practice, everything turned out quite differently. Nekrasov believes that external well-being is only a mask that hides numerous problems. Not every rural worker could afford to get an education and make their work easier. Nekrasov’s work, which is easy and pleasant to learn, does not answer the question of what should and should be done strong of the world this. But, complaining that they do not hear him, the poet promises the “people's enemy” curses. He is sure that the patience of Russian peasants is not unlimited. You can download this poem in full or read it online on our website.

A.N.E[rako]vu

Let changing fashion tell us,
That the old theme is “the suffering of the people”
And that poetry should forget her.
Don't believe it, boys! she doesn't age.
Oh, if only years could age her!
God's world would flourish!... Alas! bye peoples
They languish in poverty, submitting to the whips,
Like skinny herds across mown meadows,
The muse will mourn their fate, the muse will serve them,
And there is no stronger, more beautiful union in the world!…
Remind the crowd that the people are in poverty,
While she rejoices and sings,
To the people to arouse the attention of the powers that be -
What could a lyre serve more worthily?...

I dedicated the lyre to my people.
Perhaps I will die unknown to him,
But I served him - and my heart is calm...
Let not every warrior harm the enemy,
But everyone go into battle! And fate will decide the battle...
I saw a red day: there is no slave in Russia!
And I shed sweet tears in tenderness...
“It’s enough to rejoice in naive enthusiasm,”
The Muse whispered to me. “It’s time to go forward.”
The people are liberated, but are the people happy?..

Do I listen to the songs of the reapers over the golden harvest,
Is the old man slowly walking behind the plow?
Does he run through the meadow, playing and whistling,
Happy child with his father's breakfast,
Do the sickles sparkle, do the scythes ring together -
I'm looking for answers to secret questions,
Boiling in the mind: “In recent years
Have you become more bearable, peasant suffering?
And long slavery came to replace
Has freedom finally brought a change?
In people's destinies? into the tunes of rural maidens?
Or is their discordant melody just as sad?..”

Evening is coming. Excited by dreams
Through the fields, through the meadows filled with haystacks,
I wander thoughtfully in the cool semi-darkness,
And the song composes itself in the mind,
Recent, secret thoughts are a living embodiment:
I call for blessings on rural labors,
I promise curses to the people's enemy,
And I pray to my friend in heaven for power,
And my song is loud!.. The valleys and fields echo it,
And the echo of distant mountains sends her feedback,
And the forest responded... Nature listens to me,
But the one about whom I sing in the evening silence,
To whom are the poet’s dreams dedicated?
Alas! he does not heed and does not give an answer...