The character of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin" became the subject of scientific debate and research immediately after the publication of the work. To this day, Pushkinists cannot come to unambiguous conclusions. Who was Eugene - a lonely lost soul, an extra person or a carefree life-saver, captivated by his own idle thoughts. His actions are contradictory, his thoughts are covered with a haze of "world sorrow". Who is he?
Prototype Hero
The characterization of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin", a summary of which is provided against the backdrop of the development of the image of the hero, is the property of many literary critics and Pushkinists. We will show you the development of the character of the hero against the backdrop of the events of the novel.
Pushkin was not only a brilliant poet, but also a subtle psychologist. Histhe only novel, its writing, editing, the writer devoted seven years. This work marked Pushkin's transition from romanticism to realism. The novel in verse was planned to be a completely realistic work, but the influence of romanticism is still very strong and tangible, which is not surprising, given that the idea for it arose after reading Byron's Don Juan.
The character of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin" is the result of the poet's creative search. It cannot be said that the main character had his own clear prototype. The role of the prototype was predicted by Chaadaev and Griboedov, Pushkin himself and his opponent Pyotr Katenin, with whom the poet exchanged veiled barbs in his works. However, Pushkin himself repeatedly said that Eugene is a collective image of the contemporary noble youth.
What was Onegin's character in the novel "Eugene Onegin"?
In the first lines of the novel, we see a young man spoiled by the non-poor noble life. He is handsome and not deprived of the attention of women. Therefore, the reader is not at all surprised by the title key line of Tatyana's love for Onegin, and then Onegin's unrequited love for Tatyana.
Throughout the novel, the character of the hero undergoes major changes, which we will discuss in the following sections of the article. At the first glance at him, one gets the impression that strong feelings are inaccessible to him, he is so fed up with the attention of the fair sex that he considers himself en titled to give advice. The lessWe love a woman, the more she likes us,”became an aphorism. But in the novel, Onegin himself falls into his own trap.
Characterization of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin" 1 chapter each
The work was called "an encyclopedia of Russian life." It describes in great detail the balls and dresses of ladies and gentlemen, dishes and tableware, interiors and architecture of buildings. But most of all, the author's attention is directed to the atmosphere in which the poet himself lived, and in which his heroes live.
The first chapter of the novel is dedicated to Eugene. On behalf of the narrator, we learn that the hero is saddened by a letter about his uncle's illness. He is forced to go to him, but Onegin has no desire to do this. Here we see the hero somewhat indifferent. Having learned about the illness and imminent death of a relative, he would have to grieve and sympathize, but Evgeny cares only for his own comfort, unwillingness to leave secular life.
Image of Onegin
The characterization of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin" is quite deep. It begins with a description of the origin of the character, from which we learn that he is a nobleman, born in St. Petersburg. His father at balls and gambling debts “finally squandered.”
Yevgeny was brought up by hired teachers - tutors, who did not care at all about the fruit of their studies. The author says that in his time almost all noble children received such an upbringing.
Moral principles not instilled in time did their job: young Onegin became a thief of women's hearts. The attention of the ladies disgusted him, pushing him to"love exploits" Soon, this lifestyle led him to satiety and boredom, frustration and blues.
The characterization of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin", a brief description of which we see in the first chapter, is gaining momentum with the development of the plot. The author does not justify the actions of his hero, but the realistic border of the novel shows us that he simply cannot be different. The environment he grew up in could not bear any other fruit.
Evgeny's characteristics development
The characterization of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin" chapter by chapter shows us completely opposite sides of the character's personality. In the first chapter we have before us a young headstrong rake, balls and the conquest of beautiful girls, outfits and personal care are his main concerns.
In the second chapter, Eugene is the young heir of his dead uncle. He is still the same eccentric rake, but his behavior with the serfs tells the reader that he is capable of sympathy and understanding. Onegin saves the peasants from an unbearable tax, which causes discontent among his neighbors. However, he simply ignores them. For this, he is known as an eccentric and "ignoramus", his image is overgrown with rumors and speculation.
Friendship with Lensky
A new neighbor settles next to Evgeny - Vladimir Lensky. He had just arrived from Germany, where the world of romanticism and poetry had captivated and fascinated him. At first, the characters do not find a common language, they are very different. But soon a friendly relationship develops between them.
Young poet Lensky for a while with his communicationsaves Eugene from the insane boredom that overcomes him here too. He is interested in the poet, but in many ways he does not understand his romantic impulses.
The characterization of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin" thanks to the image of Lensky promptly acquaints the reader with the dark shades of the hero's soul. The spirit of rivalry and superiority throws Onegin to a rash act. In the fifth chapter, a feast is organized at the Larins on the occasion of Tatyana's birthday. Frustrated with boredom and din, Eugene begins to flirt with Olga, Lensky's fiancee. He does this to anger Vladimir, and does not expect a challenge to a duel from him. In this duel, he kills a friend and leaves the village. Whether he mourns a friend who died at his hands, the poet does not say.
Eugene and Tatyana
In the third chapter of the novel, Evgeny appears in the Larins' house. Tatyana falls into the power partly of her girlish dreams, partly - the charm of the hero. She puts her feelings into a letter. But there is no answer to it. At the beginning of the fourth chapter, the characters meet, and Onegin coldly tells Tatyana that if he wanted a quiet family life, he would not need anyone but Tatyana. However, now the family is not included in his plans, and marriage will bring both only disappointment and pain. He takes on the role of a noble mentor and advises the girl to be careful with her impulses, because "not every one of you, as I understand."
The characterization of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin", a summary of which we tell, is inseparable from the image of the protagonist. It is revealed precisely because of the love line. Tatyana is inconsolable in hernon-reciprocal love, Eugene's coldness hurts her to the very heart, deprives her of sleep and peace, plunges her into half-nightmarish, half-thingish dreams.
Second meeting with Tatyana
When Eugene meets a girl who was once in love with him in St. Petersburg, this becomes the culmination of the novel.
The character of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin" undergoes completely unexpected changes. The hero falls in love for the first time in his life. And so much so that he is ready for any folly, just to win the girl he once pushed away.
He writes a letter to her confessing his feelings but gets no response.
The answer later will be a conversation with Tatyana, where she admits that she also loves him, but loy alty to her husband, honor and responsibility do not allow her to reciprocate his feelings. The novel ends at this dialogue, the poet leaves Yevgeny to reap the fruits of his madness in Tatiana's bedroom.
