N. Nekrasov created in the 40-70s of the XIX century, which became difficult for the history of Russia. It was a time of active social upsurge, caused by a long period of reaction and disappointment after the adoption of the long-awaited Manifesto, abolishing serfdom. The socio-political situation in society defined the main themes of the works of N. A. Nekrasov, a democratically-minded fighter for the freedom of the people.
“I was called to sing your suffering ...”
This phrase of the poet himself fully reflects the main thrust of his poems and poems. The heavy share of the Russian people and, in particular, the peasant women (“Three”, “On the Road”), the lawlessness and arbitrariness prevailing in landlord Russia (“Reflections at the front door”), the fate of the intelligentsia, who embarked on the difficult path of struggle (“ In memory of Dobrolyubov ”), the feat of the Decembrists and their wives (“ Grandfather ”,“ Russian Women ”), the appointment of a poet and poetry (“ Muse ”,“ Poet and Citizen ”) are the main topics that cover the works of Nekrasov. He also has wonderful lines about love ("You and I are stupid people ...", "Confession"), about the beauty and grandeur of Russian nature ("Spring", "Mountains"). Several poems, including “General Toptygin” and “Grandfather Mazay and the Hares,” were written specifically for children. The peak of creativity, undoubtedly, was the poem "To whom it is good to live in Russia", which is an extensive panorama of the life of an ordinary people.
The origins of the poet's lyrics
Perhaps Nekrasov’s works would not be so truthful and expressive if they were not based on the author’s own observations and experiences. For the first time he witnessed cruelty to another person in childhood. His tyrannical father repeatedly attacked not only serfs, but also his wife with fists, which even then provoked in the boy’s soul a protest against the oppression of the woman. Later, he will express his childhood impressions and boundless love for Elena Andreevna, doomed to endless suffering, in the poems “Mother”, “Knight for an hour”, “Bayushki-bayu” and others.
Little Nikolai also saw human torment on the banks of the great Russian river, where he once saw raving barge haulers ("On the Volga"). And on the wide road that went along next to Greshnev, people constantly moved along it in search of work, sometimes they also convicted prisoners. So gradually formed the identity and orientation of almost every work of Nekrasov.
There was a bright side in the poet’s childhood. Many magnificent paintings of Russian nature, recreated in poetic lines, were also the result of life and observation in the estate of his father.
Nikolai Alekseevich drank a lot of grief, starting an independent life in Petersburg. Deprived of support from home, he fully experienced poverty and hunger. But the hardships of life only tempered the purposeful youth and helped to achieve recognition.
The best works of Nekrasov
The debut of the beginning poet was the poem "On the Road", which brought him the enthusiastic praise of V. Belinsky. Then, for about ten years, Nikolai Alekseevich was published on the pages of magazines, including Sovremennik, the publication of which he was engaged in. And only in 1856 did the collection “Poems by N. A. Nekrasov” be published. He aroused universal recognition among the progressive-minded part of society and brought the author real fame. “Poet and Citizen” (opened the book), “Schoolboy”, “Uncompressed Strip”, “For the temporary worker”, “Lullaby”, the poem “Sasha” - this is only a small part of the picture drawn by the poet about the true situation of the Russian peasantry.
If we talk about the work of the 60-70s, here, too, every work by Nekrasov is “Railway”, “Vlas”, “Peasant Children”, “Orina, Mother of Soldiers”, “Elegy”, poems about Decembrists, “Frost- The Red Nose ”,“ Korobeyniki ”and others. - not only talks about the difficult fate of the people, their hopes and disappointments, but also shows their power, beauty, hidden power. A fresh stream is felt in children's and landscape lyrics (for example, "Green Noise").
"Who needs to live well in Russia"
The epic poem - this is how the genre of this work of Nekrasov, written already in the post-reform period, is defined. Thanks to the movement in time and space, meetings of heroes with representatives of different classes, the introduction of folklore elements, a whole era passes from the life of the Russian people before the reader. Shown here are strong and strong-willed characters worthy of respect. But, trying to answer the question posed in the title, the author gradually brings the reader to the image of a young fighter for universal interests, able to inspire and raise the masses.
So, in general terms, one can characterize the work of N. A. Nekrasov, the creator of a large number of works that are included in the list of the best classical poems and poems.