Love is an extraordinary feeling that, unfortunately, not every person has been given to know. The topic of today's article is Kuprin’s novel “ Garnet Bracelet ” . The meaning of the title of the work is deeper than it might seem at first glance . What are the problems of the story? What does the decoration given to the main character symbolize?
Garnet Bracelet: Contents
A sophisticated countess once fell in love with an inconspicuous telegraph operator. He did not seek meetings with her, was not intrusive, only letters that the secular beauty received occasionally spoke of his feelings. On the day of her birthday, the princess received pearl earrings from her husband as a gift. It was a refined , exquisite gift. In the evening, the messenger handed the maid a small square box with the words " Pass personally into the hands of the lady. " A garnet bracelet was sealed in it.
The meaning of the name of the story Kuprin explain quite simply. The telegraph operator, who was unrequitedly in love, once nevertheless realized that his longing would not lead to anything good. He wrote several more letters to the princess, and attached to one of them a jewelry made of low-grade gold and poorly polished stones. This gift provoked indignation among the relatives of the protagonist.
The princess’s husband and brother went to the telegraph operator in order to stop the series of love letters threatening the reputation of the noble family. They succeeded. The telegrapher committed suicide. And only after his death the princess realized that in her life there was a love that millions of women dream about, but which men are no longer capable of .
What is the meaning of the name " Garnet Bracelet " ? The telegraph operator could give the princess turquoise earrings or a pearl necklace. However, Kuprin preferred that his heroine receive from her admirer jewelry made of bright red stones - the color of love. The meaning of the name " Garnet Bracelet " should be sought in the symbolism of precious stones. Pomegranate has always been associated with love, loyalty, passion.
So the telegrapher was dead. The princess realized that she would never meet a man who would love her so selflessly. This is the summary of the Pomegranate Bracelet. The plot of the work, however, is not so simple. There are many more characters in it. In addition, Kuprin's story is filled with symbols.
Vera Sheina
That’s the name of the main character of Alexander Puprin’s novel “ Garnet Bracelet ” . She is beautiful, educated, moderately arrogant. Vera Sheina has no children, but she has a smart, kind, understanding husband. Basil - the leader of the nobility. Relations between the spouses have long become rather friendly. There is no passion between them. And has she ever been?
In order to reveal the theme of love in " Pomegranate Bracelet " , it is necessary to talk about how the heroine treated her fan. His name was Yolk. He sent letters to the princess not a year, not two. Seven years before the events described in the story, he defeated Vera with love messages. Then he was silent for a long time. And only on the day of the name day reminded her again of himself. Vera opened a small parcel and found a bracelet in it. Like all women, she first drew attention to the jewelry, and only then to the letter. " Ah, this is it again, " the princess thought. Zheltkov only irritated her.
In her heart Vera Sheina dreams of passionate love. But like millions of women on earth, she does not know this feeling. True love passed her in the form of an unremarkable telegraph operator. About how great was the feeling of the unfortunate Zheltkov, the princess understood only after his death.
General Anosov
This is a minor character. But without him, the theme of love in the Pomegranate Bracelet would not have been fully disclosed. At the time of the publication of the story, Kuprin had already overcome the forty-year milestone. He was not old, but probably sad thoughts about the bygone youth visited him sometimes. For the writer, the main theme of creativity was love. He, as already mentioned, believed that not everyone is capable of this feeling. And very rarely, according to the prose writer, it was found among the last representatives of the Russian nobility.
General Anosov in the story expresses the point of view of the author. He is a representative of the older generation. It is the general who helps the princess to appreciate the feelings of Zheltkov. It was after talking with him that Vera looked differently at the telegraph operator's love. Anosov, unlike other guests present on Sheina’s name day, the story of the unfortunate author of love letters did not cause a grin, but rather admiration.
A significant role in the disclosure of the love theme in The Garnet Bracelet was played by the stories told by the old general. He told the young woman about two cases that occurred many years ago in the garrison, where he served. These were love stories that ended very tragically.
Anna
The author gives a rather detailed description of the characters who are not directly related to the main storyline. This is what gives the right to call the “ Garnet Bracelet ” a story, not a story. Anna is Vera 's sister . This is a young, attractive woman who is deprived of true love as well as the main character. But unlike Vera, she is very passionate. Anna is constantly flirting with the young officers, attending dinner parties, carefully monitoring her appearance. She does not love her husband, and therefore cannot be happy.
The image of a garnet bracelet
It is worth a few words to say about the main " character " of Kuprin's story. Namely about a garnet bracelet. Yolk is a modest employee. He does not have money for an expensive gift for his beloved woman. Once a garnet bracelet belonged to his great-grandmother. The last to wear this decoration was Zheltkov's mother.
The stones from the old bracelet are transferred to a new one, made of gold, albeit base. He probably saved a long time for a gift to the princess. But the point, of course, is not the cost of this decoration. Zheltkov gave the princess the most expensive - a bracelet owned by her mother.
Last letter
The story of Kuprin about the tragedy of a lonely man who infinitely loves a woman who will never reciprocate. After talking with the princess's brother, the telegrapher wrote the last, dying letter. And then committed suicide. After his death, Vera asked the pianist Jenny Reiter to play Beethoven's symphony, which Zheltkov loved so much. When she listened to this amazing music, she suddenly realized: he forgave her .