In the novel "Eugene Onegin", the first chapter (a brief summary of which below) is of great importance for the characterization of the protagonist. The article will talk about how it is so important for understanding the actions and behavior of Eugene, his lifestyle and the decisions made. Also, we will provide the reader with the general content of the entire novel and, in more detail, of the second chapter.
A novel in poetry - the pearl of Russian poetry
In the article, we offer the reader a summary of the first two chapters of “Eugene Onegin”, as well as criticism of the general content of the work.
The importance of "Eugene Onegin" for Russian culture, literature, cultural scientists and even history is difficult to overestimate. The description of the life of the nobility, its foundations and traditions, the action-packed love line make the novel truly valuable and informative. Psychologism in portraying the characters of the novel is conveyed in stanzas subtly and professionally. These features made the work the property of world literature, putting it on the same shelf with the world’s geniuses of the pen.
Eugene Onegin (first chapter): Summary
The first chapter of the work is entirely devoted to the childhood and adolescence of Eugene. It begins with the thoughts of the hero - the "young rake" - about a letter from a sick uncle. Reluctantly, the nephew is going and going to him, unable to refuse the last will. Already imagining the insanity of boredom in the village by the dying bed, he sets off. In the meantime, the author seems to us to be a “good friend” and introduces readers to Eugene, passing along his childhood.
The summary of the first chapter of "Eugene Onegin" tells about the education of the hero. At first, her governess was his teacher, then she was replaced by a “poor Frenchman” who “taught jokingly”, that is, not seriously and not responsible for the moral of a frisky but sweet child.
It immediately becomes clear - the sense of such education is not big, which is evident from the lifestyle of the young hero. He goes to balls and entertainment, breaking the hearts of gullible ladies along the way. Eugene lives in pleasures, but such a life eventually led him to "spleen" and hopeless boredom. Being very young, he was already tired of everything. Little can bring him joy and moral satisfaction.
The meaning of the first chapter of the novel
In the novel "Eugene Onegin", the first chapter (a brief summary of it is necessary for understanding the hero) is the foundation of the entire work. Eugene’s actions no longer seem reckless and incomprehensible. Giving a detailed description of the origin of the character’s moral principles, Pushkin seemed to say: “He is not the only one. All of us, nobles, were brought up in the same way ... ”
The hero "mazurka easily danced and bowed at ease" and "the light decided ... that he was smart and very nice." That is, it was wretched not only the education of Eugene, but also the modern society of him and the author.
The summary of the first chapter of the novel “Eugene Onegin” cannot convey the whole atmosphere of the novel and the description of the poet’s environment, but even brief moments can show the problems of the young nobility. Spirituality, life for the sake of pleasure and pleasure will not lead to anything good. Even if the hero is not guilty of his substituted values, he will still have to answer for mistakes.
Second chapter
The summary of the first chapter of "Eugene Onegin" gives an idea only about the beginning of the novel. The action develops from the second chapter, the first is a kind of preface.
Eugene is bored, spends her days in the village. He changes the laws for serfs, which causes dissatisfaction and surprise of neighbors.
Soon, a young romantic poet Vladimir Lensky settled in the neighborhood with Onegin. They do not immediately find a common language, but subsequently become inseparable friends. Lensky calls a friend in the family of his bride - Olga Larina, who has a sister. The author describes the girls. Olga is beautiful, cheerful, and Tatyana is melancholy and strict. She is a mysterious and throwing girl.
The role of the second chapter in the development of the plot of the novel
In the novel “Eugene Onegin”, the first chapter (for a brief summary see above) showed us the childhood and youth of the hero in St. Petersburg. The second chapter tells about the life of Eugene in the village.
Speaking of the hero’s concern for serfs, a reduction in their rent, Pushkin points out the instability of serfdom and prophesies his imminent fall.
The description of the life of the Larin in the village is a picture of the life of rural landowners of the late 19th century. It is stable, flows calmly and measuredly, a little dull and hopelessly.
"Eugene Onegin" content
The events of the novel unfold in eight chapters. The first is a brief but detailed sketch of the poet’s youth and childhood, which we described above. The second is dedicated to the life of Eugene in the village.
In the third chapter, the hero meets the Larin family. Tatyana is pretty to him. Deprived of attention and communication, the girl falls in love with the hero and writes a letter to her lover. However, no answer follows.
The fourth chapter describes the thoughts of Eugene about the letter. He is surprised and dumbfounded by him. The hero values his freedom and is not ready to reciprocate the girl. At the meeting, he explains to her and claims that if it was time to get married, he would definitely choose Tatyana.
The fifth chapter begins with a description of the winter holidays and the mystical time of fortune telling. Tatiana sees a terrible dream, where Lensky dies at the hands of Eugene. All this, unfortunately, will come true later.
Lensky and Eugene come to visit the Larin. The behavior of Tatiana, the presence of many guests annoys Eugene, and he spontaneously flirts with a friend Olga. Vladimir angrily challenges him to a duel.
The sixth chapter is about a duel. Friends shoot at the same time, but the shot of Eugene hits the target. A former friend is dead, and Eugene leaves the village.
The seventh chapter tells that Olga did not become sad for a long time about the deceased bridegroom and got married. Tatiana accidentally fell into the estate of Eugene, reading his books and notes. This gives her the opportunity to learn more about the inner world of her lover.
The girl’s mother, seeing that she is dry and sad, takes her to Moscow. Here the girl meets an important general.
The eighth chapter of the novel is the most intense. Here the love story reaches its climax. Once at a ball, Eugene meets a young woman who amazes him with her modest, cool beauty. In it, he recognizes the changed Tatyana. It turns out she is the wife of the prince, a friend of Eugene.
Feelings overwhelm our hero. Now it's his turn to write letters and not receive an answer to them. In the end, unable to withstand the unknown, Onegin without invitation comes to the beloved's house and sees her crying for his letters. He rushes at her feet, but Tatyana coldly says that it’s too late, she is given to another and will be “a century true to him”. The plot breaks off at this moment, leaving the heroes in such a two-digit position.
Finally
The novel "Eugene Onegin" (you had the opportunity to read the summary of the first chapter earlier) is a real storehouse of knowledge about the life of the nobility, and its love line will give odds to any modern drama. This is another proof of the relevance of Pushkin's works, their value for both writers and ordinary readers, able to draw life wisdom from the immortal lines of the poet.