“I love my homeland, but with a strange love!”
M. Yu. Lermontov
The image of the homeland in the works of Lermontov is one of the key. However, the poet’s relationship to Russia is ambiguous.
So, Mikhail Yurievich idealizes the past of his homeland, but is completely dissatisfied with the current state of affairs in it. The theme of the homeland in the lyrics of Lermontov acquires tragic notes related to the impossibility even of the efforts of the best people to rectify the situation. At the same time, on the pages of his works you can find many praises of the exploits and accomplishments of Russia, but they are all connected with the past of the country.
Strange and painful love for the motherland
The homeland in the works of Lermontov is represented, as already mentioned, is very ambiguous. The poet was not inclined to ostentatious patriotism and analyzed the reality surrounding him. And much of what he saw, he did not like, seemed wrong.
Lermontov actively opposed the official point of view, which stated that today's Russia is practically the ideal of the state. The writer saw something else in the homeland - this is a country of slaves and masters.
But at the same time, Lermontov also loves his homeland: “I love my homeland, but with a strange love! My mind will not triumph. ” This feeling is irrational, inexplicable and causes the poet new torment.
Image of native nature
Bright juicy colors paints the native landscapes of Lermontov. Nature and homeland are closely intertwined in the poet's mind. Despite the fact that Lermontov is considered a recognized singer of Caucasian beauties, in his work there are many appeals specifically to his native nature.
Homeland in the poetry of Lermontov is often associated with childhood memories. So, in the poem “How often a motley crowd is surrounded ...” the lyrical hero, feeling his estrangement in a bright masquerade world, returns to his memories in those days when he lived as a child in the estate. Before his inner gaze rise: a house, a garden, a pond, a village, fields and mists above them, alleys, rustles of leaves underfoot. Native nature appears as a place where the hero can hide from the hustle and bustle of the human world.
The ratio of images of the homeland and nature
The homeland in the works of Lermontov appears as a place where you can find protection and peace. However, this image is directly related to landscape sketches. Only when images of lilies of the valley, endless fields, gardens rise up in the poet’s consciousness, loneliness recedes, bliss and peace come.
The image of nature gives Lermontov the ability to conquer man. The theme of the homeland is deprived in such poems of any social or political orientation. The poet sees the beauty and harmony of nature, and hence the homeland. And this beauty and harmony will remain unchanged, in contrast to the ever-changing state power.
In nature, Lermontov also sees the manifestation of God. In its expediency, harmony, laws of the device.
The theme of the motherland in the lyrics of Lermontov is closely related to the images of native nature. Moreover, here the poet does not hesitate regarding his love for the fatherland. He clearly makes it clear that there is nothing more beautiful and closer to him.
Nature and society
The homeland in the works of Lermontov includes both the image of nature and the image of the society surrounding the poet. Moreover, they are contrasting and opposed to each other.
Thus, society is endowed with disharmonious features. There lies the reign of evil, malice, injustice and hypocrisy. It is impossible to find happiness, peace and peace here. For Lermontov, this is a hostile and dangerous world.
In contrast to society, nature appears. She gives reassurance, drowns mental suffering. However, peace is given only for that brief moment when the lyrical hero is immersed in nature and excluded from society. But, one way or another, he has to return - and suffering begins again.
How did Lermontov feel about feudal Russia?
The theme of the homeland is closely connected with the problem of serfdom and autocratic power. The lyrical hero of Lermontov is keenly experiencing the social injustice prevailing in the country. He sees people chained and deprived of their freedom. However, even suffering from the surrounding reality, he is not able to overcome his love of the motherland. Here, the theme of the motherland in the lyrics of Lermontov takes the form of torment and suffering, which are closely intertwined with the motive of love for the motherland.
Thus, the fatherland appears before the lyrical hero as a place of death and birth, a country of both close people and evil liars and traitors.
The poem "Homeland"
Often turned to the image of the homeland of Lermontov. "Homeland" is a poem in which this image becomes the main one. Moreover, it is a poetic declaration of love.
Describing the manifestations of the homeland, the lyrical hero confesses her love, Lermontov himself confesses his love. "Homeland" is a poem in which there is an understanding of what the hero of Russia is dear to. He lists its strengths and weaknesses, drawing a majestic and impregnable image.
In the poem, Lermontov describes three landscapes, replacing each other. This steppe, forest and river are typical images of Russian folklore. The steppe fascinates with its immensity and ease. The forest appears powerful, powerful, its image gives heroic features to native nature. And the landscape series closes with a description of a full-flowing, calm and majestic river. These sketches of native nature reflect the greatness, breadth and scope of Russia.
However, the image of the homeland includes not only natural descriptions, but also images of the people who live here. The poet refers to the image of a Russian man who remains natural, harmonious in his coexistence with nature.
The scene of folk fun on a holiday is colorfully and vividly depicted. The poet is endlessly rejoicing in the reigning unrestrained fun in which the freedom of the Russian people is manifested.
Lermontov depicts different facets of the image of the homeland, which he admires and sincerely loves them. Any manifestation of the homeland resonates in the poet's soul.
Description of the heroic past of Russia
Lermontov, unable to find ideals in the reality surrounding him, is forced to turn to the past of his homeland. The poet has a great interest in the history of Russia. This is explained by the fact that Lermontov sought to find heroic characters even in the past, if the present did not work out.
Homeland in the works of Lermontov is closely connected with the concept of a national character. So, within the framework of this concept, the poet in the “Song of Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich, a young oprichnik and the daring merchant Kalashnikov” draws the image of Kalashnikov. The merchant is endowed with the features of a hero, he appears to be honest, strong spirit, courageous, able to stand for a just cause and the truth to the end. Creating such images, Lermontov romanticizes the characters of the past and extols them to the podium of courage and honor.
The poem "Borodino"
The poem was written in honor of the anniversary of the Battle of Borodino. The poem is built as a dialogue between the representative of the 1812 generation and the generation of the writer.
The story is a soldier expressing a look at the war of the people. The poem contrasts the previous generation with the current one: “Yes, there were people in our time. Not like the current tribe: Heroes - not you!” Modern Lermontov youth appears inactive, incapable of heroism and courage. Moreover, the writer depicts the past generation not just as a mass of people, but as strong personalities united by one aspiration.
Strength and beauty of the national spirit
The poem reflects the opposition of "civilization", which is represented by the French, and "nature", which embodies the Russian people. So, Russians prefer open battle and strength, skill and dexterity, neglect French cunning and resourcefulness.
The peculiarity of the national spirit is also manifested in the fact that the attitude towards people is determined by personal qualities, and not by the richness of the uniform and belonging to a particular estate.
Such, in Lermontov’s understanding, is the ideal homeland, which he loves, represents and depicts, resorting to romantic idealization.
The main motives in the poet's lyrics related to the theme of the Motherland
The connection of the image of the homeland with the theme of the poet and poetry is reflected in Lermontov's early poems. The theme of "Homeland" is manifested in them through a sense of kinship between the lyrical hero and the national soul. So, in the poem “No, I'm not Byron, I'm different ...” the hero reveals his kinship with his fatherland through nationality - “with a Russian soul”.
Homeland is connected with an unattainable ideal, as, for example, in the poem "Mtsyri". The image of the homeland for the hero merges with images of freedom and will. But the dream is unattainable and leads the hero to death.
Later, Lermontov’s works reveal motives for homesickness. This topic arises in connection with the fact that the poet himself was torn away from his native places, the reason for this is frequent references to the Caucasus. The poet was worried about separation from his homeland. In poems of the late period, images of the native land begin to appear as a source of life-giving force. At the same time, isolation from it brings suffering death for the writer.
To those who do not have a homeland and who are unable to suffer from separation from it, the poet experiences only contempt. For example, in the poem "Clouds" the hero clearly stipulates the difference between himself, expelled and suffering, and clouds that do not experience any torment and torment.
Conclusion
All the works that Lermontov created over the years of his creative life are related to the themes of the homeland and freedom. The poet did not always speak directly about this, but these themes were also heard in those poems that depicted the fate of generations, talked about the poet’s destiny, told about a prisoner or senseless bloodshed, narrated about the expulsion and worthlessness of life. Through all these works, the theme of the Homeland passed through an invisible line.
If we talk about the place that the motherland occupies in Lermontov’s works briefly, then it can be unequivocally stated that it is centrifugal. Many of the motives of the poet's poetry will be somehow connected with the image of the motherland.