Alexander Pushkin Influences

Russia is home to many great writers, all of whom owe inspiration to romantic era author and poet Alexander Pushkin. Pushkin is considered the father of modern Russian literature and is often compared to the likes of England’s Byron or Shakespeare. Pushkin challenged literary norms and was a vital voice in Russian society. Although Alexander Pushkin’s greatest piece, “Eugene Onegin”, is a narrative tale it says much about Russian character and culture itself as influenced by the time and circumstance. Pushkin was born May 26, 1799 into Moscow nobility. In 1817, Pushkin accepted a foreign affairs job in St. Petersburg, the capital at the time (Edmonds, 1). This was his first encounter with politics which he soon became engrossed in. His support

As well as examine natural human emotions and the human condition, much of his work explored themes like loneliness, loss, love and desire. A major theme throughout his work is the idea that when one is young they are filled with hopes, dreams and desire but as they grow older it fades and they become jaded, apathetic or just run-down due to the hardships and cruelty of real life. This, along with his social commentary and criticism of the autocratic system greatly influenced writers like Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Pushkin introduced Russia to western genres, ideas and writers. He defined Russian literature with his sensitive style and rich vocabulary, which greatly influenced the Russian language for he was able to express deep feelings and emotions in a simpler, more comprehensive manner. Alexander Pushkin’s novel in verse, “Eugene Onegin”, is considered a Russian classic; it is a great example of Pushkin’s poetic vision. Eugene Onegin, the protagonist, has served as a model for many Russian literary heroes; he was the definition of the superfluous man, “a talented and capable individual who does not fit into social norms” (Princeton, 1). Onegin has a disregard for social values, is cynical, unsympathetic, careless and existentially

Pushkin depicts this process through the use of imagery and metaphors; he compares Onegin’s dreams and passion to rotting leaves saying what once was beautiful has decayed and fallen away. “My dreams, my dreams! What has become of their sweetness? What indeed has become of my youth?” (Pushkin, XI). Onegin is profoundly hurt and lonely, he has lost all innocence and faith, and that is his greatest tragedy, his perpetual loneliness. His loss of passion is what turns him into a superfluous, cynical and apathetic man. Another aspect of Russian society that is explored in “Eugene Onegin” is the superficiality of it; “People are so like their first mother Eve: what they are given doesn't take their fancy. The serpent is forever enticing them to come to him, to the tree of mystery. They must have the forbidden fruit, or paradise will not be paradise for them.” (Pushkin, CXI). Pushkin is alluding to the biblical tale of Adam and Eve, although they had everything they could ever want, they weren’t satisfied; they were intrigued by the outward appearance of the tree, in this way all humans are alike, we only want what is on the surface, hype/extravagance and outward beauty intrigue us. Superficiality is fundamentally unsatisfying. That is why all that intrigued him in youth has lost his fancy, as Onegin grows older, passions, games, and social amusements lose their appeal; “Alas! His