Story I.S. Turgenev's "Biryuk" was written in 1848. He became one of the many works of the author from the series “Notes of the Hunter”. The main heroes of this cycle were peasants, whom the writer depicted not as an ordinary gray mass, but as soulful, talented and thinking people. The description in the series is from the first person. Here is a summary of Biryuk by Turgenev.
In the hut of the forester
The local nobleman, an avid hunter Pyotr Petrovich came back from hunting alone late in the evening. Suddenly a thunderstorm began, and he had to hide under a bush to hide from bad weather. In the light of lightning, he saw a tall figure of a stranger. It was the local forester Thomas, who was called the "biryuk" in the district. He suggested that Peter Petrovich walk to his hut to wait out the thunderstorm. The hunter agreed, and soon they were already standing in front of a small house surrounded by extensive wattle. In the corner of the room hung a cradle in which the baby was sleeping. She was rocked by a twelve-year-old girl. The nobleman did not escape the sight of the fact that, apparently, the mistress was not here. Around was complete poverty. Even the summary of Turgenev's Biryuk evokes a keen sense of pity for people below the poverty line.
Description of the protagonist
Petr Petrovich carefully examined the forester. His face was stern and courageous. Such a look was given to him by large brown eyes, looking from below, and a thick beard. From acquaintances, the nobleman often heard stories about this man. He was feared like fire, all the surrounding men. It was impossible to bribe a forester. He was unusually strong and agile. I didn’t let anyone down. Even the bundles of brushwood could not be carried away from his forest. For indolence, he received the nickname Biryuk. He could hear the knock of an ax for dozens of miles. What strikes me most is the incorruptibility and inflexibility of a simple poor person, as Turgenev described him in his story. "Biryuk" (a brief summary cannot hide this fact) is a work that allows you to look into the original and outlandish world of the forester.
The capture of a thief
Suddenly, the forester heard the knock of an ax. He grabbed his gun and rushed into the forest. Pyotr Petrovich followed him. Soon a picture appeared before the nobleman: a felled tree was lying on the ground, and Biryuk was tying his hands to the thief. It turned out to be a skinny little man in rags and with a disheveled beard. Pyotr Petrovich stood up for the poor fellow, promising to pay for the tree. He asked Thomas to let the man go. Persistence and intransigence of the character of a forester can convey even a brief summary. Turgenev's “Biryuk” is a work about the amazing properties and mores that are common to ordinary people.
The unexpected action of the forester
The forester answered all the requests of Pyotr Petrovich in silence. The summary of Turgenev’s story “Biryuk” conveys the entirety of the contradictions that are creating at that moment in the soul of the protagonist. Probably, two feelings fought in him: pity for the poor man and the inability to compromise his principles. A man who whined about being released, suddenly changes in his face and begins to shout curses at the forester. He calls him a beast. Biryuk, hesitating a little, lets the poor man go home.
You read the summary of Biryuk by Turgenev. The work is small and easy to read. Therefore, I advise you to read it in full.