A.K. Tolstoy is a famous Russian poet, who in his work has repeatedly touched on the theme of love and passionate languor. His lyrics are rich and multifaceted, and the poems are known for sensuality and romance. In this article, you can read the analysis of the poem "Amid the noisy ball, by chance."
History of the work
Alexey Tolstoy was never a ladies man and a womanizer, however, he was involved in one incriminating connection. He meets Sophia Miller at a social gathering and falls in love with her without memory.
Moreover, the poet was primarily struck not by beauty, but by the lady’s brilliant mind and erudition. Unfortunately, Sophia is the wife of an officer.

A short acquaintance with an extraordinary lady leads to the speedy writing of the poem “Amid a Noisy Ball”. In it, Tolstoy conveys his impressions of his acquaintance with Sophia Miller. He was struck by the woman’s behavior: at the ball, she behaved separately, as if she were above worldly fuss, and her face was imprinted with sadness. Perhaps this is a trace of an unhappy marriage? At that time, the poet did not know about the shameful secret carefully kept by her. In her youth, Sophia was in love with Prince Vyazemsky and seduced by him, but Lovelace married a richer girl. Sophia's brother challenges the offender to a duel and dies. And Sophia carries this burden in her heart all her life. The analysis of the poem “Amid a noisy ball, by chance” cannot be compiled without these facts. Indeed, at the time of writing, his poet idealizes Sophia.
Theme of the poem
The work undoubtedly belongs to the love lyrics. It can be called one of the best in the work of A.K. Tolstoy. In it, he fully reveals his soul. All lines are penetrated by the bright image of the chosen one, the purity of the moment of their meeting, the deep feelings that the poet experienced at the fateful ball.
Researchers of poetry notice the similarity of this poem with some other works of Russian poets. An analysis of A. Tolstoy’s poem “In the midst of a noisy ball” allows you to see this. Tolstoy’s verse is especially similar to Pushkin’s “I remember a wonderful moment”. Their subjects are the same - at the ball the hero sees a charming stranger and falls in love without memory. The lines even have a clear roll call. A parallel can also be drawn with the poem by M. Yu. Lermontov “From under the mysterious, cold half-mask”.
“In the midst of a noisy ball, by chance,” A. Tolstoy: composition of a poem
The composition of the work is simple: it consists of two semantic parts. At first they may seem scattered, but this is far from the case. Between the parts of the verse there is a fairly strong connection. In the first part of the poem, the reader sees the ball, feels the poet’s feelings at this social event. It also describes the first impression of the lyrical hero of the beloved lady.
The second part of the work takes the reader from a noisy ball deep into the thoughts of the hero. We see his mental torment, emotions and insights. Tolstoy transfers the turning point of his life to "Amid the noisy ball, by chance." Analysis of the poem allows you to look into his inner world. Tolstoy does not conceal his feelings, he opens his heart to his readers.
By the way, in the composition of the verse you can identify the complication. She is connected with the past life of the lyrical hero. The past, like the present, is described vaguely.
Expressive means used by the author
The hero of the work is represented by the author from different angles, while using a fairly simple syllable and expressive means. The contrasts are most clearly represented here. Using contrasts, the author shows the entire depth of the feelings of the hero. To emphasize the peculiarities of his chosen one, A. Tolstoy uses contradictory phrases such as “sad laughter”, “anxiety of worldly vanity”. Emphasizes the lyricism and sincerity of the work and its melodious melodious sound. The analysis of the poem “Amid a noisy ball, by chance” reveals the use of cross-rhyming here. She gives the poem an organic sound.
The imagery of the work
The imagery of the verse cannot be called original and original, but Tolstoy so skillfully uses the artistic means of expression that it is not striking. The author uses complex sentences in his lines; they emphasize the depth of his thoughts. An analysis of the poem “Amid a Noisy Ball, by chance” reveals the main image of the work - the image of Sophia Miller (naturally, not named here). Her image is full of concretization.
It is real - without the vivid details inherent in romantic images. The author pays special attention to the eyes and laughter of the mysterious lover. At the ball, he did not see her face, having noticed only a look under the mask.
Fate was favorable to the heroes, they met again. Sophia Miller admitted that she does not love her husband and dreams of a divorce. Then Tolstoy handed her the manuscript “Amid the noisy ball, by chance.” Analysis of the poem made it possible to understand what feelings captivated the poet's soul. Having been in a forbidden love relationship for seven years, Tolstoy and Miller still get married.