In the late period of his work, Mikhail Lermontov wrote the poem "Prayer". Despite the fact that the author is only 25 years old, he has already managed to go into exile and rethought his own life. In it, most often he had to play the role of a rowdy and a secular lion.
Analysis: Lermontov’s “Prayer.” The story of the creation of the poem
After returning from the Caucasus, the poet realizes that it is impossible to change the world that surrounds him. He is not able to do this. The feeling of powerlessness makes Lermontov turn to God. Due to classical religious education, the poet never took faith seriously. His contemporaries often noted in their notes that the active and stormy nature of Lermontov very often forced him to first do things, and then only think about what he had done. Being a rebel in life, the poet never tried to hide his political convictions. Only after several months spent in the Caucasus, he was imbued with the ideas of a higher principle, which obeys the fate of man.
Analysis: Lermontov’s “Prayer.” Attempt to rethink life
In the soul of Lermontov still remains a rebel. But he begins to realize that his mission is not only to prove to others around them their stupidity and worthlessness. After the Caucasus, he returns to Moscow, where he attends social events and closely converges with Maria Shcherbakova. In one of the conversations, a young girl declares to the poet that only prayer addressed to God helps to find peace of mind and find strength in the most difficult moments of life. It cannot be argued that this conversation forced Lermontov to take a fresh look at the world. But, apparently, the poet found in the words of the young lady his special truth. He writes his “Prayer” - the brightest and most lyrical work.
Analysis: Lermontov’s “Prayer.” The main theme and idea
The poem does not contain requests, repentance and self-flagellation. The poet admits that simple words can have power, purify the soul from longing, grief and heavy burden caused by the fact that a person is aware of his powerlessness. An analysis of Lermontov’s poem “Prayer” shows that the poet took the words of young Maria Shcherbakova seriously. He begins to pray in those moments when he is driven into a corner by his own thoughts and experiences. Doubt is another insidious enemy of the poet. It is like a punishment for him. Are his wishes and aspirations true? Suddenly, a hobby for literature is just self-deception, and ideals identifying mutual respect of people and equality are fiction, a figment of a rich imagination? To get rid of such thoughts, dispel doubts and anxieties, he is trying to find the spiritual support of Lermontov.
Prayer: analysis and conclusions
Creating the work, the poet tried to come to terms with the path destined for him. At the same time, he strengthened faith in his own strength. It is possible that writing a poem is a premonition of imminent death. This is a kind of repentance in verses. And his meaning is that the poet is struggling with his own weaknesses, which force him to hide his true thoughts and feelings behind a mask of decency. This is evidenced by the artistic analysis. Lermontov's “Prayer” is a watershed that divides his work into two periods that are different from each other.