“The Story of How One Man Fed Two Generals” was written in the mid-19th century and has many admirers. She tells the reader how a man fed two generals. The summary fully shows the stupidity of respected St. Petersburg officials and their inability to take care of themselves.
Briefly about the author
The future famous Russian writer was born in 1826. During his studies at the famous Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, he began to engage in versification and publish his works, but later quit this lesson. Working in the military office, he began to create prose works. He was sent into exile for freethinking. After returning to Moscow, he served in one of the ministries, and later was the governor of Ryazan, Tver. For some time he headed the publishing house Sovremennik. He died in St. Petersburg in 1889.
Genre Features
A popular story among schoolchildren about how a man fed two generals. The summary of the work reveals the idea of the author, who wanted to show the stupidity, ignorance of officials and the lack of will of a man who was so used to obeying that he immediately began to fulfill the requirements of the generals. The work is written in the genre of a satirical literary fairy tale and therefore contains many grotesque exaggerations, hyperbole and irony, designed to ridicule the shortcomings of society at that time. The satirical work of how a man fed two generals (a summary is presented below) contains many expressions characteristic of a Russian folk tale. The author also took a conception and a fantastic element from oral folk art.
Summary
"The Tale of How One Man Fed Two Generals" tells of the incredible adventures of St. Petersburg officials. Having safely retired, they could not do anything. Waking up one beautiful morning, the heroes discovered that they were on a desert island. The generals decided to look around: one of them was to go north, the other to the south. However, an obstacle arose which they could not overcome. Heroes did not know how to determine the cardinal points. After much debate, one official went to the left, the other to the right.
Having examined the island, the generals realized that it was rich in food: fruit, fish, and game. But officials could not get it. After a long search for food, one of the generals managed to find the old issue of the Moscow Gazette. Sitting under a tree, the heroes began to discuss what tastes better: boots or gloves, but suddenly, due to severe hunger, they attacked one another. Recovering, the officials decided to talk, but all their conversations came down to food. Then they began to read the newspaper, but again everything revolved around food.
And suddenly one official suggested finding a man who is everywhere. After a short search, they managed to find a man who was sleeping under a tree. The heroes woke him, accused him of not wanting to help, and clung to him so that he could not escape. A man fed them apples, potatoes, and grouse. Having fed up, officials ordered the peasant to weave a rope and tie himself with it to a tree.
After a while, the generals got bored and wanted to return home. They demanded that the man make a ship and take them. A man prepared supplies, built a ship and transported them to St. Petersburg. The generals were so glad to be back at home, that out of generosity they handed vodka and a silver coin to their savior.
Animation
This literary tale was filmed. In 1965, the short film of the same name was released. He was shot at the Soyuzmultfilm studio.
The reader can easily determine the author’s attitude towards the Russian people after reading the tale of how a man fed two generals. The summary shows the author’s sincere love and admiration for ordinary people, but their slavish behavior could not but cause him regret.