1. "I'm not a poet, but a citizen ...".
2. Pushkin is a poet-singer and poet-prophet.
3. "The ridiculed prophet."
4. "A citizen must be."
The beginning of the 19th century, covered with glory and the thunder of victories in the Patriotic War of 1812, made the best people of that time think about the fate of their homeland. About what would happen next with the country and the people, young nobles who were familiar with the ideas of the enlighteners and returned from foreign campaigns considered it unnatural that the liberating people should again return under the yoke of serfdom. This led to the emergence of secret Decembrist organizations. And in literature - to highlight the ideas of citizenship. “I am not a poet, but a citizen,” said the outstanding Decembrist poet K. F. Ryleev about himself. It was in the proclamation of the ideals of citizenship, freedom, hatred for all kinds of tyranny that the poets of the beginning of the century saw the purpose of the poet. The first quarter of the 19th century was a time of hopes and aspirations. The young A.S. Pushkin, who was not a member of the Decembrist organizations, but who was friends with many of them and considered himself one of them, is also burning with the same hopes. It is no coincidence that Nicholas I, already after the defeat of the uprising on December 14, so persistently sought evidence of the poet's involvement in the Decembrist movement. In the poem "Arion", talking about this time, Pushkin calls himself a singer of the Decembrists. In this he sees his mission as a poet.
There were many of us on the boat;
Others strained the sail,
Others chimed in unanimously
Deep into the powerful oars ....
And I am full of careless faith, -
I sang to swimmers...
And now, the uprising is crushed:
Both the helmsman and the swimmer died!
Only me, the mysterious singer,
Shot ashore by a storm...
Volleys of artillery on Senate Square destroyed all the hopes of Russian society for the possibility of transformation. And those who dared to try to implement these changes were sent to the gallows, to Siberia or the Caucasus, under the bullets of the highlanders. And in this situation of fear and depression, the miraculously surviving poet from a singer turns into a prophet. The surrounding reality seems to him a gloomy desert in which he cannot find satisfaction for his spiritual needs and aspirations:
Spiritual thirst tormented,
In the gloomy desert I dragged myself
And a six-winged seraph
At the crossroads he appeared to me;
This messenger of higher powers turns the poet from an ordinary person into a herald of higher will:
And he clung to my lips,
And tore out my sinful tongue,
And idle and crafty,
And the sting of the wise snake
In my frozen mouth
He invested it with a bloody right hand.
Then, to the prophet endowed with special hearing, sight and heart, the voice of God calls out with the command:
“Arise, prophet, and see, and listen,
Fulfill my will
And, bypassing the seas and lands,
Burn people's hearts with the verb."
We see that the poet already takes his destiny much more seriously. Now he not only sings about freedom, he takes upon himself the destiny of preaching, conveying the highest truths to the hearts and minds of people. Later, in his dying poem "Monument", as if summing up his whole life, he will say more about them:
And for a long time I will be kind to the people,
That I aroused good feelings with lyre,
That in my cruel age I glorified Freedom
And he called for mercy on the fallen.
To glorify freedom without fear of attacks, without demanding praise, indifferently accepting "praise and slander" - this, in Pushkin's opinion, is the purpose of the poet.
No less keenly worried about the place and purpose of the poet and poetry and other poets of the XIX century. In particular, the last representative of Russian romanticism, the poetic heir of Pushkin, M. Yu. Lermontov.
His work, no less serious and significant for the history of Russian literature, is nevertheless permeated with somewhat different motives. First of all, this is due to the era in which the poet happened to live. If the time of Pushkin is at first a time of hopes and hopes, then the era of Lermontov is a time of disappointment and hopeless reaction. The time when Russia lived under the shadow of five gallows, and hopes for change were lost forever. Such are the heroes of Lermontov - richly gifted, burning with a thirst for activity, but not having the opportunity to quench this thirst. The images of heroes are also the image of the poet himself, who is also painfully looking for an application for his talent and trying to determine his place and purpose. He also feels like a prophet. But if the prophet of Pushkin is still at the beginning of his journey, then the prophet of Lermontov has already encountered the anger and contempt of those around him. Lermontov's poem "The Prophet" serves as a continuation of Pushkin's poem of the same name. It begins with the words:
Ever since the eternal judge
He gave me the omniscience of the prophet,
I read in the eyes of people
Pages of malice and vice.
Fulfilling his mission, the poet-prophet sets out to "proclaim pure teachings of love and truth", but in response to him, stones of arrogant ignoramuses fly, who do not want to admit "that God speaks through his mouth." The poet can only hide in the desert, where he lives in harmony with nature and all living creatures. Sometimes he nevertheless goes out to people, but every time he meets only contempt and ridicule:
Look, children, at him:
How gloomy and thin and pale he is!
See how naked and poor he is,
How they all despise him!
And now the poet-prophet, like a damask dagger, has lost its purpose. His voice no longer ignites the "fighter for battle", does not sound,
... like a bell on a veche tower,
In the days of celebrations and troubles of the people ...
In a world where “the old world used to hide wrinkles under rouge...”, the proud face of the poet causes boredom and contempt. Lermontov bitterly notes that the poet's "sound of mighty words" almost no longer meets with reverence and "review of noble thoughts." And with no less bitterness he exclaims:
Will you wake up again, mocked prophet?
Or never, to the voice of vengeance
You can't tear your blade out of the golden scabbard,
Rusted with contempt?
But the poet was never destined to find an answer to this question.
Further, the theme of the role and purpose of the poet and his relationship with society is developed in the work of N. A. Nekrasov. The poem "Blessed is the gentle poet ...", written on the day of the death of N.V. Gogol, to the "gentle", prosperous poet, contrasts the true poet-creator and truth-lover. Its purpose is not to please the public, but to fulfill its lofty mission:
And believing and not believing again
Dream of a high calling,
He preaches love
With a hostile word of denial...
At the same time, Nekrasov believes that he himself did not always correspond to this high ideal:
I did not trade lyre, but it happened,
When inexorable fate threatened,
The lyre made the wrong sound
My hand...
In these lines, the poet's repentance for those censorship compromises that he had to make in order to save Sovremennik, and for the loyal ode to the all-powerful Count M. N. Muravyov, which, however, did not save the magazine from closing, but only brought condemnation to the poet's friends. But, despite all this, Nekrasov remained convinced that the poet must have an active civic position:
Go into the fire for the honor of the fatherland,
For conviction, for love...
Go and die flawlessly.
And, as if calling to Ryleev, Nekrasov exclaims:
You may not be a poet
But you have to be a citizen.
Thus, we see that throughout the 19th century, despite periods of doubt and disappointment, in the work of the most talented poets, the thought of a special role for the poet, his high responsibility and a clearly defined civic position can be traced.
The canon for understanding the poet's work in Russian literature is Pushkin's lines from his work. The metaphorical designation of the poet's mission as a service, designated by Alexander Sergeevich in it, became a kind of aesthetic declaration and even a manifesto, subsequently supported both in classical and post-classical literature of Russia.
The poet as a prophet
The beginning of such a reading can be found in M. Lermontov, who compares the words of the poet with a dagger in a golden sheath, which is covered with a rust of contempt if it is not involved in the work of the “sleeping prophet”. Mikhail Yuryevich calls for the poet's speech to thunder like a veche bell - always.
V. Mayakovsky called his works "over the teeth with armed troops", comparing poetry with an effective weapon and considering creativity an active and productive force.
The Poet as Citizen and Protector
The civil service of the poet, expressed in the very solemn rhetoric of the orator, is most complete in the works. Here the poet's words are identified with the "voice of his conscience" when he cannot be "cold in soul" in relation to his Fatherland. Nikolai Alekseevich associates with such absolutes as honor and love, in defending which a worthy citizen must, without delay, "go into the fire" and die "impeccably".
At the same time, Nekrasov's citizenship was also understood as popular intercession. Even referring to his Muse, the poet calls her a sister for a peasant woman beaten in the square. The silent people, unable to express their protest - for Nekrasov he was a real expression of citizenship, and his social problems were the real content of creativity.
V. Mayakovsky also demonstrated civic involvement in the life of his country and even the world in his works, fighting against bureaucracy, indifference, routine, etc.
Our theme presentation
Thus, in the domestic literary tradition, the theme of the poet and, accordingly, of poetry itself:
- Expressed in a different understanding of tasks
- Changed according to historical conditions
- Directly correlated with real national problems
- Had a deep ingrowth into the core of national culture
- Identified with the highest and eternal ideals
The theme of the role of the poet in society has always worried Pushkin. He began to think about this when he wrote the poem "To a friend of the poet." He defined his place in poetry with poems, and speaks of this in his other works.
The poem "To a friend-poet writer" Pushkin wrote while studying at the Lyceum. Even then, in his youth, he thought about the role of poetry. The lectures of Professor Kunitsyn also had a considerable influence on his thoughts.
Whereas Dmitriev, Derzhavin, Lomonosov.
Immortal singers, and honor and glory of the Russians,
Nurture a sound mind and teach us together
The first thing the young poet pays attention to is education, to the fact that poetry should nourish a sound mind and teach. Pushkin says that poetry is not always fame and money. He names famous writers who died in poverty, because they did not know how to bend before anyone and adhered to their ideas, their truths.
Pushkin spent a lot of time in the archives, studying historical documents. With his works, although not always written in the style of realism, he sought to acquaint his readers, Russian society with his native history, and thus nourish a sound mind and teach.
The poem “To N. Ya. Plyuskova”, written in 1819 and published by Pushkin in the “Competitor of Enlightenment and Charity” could alert the royal celestials, because the poet frankly admits that he did not become and will not become a court poet. The only thing he is ready to serve and sing about is Freedom.
Freedom only learning to glorify
Poems sacrificing only to her,
I was not born to amuse kings
My bashful Muse.
True, he admits that he sang of Empress Elizabeth, daughter of Peter I. But this is from sincere motives, and knowing the love of the common people for the Empress. because
This poem clearly defines the civic position of the twenty-year-old Pushkin, which becomes prevailing for him for the remaining years. It is worth noting that on this basis there was his conflict with Emperor Nicholas I, who sought to tame Pushkin. He dreamed of having his own court poet, while Pushkin strove for creative freedom. Many believed that personal imperial censorship, the appointment of Pushkin as a chamber junker in the palace, and the persecution of the poet that followed in the 30s stemmed from this conflict. Although, on the other hand, everyone knows that despite his genius, Alexander Sergeevich’s character was not sugar and he often insulted and humiliated other people in vain.
Written in the form of a dialogue between a poet and a bookseller in 1824. The poet is getting older, and gradually his views are changing. And the point is not that he becomes greedy, just unlike the 14-year-old Pushkin, the time has come when he has to take care not only of spiritual food, but also of daily bread. Therefore, he agrees with the seller when he says
What is Glory? - Bright patch
On the old rags of the singer.
We need gold, gold, gold:
Save up the gold to the end!
Poetry should teach readers to bring spiritual pleasure, but it should feed the poet himself, regardless of civic positions and worldviews.
In 1826, Pushkin felt a prophet in himself. The poem "Prophet" was suffered through moral torments, long reflections. Pushkin understood that he must burn people's hearts with a verb. It is generally accepted that with this poem Pushkin speaks of calls to fight for freedom. But
... God's voice called out to me:
“Arise, prophet, and see, and listen,
Fulfill my will
And, bypassing the seas and lands,
Burn people's hearts with the verb."
God, as you know, never called for a fight with those in power. Jesus taught non-resistance to evil by violence. Is it possible to understand the last lines of Pushkin as the fact that he intends to call a person to moral self-improvement, patience and the fulfillment of God's commandments? It must be assumed that yes. Many of his works tell us about this, especially those related to late philosophical lyrics.
Pushkin is a child of his era. And in the first half of the 19th century, the nobles considered the people to be something like children, incapable of expressing their will. The nobles themselves had to make policy in the state, overthrow the kings and free the people from serfdom. By the way, Alexander Sergeevich himself was in no hurry to free his peasants. With the poem "The Poet and the Crowd" Pushkin showed his attitude towards the people. It is expressed in the words of the mob addressed to the poet
You can, loving your neighbor,
Give us bold lessons
And we will listen to you.
Pushkin loved the Russian people, but in the words of the poet in the poem, he demonstrates the attitude of other poets towards the people, not his own.
With the poem "To the Poet" Pushkin demonstrates his attitude to criticism, to the freedom of creativity, which he highly valued. This work echoes the "Monument", written six months before his death.
You are your own highest court;
You know how to appreciate your work more strictly.
Are you satisfied with it, demanding artist?
Satisfied? So let the crowd scold him
With the poem "Monument" Pushkin, as it were, sums up his work. He talks about
And for a long time I will be kind to the people,
That I aroused good feelings with lyre,
That in my cruel age I glorified Freedom
And he called for mercy on the fallen.
And the last stanza is a testament to current and future poets:
By the command of God, O muse, be obedient,
Not afraid of resentment, not demanding a crown,
Praise and slander were accepted indifferently
And don't argue with the fool.
Summing up, we can say that Pushkin saw the purpose of poetry in teaching his reader to see the beauty in life and nature, to teach love for the native land and native history. He saw freedom in personal freedom, that is, in the ability to create, regardless of anyone, to be able to move around the world depending on their desires and capabilities. In his work, the poet should be as indifferent as possible to criticism. The highest critic is himself, the creator of his works.
Russian classical literature has given the world magnificent examples of poetic creativity. The poems of Pushkin, Lermontov, Nekrasov have become true masterpieces. One of the main themes for these great masters of the word was the problem of the purpose and place of poetry in life, the purpose of the poet, his role in society.
A. S. Pushkin, with all his work, affirmed the unity of poetry and real life. For him, the poet was a person endowed with a divine gift. The muse should not turn away from people, considering it unworthy to pay attention to simple plots. A poet for Pushkin is a prophet, capable of influencing society with his creativity. The poem “Prophet” is devoted to this topic, in which the voice of the author is heard, calling on the poet:
“Arise, prophet, and see, and listen,
Fulfill my will
And, bypassing the seas and lands,
Burn people's hearts with the verb."
The poet can see and feel what is not available to others. But he is obliged to dedicate his gift to people, and not to languish with "spiritual thirst" or go to sky-high heights of dreams and dreams. This is the deep conviction of Pushkin himself, who in the poem "Monument" addresses the muse with instruction;
By the command of God, O muse, be obedient,
Not afraid of resentment, not demanding a crown,
Praise and slander were accepted indifferently
And don't argue with the fool.
A. S. Pushkin until his death remained devoted to his convictions, faith in the high purpose of poetry, the strength and ability of a poet-citizen, a poet-prophet.
These views were fully shared by Pushkin's successor M. Yu. Lermontov. The same motives sound in his work, but time has left its mark on the poet's poems. During the years of reaction, the fate of the poet was very difficult. In the poem "The Poet" Lermontov compares the poet with a dagger, which used to be a formidable weapon, faithfully served its master. And now the dagger has become a toy, no one needs it. So the poet lost his purpose, exchanged a powerful voice for gold. Previously, the words of the poet raised the spirits of people, they sounded “like a bell on a veche tower during the days of celebrations and troubles of the people”, it is painful for Lermontov to observe how petty and deceptive poetic creativity has become. He bitterly asks, hoping for a better future:
Will you wake up again, mocked prophet?
Or never to the voice of vengeance
You can't tear your blade out of the golden scabbard,
Covered with rust of contempt? ..
Lermontov himself experienced the full burden of the position of the poet-prophet in contemporary society. In the poem "Prophet" a completely different fate awaits the hero than the hero of Pushkin's poem of the same name. People did not need the "God's gift" of the prophet, he has to live in the forest, hide from people:
I began to proclaim love
And true pure teachings:
All my neighbors are in me
Rocks were thrown furiously.
That is exactly what the "neighbours" did with Pushkin and Lermontov, whose lives were cut short in the prime of their creative powers. Pushkin died, Lermontov fell in a duel, but in Russia there was a man who became the successor to the work of great artists.
N. A. Nekrasov devoted all his work to the Russian people. The poet's lyrics served as a model of citizenship for his contemporaries. A poet must first of all be a citizen, said Nekrasov, to serve the people:
It's a shame to sleep with your talent;
Even more ashamed in the hour of grief
The beauty of valleys, skies and seas
And sing sweet affection ...
Nekrasov calls on poetry to be an expression of popular interests. The poet must write about the people and for the people:
Be a citizen! serving the art
Live for the good of your neighbor
Subordinating your genius to feeling
All-embracing love…
The same theme is heard in the poem "Elegy". Nekrasov argues that poetry cannot forget the suffering and aspirations of the common people, because this is precisely its high purpose. The most worthy for the lyre:
To remind the crowd that the people are in poverty
While she rejoices and sings.
To excite the attention of the mighty of the world to the people ...
Nekrasov's poetry, like the lyrics of Pushkin and Lermontov, had a huge impact on the minds and hearts of people. These great Russian poets raised their poetic creativity to an unattainable height, earning fame and recognition from their descendants. And the words of Nekrasov can be safely attributed to each of the brilliant poets of Russia:
I dedicated the lyre to my people...
