Pushkin's work “The Queen of Spades” came out of the pen of the great poet in 1833. The basis for it was the mysterious salon legend known in the world about the sudden and amazing card luck of Princess Natalya Golitsyna. The story is complete, reminiscent of a fascinating story and reads "the first time."
Pushkin begins the plot with the usual story for the assembled card company (narrated by the landowner Tomsky). The Queen of Spades introduces us to the 18th century Hussar with its content. The grandmother of the narrator, Count Tomsky, Anna Fedotovna in her young years lost to Count Orleans all the penny. Having received no funds from her indignant husband, she learned from the famous occultist and alchemist Count Saint-Germain (from whom she later asked for money) the secret of three cards. At the same time, the mysterious Frenchman stipulated that the countess would hold only one game. Anna Fedotovna Tomskaya then recouped and left for North Palmyra. Never again did she sit down at the gaming table. Only once did she reveal the secret to Mr. Chaplitsky, having previously secured from him a promise similar to his own. That word did not keep, winning once, did not stop in time and then, having lost millions, died in poverty. Agree, dear readers, masterfully interlaced the intrigue of his story Pushkin. The Queen of Spades is a fascinating and dynamic work.
The story did not remain "hanging in the air." He was heard by the young engineer Hermann, eaten by passions and ambition. He does not play, because his condition is modest, and he has no other income other than a salary. The passion for the game, suppressed by a strong will, makes him eagerly catch every nuance of it. Heard story of Count Tomsky shocked the young engineer, and the thirst for enrichment soon possessed him.
The way of life of the count's house is described in the next chapter by Pushkin. The Queen of Spades introduces us to the Countess of Tomsk, who lives in a private estate, senselessly observes the palace etiquette of the 17th century, manically watches her decoration and appearance. Its petty nitpicking is endless. With this manner, the landowner harasses and annoys everyone around her, and especially the young pupil Elizabeth. The hot and passionate Hermann captivates Lizonka, writes her notes and seeks a secret meeting in the count's house. Introducing young people is the topic of the third chapter. The inmate tells him in detail the plan of the rooms. But at the appointed hour, Hermann does not go to the girl, but to her mistress. He sees the lady sitting in insomnia by the window. The young man asks, and then demands from the Countess of Tomsk disclosure of the desired secret, but she stubbornly remains silent. When the engineer embarks on threats by pulling out a pistol, a heart attack occurs with the landowner, and she dies.
The fourth chapter is psychological, moral. Hermann rises to the pupil, tells the one about the misfortune. Elizabeth is shocked by his self-interest. However, neither the tears of the girl in love, nor her feelings touch the greedy young man.
In the fifth chapter, Pushkin shows his talent as a mystic writer. At the funeral of the Countess, Hermann seems to have a mocking look and a wink at the deceased. The next night, an unfamiliar noise woke him up, then the ghost of Anna Fedotovna swam into the room and announced to him a secret combination of cards - three, seven, ace. Her speech ended with a forgiveness of Hermann and a request to play only once and stop there, and then marry Elizabeth. This climax of the plot was created by Pushkin. The Queen of Spades strengthens the dynamics of her line.
Soon, the ideal situation for an enriching game comes up. Wealthy players come to Moscow. On the first day, Hermann doubles his fortune, putting him all in the top three, but does not stop there. Luck is favorable to him on the second day - the seven also bring good luck, he becomes rich. However, the player’s passion and greed imperiously lead him to perdition. He decides on the third game, betting on ace all his easy money earned by the game - 200,000 rubles. An ace falls out, but Hermann’s triumph interrupts Chekalinsky’s opponent’s remark that his lady lost. The engineer understands - the incomprehensible happened: pulling out an ace from his deck, for some reason his fingers pulled out a completely different card - the queen of spades - a symbol of secret hostility.
The desperate con man is shocked, his mind can not cope with stress, and he goes crazy. It was in the sixth chapter, which contained the fateful game itself, and the payback for it was outlined by the inevitable denouement of the plot by Pushkin. “The Queen of Spades” pays tribute to Hermann on his merits: his house is now the seventeenth chamber of the Obukhov hospital for the insane. From that moment, the consciousness of the former engineer is forever locked in a combination of three cards. The fate of the pupil of Elizabeth develops happily: marriage, prosperity and
family happiness.The story "Queen of Spades" made a splash. Among the players even a fashion arose - to bet on the cards mentioned by Pushkin. Contemporaries noted the masterful psychological image by the author of the image of the old countess, as well as her pupil. However, the "Byron" character of Hermann is most clearly depicted. The success of the work is not accidental: the classic, in whose veins really hot blood flows, writes on the theme of luck, luck that is close to himself. At the same time, we see his fatalistic convictions, stating that, nevertheless, rock dominates all the bustle of life.