Who remembers this poem? Probably not many. For one of the most memorable works of F. I. Tyutchev "Silentium". Meanwhile, the poem "The Last Cataclysm" has a very deep philosophical meaning. Want to know which one? The article is described in detail.
It consists of one quatrain. What did Tyutchev want to convey to the reader in such a short work? Why was it written? How does the poet's worldview reflect?
Let's look for answers to these questions. They lie on the surface. Read the article and see for yourself.
What is it like?
"The Last Cataclysm" is a philosophical miniature. It is dedicated to the theme of the Flood. Why does the poet address this biblical theme? He foresees a new catastrophe. But which one? Will it be a repetition of the previous one? Maybe yes, maybe not.
Turning to the Book of Genesis
According to Old Testament history, God was angry with people. To such an extent that he decided to destroy His own creation. But there was a godly man in the midst of the sea of men, named Noah. God warned him of the impending flood, ordering him to build a ship. In this vessel it was possible to escape from the flood.
Work on the construction lasted many years. Finally, the ark was ready. Noah and his family went aboard, taking animals with them. Each creature in pairs. Right after that, rain poured.
Forty days and nights it rained. And it took Noah about a year to go to land. The ark moored to Mount Ararat. The pious Noah thanked God for salvation. After which God promised that the Flood would never happen again.
Tyutchev about a new disaster
In the poem "The Last Cataclysm," Fedor Ivanovich speaks of an impending catastrophe. He anticipates her, as mentioned above. But at the same time, Fedor Ivanovich considers the new flood as a source of life. That sounds pretty weird. However, according to Tyutchev, after the flood, the world will return to its roots. To the beginning of time. Water will absorb all living things, but at the same time it will become a source of new life. Maximum destruction becomes maximum creation. Earth plunges into chaos, this is its initial state.
Thus, "The Last Cataclysm" is not something intimidating. Not a gloomy prediction of the end of the world, but a reflection of the source of a new life, perpetual motion.
From a political point of view
Fedor Ivanovich was not shy about his political views. Sometimes expressed them in poems. Literary scholars believe that Tyutchev’s verse "The Last Cataclysm" is the personification of social upheavals awaiting the world. Fedor Ivanovich was rather skeptical of revolutions and coups. From his point of view, there were two forces: the conservative Russia and the revolutionary Europe.
It is known that the poet was a senior censor. His activities allowed to prohibit the spread of the manifesto of the Communist Party in the territory of the Russian Empire.
Given the political views of the poet, it is logical that the verse "Last Cataclysm" is a warning about world social upheavals. They are known to lead to catastrophic consequences often.
Disappointment
What else can be covered in Tyutchev's “Last Cataclysm”? Dissatisfaction with the outside world, disappointment in it. At the time of writing the poem, the state of mind of the poet could leave much to be desired. This is reflected in the work.
Fedor Ivanovich is a famous poet philosopher. There is nothing superfluous in his works. Each word is balanced and considered.
The inevitability of the cataclysm and the impossibility of mankind to stop it. This is one motive. The second lies in the same inevitability of the revival of life. The old life will perish, but the new will be reborn. How harmoniously these two seemingly absolutely incompatible things are combined. At the time of writing the poem, the poet was mentally ill. That's quite possible. But he understands that this agony of the soul, its "last cataclysm" is not eternal. It will pass, and the "white life span" will replace.
Going back to God
The last line of the poem: "And God's face will be portrayed in them." It has a deep philosophical meaning. All being, from the creation of the world to the Second Coming, is based on God. Everything happens according to His will. And nothing is done without His knowledge.
The divine face is incomprehensible to people because of sinfulness. But people and God are interconnected. You cannot live without faith first. Faith is in God. And only after the catastrophe the true face of God will be displayed in the water surface. He is embodied in this picture, being present there.
God is the main poetic image of a poem. There is no personal human self in this poem. His philosophy is emphasized by the generalized use of vocabulary.
God is shown in the water. The poem combines concepts incompatible. God is incorporeal, but here he takes on an image. Water is the image of a mirror. The poem conceals the comparison of waters with a mirror.
The intonation of the poem "Last Cataclysm" is unhurried. It makes you think about the lines of the work.
Writing style
The poem is written by pentameter iambic. The endings are both female and male. Rhymes are different: cross, open and closed. And this adds a sense of ambiguity to the poem. It seems that there are two completely different worlds.
Summarize
"The Last Cataclysm" was written in 1829. This is a philosophical poem that contains what literary scholars have been able to study for a long time. The invisible mind, thoughts and worldview of Fedor Ivanovich Tyutchev.
Conclusion
The article made an analysis of the poem "The Last Cataclysm." Someone will see something close in the poem. Mentally agree with its author. But this verse is alien to someone. And this person will exclaim: “I do not agree!”, Thus entering into a mental argument with the poet. For this, philosophical poems are needed so that everyone can see this world in their own way. Poems of this kind give impetus to reflection. They help to express their point of view, not to be afraid to enter into a dispute and to defend their own position. Personalities of a person help to develop.