Analysis of the episode of the duel between Lensky and Onegin: what does it mean in the novel?

In the novel by A. S. Pushkin "Eugene Onegin" one of the saddest scenes is the duel between Lensky and Onegin. But why did the author decide to reduce them in a duel? What motivated young people? Could this situation have been avoided? Below will be an analysis of the episode of the duel Lensky and Onegin.

Summary

Before proceeding to the discussion, we will draw up a plan for analyzing the episode of the duel of Onegin and Lensky. This is necessary in order for the scene to be reviewed sequentially, and the reader can understand why this episode was introduced into the novel.

  1. Causes.
  2. Short description.
  3. Could there be a different outcome?
  4. The result of the duel.
    analysis of the episode duel Onegin and Lensky essay

Reasons for the fight

Why did Lensky challenge his friend to a duel? Readers remember that Vladimir was a gentle, romantic person, unlike Eugene - tired of the light, always bored, cynical person. The reason for the duel is commonplace - jealousy. But who and why was jealous?

Lensky brought Onegin in the name of Tatyana Larina. If Vladimir had his own interest (he was the bridegroom's sister's wife, Olga), then Eugene was bored. To this is added the attention of Tatyana, who is in love with him. All this causes only irritation in the young man, and he chose Lensky as the reason for his bad mood.

Onegin decides to avenge his friend for a spoiled evening and begins to care for his bride. Olga was a windy girl, so she happily accepted Evgeni's courtship. Lensky does not understand what is happening, and, deciding to put an end to this, invites her to a dance. But Olga ignores his invitation and continues to waltz with Onegin. Humiliated Lensky leaves the holiday and challenges his only friend to a duel.

analysis plan for the duel of Onegin and Lensky

A brief description of the duel between Onegin and Lensky

Eugene gets a call through Zaretsky, a friend of Lensky. Onegin realizes that he was guilty that such stupidity is not worth the best friends shooting because of it. He repents and realizes that the meetings could have been avoided, but proud young people do not refuse a fateful meeting ...

When analyzing the episode of the duel between Lensky and Onegin, one should note Evgeny’s attempts to provoke Vladimir’s refusal of the duel: he is late for an hour, appoints the servant as his second. But Lensky prefers not to notice this and waits for a friend.

Zaretsky is counting the required number of steps, young people are preparing to shoot. While Lensky takes aim, Onegin shoots first. Vladimir dies instantly, Eugene, shocked by this, leaves. Zaretsky, having taken the body of Lensky, goes to the Larin.

analysis of the duel of Onegin and Lensky briefly

Could there be a different outcome of the match?

Analyzing the episode of the duel between Lensky and Onegin, it should be noted what role Zaretsky played in this story. If you carefully read the novel, you can find lines that hint at the fact that it was he who persuaded Lensky to cause Onegin to shoot.

Also in the forces of Zaretsky was to prevent the fight. After all, Eugene realized his guilt and did not want to participate in this farce. And the second Levin was supposed to try to reconcile the rivals by the rules, but this was not done. Zaretsky could have canceled the duel just because Onegin was late for her, and his servant was the second, although according to the rules of the duel, only equal people could be second. Zaretsky was the sole steward of the duel, but he did nothing to prevent the fateful fight.

Duel result

What happened to Onegin after the duel? Nothing, he just left the village. In those days, duels were banned, so it is obvious that the reason for the death of Lensky was presented to the police in a completely different way. A simple monument was erected to Vladimir Lensky, his bride Olga soon forgot about him and married another.

duel between onegin and lensky

How the protagonist is revealed in this scene

When students write an essay on the analysis of the episode of the duel Onegin and Lensky, they pay great attention to the direction from which Eugene opens. It seems that he does not depend on the opinion of society and is tired of the circle of aristocrats with whom he hangs out and has fun. But is it because he does not refuse a duel because he is really afraid of what society will say about him? Suddenly they would consider him a coward who did not defend his honor?

The analysis of the episode of the duel between Lensky and Onegin presents a slightly different image before the eyes of the reader: Eugene is a weak-willed person who is guided not by his own judgments, but by the opinion of the world. For the sake of his egoism, he decided to take revenge on Vladimir, not thinking that he hurts his feelings. Yes, he tried to avoid the fight, but still did not apologize and did not explain anything to his friend.

At the end of the analysis of the episode, the duel between Lensky and Onegin should be written about the significance of the scene for the novel. It is in this fight that the true character of Eugene is revealed. Here his spiritual weakness, duality of nature is manifested. Zaretsky can be compared with secular society, whose condemnation is so afraid of the hero.

analysis of the duel of Lensky and Onegin

Lensky’s death suggests that people of fine mental organization cannot survive in a lying secular society. They are too exalted, sensitive and sincere. It is worth noting that Eugene Onegin is a collective character who has incorporated typical features of secular society.

But as readers know, the author did not spare Onegin, and in literature he is considered a cynical hero with a callous heart. He rejected Tatyana's love, ruined a friend, played with human feelings. And when he repented and realized that he was doing wrong, it was too late. Onegin never found his happiness, his destiny is loneliness among people who are not interested in him ...

This was a brief analysis of the episode of the duel of Onegin and Lensky, which reveals the essence of this scene in the work.


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