Turgenev, the most famous Russian writer, became famous not only for his works, but also for his wonderful spiritual qualities. After writing a series of stories "Notes of the Hunter", he managed to influence the ruler of Alexander II, who, having read it, conceived the abolition of serfdom. This cycle also includes the story of the forester Biryuk. What is the main theme of the story "Biryuk"? We will try to find out.
The hard life of peasants
The story “Biryuk” is one of 25 stories in the series “Notes of the Hunter”. The storyteller in each of them is a certain hunter who unwittingly is a participant in the incidents.
The main character, Biryuk, appears before us as a strong, courageous man. In fact, his name is Thomas Kuzmich. His nickname, which means "lonely, gloomy man," he received due to his appearance and some life circumstances.
He used to be a completely happy person: he had a family, two children, worked as a forester, responsibly performing his work. But the circumstances of his personal life changed: his wife, leaving him and the children, left with a city man. But Biryuk is not husky, he also continues to work and live, raising two children, one of whom is a baby. It is difficult to say right away what the main theme of the story is, “Biryuk”. This is a difficult peasant life, and a strong personality of a forester, and a betrayal of a beloved woman. Consider the other aspects that will help us identify the main topic.
My home is my castle
So say everyone who has their own roof over their heads. Was the forester's hut a fortress? Recall how Turgenev “leads” the hunter and reader into the peasant's hut. There are no flights, only one oven, people have to sleep on the floor. The girl, absolutely barefoot, who left the room, is Biryuk's daughter. Her childhood is a little like this fun time: she looks after a child who is still very small and sleeps in a cradle. Around everything is dark and dirty, which is understandable - there is no mistress. A real, adult woman. To demand from a child of twelve years of complete order in the house and good supervision of the baby is simply impossible. Nevertheless, the daughter of Thomas does not complain about anything, only dutifully shakes the cradle with the baby.
They are also sparse with food: Biryuk cannot offer the hunter anything but bread and water, and the child has to suck only a dirty horn. The family has a very hard time. What is the main theme of the story "Biryuk"? Undoubtedly, poverty, but at the same time the strength of a Russian man whom circumstances could not break.
Strong and incorruptible
Biryuk appears before us for the first time lit by a white lightning. The author immediately showed us a real hero with strong muscles, high growth and strong physique. Although he is gloomy, he is still a very good person. He did not let the hunter get wet in the rain, but offered to wait him out in his poor hut. Why, then, throughout the story do we see such a strong, but gloomy man? Of course, he lives very hard. Abandoned by his wife, he was left with two children in distress. Nevertheless, another side of his character is revealed before us - responsiveness. Proof of this is the story of a thief who wanted to cut down a forest in the territory protected by forester Biryuk.
All the peasants knew that Thomas would not let anyone in, would not allow him to steal the forest. He did not take bribes, despite his poverty, honestly performed his work. Another main theme of the story “Biryuk” is the integrity of a Russian person, responsibility to people who entrusted him with such an important position.
Serfdom - no! What is the main theme of the story "Biryuk"?
We managed to find out what topics Turgenev raised in his story. It is worth noting that the desire to abolish serfdom at that time shows what the main theme of the story is “Biryuk”. Thomas and the male thief are serfs. How does each of them live? Very very poor. But if the first is a strong and decent person, then the other is ready to commit a crime, broke down from poverty. He goes to the territory, which is protected by the well-known Biryuk, and at his own risk cuts the forest. But still he is captured. But here he shows his weakness, puts pressure on pity, insults Biryuk to leave by all means. And Thomas, meanwhile, refuses to take money for the forest, proposed by the master hunter in order to save the man.
The story "Biryuk" was written by Turgenev as an expression of protest against serfdom. He shows how hard it was for the serfs to live at that time. And how people behave differently under difficult circumstances.
For us living in a different era, it is undoubtedly difficult to understand how difficult it was for them.