Boleslaw Prus, "Pharaoh": the history of the novel, issues, summary and reviews

In May 1895, the well-known Polish novelist Boleslaw Prus completed the work on the new novel. "Pharaoh" - this is the name of the book, which is still popular today.

Prehistory of the novel's writing

The 19th century was not the best period for Poland. The decline of culture, attempts to abolish the Polish language, the plight of peasants and workers, exorbitant taxes, corruption and obsolete laws all prevented Rech Pospolitoy from once again becoming a great power.

A descendant of the impoverished nobility, Boleslaw Prus, at that time, specialized in works in which he raised topical issues. Therefore, many were surprised that at the peak of popularity he wrote a book about ancient Egypt "Pharaoh".

Roman Boleslaw Prus supplied with fragments from real historical documents to create a sense of that era. Reading about the problems of Ancient Egypt, many did not suspect that the resourceful author disguised censorship of the social problems of contemporary Poland under the guise of the country of the eleventh century pharaohs. BC.

Originally, the novel was published in the magazine "Illustrated Weekly." But two years later he published a separate edition of "Pharaoh" (the book). Boleslav Prus (a brief summary of the work will be cited in the article) worked on the novel of the year (1895-1896).

Plot

The story begins with the ruler of Egypt announcing his son Ramses as the heir to the throne. The twenty-two year old boy is already making plans, as he will revive the former glory of the state. His main opponent is a powerful Herichor, who is not only the military minister of his father, but also the main priest in the temple of Amun.

Entangled in a tangle of intrigues and betrayals, the young prince of Egypt falls in love with a simple Jewess Sarah. Contrary to tradition, he makes her his first concubine.

Soon Sarah gives birth to the son of Seti, but Ramses already loses interest in her, because she falls in love with the priestess of the goddess Ashtoret Kama.

The prince's enthusiasm is cleverly used by the Phoenicians, who are trying to force the Egyptians to fight the Assyrians. Later, they help Ramses take possession of the Kama. But this relationship alone does not bring a hero of happiness: a new lover turns out to be a self-centered hysterical. She demands that Sarah and Seti be expelled from the palace. When this can not be achieved, Kama sends his lover Lykona to kill the Net.

After the death of his son, the prince of Egypt loses his father and becomes a pharaoh. All the problems of the country are falling on him. Despite the intrigues of the priests and empty coffers, Ramses copes well at first. But the acute shortage of money makes him secretly prepare an attack on the treasure of priests, thus planning to enrich Egypt, and to deprive the rivals of power.

However, Herichor manages to outwit Pharaoh and force the people to hate their ruler. Later, the Likon sent to Ramses kills him, the new pharaoh becomes the priest himself, marrying Ramses's mother Queen Nitokris. He concentrates in his hands the spiritual and secular power.

Using the treasures of the priests, Herichor enriches the country, concludes peace with neighbors, preserves Egyptian lands and implements many of Rameses's intentions. He becomes the ancestor of a new dynasty of rulers of Egypt and returns the country to its former glory.

main characters

In the center of the novel, which Boleslav Prus wrote - Pharaoh Ramses XIII. He is an idealist and a romantic who, faced with harsh reality, does not give up. This hero is a fine military leader, but he lacks the experience of politics and wisdom.

In love, Ramses is unstable - he is attracted to the forbidden fruit. Sarah could not be loved because of her origin, and Kama because she was a priestess. However, the young man was able to get both women, overcoming all difficulties, but soon cooled to them. The last love of the hero was the wife of the chief of the Guards Thutmose Hebron. She too became a forbidden fruit for him, but she did not have time to get bored, since the hero died earlier.

Ramses's opponent is Priest Herichor. He is twice as young as he is young and more sophisticated in intrigues. Any priest loses his loss by winning. And although this character is negative, in the end it is he who brings peace and prosperity to Egypt. Readers led to this conclusion Boleslaw Prus: Pharaoh, regardless of origin, should be a skilful politician, and not an ambitious dreamer.

Female images in the novel are sparingly prescribed and serve as a background. Sarah - a meek and selflessly loving Ramses woman remains faithful to him to death. Despite the naivete, this girl is sometimes smarter than the prince himself, but because of lack of ambition, along with his son, he becomes a victim of intrigue.

Kama, in contrast to Sarah, knows his own worth. Conquering the heir, she hopes to gain power. Driven by her ambitions, the girl sets herself against Ramses, and then becomes a victim of the vengeance of the priests.

Problems

For its time was very progressive "Pharaoh" (the book). Boleslaw Prus in his work criticized the monarchy as a system of government. It was very bold, because in 1895 most of the world was under the rule of kings, and few believed that everything would change.

As a descendant of a ruined noble family, who achieved fame and money with his work, he knew a lot about the habits of the nobles Boleslaw Prus. "Pharaoh" on the example of the fate of Ramses shows how far from the problems of his people were the kings. So from the main character turned out to be a narrow-minded ruler. To become famous, he tried to draw the country into a bloody war.

Ramses actually started a civil war inside Egypt to take money away from the priests. While still a prince, he ruled Lower Egypt, but the proceedings of the endless complaints quickly bored the future pharaoh. In addition, he always considered himself above the law. In order to get the coveted women, Ramses easily breaks the age-old foundations and laws.

In addition to the monarchy, Boleslaw Prus criticizes in his novel as well. "Pharaoh" reveals a cruel truth about the priests. They are shown as cruel charlatans, possessed by power and wealth. Paradoxical is the final: the sneaky Herichor, becoming a pharaoh, turned out to be a better ruler than noble Ramesses.

In addition to global problems, Prus in his work shows the tragedy of an individual. The protagonist can not find his place in the embrace of women, nor in dogma, nor in politics.

Boleslaw Prus "Pharaoh": reviews

Soon after the publication of the novel gained a resounding success. And after the revolutionary events of the XX century. Became more relevant than ever.

"Pharaoh" received the most flying reviews in the late nineteenth century, and in the 20th century, and even in the new millennium. Despite some historical inaccuracies, readers around the world consider the work of Prus one of the best illustrations of the life of Ancient Egypt.

Screening

By the 70th anniversary of the writing of the novel the Poles decided to film it. In 1966 the movie of the same name was released. He turned out luxurious, for which he was nominated for an Oscar. By the way, the role of Kama in the film adaptation was played by the Polish actress Barbara Brylska, known to the Russian audience in the film "The Irony of Fate".

Each work always passes the test of time: the genius with the years does not lose its relevance. Roman Boleslav Prus "Pharaoh" successfully passed this test and 120 years later continues to excite readers around the world.