All of us at school were forced to read the novel by A. S. Pushkin, "Eugene Onegin." But at this age, most children are unlikely to think about the deep meaning of this work, looking at the relationship of Onegin and Tatyana through the prism of their sensory experience. However, many critics cannot understand the author’s ideas, preferring to confine themselves to a superficial analysis of only the actions of the characters, without focusing on the spiritual component.
Antithesis
At first glance it may seem that the two central characters of "Eugene Onegin" are opposed to each other. Tatyana Larina is a highly moral, spiritual person, she is pure in spirit and body. And Onegin is a St. Petersburg dandy, sophisticated in social life, already familiar with passion and its consequences. They are attracted to each other, like charges of the same name, a certain understanding arises between them, because both have outgrown their environment and are looking for the truth in something else, incomprehensible and even frightening.
Features of education
The comparison of Onegin and Tatyana can be started by considering the conditions in which they grew up. Pushkin's favorite was born in a rich house, albeit in the wilderness. In infancy and childhood, she was looked after by a nanny chosen by her parents from peasants who lived nearby. She sang lullabies, told tales and, of course, read prayers over the girl. This tied Tatyana to the people more than one could imagine. By nature, thoughtful and silent, the girl spent little time with her peers, avoiding noisy games and fun. She was more interested in books, contemplation of nature and reflection. The youngest daughter of the Larins lived according to folk customs, got up early to catch the dawn, believed in signs and performed traditional rites, despite religiosity.
Onegin grew up in European society. The nanny was replaced by a tutor, who raised the boy according to his idea of a secular man. Early growing up, Eugene plunged headlong into a brilliant and noisy life, acquiring the status of a young rake. Education and love for popular authors gave him charm and promised the favor of the ladies. He quickly understood all the subtleties of sensual love and learned to manipulate them. He became skeptical of the manifestation of humanity, kindness, compassion. He criticized and questioned everything that happened to him and around him, as European authors advised.
World through the window
Tatyana’s characterization in Eugene Onegin cannot do without mentioning nature. Describing panoramic views, Pushkin does this as if looking out of the window of a room belonging to the main character. Any landscape in the novel reflects the mental state of the girl. As the plot develops, not only the time of year and the weather on the street change, but also that part of the day that Tatyana spends in thought about her chosen one.
Byronic and sentimental literature
You can also trace the differences between Eugene and Tatyana from the books they read. For Onegin, Byron was an example to follow, ironically and skeptically looking at the world. That is how the ideal man seemed to the young man. Selfish, charming, a little sarcastic and sarcastic. European literature of that time cultivated a similar mindset.
Tatyana Larina, on the contrary, draws attention to sentimental novels, showing the value of sincerity, kindness and responsiveness. Of course, they are somewhat naive for a girl who will revolve in high society, but the nobility and honor brought up thanks to them, for many years helped her to keep herself unchanged under the influence of circumstances.
It is about the hero from the sentimental novel that the girl dreams of. And when Onegin, despised and persecuted from everywhere, appears in their lands, she takes him for the ideal she has been waiting for.
Letter
Tatyana’s letter to Onegin reflects the sublime love that the girl had for her chosen one. It is in it that one can well trace the characteristics of the girl's character: sincerity, credulity, and impressionability. She has no reason to doubt her choice. For a young beauty, an alliance with a person like Eugene is not only a fulfillment of a cherished desire and a long-awaited reunion with a loved one, but also an opportunity for spiritual growth and self-improvement.
Onegin, on the contrary, sees in Tatiana in love only a naive, enthusiastic simpleton who was inspired by his stories and appearance. He does not take seriously her feeling, although he suspects that it will not pass so simply. Secular "games of love" ahead of time made his heart immune to such signs of attention. Perhaps, if not for the rich life experience in this field, the couple could have turned out differently.
Tatyana’s letter to Onegin is riddled with feelings that the girl can no longer keep within herself. She admits that the gap in upbringing, education and experience between them is enormous, but she hopes to someday overcome it in order to be closer to her beloved.
Renouncement
As you know, Eugene refused Larina, citing the fact that he was not worthy of him, since he does not feel such exalted feelings and does not want to offend her by the invariability of his motives. According to most critics, it is Onegin’s refusal that causes the reader to be rejected. It was perhaps the noblest act of his life, but the luminaries of literature look at this situation somewhat differently. They believe that fear prompted the young rake to abandon, the mind prevailed over the feelings that the "Russian soul" Tatiana awakened in him.
Meetings
Onegin and Tatiana in the novel meet three times. For the first time - when Eugene comes to the Larins estate. The second - when he is forced to speak with Tatyana regarding her letter, and the last - on her name day, a year after the tragic events. And each such meeting changes something in Onegin’s soul, does not allow him to stay away, brush off feelings and emotions. Fearing what is happening to him, the rake prefers to leave and throw out the image of the girl from her head than to be near her and change.
Duel
It is the relationship of Onegin and Tatiana that makes the character of the work somewhat gloomy. The main character is angry: at himself, at Larina, at Lensky’s best friend, at the fate that brought him to this estate, at his uncle, who died at the wrong time. This pushes him to reckless actions, for example, to flirt with Olga. Of course, a duel was necessary, but it was not necessary to kill each other. However, the events were formed in such a way that, due to an ever-increasing hateful feeling, Vladimir had to retreat to another world.
Last ball
Comparison of Onegin and Tatiana continues throughout the last scene of the novel. Ball in honor of the name day in the Larins estate as if copying the girl’s nightmare about his wedding with Eugene. A man who is sick, displeased, and oppressed by remorse is surrounded by grotesque characters that contrast so much with his inner world that it seems as if they are mocking him.
Unable to bear these torments, Onegin leaves, motivating this by the fact that he was seized by the desire to change places.
Petersburg
Little time has passed, and the main characters meet again, now at a social event in St. Petersburg. The relationship of Onegin and Tatiana practically did not change. They have become more complex, but the inner heat still continues to throb in both. Larina got married, became a princess and now holds her head high. Now there is no trace of that rural girl who passionately confessed her feelings to the young rake.
The situation turns against Eugene, as he realizes that he is in love and suffers from it. He writes letters to the subject of his adoration, tries to return everything back, but the girl is adamant. So Pushkin sees this situation. Onegin has feelings for Tatyana, but now she is trying to avoid a relationship. Ultimately, the girl denies the man a secret relationship, citing the fact that she had sworn to be faithful to another man, despite the fact that she still loves Eugene. This puts an end to the novel but, according to some critics, the finale still remains open.
The relationship of Onegin and Tatiana was complicated, they were stained by the blood of a friend, refusals and confessions ... But in the end, their love continued to live even when they signed her death sentence together.