The character of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin" became the subject of scientific debate and research immediately after the publication of the work. To this day, the Pushkinists cannot come to unambiguous conclusions. Who was Eugene - a lonely lost soul, an extra person, or a carefree play - burner, captive of his own idle thoughts. His actions are contradictory, his thoughts are obscured by the haze of "world sorrow." Who is he?
Prototype hero
The characterization of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin", a brief summary of which is provided against the backdrop of the development of the hero's image, is the property of many literary scholars and Pushkin scholars. We will show you the development of the character of the hero against the background of the events of the novel.
Pushkin was not only a brilliant poet, but also a subtle psychologist. The writer devoted seven years to his only novel, his writing, and editing. This work marked the transition of Pushkin from romanticism to realism. The novel in poems was planned as a completely realistic work, but the influence of romanticism is still very strong and tangible, which is not surprising when you consider that his idea arose after reading Byron’s Don Juan.
The character of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin" is the result of the poet’s creative search. This is not to say that the main character had his own clear prototype. The role of the prototype was predicted by Chaadaev and Griboedov, Pushkin himself and his opponent Peter Katenin, with whom the poet exchanged veiled taunts in his works. However, Pushkin himself repeatedly said that Eugene is a collective image of the modern poet of the noble youth.
What was Onegin's character in the novel Eugene Onegin?
In the first lines of the novel we see a young man spoiled by the non-poor noble life. He is handsome and not deprived of the attention of women. Therefore, the title key line of Tatyana’s love for Onegin, and then Onegin’s unrequited love for Tatyana, does not surprise the reader at all.
Throughout the novel, the character of the hero undergoes serious changes, which we will discuss in the next sections of the article. At the first glance at him, the impression is created that strong feelings are inaccessible to him, he is so saturated with the attention of the fair sex that he considers himself entitled to give advice. “The less a woman we love, the more she likes us” - it became an aphorism. But in the novel, Onegin himself falls into his own trap.
Characteristics of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin" according to Chapter 1
The work was called the "encyclopedia of Russian life." It describes in great detail balls and dresses of ladies and gentlemen, dishes and cutlery, interiors and architecture of buildings. But most of all, the author’s attention is focused on the atmosphere in which the poet himself lived, and in which his heroes live.
The first chapter of the novel is dedicated to Eugene. On behalf of the narrator, we learn that the hero is saddened by a letter about his uncle's illness. He is forced to go to him, but Onegin has no desire to do so. Here we see the hero somewhat indifferent. Having learned about the illness and the imminent death of a relative, he would grieve and sympathize, but Eugene cares only for his own comfort, unwillingness to leave social life.
The image of Onegin
The characterization of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin" is quite deep. It begins with a description of the origin of the character, from which we learn that he is a nobleman, born in St. Petersburg. His father, at balls and card debts, "wasted at last."
Eugene was brought up by hired teachers, tutors, whom the fruit of their studies did not care at all. The author says that in his time, almost all noble children received such education.
Moral principles that were not inoculated in time did their job: young Onegin became a kidnapper of female hearts. The ladies' attention disgusted him, pushing him to "love exploits." Soon, this way of life led him to satiety and boredom, disappointment and spleen.
The characterization of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin", a brief description of which we see in the first chapter, is gaining momentum with the development of the plot. The author does not justify the actions of his hero, but the realistic border of the novel shows us that he simply cannot be different. The environment in which he grew up could not bear other fruits.
Evgeni's characterization development
The characterization of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin" by chapters shows us completely opposite sides of the personality of the character. In the first chapter, before us is a young masterful hang, balls and the conquest of beautiful girls, outfits and personal care - his main concerns.
In the second chapter, Eugene is the young heir to the deceased uncle. He is still the same whacky rake, but his behavior with serfs tells the reader that he is capable of sympathy and understanding. Onegin saves the peasants from an overwhelming tax, which causes the discontent of their neighbors. He, however, simply ignores them. For this, he is known as an eccentric and “ignorant”, his image is surrounded by rumors and speculation.
Friendship with Lensky
A new neighbor settles next to Eugene - Vladimir Lensky. He had just arrived from Germany, where the world of romanticism and poetry carried away and fascinated him. At first, the characters do not find a common language, they are very different. But soon friendships ensued between them.
The young poet Lensky temporarily relieves Eugene from the crazy boredom of his communication, which overcomes him here too. He is interested with the poet, but in many ways he does not understand his romantic impulses.
The characterization of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin" thanks to the image of Lensky promptly acquaints the reader with the dark shades of the hero's soul. The spirit of competition and superiority throws Onegin to a rash act. In the fifth chapter, the Larins organized a feast on the birthday of Tatyana. Frustrated by boredom and din, Eugene begins to flirt with Olga, the bride of Lensky. He does this to anger Vladimir, and does not expect a duel from him. In this duel, he kills a friend and leaves the village. Whether he mourns the friend who died at his hands, the poet does not speak.
Eugene and Tatyana
In the third chapter of the novel, Eugene appears in the Larins' house. Tatiana falls into power partly of her girlish dreams, partly - the charm of the hero. She puts her feelings in a letter. But there is no answer to it. At the beginning of the fourth chapter, the heroes meet, and Onegin coldly tells Tatyana that if he wanted a quiet family life, he would not need anyone except Tatyana. However, now the family is not included in his plans, and marriage will bring both disappointment and pain. He takes on the role of a noble mentor and advises the girl to be careful with her impulses, because "not everyone will understand you."
The characterization of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin", the brief content of which we are telling, is inseparable from the image of the protagonist. It is revealed precisely thanks to the love line. Tatyana is inconsolable in her non-reciprocal love, Evgenia’s coldness wounds her in the heart, deprives her of sleep and peace, plunges into half-nightmare, half-dreaming dreams.
The second meeting with Tatyana
When Eugene meets a girl who was once in love with him in St. Petersburg, this becomes the culmination of the novel.
The character of Onegin in the novel "Eugene Onegin" undergoes completely unexpected changes. The hero falls in love for the first time in his life. And so much so that he is ready for any folly, if only to conquer the girl whom he once pushed away.
He writes a letter to her, where he confesses his feelings, but does not receive an answer to it.
The answer later will be a conversation with Tatyana, where she admits that she also loves him, but loyalty to her husband, honor and responsibility do not allow her to reciprocate his feelings. The novel breaks off in this dialogue, the poet leaves Eugene to reap the fruits of his madness in Tatyana’s bedroom.