The analysis of Bely's poem “Homeland” occupies an important place in the school curriculum, since this poet is one of the most iconic figures in Russian literature. He was a symbolist, and patriotic motifs occupied a prominent place in his work. However, the author was distinguished by a specific vision of the image of Russia; many accused him of decadence and decadent moods, which, however, was characteristic of many authors of the turn of the century - a turning point for the life of our country.
The views of the author
An analysis of Bely’s poem “Homeland” should begin with a brief description of his worldview. The poet, like his contemporary A. Blok, loved his country and therefore tried to portray in the most reliable images. In his works, he tried to abstract from abstract epithets, comparisons, and other literary devices to which his predecessors resorted. On the contrary, he tried to “land” familiar sketches, thereby returning to the traditions laid down by N. Nekrasov. It is important to remember that the author was positive about revolutionary upheavals, as he believed that radical changes would benefit Russia.
Unfortunately, in his poems he did not raise the question of the terrible price of these very changes. Here it will be interesting to compare his position with the opinion of the Bloc. The latter towards the end of his life, having seen devastation, poverty and desolation, began to look differently at revolutionary transformations, noting their cruelty, while Andrei Nikolaevich continued to believe in it.
About the revolution
Analysis of Bely’s poem “Homeland” will help students better understand the work of this poet. The work was written in 1917, that is, just at the very time when the first Russian revolution took place and the second was approaching. The opening quatrain begins with very bright and expressive epithets that emphasize the power and greatness of the country. The author compares Russia with a strong element that sweeps away everything in its path.
At the same time, he repeats the name of the country three times, thereby emphasizing its new power, which he saw in the revolution. The last line immediately attracts attention: the poet himself is ready to give his life in the name of this fierce revolutionary storm, sincerely believing that it will bring benefit to the country.
The image of Russia
The analysis of Bely’s poem “Homeland” must be supplemented with a symbolic description that the poet gives to his land. It is significant that he sees old Russia in rather gloomy colors. He writes about devastation, about the deep depths and does not find anything good and good in it, which is unfair. He in every way praises the changes that have come, drawing terrible revolutionary upheavals in bright and joyful colors, which is completely not in line with real historical reality. The author calls for accepting the changes that have come as a blessing, focusing on the fact that they should renew the country.
Thoughts about the future
As a final lesson on the poet’s work, schoolchildren can offer an analysis of Bely’s poem “Homeland”. "Weep, storm element" - this is the first line that immediately sets the mood for the entire work. An important place in this work is occupied by those places that are devoted to the author’s thoughts about the future of the country.
He uses expressive epithets that symbolize the power of Russia: images of space, planets, the fiery core of the Earth appear in its lines. All this is imbued with the pathos of the revolutionary struggle, which engulfed a significant part of the intelligentsia in the time being considered. Being a symbolist, the poet pursues his main idea about the inevitability of a revolution in colorful metaphors, each of which is filled with philosophical content.
The image of the poet
An analysis of Andrei Bely’s poem “Homeland” must necessarily include an image of the lyrical hero himself, i.e. the author himself. This will help to better understand the poet’s idea. The latter declares his readiness to sacrifice his life in the name of a new life and revolution.
He takes pleasure in observing the violent changes that have taken place in the country. The reader sees the image of future Russia with his eyes. The poet filled his lines with revolutionary romance, which would subsequently become the main theme of Soviet literature. The lyrical hero himself acts as a potential fighter for the renewal of life.
About Russian nature
The analysis of the poem “Homeland” (Bely, according to the plan a short review of whose work should be mentioned at the beginning of the review) is also very important for understanding the works of the author. This work was written in 1908, that is, exactly at the very time when the first Russian revolution had just ended. Here, the poet paints the Russian landscape in rather dull colors. He writes about a cold glade, cold fogs, gloomy weeds and poor people.
The author is extremely pessimistic: he does not see anything encouraging in familiar paintings and declares that a dull region has not to think about life, but about death, which, of course, is unfair. However, the poet was distinguished by his own worldview and saw something heavy and even gloomy in Russian nature, which in many respects echoes some of Blok’s works about Russia. Andrei Bely’s verse “Homeland” is very similar to his work about our country. However, he speaks of her fate even harsher, painting her story in gloomy colors. The author writes about the suffering of the common people, the death motive refrain passes through all the quatrains. The motives of decadence set the tone for the whole poem, making it not only soulful, but also rather gloomy.