Autumn . Poem Analysis. Alexander Pushkin
Autumn . Poem Analysis. Alexander Pushkin
This masterpiece was written by the greatest and the most influential Russian writer of the early 19th century. Before choosing a poem to write about – the only thing I was sure- it has to be one by Alexander Pushkin. His creations are known to every man in the former Soviet Union and every time you read it again- you open something new and fascinating. I can insure a reader that it worth every moment you spend while reading and rereading his works. Pushkin loved to dedicate his poetry to seasons, especially to autumn and winter. Autumn is probably his favorite time of the year, the most productive and creative period. The poem was written in 1833 during his second autumn in Boldino village- “as fruitful as the first” (268), “the period of his creative peak”- he wrote a great number of his well-known works. After reading this poem about the Boldinos autumn, I realized that it was not just portraying the beauty of the weather but Pushkins inner life through love, freedom, patriotism and a whole Russian picture of living.
The first four stanzas are describing the simile of spring, summer and winter as well as the reflection of life. The way the season goes- the way life goes. Landowners hunt during late autumn and how “the winter wheat will suffer from this wild fun”, ice skating and his memories of the winters holidays. Finally, it comes to summer -“a summer fair! I would have loved you, too,” if not heat and dust of summer “and like the fields, we suffer from the drought;”
And only beginning from the 5th stanza we see autumn in her full description, which would always remain his dearly- beloved one: “A melancholy time! So charming to the eye!” and the whole tone of this line is very emotional, stable and convincing. Pushkin loved to talk about his love to autumn- his delight – he loved and glorified so much-“the gold scarlet raiment of the woods” and “beauty in its parting.” Pushkins autumn is an idiom of beauty and love to nature which Russian people consider to be symbol of the patriotism and that they call “Russian Soul”.
I like the Pushkins manner of addressing to his listeners: “kind reader”, “tell you honestly”, “excuse me for this awful prosaism”- which helped to understand him better. Actually, by the courtesy of the author a reader tries to listen and appreciate his love to: “her quiet beauty”, “silence sweet” You dont want to argue because his feelings are so pure .Unintentionally, you catch yourself on the thought that autumn is probably the most perfect period of the year. Thats how Pushkin can write! Its even more than just his thoughts – it makes you fall into a free and easy conversation between the author and the reader.
Autumn, which we usually compare to some symbol of sleep and dying, is completely different here-in the poem. The author fond so many motivations and sensations while observing this season in Boldino village. He wrote: “When autumn