It is generally accepted that acquaintance with classical literature becomes a kind of atavism, everyone is passionate about Hollywood blockbusters and funny videos from the Internet. This is not entirely true, many are happy to rediscover the school curriculum in literature, and those who do not have time are perplexed and wonder about where some strange phrases come from in conversation. For example, why do many bloggers claim that they can fix a primus, or are going to do it, or even repair it right now? What is a primus in general and why does it constantly need to be fixed?
“I’m not touching anyone; I’m fixing the primus”
The unique flavor and even some emphasized juiciness of this phrase are beyond doubt. It is pronounced with special intonation and in most cases does not need explanation and translation. This statement belongs to a cat named Behemoth, the character of the novel "Master and Margarita." This novel by Mikhail Bulgakov is considered to be a cult novel, at one time it was considered forbidden and doubtful, it was quite difficult to get it during the Soviet Union, and he did not enter the school curriculum on literature. Only in the eighties of the last century did censorship prohibitions weaken somewhat, and everyone immediately knew that "primus can be repaired" in a figurative sense.
The novel was filmed, performances were staged on it, the wonderful program “Theater at the Microphone” was broadcast on the radio, where Vyacheslav Nevinniy, an actor with a rich intonation arsenal, read a book with expression. “Master and Margarita” first appeared on extracurricular reading lists for high school students, then entered the compulsory school curriculum. If earlier “he read“ The Master and Margarita ”was a sign of almost a dissident, then by the end of the nineties it was almost a sacred duty of any educated person. Based on the novel, dissertations and term papers were written, research was conducted, discussions were conducted, and at some point he turned from a reasonable interesting book into a “sacred cow”. The final chord was the film adaptation of director Vladimir Bortko, which led to the resumption of record sales of the book and caused a shaft of controversial reviews. But the phrase “repairing the primus”, which means “sitting, busy with my own affairs, not involved in anything”, still beats the peaks of popularity.
Charming hippo cat
The character, who gave everyone the pleasure from time to time to be retrained as a master to repair primuses, is actually distinguished by a special charm. This is recognized even by another character, Azazello. He told Margarita that it was tiresome to negotiate with her, and it would be better to send a charming Hippo instead.
“Fixing Primus” is a quote from the final part of the novel. What is the cat talking about? The whole phrase looks like this:
I’m not naughty, I’m not bothering anyone, I’m fixing the stove. And I also consider it a duty to warn that the cat is an ancient and untouchable animal.
In this scene, the Hippopotamus openly scoffs at the special services who came to arrest him and the whole company of Woland. And it’s difficult to blame him for something: firstly, he is a cat, and what claims can be to a cat, and secondly, he is a buffoon. It may not be worth taking the jester’s statements to heart, but there is some truth in every joke.
Using the phrase figuratively
If you take the phrase literally, then repairing the primus stove is not so simple - it is a potentially dangerous household appliance, a kerosene or gasoline burner for cooking. But this pearl is used precisely as an established phraseology. As an analogue, the saying "my hut from the edge, I don’t know anything" is sometimes mentioned. The meaning is very similar, although if someone sits and fixes the primus, then he is not just on the sidelines, he is also very busy with his own business, very important and responsible.
Blog Spread
Social networks and the blogosphere is an information space where any catchphrases can undergo all kinds of metamorphoses. Perhaps this is precisely why the expression “repair the primus” appeared, although this is a distorted quote, and there is no direct connection with the novel at first glance. The word “mending” itself is so capacious and consistent with the spirit of the time, which is described in the novel, that it should not be distorted and replaced with other forms. Paraphrasing a quote is also confusing.
Quotations are often used as tags, for expressive speech, in some cases they help to give the text the necessary degree of sarcasm. Other "strings of tightly packed syllogisms" from the novel are used as widely and with undisguised pleasure.
Attractiveness of the idea of ​​repairing primus stoves
It is possible that every person in his life had moments when he wanted to eliminate himself from some difficult situation, say “I’m sitting, I’m fixing the stove” so that I don’t interfere in my problems. Psychologists say this is a valuable skill. If a person can clearly outline his boundaries and prevent others from taking their time, moral and physical strength, then this is not selfishness, but healthy hygiene of interpersonal relationships. Therefore, if you feel an almost irresistible desire to say that you are just fixing the stove and therefore are not ready to switch to another activity, there is a great chance that it is worth doing this.
Other Hippo Pearls
As befits any decent jester, the Hippo cat is distinguished by a bright figurative speech, witty judgments and pleasant directness. So I’m fixing the Primus - the quote is not an isolated one. The exclamation “Queen, ear swell!”, Gastronomic wish “you still put grapes on top” or “Maestro!” Is no less recognizable. Trim the march! ”
The problem of the novel “The Master and Margarita” is that it has been disassembled into quotes for a long time. Aphorisms have gone into the people, and many use them without even thinking about the source or the true meaning. Fortunately, manuscripts do not burn. One can always open a book and find out, for example, why the cruel fifth procurator of Judea, the rider Pontius Pilate , was so dejected .