The image of Pugachev in the works of Pushkin and Yesenin: a comparison

In Russian literature, there are many examples where artists were inspired by historical events and personalities and wrote about their works. And it often happens that several authors write about one person. So it happened with the insurrection, which was expressed through the image of Pugachev in the works of Pushkin and Yesenin. A composition-comparison on this topic is often asked to write to schoolchildren.

Genres of works about Pugachev Pushkin and Yesenin

Two great poet, Pushkin and Yesenin, each in their time took up the task of sanctifying the Pugachev uprising. It would seem that the view of the same events should be the same, but they got a lot of differences. Among other things, the use of different tools for this purpose.

Pushkin used the image of Pugachev in the work "The Captain's Daughter". It is a historical novel ; The book describes a specific historical era. The author from the outside observes the development of actions.

Yesenin chose for his narrative the genre of a dramatic poem. He deeply felt the spirit of that insurrection and the personality of Pugachev, he admired him.

We can say that the image of Pugachev in the works of Pushkin and Yesenin finds a difference already from the genres of their works, which is surprising, because both studied almost one historical evidence.

Pugachev in the work of Pushkin

Pugachev in the "Captain's Daughter" Pushkin appears more like a leader of a gang of bandits, rather than the leader of the uprising. He wants to be like Grishka Otrepiev, a cruel adventurer. Ready to kill innocent people who stand in his way. He is fully aware that the uprising is doomed to defeat, and from this it behaves like a driven beast.

Nevertheless, even Pushkin can not deny that there is generosity and kindness in Pugachev. So, for example, he could not harm Grinev, who once helped the leader of the uprising. This is a mature, experienced person, whom people are ready to listen to and are ready to go. It is the versatility of the image that gives life to the hero. So Pushkin Pugachev saw, studying historical documents.

Pugachev in the work of Yesenin

Yesenin also studied historical documents, but his Pugachev turned out to be much more attractive. Yesenin gives his hero such a trait as dreaminess, Pugachev really wants to go to the Kazakh steppes. The leader of the insurrection of the poet now has a romantic soul. He is very kind and forgives even his friends-traitors, who give it to the authorities.

Slightly spoils the image of Esenin Pugachev's self-confidence. He believes that he is always welcome. It is also said in the poem that people love him for being rampant, but, obviously, it is just, otherwise all would simply be afraid of him.

Comparison of the image of Pugachev in the works of Pushkin and Yesenin

The essay on this topic should begin with a review of the images individually, which we did above. Then, according to ready-made descriptions, it will be very easy to make a comparative description.

The image of Pugachev in the works of Pushkin and Yesenin is similar in some features of character. So, they have in common cruelty to the guilty and innocent, as well as sometimes manifested kindness. Both poets find that Pugachev is a strong, unordinary personality, but Yesenin is almost a genius. The authors give Pugachev the gift of foresight, the hero knows for sure that his attempts to create an uprising and to free the peasants will fail.

Note that the image of Pugachev in the works of Pushkin and Yesenin has rather strong differences. The most important of them is to understand the role of the Pugachev uprising. Pushkin did not understand and believed that this was only an isolated case, that the uprising could not have ended in another way. Yesenin also saw in Pugachev all the Russians, the peasantry and felt a kinship with them, it was just a popular uprising. No wonder the author describes so much nature, as if he unites the insurrection and Pugachev with her. Yesenin is endowed with a poetic soul, while in Pushkin he is just a clever, but not too deep person.

The reasons for such different opinions

There are several reasons why the image of Pugachev in the works of Pushkin and Yesenin turned out differently.

First, Pushkin belonged to the higher, noble estate. He looked at this insurrection as a threat, for a mistake on the part of the indignant, and did not understand the purpose for which it was done. He calls this riot - "senseless and merciless". Yesenin also grew up in the countryside, among the peasants, so we can say that he is from the lower class, from which the rebels took place. That is why he is close and understand both the purpose and the means. This explains why the image of Pugachev in Pushkin's works was so negative, and Yesenin is much more pleasant.

Secondly, the great poets lived a hundred years apart. During this time, the political situation changed, the abolition of serfdom and tsarist power took place. At this time there was a review of all historical events, including the Pugachev uprising. His work was exalted and sang, many works on this theme were created.

Pugachev in history

Incomplete would have been without historical review the image of Pugachev in the works of Pushkin and Yesenin. The composition on this subject can be completed with a brief historical reference.

Emelyan Ivanovich Pugachev was born in the Don region and possessed all the features of a real Cossack. He always had special qualities of the leader, as well as ingenuity. After two wars, Pugachev went to the river Yaik and there declared himself killed by Peter III. The place was chosen with intent, because shortly before this in this place there were brutal clashes between peasants and the ruling elite. One can say that Pugachev only led this insurrection. He was able to assemble a solid army, not just once, but the organization clearly did not have enough troops. As a result, the 9,000-strong rebel army was defeated by only 3,000 regular troops. Pugachev himself was extradited to the authorities by his own associates. He was executed in 1775 in Moscow.

The image of Pugachev in the works of Pushkin and Yesenin can help to better understand the nature of the uprising and the character of the leader when studying the historical aspect of the topic. In general, such works allow you to look at events from another, human side.