History of creation
This poem was written on the anniversary of the death of the great man - Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol in 1852. Nekrasov shared Nikolai Vasilyevich’s opinion about the main purpose of a literary figure. Nikolai Vasilyevich expresses his point of view in his poem “Dead Souls”.
In his opinion, thanks to real, true art, all the shortcomings of the public are revealed, since it is it that reveals that very “unpleasant truth” that many do not want to talk about. Regardless of the fact that Nikolai Vasilyevich was supposed to be the main prototype of the “crowd denouncing” person, Nikolai Alekseevich creates a generalized image of the poet, to whom he includes himself.
Subject
The analyzed work reveals the eternal problem of the poet and society, their relationship. The author shows that the poet’s personality develops in a social environment and if a master of words is brought up among anger and bitterness, then he himself becomes embittered. Ya. Polonsky observes this state of affairs with irony and sometimes with contrition.
The lyrical hero of the poem is a representative of the “children of an embittered age.” From the perspective of his generation, he characterizes the poet, trying to find the best features in him. The hero considers blessed the poet who became embittered, even if his morality was crippled. Such a master of words never stops, does not give up, he constantly tries to find a way out. The lyrical hero considers him strong, so he compares him to titanium. An embittered poet does not listen to his heart or other people, he is guided only by his own mind. He does not even submit to the gods, and with his poems he is able to alarm even “respectable men.”
The ideal poet, according to Ya. Polonsky, is incorruptible and does not like hypocrisy. Its strength lies in denial and unshakable ideas born in love. The main reason why people follow the “embarrassed poet” is that his cries and vices merge with those of the people. Together with the people, he drank poison from a common cup.
Genre, size
Most of the poet’s creative path was devoted to civil lyrics, and the very problems that arise in society. The work “Blessed is the gentle poet” also belongs to this genre. As for the direction of the poem, it is, of course, realism. It depicts the entire modern society, with all its problems. The characters that appear in the work are completely real and not fictitious.
Nikolai Alekseevich touches on the topic of the poet’s difficult fate, and at the same time talks about all the features of his character. Here we see a “special” lyrical hero who knows how to “love while hating.” He also expresses his love for the Motherland not quite in the way we are used to. He exposes the vices of his state, and thus, through denial, conveys to the reader his attitude towards his native land.
Throughout the entire poem, the lyrical hero has an eternally pursuing companion - the “Punishing Lyre”. The author slightly imitates his predecessors, both in the choice of topic and in the use of poetic meter - he uses iambic tetrameter to write the poem.
Ungrateful poetic truth
Usually the works of rebel poets are full of sarcasm, by the way, like the poem “Blessed is the gentle poet.” They reveal, albeit bitter, the truth, turning their attention to all the human vices of society. However, instead of working on themselves, analyzing themselves and engaging in further self-improvement, people begin to become embittered. For them, bullying and hatred of the author become almost the meaning of their whole life. After all, in their opinion, the author crosses all boundaries of what is permitted, disturbing their peace.
Images and symbols
The central image of the work is the image of the poet. To do this, the author shows the reader two different types of artistic people. The first part of the work is about a “kindly poet” who seeks calling, respect and love with his “peace-loving lyre.” They see him as an intelligent person who is worthy of erecting a monument during his lifetime. But the lyrical hero believes that the activity of such a poet has absolutely no benefit.
Blessed is the gentle poet,
In whom there is little bile, a lot of feeling:
Hello to him so sincerely
Friends of Quiet Art;
In the second part of the work, the author shows the “accuser of the crowd.” The lyrical hero considers himself to be one of this type of people. This poet is fundamentally different from the poet discussed in the first part of the work. He arms himself with satire and splashes out all the accumulated bile on the world around him.
The poet is haunted everywhere by “wild cries of anger,” and his speech “brings him harsh enemies.” This is how the poet shows love for his homeland. He is always ready to help the prosperity of his homeland, he constantly notices all the weak points, but at the same time he does not cease to love and respect his native land.
In the poem “Blessed is the gentle poet,” the author creates an image of a crowd. The lyrical hero is ironic about the surrounding society. People prefer the “peace-loving lyre”, which does not contain insolence and satire; it also lacks a harsh and rude tone. People don't like the person who directly talks about their shortcomings and imperfections. The lyrical hero laughs at such ordinary people. And at this moment there is no difference between smart and stupid people - they are all unhappy with the accusatory poet.
Blessed is the gentle poet
Blessed is the gentle poet, in whom there is little bile, a lot of feeling: To him the greetings of the Friends of calm art are so sincere; The sympathy in the crowd caresses his ear like the murmur of waves; He is alien to self-doubt - This torture of the creative spirit;
Loving carelessness and peace, Disdaining impudent satire, He firmly rules the crowd With his peace-loving lyre.
Marveling at his great mind, He is not persecuted or slandered, And his contemporaries are preparing a monument to him During his lifetime...
But fate has no mercy for the One whose noble genius Became an exposer of the crowd, Its passions and delusions.
Feeding his chest with hatred, Arming his lips with satire, He walks a thorny path With his punishing lyre.
He is pursued by blasphemies: He catches the sounds of approval Not in the sweet murmur of praise, But in the wild cries of anger.
And believing and not believing again the Dream of a high calling, He preaches love with a hostile word of denial, -
And every sound of his speeches Produces harsh enemies for him, And smart and empty people, Equally ready to brand him.
They curse him on all sides And only when they see his corpse, How much he did, they will understand, And how he loved - while hating!
Most likely, when speaking about a gentle poet, Nekrasov had in mind the poet Vasily Zhukovsky, who, being undoubtedly a talented person, became famous for his romanticism in Russian poetry. He wrote elegies, romances, ballads. He was loved at court and was the mentor of Alexander II.
But there was another type of poet.
Poets who are strong in spirit, who write not to please the existing government, who know how to expose the vices of society and reflect the problems of the people will always delight their descendants. Such poets very subtly highlight lies, farce, and hypocrisy. They are not afraid of criticism and are ready for it.
It is this truth that Nekrasov talks about in his work. A negative reaction from the powers that be can sometimes be considered better than any praise. Often this is the recognition of all kinds of vices.
Ungrateful truth
Rebellion, disagreement, rebellion have always been viewed with disapproval. Truth is not a priority for information content.
It is much easier for a writer and poet to adapt to the current regime, to write to order, whatever the customer wants. Don’t disturb people’s minds, don’t throw out slogans full of sarcasm, avoid sharp corners. Many people do this. Nekrasov calls such gentle scribblers blessed.
But the other side of the coin is also affected. Nekrasov writes in his work that the fate of gentle poets is easy, he is met everywhere, everyone likes him, however, he should ask himself a question, because after death all his works will disappear, and another like him will come after him and will throw dust in people’s eyes :
“Is he satisfied with his fate, is he pleased with such human praise, which he deserved only by his humility and helpfulness?”
Death as a reward
In the history of art there are countless biographies where, during his lifetime, an underrated genius was persecuted. They either didn’t understand him or didn’t want to understand him. And this did not stop the talented man. Geniuses did not set the goal of life as fame. Such individuals simply could not live differently. They created all their lives: they wrote poetry, plays, music, paintings, and made scientific discoveries.
Some of them were lucky enough to become famous after death. They were lucky, not because their name became known, but because they were able to achieve their goal - to convey their thoughts and feelings to the public.
Perhaps, in decades or even centuries, grateful descendants will be able to discern instructive lines in the poet’s work that are relevant for any time. This is the calling of a true writer.
Topics, problems
The main theme of the work is the meaning of the poetic craft, its necessity and purpose. Nekrasov shares more of a civic position, which believes that the “lyre” should be “peace-loving” and carry only goodness. Nekrasov considers the main responsibility of a poet to be the need to show people the very weak points that exist in society. It also points out how imperfect the existing order is.
The poem touches on the theme of patriotism. He shows love for his native land through the negative side and sometimes through hatred. He believes that it is the poet who must show the “dark” side of Russia, but at the same time not lose love for his native state, remain faithful and devoted, no matter what.
Nekrasov tells how difficult life is for the poet-accuser. If we return to the “kind” poet, he is praised during his lifetime by erecting a monument to him. Then the poet-accuser is constantly “cursed” and “Persecuted”. Nobody understands or recognizes him. It is very difficult to create for those who do not appreciate your work, and that is exactly what he has to do. And only after the death of the poet will the people finally understand how one can “love while hating.”
Death as a reward
After their departure from this life, they will always be remembered for this brave truth, and with each decade and century their fame will only increase and shine even brighter on the literary horizon.
On the basis of the immortal creativity of such unrecognized geniuses, who, without sparing themselves, through their poetry, made the world cleaner, a new talented generation will arise.
Nekrasov ends his poem “Blessed is the gentle poet” with very beautiful and precise words about such poets. They talk about how as soon as the rebel poet dies, society immediately begins to understand how much this man did and how he loved while hating.
Main thought
The main idea of the work was to reflect the main mission of the creator-poet, which is as follows: the poet needs to encourage, with the help of his lyre, love for his native land; and also encourage people to fight injustice.
Wealthy people liked pure art, so they thought little about the hardships of the poor people, continuing to use their labor in the same way. Nekrasov understood that it was necessary, with the help of creativity, to convey to the rich all the truth that they prefer not to think about. And when it finally falls on them, they will be able to look at things and the situation as a whole more objectively. These actions can lead to much-desired changes.
Nekrasov coped with the task perfectly, since he managed to convey the whole need for “hating love.” After all, the main purpose of art is to benefit society. What benefit can there be if you constantly look at the world through rose-colored glasses? “peace-loving lyre” lulls and relaxes, but often it is hard satire that is needed, which allows you to wake up and look at problems soberly. It is in satire that the true calling of the poet, his weapon, lies.
Paths and images
In the poem, not only the first stanzas are contrasted with the last, the whole thing is entirely built on antitheses. Considering the work of a kindly poet, Nekrasov not only describes his benefits, but also contrasts them with the inconveniences of which he is deprived: little bile - a lot of feeling, sympathy of the crowd - self-doubt, carelessness and peace, peace-loving lyre - daring satire, monument during life - persecuted , slander
.
Nekrasov does not mock the gentle poet. He even seems to envy him. Blessed means surrounded by goodness and happiness. The image of the poet is accompanied by positive epithets: gentle poet, sincere greetings, peace-loving lyre, great mind
.
The irony is visible only in the mention of greetings from friends of quiet art
(Nekrasov had a negative attitude towards “pure art,” which is also clear from this poem).
With the help of comparisons and metaphors, Nekrasov depicts the greatness of a kindly poet: the sympathy of the crowd caresses the ear, like the murmur of waves, “he firmly rules the crowd with his peace-loving lyre
.
Nekrasov calls self-doubt, to which the poet is alien, torture of the creative spirit
(metaphor). Nekrasov himself was inclined to this torture.
Nekrasov talks about the gentle poet in one breath, in one complex sentence in three stanzas.
The second type of poet is also described using contrasts: a noble genius is an exposer of the passions and delusions of the crowd, “the sounds of approval are not in the sweet murmur of praise, but in the wild cries of anger,” love in the hostile word of negation, loves while hating
. But the antitheses of the second part are incomplete: the poet finds the positive in the negative, includes the good in the bad.
Depicting the poet’s creative path in the second part, Nekrasov uses metaphors: fate has no mercy, he goes through a thorny path, he is pursued by blasphemers, the sounds of his speeches produce harsh enemies, he is cursed on all sides
.
The reason for such a difficult life is in the poet’s civil, accusatory position: the noble genius exposes the passions and delusions of the crowd, he feeds his chest with hatred, arms his lips with satire, the lyre punishes him
(metaphors).
Such a confrontation leads to doubts: he believes and does not believe again in the “dream of a high calling
.
But the poet cannot remain silent, because the motive of denunciation is love: through hostile denial he preaches love, he loves while hating
.
It would seem that this is an oxymoron, a combination of incompatible things. But you can love people and hate their flaws. People scold the accuser because he touches the hidden strings of their souls, reveals the truth that they hid even from themselves. Severe enemies
breed from both
smart and empty people
(epithets) who hear the sounds of reproof.
The poet is branded and cursed “from all sides,”
that is, even educated people are not inclined to gladly accept the accusation. This is human nature.
Nekrasov hopes that after the poet’s death everything
They will understand his noble motives, look at themselves from the outside, repent and honor the poet.
