Lermontov, "Princess Ligovskaya": the history of creation and a summary of the novel

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:35

"Princess Ligovskaya" by Lermontov is an unfinished socio-psychological novel with elements of a secular story. Work on it was started by the author in 1836. It reflected the personal experiences of the writer. However, already in 1837 Lermontov abandoned him. As the researchers managed to establish, not only Lermontov, but also the writer Svyatoslav Raevsky, the second cousin of the poet Akim Shan-Giray, took part in the work on the manuscript. The work outlines a gradual transition to realistic artistic principles from romantic maximalism, to which Lermontov was previously subject. Some of the concepts and ideas that appeared on the pages of this work were later used in "A Hero of Our Time".

History of writing

Lermontov began to work on "Princess Ligovskaya" in 1836. There is evidence that certain plot lines of the work havedirectly related to the circumstances of his personal life. In particular, information about this is contained in the poet's letters to his close friend and relative Alexandra Vereshchagina. In one of them, Lermontov writes about the break with Ekaterina Sushkova and the alleged marriage of Varvara Lopukhina. Historians believe the letters were sent in 1835. Both of these events are reflected in the pages of M. Lermontov's novel "Princess Ligovskaya".

In some parts of the manuscript there is a handwriting of the poet's friend - writer Svyatoslav Raevsky. In 1836 they lived in the same apartment. It is established that Raevsky helped in writing some of the chapters. In particular, he wrote the image of Krasinsky, as well as episodes related to the activities of officials. The second cousin of the poet Akim Shan Giray took part in the creation of the seventh chapter.

Work on the novel was interrupted by the arrest of Raevsky and Lermontov, which occurred in 1837 after the distribution of the poem "The Death of a Poet". Both were sent to exile.

In one of his letters to Raevsky in 1838, Lermontov mentions this novel, noting that it is unlikely to ever be completed, since the circumstances that formed its basis have changed radically.

According to literary critics, Lermontov's work on "Princess Ligovskaya" was prompted not only by the lack of material, but also by the loss of interest. At that time, he already had a new idea, in which some past ideas were embodied.

Summary of "PrincessLigovskaya" Lermontov is not on the "Brifli", but you can get to know him in this article.

Already in the spring of 1839, Lermontov wrote "Bel", and the next year he finished the novel "A Hero of Our Time".

The beginning of the story

Summary of Lermontov's "Princess Ligovskaya" will help you get a full impression of this work, even without reading it. The action of the novel takes place in 1833 in St. Petersburg. It all starts with the fact that a young and poor official on the street gets hit by a horse. The wagon leaves, but the victim manages to pay attention to the appearance of his offender. It turns out to be a we althy and also young officer Grigory Alexandrovich Pechorin.

Pechorin's house is met by his sister Varenka, who tells him that the Ligovsky princes were visiting them. This name immediately causes excitement in the officer.

Romance with Vera

It turns out that a few years ago he fell in love with Verochka R., who reciprocated his feelings. Pechorin was then so carried away by his feelings that he even failed the exams. As a result, he had to go to military service, and from there go to the front as part of the army.

On the front line, the protagonist of M. Yu. Lermontov's novel "Princess Ligovskaya" showed courage. After the end of the campaign, he found out that Verochka did not wait for him and married Prince Ligovsky. This caused a deep emotional wound to the young man.

High Life

In St. Petersburg, Pechorin leads the life of a true dandy. He is overcome by boredom, because of her, he begins to court Elizaveta Negurova. Everyone around says that she has long been sitting in the girls. At one point, he decides to stop this flirting by sending her an anonymous letter. In it, the officer writes that Elizabeth has nothing to hope for in this relationship.

The same evening he goes to the theater where he meets an attractive woman but cannot see her face. Negurova was also at the performance, and she continues to show interest in him. After the premiere, the officer goes to a restaurant, where he has an unpleasant conversation with a young man who turns out to be the downed official. The victim considers himself humiliated, I am sure that he was ridiculed. In his opinion, we alth does not allow other people to offend and belittle others. Pechorin proposes to resolve their dispute in a duel, but the official is against it. He explains his refusal by concern for the he alth of an elderly mother.

Meeting with the Ligovsky princes

The next day, Pechorin goes on a courtesy visit to the Ligovsky princes. At their house, he understands that the lady who the day before attracted his attention in the theater is Princess Vera. The prince himself, upon close acquaintance, turns out to be a narrow-minded person who made a marriage proposal solely at the insistence of relatives and friends.

After what time Pechorin's mother arranges a big reception. The Ligovskys are invited to it. At the table, Vera is not far from the main character, who strikes up a conversation with her, making unpleasant hints. As a result, the womanupset and crying.

Meanwhile, Prince Ligovsky practically does not pay attention to his wife, constantly complaining about the protracted case in court, which is handled by an official named Krasinsky. Pechorin, in order to make amends with Vera, volunteers to meet with an official to ask him to pay more attention to the concerns of the prince.

Looking for Krasinski

Lermontov's work "Princess Ligovskaya" is very interesting. A brief summary of the novel will help you familiarize yourself with its plot. The central mortar of the work is the meeting of the main characters. Pechorin goes to look for an official in poor neighborhoods. Having found the right apartment, he finds an elderly woman. It soon turns out that Krasinsky is the same young man whom the officer shot down a few days ago. He communicates coldly and arrogantly with Pechorin, but promises to visit the prince.

Soon Krasinsky really comes to the Ligovskys, Vera even introduces him to her guests.

At the ball

The next important episode of the novel takes place at the ball at Baroness R., where the protagonist of the novel meets Vera again. At the same secular evening, Elizaveta Negurova is present. The girl is cold with the main character, as she managed to get acquainted with an anonymous letter. She is upset, because she fell in love with Pechorin while he was courting her.

The officer finds out that Elizabeth and Vera are friends, so he fears that they might tell each other a lot of unwanted things about him.

The end of the novel "The PrincessLigovskaya" Lermontov was not written. Literary critics only manage to trace a few basic ideas embodied in it. These include a detailed depiction of the types, life and customs of high society, as well as the interesting image of the "little man." He is the poor official Krasinsky. He hates the powerful and we althy people.

Artistic Features

It is worth noting that this work was not the first experience of the writer in prose. Previously, he had already worked on the novel "Vadim", which also remained unfinished.

When analyzing "Princess Ligovskaya" by Lermontov, it should be noted that in the author's creative mind there is a transition to realism from romanticism. The writer seeks to distance himself from lofty and pretentious moods as much as possible. At the same time, there is a "seal of transitivity" in the novel. For example, Pechorin, like Vadim, has demonic features, both of these heroes are ruthless and cold towards others.

Romantic elements can also be found in Krasinski's image. His predecessors were heroes from the poet's early work, who were distinguished by their fury and heightened sense of justice.

Society Tale

In this novel, researchers discover elements of a secular narrative. This is also one of the variants of romantic prose.

Topographic meticulousness and scrupulousness allows us to consider "Princess Ligovskaya" the most "Petersburg" of the author's works. Histhe action takes place in the specific scenery of the real capital of the Russian Empire.

It is interesting that throughout the entire work the dialogue between the author and the reader does not stop. In it, he suggests an enlightened person who is able to understand messages, allusions and reasoning. Referring to this fictitious interlocutor, Lermontov calls him "venerable" and even "strict", especially when it comes to future generations.

Many people note Lermontov's desire for generalization, which, obviously, is a consequence of the influence of Pushkin's "Eugene Onegin".