"For the Death of a Poet"
1837 became a landmark year for the history of Russian literature and Russian culture in general. Alexander Pushkin dies this year. After some time, Lermontov reacts to the event with the poem “On the Death of a Poet.” It is characteristic that the year 1837 is noted in classical literary criticism as the year of the author’s transition to a qualitatively different poetry - the beginning of a mature period of creativity. “On the Death of a Poet” is part of a cycle of works about poetry, however, the image of the poet in Lermontov’s lyrics takes shape gradually, being replenished with new meanings.
The poem “On the Death of a Poet” can be divided into two parts. They differ in mood and way of writing. The first part is an elegy written in iambic tetrameter. It speaks of the bitterness of loss. Despite the general minor mood, the interrogative sentences are quite sharp and caustic, and exclamations only increase the tension. Already in this passage it is said that the true killer was not the duelist who killed the physical shell, but the society that drove Pushkin’s talent (here the image of the Poet is inextricably linked with the image of Alexander Sergeevich) into a framework.
“The soul of the poet could not bear the shame of petty insults, He rebelled against the opinions of the world Alone, as before... and was killed!”
The motif of loneliness, which runs like a red thread through all of Lermontov’s work, resounds again. This motif serves as a link between Lermontov's understanding of Pushkin's genius and the romantic tradition. In the second part, which has a satirical orientation, iambic tetrameter alternates with pentameter and hexameter, which makes the poem more lively and moving. Interrogative and exclamatory intonations are diluted with comparisons, a thoughtful mood, and a slight reproach to the poet himself, who revealed his talent to the ignorant. At the end of the poem, the author again turns to high society, again blaming them for the death of the poet. This speaks of the Last Judgment, before which everyone is equal, and at which criminals will answer for their deeds.
"Don't trust yourself"
The poem “Don't Trust Yourself,” written in 1839, continues the theme of the poet and poetry. The image of the poet in Lermontov's lyrics begins to change: now he is no longer a martyr who died at the hands of society. An interesting form of narration has been chosen - the poem is an appeal to each and every writer or poet who has decided to create. Edification is mixed with a lot of romantic irony and causticity. The author advises young writers to deny and suppress creative impulses, not to listen to the desire to write, to avoid inspiration:
“Like an ulcer, fear inspiration... It is the heavy delirium of your sick soul, Or the irritation of a captive thought.”
The Poet's feelings and experiences will be devalued as soon as they are enclosed in poetic form and read by the general public.
“Don't humiliate yourself. Be ashamed to trade in anger, now in obedient melancholy, and arrogantly expose the pus of spiritual wounds to the wonder of the simple-minded rabble.”
In addition, it is quite possible that the right words may not be found to describe the depth and strength of the emotions experienced:
“Throw a blanket of oblivion over them: With a measured verse and an icy word you will not convey their meaning.”
In this poem, Lermontov is quite harsh in his statements. He predicts the reader's reaction, dissuading the Poet from being a poet in order to avoid the fate of Pushkin or simply deep psychological trauma. However, at the same time, the Poet still remains unhappy! So, the writer refuses to create and give his talent to the public. But on the other hand, he still remains a sensitive lyricist. Experiences and passions seethe within him, inspiration comes to him, but the Poet cannot share this with others, and this is precisely his tragedy.
The image of the poet in Lermontov's lyrics
Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov is one of the most mysterious and influential poets in Russia. His fate is permeated with a huge amount of shocks, suffering, adversity and loss. All this could not but affect his work and the prevailing themes in it. For M.Yu. Lermontov, in my opinion, his own “I” was practically inseparable from those characters about whom he wrote his works.
After all, if we also recall his biography, then quite a lot of coincidences can be traced.
It seems to me that most of them are in the work “A Hero of Our Time”. After all, Lermontov was also not accepted by high society, although he was waiting for this and hoping for it. And here we can draw an analogy with Pechorin. Mikhail Yuryevich's unhappy and rejected love forever made his soul callous and closed. And this fact is also reflected in his works. After all, we are accustomed to the fact that the lyrical hero is a very sensual character who is ready to do anything for the sake of his love. Lermontov’s lyrical hero-poet is completely different.
His soul is tormented by contradictions, hostility, misunderstandings and resentment. After all, he opened his soul, gave all of himself to the woman he loved, and what did he get in return? Pain, suffering and ridicule. But not every person can survive this. Therefore, the hero M.Yu. Lermontov is a very strong and brave person. He is ready to endure all hardships with pride and self-esteem. But how much work it costs him and what is happening at this moment in his soul can be understood from poems and novels.
The lyrical hero-poet begins to seriously think that the people around him are just strained masks. That there is no sincerity and kindness in his world. The people around are busy with meaningless fuss, endless arguments, throwing dust in each other's eyes. What can a poet do in such an environment? After all, it turns out that no one here needs his great purpose and gift, and moreover, he will be ridiculed and subjected to unreasonable criticism.
The heroes of Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov cannot come to terms with this state of affairs and rebel against external forces with all their souls. They begin searching for remote places where there is no loud noise of balls and the meaningless pathos of others. The Caucasus becomes such a quiet and, in my opinion, heavenly place. In a large number of poems and works in prose, this region is the active site of the event. Here you can enjoy the pristine beauty of nature, gain strength, both mental and physical, and simply take a break from rejection and misunderstanding.
However, such a measured and calm life is also not to the heart of both Lermontov himself and his lyrical heroes. Therefore, a period of deep introspection of oneself and one’s actions begins. From all this, the poet becomes even worse than before and he tries to find an outlet in entertainment or women. But soon this too becomes boring and the soul again rushes about in search of something new and unknown.
It’s an amazing paradox that, on the one hand, the poet’s soul wants recognition, love, peace, perhaps even quiet family happiness, and on the other hand, his constantly rushing soul needs constant renewal, constant new sensations, something new and unknown. At the same time, Lermontov’s poet rather avoids people. Just as they do not accept him, so he does not accept them in his vices, malice and self-interest. Therefore, such conflicting feelings and desires cannot but cause a deep internal conflict of priorities. It seems to me that the internal experiences of Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov himself are also mirrored here in this conflict.
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"Journalist, Reader and Writer"
The poem “Journalist, Reader and Writer” is dedicated to the theme of the poet and the crowd. Here Lermontov appears in different guises, expressing the opinions of each of the three sides. Immediately before the text there is a small remark in parentheses, which refers to the play as a form of presentation. The writer sits in a chair in front of the fireplace, perhaps lost in thought. The reader stands with a cigar, as if expecting something decidedly new and interesting from the Writer. The journalist says that the Writer is sick because:
“In the worries of life, in the noise of light, the poet’s mind soon loses its divine dreams.”
The reader accuses the Writer of the fact that the works are secondary, there are many errors in the printed version, and one does not even want to touch the magazine itself without first putting on gloves. The writer does not look for an excuse, but, on the contrary, agrees:
“What to write about? The East and the South have long been described and sung; All the poets scolded the crowd, Everyone praised the family circle.”
Despite the fact that “Journalist, Reader and Writer” was written more than 150 years ago, Lermontov raises a very modern question: how to find a balance between the customer (in this case the Journalist), the reader and the poet himself? How to write in such a way that both high society and the “low society” understand and accept creativity? Do you need to write according to your heart or write to order, realizing that each time the texts become more flat and the topics more hackneyed? When will art become sublime again? No answers are given in the work. The theme of the poet’s prophetic mission is raised again (the writer’s last monologue). He imagines his reader, feels his moods and expectations, the poet is responsible to him. As in the poem “On the Death of a Poet,” the final lines are accusatory, critical: the “ungrateful” crowd does not need to open up, show their inner world, or share with them one of the most intimate things - their creativity.
Crowd Relations
The relationship between the poet and the crowd is described in a poem dedicated to the journalist, writer and reader.
Here Lermontov is a spokesman for the opinions of three sides, to some extent an arbiter. The main accuser is the reader. He says that all the writer’s works are secondary, and he doesn’t want to pick up the magazine.
The author agrees and confirms that all topics have been described and there is no opportunity to create something new. The work was written over 150 years ago, but remains relevant.
After all, it raises many interesting topics:
- Finding a balance between all parties.
- A style of presentation that is suitable for both high society and the lower strata of the population.
- Whether to write by heart or to order, realizing the risk that all texts eventually become flat and uninteresting.
- And, finally, the rise of art, its rise to the highest level of the pedestal.
And again the theme of the poet and poetry is raised in Lermontov’s lyrics. He feels the reader’s mood, his responsibility to him .
The last lines are critical; the crowd does not need to reveal their inner world. And under no circumstances should creativity be shared with others.
