Pushkin's Burned Letter: An Analysis of the Poem

Poem A.S. Pushkin's "Burned Letter" is written about one of the most important topics in the life of the poet - about love. When reading, the idea arises that it speaks of an impossible feeling. What love story is behind these lines? This will be described in the analysis of the "Burned Letter" by Pushkin.

Writing history

In the analysis of Pushkin's “Burned Letter”, it is important not only to consider the poem in terms of rhymes and literary paths, but also to learn about the feeling that inspired the poet to write it. In the summer of 1823, Alexander Sergeevich came to Odessa, where he entered the service of the mayor, Count Mikhail Vorontsov. At first, they were connected by friendly relations, until Pushkin met his wife.

Elizaveta Vorontsova was not only beautiful, but also an educated woman. She was quite erudite and in the literary field. Pushkin could not help but fall in love with this beauty, and a romance broke out between them. The countess adhered to advanced views and therefore did not consider it necessary to hide her adultery from her husband.

The count was also quite liberal, but when the city began to speak disparagingly of him, he succeeded in expelling the poet. Pushkin and Vorontsova exchanged letters that she asked to be burned so that they would not compromise her. In 1825, the poet burned another letter and, seized by feelings, wrote this poem.

burnt letter Pushkin analysis

Size and Rhyme

The next item on the analysis plan of Pushkin’s Burned Letter is the definition of the size in which the poem is written. This is a six-legged iambic that sets an accelerated rhythm when reading. Which only emphasizes the intentions of the hero - he needs to get rid of letters compromising his lover as soon as possible.

Rhymes in the poem are contiguous. But in analyzing Pushkin’s “Burned Letter”, one should pay attention to the last line: she does not rhyme with anything. Perhaps this was done specifically to show that the hero is in despair and understands that he cannot change anything. And, having forgotten his feelings, he seems to forget about rhyme.

analysis of the poem Pushkin’s letter burned

Means of Expression

In the analysis of the poem "Burned Letter" by Pushkin, attention must also be paid to the means by which the literary devices the poet managed to make it expressive. Of course, not without metaphors, epithets, with the help of which Alexander Sergeyevich managed to convey his feelings.

To show the despair that the hero felt while burning the message, gradation was used. But when the poet got rid of the letter, he begins to regret it and wants to return it back. All used figures of speech and paths enhance the feeling of powerlessness of the hero and help convey the feelings he experiences.

burnt letter Pushkin plan analysis

Images in a poem

In an analysis of Pushkin’s “Burned Letter”, one cannot fail to say that the main character is not the poet himself, but a love message. With the help of a metaphor, it personifies the love of Vorontsova. Together with this letter, he destroys all those happy moments that he experienced while rereading his lines.

And the poet, burning this letter, wants it all to go faster. But at the same time, when it became only ashes, he feels pain and bitterness from the fact that there is no more evidence of love for Vorontsova.

In the analysis of the poem "Burned Letter" by Pushkin, it must be said that the poet is the other actor. The first three lines describe his anguish while he decides to burn the message. But when the flame covers the paper sheets, the hero calms down and watches how their feeling burns out. But longing and despair seize him when he sees a handful of ashes and realizes that nothing can be returned.

analysis of the verse burnt letter Pushkin

Thus, the poet, through a poem, conveyed what he felt every time he burned the countess’s incriminating messages. In the analysis of the poem “Burnt Letter” by Pushkin, one can add that during that period he was in Mikhailovsky, from where he was forbidden to travel. Therefore, correspondence with Vorontsova was for him a ray of light at that difficult time for the poet.

In the "Burned Letter" you can see not only the theme of love, but also farewell. Indeed, for the poet it was not just correspondence, but a continuation of the relationship, and the messages were proof of this. But for the sake of the well-being of his beloved, although it was difficult for him, he burned these letters. Thanks to this love story and Vorontsova’s request, this lyric poem appeared in Pushkin’s poetry.


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