“Extra Man” is one of the leading topics of 19th century literature. Many Russian writers addressed this topic, but Turgenev addressed it most often. The starting point of this expression was the "Diary of an Extra Man."
About the story
Work on the story Turgenev finished in Paris in 1850. "Diary" and begins in the writer's work the theme of "extra man." The author has addressed it before, but if the previous works were imbued with irony and controversy, the basis of the "Diary" is a more objective and deep psychological analysis. The writer is especially interested in the problem of a thorough depiction of character, this is where Turgenev’s psychologism lies, but on a realistic basis, and not romantic.
The author himself considered the "Diary" a successful work. In this story, Turgenev does not explain this type of people, does not reveal deeply ideological and social ties and relationships. But here the symptoms are already indicated, however, the causes and methods of treatment are still unclear. The author of the Diary, Chulkaturin, is endowed with the features of an “extra person,” but he still does not have the intellectual and moral superiority over others, which Turgenev and other representatives of 19th century literature will later note in his other works.
Short review
The "Diary" is so far only a sketch describing the "extra man." The composition of the work corresponds to the image of a thinking person. But the Turgenev hero himself is put in a miserable and ridiculous position, which reduces the tragedy of his fate. This happened due to the fact that in the story the theme of “little people” merges with the theme of “an extra person”. This is not necessarily a small person, in subsequent works the author will clearly show how the rich inner world of the “extra person” rises above the surface education and aristocratic polish.
Creating the image of the protagonist of the "Diary of an Extra Man", Turgenev acts as a master realist. Revealing the life of the “chosen ones”, he does not forget about the vulgar, self-righteous and malicious representatives of the noble society. The lyrical tone of Turgenev's prose is gradually replaced by accusatory notes, which corresponds to the character's appearance.
The author, through the mouth of the hero, ironically describes the city’s society: “tailored as if from stale material”, “yellowish and venomous creature.” Turgenev will resort to such collective characteristics later. Ever revealing their types, then confining himself to stingy sketches, the author will create a domestic background, on which the moral drama of his heroes takes place. To fully disclose the image of Turgenev in the "Diary of an Extra Man" represents the hero through his confession.
Alone with myself
A brief summary of the “Diary of an Extra Man” will begin with the doctor telling his patient Chulkaturin about his imminent death. Upon learning that he had only two weeks left to live, he begins to keep a diary. He made his first entry on March 20. There is no one to tell their gloomy thoughts, and Chulkaturin is trying to understand how and why he lived for thirty years.
His parents were rich people. Father quickly lowered everything by playing cards. From its former state there remained a small village of Sheep Water, where he was now dying of consumption. Mother was a proud woman and suffered family misfortunes humbly, but there was some rebuke to those around him. The boy was a little afraid of her and was attached more to his father. There were almost no bright memories of childhood.
After the death of his father, Chulkaturin moved to Moscow. University, few acquaintances, the service of petty bureaucrats - nothing special, the life of a completely superfluous person. He really likes this word, because only it conveys the exact meaning of his existence, and he writes it in his dying diary.
First love
“Diary of an extra person” Turgenev continues with a story about how, in moments of despair, Chulkaturin recalled a small town where he was lucky to spend several months. He met there with an important official of the county Ozhogin. He had a wife and daughter Lisa, a very lively and pretty person. A young man fell in love with her, feeling awkward in the presence of the ladies. But from now on, Chulkaturin blossomed with his soul.
Lisa accepted the society of Chulkaturin, but did not feel any special feelings for him. Once they both went out of town, enjoying a quiet evening and a beautiful sunset. The beauty of the environment and the proximity of the man in love with her awakened touching feelings in Lisa, and the girl burst into tears. Chulkaturin took these changes at his own expense. Soon, the Ozhogins were visited by a young prince N., who came from St. Petersburg. In the soul of Chulkaturin, an unpleasant feeling for a metropolitan officer immediately arose.
Rival
Chulkaturin's hostility grew into anxiety and despair. Once, looking at his face in the mirror in the Ozhogins' house, Chulkaturin saw Lisa enter the room and, seeing him, immediately slipped quietly out of the room, avoiding meeting with him. The next day, he again came to their house, when all the inhabitants of the Ozhogins' house gathered in the living room. Having learned that the prince had been with them all last night, the young man took an insulted look and pouted his lips to punish Lizonka with disfavor.
Then the prince entered the drawing room, Lisa flushed at the sight of him, and it became clear to Chulkaturin that the girl was in love with the prince. By a tense smile, by arrogant silence and impotent anger, the prince realized that he was facing a rejected rival. Everything became clear to those around him, and they treated Chulkaturin as a patient. But he became more and more tense and unnatural.
Extra man
We continue the retelling of the "Diary of an Extra Man" by Turgenev. Meanwhile, the county gave a ball. The prince was in the spotlight; nobody paid attention to Chulkaturin. From humiliation, he exploded and called the prince an upstart. In the very grove where he was walking with Lizonka, their duel took place.
Chulkaturin wounded the prince immediately, and he, having finally humiliated the opponent, shot into the air. The Ozhogins' house was now closed for him. The prince was looked at as the bridegroom, but he soon left, without making a proposal to the girl.
Chulkaturin became an involuntary witness to the conversation when Lisa told Bezmenkov about her feelings for the prince. And it doesn't matter that he left so quickly. She is happy that she is loved and loves, and Chulkaturin disgusts her. Soon Lisa married Bezmenkov. “Well, am I not an extra person?” - the author of the diary exclaims.
On this sad note, the hero of the work “Diary of an Extra Man” completes his confession.
Man of Contrasts
Chulkaturin is a man of contrasts: without a name, but with an ironic surname; he is young, but terminally ill. He begins to write a diary on March 20, when life resumes in nature, and his life is coming to an end. Between the lines, a deep subtext is visible, showing that in the life of this person everything contradicts spiritual aspirations. And the hero is trying to comprehend himself, to realize the essence of his being - he begins to keep a diary.
As a result, he concludes that he has always been superfluous in everything. Trying to realize his life, he recalls his love, which, as always in Turgenev's prose, turns out to be tragic. For a long time, hoping for reciprocity, Chulkaturin suddenly realizes that he causes only antipathy in Lizonka. Deep disappointment led him to moral and physical devastation, to the realization of his uselessness. And the only way out is death. Soon his life was cut short.
Conclusion
The literature of the 19th century often raised the topic of “extra people” and became one of the sore points. The emergence of such a definition of writers led history. The historical events of those years played a role in the formation of personalities who suffer from their uselessness and restlessness, wither at the very beginning of their life and in despair ask themselves the question: “Why did I live?”
A man called "superfluous" does not follow the beaten track of secular people. This is a type of person with a tragic fate. It was such a "superfluous" hero that I. S. Turgenev brought to the pages of his story. The topic of “an extra person” is still relevant today, so many readers turn more and more to the books of famous writers, great masters of the word.