Ivan Turgenev: biography, life path and creativity. Novels and stories

Turgenev Ivan Sergeevich, stories, stories and novels of which many people know and love today, was born October 28, 1818 in the city of Orel, in an old noble family. Ivan was the second son of Turgenev Varvara Petrovna (nee Lutovinova) and Turgenev Sergey Nikolaevich.

Parents of Turgenev

His father was in the service in the Elisavetgrad Cavalry Regiment. After his marriage, he retired in the rank of colonel. Sergei Nikolayevich belonged to an old noble family. His ancestors, it is believed, were Tatars. Ivan's mother was not as well-born as her father, but she was more than wealth. Varied lands, located in the Orel province, belonged to Varvara Petrovna. Sergei Nikolayevich stood out with graceful manners and secular refinement. He had a subtle soul, he was handsome. The nature of the mother was not like that. This woman lost her father early. A terrible shock had to be experienced in her adolescence when her stepfather tried to seduce her. Varvara fled the house. Mother Ivan, survived humiliation and oppression, tried to take advantage of the power given her by law and nature, over sons. This woman was different in willpower. She despotically loved her children, and with the serfs she was cruel, often punishing them with flogging for insignificant faults.

The case in Bern

In 1822 the Turgenevs set off on a journey abroad. In Bern, a Swiss city, Ivan Sergeyevich nearly died. The fact that the father put the boy on the railing of the fence, which surrounded a large pit with city bears, entertaining the audience. Ivan fell from the railing. Sergei Nikolayevich grabbed his son by the leg at the last moment.

Familiarity with the exquisite literature

Turgenevs from a foreign trip returned to Spasskoe-Lutovinovo, the maternal estate, located ten versts from Mtsensk (Orel province). Here Ivan discovered the literature: one serf from the serf mother read the boy in the old manner, chanting and measured, the poem of the "Rossiade" Kheraskov. Kheraskov in solemn verses sang the battles for Kazan of the Tatars and Russians during the reign of Ivan Vasilyevich. After many years Turgenev in his 1874 novel "Punin and Baburin" endowed one of the heroes of the work with love for "Rossiade."

First love

The family of Ivan Sergeevich from the end of the 1820s to the first half of the 1830s was in Moscow. At the age of 15 Turgenev fell in love for the first time in his life. At this time the family was at the dacha Engel. The neighbors were Princess Shakhovskaya with her daughter, the princess Ekaterina, who was 3 years older than Ivan Turgenev. The first love seemed charming to Turgenev, beautiful. He reverenced the girl, was afraid to admit the sweet and wearisome feeling that possessed him. However, the end of joys and agonies, fears and hopes came suddenly: Ivan Sergeyevich accidentally learned that Catherine was the beloved of his father. Turgenev long haunted the pain. His story of love for a young girl, he will give the hero of the story of 1860 "First Love". In this work, Catherine became the prototype of Princess Zinaida Zasekina.

Studying at the universities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, the death of his father

Ivan Turgenev's biography continues with a period of study. Turgenev in September 1834 entered the Moscow University, at the verbal faculty. However, he was not satisfied with his studies at the university. He liked Pogorelsky, a mathematics teacher, and Dubensky, who taught the Russian language. Most of the teachers and courses left absolutely indifferent student Turgenev. And some teachers even evoked obvious antipathy. This is especially true of Pobedonostsev, who talked boringly about literature for a long time and was unable to advance further in his predilections than Lomonosov. After 5 years, Turgenev will continue his studies in Germany. About Moscow University, he will say: "He is full of fools."

Ivan Sergeevich studied in Moscow for only a year. In the summer of 1834 he moved to St. Petersburg. Here in the military service was his brother Nicholas. Ivan Turgenev continued to study at St. Petersburg University. His father died in October of the same year from a kidney stone disease, right on Ivan's arms. With his wife, he by this time already lived apart. Father Ivan Turgenev was amorous and quickly cooled to his wife. Varvara Petrovna did not forgive him adultery and, exaggerating her own misfortunes and illnesses, exposed herself to his heartlessness and irresponsibility.

Deep wound in the soul of Turgenev left the death of his father. He began to think about life and death, about the meaning of being. Turgenev at this time attracted mighty passions, vivid characters, throwings and struggles of the soul, expressed by an unusual, sublime language. He reveled in the poems of V. G. Benediktov and N. V. Kukolnik, stories of A. A. Bestuzhev-Marlinsky. Ivan Turgenev wrote in imitation Byron (author of "Manfred") his dramatic poem called "Steno". After more than 30 years, he will say that this is a "completely ridiculous work."

Writing poetry, republican ideas

Turgenev in the winter of 1834-1835. Seriously ill. He had a weakness in his body, he could not eat and sleep. After recovering, Ivan Sergeyevich changed spiritually and physically. He stretched himself too much, and also lost interest in the mathematics that had attracted him before, and began to take an increasing interest in elegant literature. Turgenev began to write many poems, but still imitative and weak. At the same time, he became interested in republican ideas. The serfdom that existed in the country, he felt as a disgrace and the greatest injustice. In Turgenev, a sense of guilt prevailed over all the peasants, because his mother was cruel to them. And he gave himself an oath to do everything to ensure that in Russia there was no estate of "slaves."

Acquaintance with Pletnev and Pushkin, the publication of the first poems

Student Turgenev in the third year met PA Pletnev, a professor of Russian literature. He is a literary critic, poet, friend of Alexander Pushkin, to whom the novel "Eugene Onegin" is dedicated. At the beginning of 1837, at a literary evening with him, Ivan Sergeyevich faced up with Pushkin himself.

In 1838 in the journal Sovremennik (first and fourth issues) two Turgenev poems were published: "To Venus Meditseska" and "Evening". Ivan Sergeevich and after that published poetry. The first samples of the pen, which were printed, did not bring him fame.

Continuation of studies in Germany

In 1837, Turgenev graduated from St. Petersburg University (verbal department). He was not satisfied with the education he received, feeling the failures in his knowledge. The standard of the time was considered to be German universities. And in the spring of 1838, Ivan Sergeyevich went to this country. He decided to graduate from the University of Berlin, where he taught the philosophy of Hegel.

Abroad, Ivan Sergeyevich got along with the thinker and poet N. V. Stankevich, became friends with MA Bakunin, who later became a famous revolutionary. Conversations on historical and philosophical themes he conducted with TN Granovsky, the future famous historian. Ivan Sergeevich became a convinced Westerner. Russia, in his opinion, should take an example from Europe, getting rid of unculturedness, laziness, ignorance.

Public service

Turgenev, returning to Russia in 1841, wanted to teach philosophy. However, his plans were not destined to be realized: the department, which he wanted to enter, was not restored. Ivan Sergeevich in June 1843 was enlisted in the Ministry of Internal Affairs for service. At that time, the question of the emancipation of peasants was studied, so Turgenev reacted with enthusiasm to the service. However, Ivan Sergeyevich did not last long in the ministry: in the usefulness of his work he quickly became disillusioned. He began to be burdened by the need to follow all the orders of his superiors. In April 1845, Ivan Sergeyevich retired and was no longer in the civil service ever.

Turgenev becomes famous

Turgenev in the 1840s began to play the role of a secular lion in society: always well-groomed, neat, with the manners of an aristocrat. He wanted success and attention.

In 1843, in April, the poem "Parasha" by IS Turgenev was published. Her plot is the touching love of the daughter of a landowner to a neighbor on an estate. The work is a kind of ironic echo of "Eugene Onegin." However, unlike Pushkin, in Turgenev's poem everything ends well with the marriage of heroes. Nevertheless, happiness is deceptive, doubtful - it's just everyday prosperity.

The work was highly appreciated by VG Belinsky, the most influential and well-known critic of that time. Turgenev met Druzhinin, Panaev, Nekrasov. Following "Parasha" Ivan wrote the following poems: in 1844 - "Conversation", in 1845 - "Andrew" and "Landowner". Also created Turgenev Ivan Sergeevich stories and novels (in 1844 - "Andrew Kolosov", in 1846 - "Three portraits" and "Brether", in 1847 - "Petushkov"). In addition, Turgenev wrote in 1846 a comedy "Bezdenezhye", and in 1843 - the drama "Carelessness". He followed the principles of the "natural school" of writers, to which belonged Grigorovich, Nekrasov, Herzen, Goncharov. Writers who belonged to this direction depicted "non-ethical" subjects: the everyday life of people, life, the priority attention was paid to the influence of circumstances and environment on the fate and character of a person.

"Notes of a Hunter"

Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev in 1847 published an essay "The Chorus and Kalinych", created under the impression of hunting travels in 1846 in the fields and forests of the Tula, Kaluga and Orel provinces. Two heroes in it - Chor and Kalynych - are represented not simply as Russian peasants. They are personalities with their own complicated inner world. In the pages of this work, as well as other essays by Ivan Sergeevich published by the book "Notes of a Hunter" in 1852, peasants have their own voice, different from the manner of the narrator. The author recreated the mores and way of life of the landed and peasant Russia. His book was evaluated as a protest against serfdom. The society accepted it with enthusiasm.

Relationship with Pauline Viardot, mother's death

In October 1843, a young opera singer from France Polina Viardot arrived in St. Petersburg with a tour. She was greeted with enthusiasm. Ivan Turgenev was also delighted with her talent. He was captivated by this woman for the rest of his life. Ivan Sergeevich followed in France for her and her family (Viardot was married), accompanied Pauline on a tour of Europe. His life was now divided between France and Russia. The love of Ivan Turgenev passed the test of time - Ivan Sergeyevich waited two years for the first kiss. And only in June 1849 Polina became his lover.

Turgenev's mother was categorically against this connection. She refused to give him the money received from income from the estate. They reconciled their death: Turgenev's mother was dying, gasping for breath. She died in 1850 on November 16 in Moscow. Ivan was too late informed of her illness and did not have time to say goodbye to her.

Arrest and reference

In 1852 N. Gogol died. IS Turgenev wrote on this occasion an obituary. There were no reprehensible thoughts in him. However, in the press it was not customary to recall the duel that led to Pushkin's death, and also to recall Lermontov's death. On April 16 of the same year, Ivan Sergeevich was imprisoned for a month. Then he was exiled to Spasskoe-Lutovinovo, not allowing to leave Orel province. Upon the request of the exile, he was allowed to leave Spassky after 1.5 years, but only in 1856 was he allowed to go abroad.

New works

In the years of exile, Ivan Turgenev wrote new works. His books were gaining popularity. In 1852, Ivan Sergeevich created the story "The Inn." In the same year Ivan Turgenev wrote "Mumu", one of the most famous of his works. In the period from the late 1840s to the middle of the 1850s he created other novels: in 1850 - "The Diary of an Extra Man", in 1853 - "Two Friends", in 1854 - "Correspondence" and "Calm" , In 1856 - "Yakov Pasynkov." Their heroes are naive and sublime idealists who fail in their attempts to bring society benefits or to find happiness in their personal lives. Criticism called them "superfluous people." Thus, the creator of a new type of hero was Ivan Turgenev. His books were interesting for their novelty and topicality of the problems.

"Rudin"

The glory acquired by the middle of the 1850s by Ivan Sergeyevich strengthened the novel "Rudin." The author wrote it in 1855 for seven weeks. Turgenev in his first novel attempted to recreate the type of ideologue and thinker, modern man. The protagonist is an "extra person" who is portrayed in both weakness and attractiveness at the same time. The writer, creating it, gave his hero the features of Bakunin.

"The Noble Nest" and new novels

In 1858, Turgenev's second novel, The Noble Nest, appeared. His themes - the history of an ancient noble family; The love of a nobleman, hopeless under the circumstances. Poetry of love, full of grace and subtlety, a careful depiction of the experiences of characters, the spiritualization of nature - these are the distinctive features of Turgenev's style, perhaps most clearly expressed in the Noble Nest. They are also characteristic of certain novels, such as Faust in 1856, The Journey to Polesie (the years of creation - 1853-1857), Asya and First Love (both works were written in 1860). "Noble's Nest" was kindly received. He was praised by many critics, in particular Annenkov, Pisarev, Grigoriev. However, Turgenev's next novel waited quite a different fate.

"Yesterday"

In 1860, the novel "The Eve" was published by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev. The summary of his next. In the center of the work is Elena Stakhova. This heroine is a bold, resolute, faithfully loving girl. She fell in love with the revolutionary Insarov, a Bulgarian who devoted his life to liberating the motherland from the power of the Turks. The story of their relationship ends, as usual with Ivan Sergeyevich, tragically. The revolutionary dies, and Elena, who has become his wife, decides to continue the deceased husband's deed. This is the plot of a new novel created by Ivan Turgenev. Of course, we described its brief content only in general terms.

Interviews caused this novel. Dobrolyubov, for example, instructed the author in an instructive tone in his article, where he is not right. Ivan Sergeyevich was furious. Radical-democratic publications published texts with scandalous and vicious hints about the details of Turgenev's personal life. The writer broke his relationship with "Contemporary", where he published for many years. The young generation has ceased to see the idol in Ivan Sergeyevich.

"Fathers and Sons"

In the period from 1860 to 1861 Ivan Turgenev wrote "Fathers and Sons," his new novel. He was published in the "Russian Herald" in 1862. Most readers and critics did not appreciate it.

"Enough"

In the years 1862-1864. The miniature "Pretty" (published in 1864) was created. It is imbued with motives of disappointment in the values of life, including art and love, so dear to Turgenev. In the face of implacable and blind death, everything loses its meaning.

"Smoke"

Written in 1865-1867 years. The novel "Smoke" is also imbued with a gloomy mood. The work was published in 1867. In it, the author tried to recreate the picture of modern Russian society, which dominated ideological moods in it.

"Nov"

The last novel by Turgenev appeared in the middle of the 1870s. In 1877 it was printed. Turgenev in it introduced the revolutionary Narodniks, who are trying to convey their ideas to the peasants. Their actions, he assessed as a sacrificial feat. However, this is a feat of the doomed.

The last years of life of IS Turgenev

Turgenev from the middle of the 1860s almost always lived abroad, only traveling on his native land. He built himself a house in Baden-Baden, near the house of the Viardot family. In 1870, after the Franco-Prussian War, Polina and Ivan Sergeevich left the city and settled in France.

In 1882 Turgenev fell ill with cancer of the spine. The last months of his life were hard, and death was severe. The life of Ivan Turgenev ended on August 22, 1883. He was buried in St. Petersburg at Volkovsky Cemetery, near the grave of Belinsky.

Ivan Turgenev, stories, novels and novels of which are included in the school curriculum and known to many, is one of the greatest Russian writers of the 19th century.