In 1963, one of the stories of the Russian thinker and humanist Alexander Solzhenitsyn was published. The basis of events from the biography of the author. The publication of his books has always caused a huge resonance not only in Russian-speaking society, but also among Western readers. But the image of Matryona in the story “Matrenin Dvor” is unique. There was nothing of the kind in rural prose before. And therefore, this work took a special place in Russian literature.
Plot
The story is conducted on behalf of the author. A certain teacher and former prisoner went at random in the summer of 1956, where they looked. His goal is to get lost somewhere in the Russian deep hinterland. Despite the ten years he spent in the camp, the narrative hero still hopes to find work, to teach. He succeeds. He settles in the village of Talnovo.
The image of Matryona in the story “Matrenin Dvor” begins to take shape even before it appears. A random acquaintance helps the protagonist find a haven. After a long and unsuccessful search, she offers to go to Matryona, warning that "she lives in the wilderness and is sick." They go to her.
Matrena's possessions
The house is old and rotten. It was built many years ago by a large family, but now only one woman of about sixty lived in it. Without a description of the rural poor life, the story “Matrenin Dvor” would not have been so penetrating. The image of Matrena - the heroine of the story itself - fully corresponds to the atmosphere of desolation that reigned in the hut. A yellow, sickly face, tired eyes ...
The house is full of mice. Among its inhabitants, in addition to the mistress herself, cockroaches and a lame cat.
The image of Matryona in the story “Matrenin Yard” is the basis of the story. Based on it, the author reveals his soul world and depicts the characteristic features of other characters.
From the main character, the narrator learns about her difficult fate. She lost her husband at the front. All my life I lived alone. Later, her guest finds out that for many years she has not received a dime: she works not for money, but for sticks.
She was not happy with the tenant, persuaded him to find a cleaner and more comfortable home for some time. But the guest’s desire to find a quieter place determined the choice: he stayed with Matryona.
During that time, while the teacher was lodging with her, the old woman got up before dawn, preparing a simple breakfast. And it seemed that a certain meaning appeared in the life of Matryona.
Peasant image
The image of Matryona in the story Matrenin Dvor is a strikingly rare combination of selflessness and industriousness. This woman has been working for half a century now, not in order to make good, but out of habit. Because it does not represent another existence.
It should be said that the fate of the peasantry always attracted Solzhenitsyn, since his ancestors belonged to this estate. And he believed that it was the industriousness, sincerity and generosity that distinguished representatives of this social stratum. Which confirms the sincere, truthful image of Matryona in the story "Matrenin Dvor."
Fate
In intimate conversations in the evenings, the hostess tells the tenant the story of her life. Husband Yefim died in the war, but before his brother had wooed her. She agreed, was listed as his bride, but during World War II he went missing and she did not wait for him. She married Yefim. But Thaddeus is back.
Not a single child of Matryona survived. And then she was a widower.
Her end is tragic. She dies in her naivety and kindness. This event ends the story "Matrenin Dvor." The image of the righteous Matryona is therefore sadder, for all her good qualities, she remains misunderstood by the villagers.
Loneliness
Matrona lived in a big house all her life alone, except for the short female happiness that was destroyed by the war. As well as those years during which she raised the daughter of Thaddeus. He married her namesake, and they had six children. Matrona asked him for a upbringing girl, which he did not refuse. But the adopted daughter left her.
The image of Matryona is amazing in the story of A. I. Solzhenitsyn, "Matrenin Dvor." Neither eternal poverty, nor resentment, nor all kinds of oppression destroy it. The best way for a woman to regain a good mood was work. And after the labors, she became contented, enlightened, with a kind smile.
The Last Righteous
She knew how to enjoy other people's happiness. Not accumulating goodness throughout her life, she did not become hardened, she retained the ability to sympathize. Not a single hard work in the village was complete without her participation. Despite her illness, she helped other women, harnessed to the plow, forgetting about her advanced age and illness, which had tormented her for more than twenty years.
This woman never refused anything to her relatives, and her inability to preserve her own “good” led to the fact that she lost her room - her only property, not counting the old rotten house. The image of Matryona in the story of A. I. Solzhenitsyn personifies selflessness and virtue, which for some reason did not cause either respect or a response from others.
Thadday
The righteous female character is opposed by her failed husband, Thaddeus, without whom the image system would be incomplete. "Matrenin Dvor" is a story in which, in addition to the main character, other people are present. But Thaddeus is a stark contrast to the main character. Having returned from the front alive, he did not forgive his bride for treason. Although, it should be said that she did not love his brother, but only regretted it. Realizing that it is difficult for his family without a mistress. The death of Matryona at the end of the story is a consequence of the stinginess of Thaddeus and his relatives. Avoiding unnecessary spending, they decided to move the room faster, but did not have time, as a result of which Matrena got under the train. Only the right hand remained intact. But even after the terrible events, Thaddeus looks at her dead body indifferently, indifferently.
In the fate of Thaddeus there are also many sorrows and disappointments, but the difference between the two characters is that Matrena was able to save her soul, but he did not. After her death, the only thing that worries him is Matrenino's meager property, which he immediately drags into his house. Thaddeus does not come to the wake.
The image of holy Russia, which poets so often sang, is scattered with her departure. The village cannot stand without the righteous. The image of Matryona, the heroine in Solzhenitsyn’s short story “Matrenin Dvor”, is the remnants of a pure Russian soul, which still lives, but already on its last legs. Because righteousness and kindness are valued less and less in Russia.
Interesting Facts
The story, as already mentioned, is based on real events. Differences are only in the name of the settlement and some little things. The heroine was actually called Matrena. She lived in one of the villages of the Vladimir region, where the author spent 1956-1957. The house was supposed to make a museum in 2011. But Matrenin yard burned down. In 2013, the house museum was restored.
The work was first published in the literary magazine New World. Solzhenitsyn’s previous story provoked a positive reaction. The story of the righteous has generated a lot of controversy and discussion. Nevertheless, critics had to admit that the story was created by a great and truthful artist who was able to return to the people his native language and continue the traditions of Russian classical literature.