Pushkin wrote “Winter Evening” in a very difficult period of his life. Perhaps that is why the poem slips a sense of hopelessness, sadness and, at the same time, hope for a better future. In 1824, Alexander Sergeyevich was allowed to return from the southern exile. Imagine his disappointment when the poet found out that he was allowed to live not in St. Petersburg or Moscow, but in the old family estate Mikhailovsky cut off from the outside world. At that time, the whole Pushkin family lived on the estate .
Alexander Sergeyevich’s relations with his parents were not easy, it was especially painful for him to bear the fact that his own father took over the function of supervisor. Sergey Lvovich checked all the correspondence of his son, controlled literally every step he took. In addition, his father in every way provoked Pushkin to a scandal in the hope that a quarrel with witnesses would help him send his son to prison. Alexander Sergeyevich took every opportunity to leave the estate to visit his neighbors, it was very difficult for him to live with the realization that his family had betrayed him.
After the parents left Mikhailovsky to live in Moscow, and this happened in the autumn of 1824, “Winter Evening” was written. Pushkin created his poem in the winter of 1825, by this time the poet had calmed down a bit, he no longer felt monstrous pressure from all sides, but a storm reigned in his soul anyway. On the one hand, Alexander Sergeevich feels relieved and hopes for a brighter future, but on the other, he understands the hopelessness of his position.
An analysis of Pushkin’s poem “Winter Evening” allows us to consider the poet himself in the image of a hero cut off from the outside world by a blizzard. In Mikhailovsky he is under house arrest, he is allowed to leave the estate only after agreement with the supervisory authorities, and even then for a short period. Alexander Sergeevich is in despair from his imprisonment, therefore he perceives the storm, either as a little child, then as a terrible beast, then in the form of a belated traveler.
Pushkin wrote “Winter Evening” to convey his true feelings. In the image of a good old woman, his nanny Arina Rodionovna is guessed. The poet understands that this woman is almost the only man who loves him. The nanny perceives him as his own son, cares, protects, helps with wise advice. He enjoys spending free time with her, watching the spindle. Pushkin wrote “Winter Evening” in order to somehow alleviate mental pain. He cannot fully enjoy the idyll, because he languishes in captivity.
Whatever it was, but life in Mikhailovsky clearly benefited Alexander Sergeyevich, he became more restrained, calm, began to pay more attention to his work. Pushkin wrote “Winter Evening”, putting his whole soul into the poem and this is immediately felt. After returning to St. Petersburg, the poet repeatedly voluntarily came to his old estate to enjoy rural life, peace, tranquility, beautiful landscapes and write new masterpieces.