The most famous Russian poet created not only excellent poems that have become classics, but also prose, no less vivid and interesting. The best works have long been part of the school curriculum. The book “The Captain's Daughter” (Pushkin) also entered it. Description, plot, reviews and opinions of readers about this work - in our article.
Distant past
The plot of the story, called in some sources a historical novel, refers to the peasant war against Empress Catherine the Great, organized by Emelyan Pugachev. However, this is not the main idea of ​​the work. The author tells the background, introducing us to the characters. The unlucky Peter Grinev, at the insistence of his father, goes to service. Upon arrival, he meets Masha, the daughter of Captain Mironov. Officer Shvabrin pretends to be the girl’s heart; in every sense, the character is negative. A sudden attack by Pugachev’s troops leaves Masha without a family. Grinev leaves, but promises to return, and Shvabrin decides to swear allegiance to Pugachev. Grinev is obsessed with the idea of ​​wresting Masha from the hands of an opponent ...
Such for the first time in 1836 appeared “Captain's daughter”. Reader reviews were encouraging, because in the work the author harmoniously reflected social life, the life of individual estate representatives, who were Grinev, Shvabrin and other characters, the country's political problems and, of course, love affair.
Main issues
Modern readers, pushing historical events into the background, liked the torment of Maria Mironova more. With the departure of Grinev, she literally was left with no choice: Shvabrin forcibly forces her to marry, and somewhere deep down she hopes for the help of Grinev. Whom would she prefer — a smug officer or a wide ensign?
Any review of the book “The Captain's Daughter” will necessarily mention the love triangle formed between these heroes. It is interesting to follow its development throughout the entire work. And you can understand the experiences of Masha, caught between two fires.
The battle of the strongest
But while the girl languishes in expectation, readers make out the characters of her potential gentlemen. Grinev, brought up by parents in the best traditions, remains childishly naive. This gives him charisma and charm. A real gentleman, in his heart he is a noble man, and according to his feelings - a romantic young man . Reviews of the book “The Captain's Daughter” to a greater degree give praise to him; there can be no other, because Grinev is an exceptionally positive hero.
Should Schwabrin be hated as an antagonist? Probably not, because love, no matter what kind of person he was, also moved him. And with it the attendant things - revenge, jealousy, anger. He, perhaps, remains an incompletely registered character, therefore it is difficult to evaluate his actions adequately. And even his betrayal, the transition to the side of Pugachev and his team can also be justified - in this he saw his calculation.
The language barrier
Many admit that in school years they did not read works, as required by the program. And decades later, they decided to return to it. For what? Obviously, there can be only one reason - the classic. And the name of the great Russian poet.
What is so difficult for perception of “Captain's daughter”? The reviews of those who read it now and tried to read then speak of a difficult language of narration. It is worth agreeing that the style of works written in past centuries differs from the writing style of modern authors. Someone had difficulty in reading old Russian words and phrases causing dislike for Pushkin himself.
Content naivety
A reader review of the book “The Captain's Daughter” talks about comparing the novel with a children's fairy tale. All realities are observed in it: there are not only negative characters, but real villains who, by all the rules of the genre, must die; there is a sharpened princess who will be saved by the hero of her novel, parents protesting against marriage, and after changing their position. And, of course, the happy ending, based on the variation “lived happily ever after.”
A set of predictable patterns adds touch. At the same time, the love story seems naive in comparison with the really tough Pugachev rebellion taking place around. The narrative is enlivened by the details of the battles, but the question of whether or not to recommend the work to children in this case remains open.
Reader Resonance: The Need for Third Parties
If you recall the plot, a love triangle formed before Emelian Pugachev appeared in the book. With his rebellion, he brought ruin to the usual way of life, which was reflected in all the main characters: Masha's relatives died, Grinev escaped punishment, and Shvabrin was ready to join the ranks of the enemy. For what purpose did Pushkin put into action a character who had a place in real life? A reader review of the book “The Captain's Daughter” characterizes him as a kind, handsome villain, although at first the image of Pugachev can scare. Some readers draw a parallel with Pushkin himself - they say that the author, not suffering from modesty, identifies himself with him, thus appearing in the work itself. Moreover, he equally criticizes and justifies him. At the same time, the strong and powerful Pugachev, who broke into the plot, noticeably pushes to the background the colorless Grinev.
A gift for generations
“Captain's daughter” is rich in events. To the extent dramatic and somewhere tragic, it covers various spheres of human life: politics, society, family turmoil, romantic relationships, clouded by war. Any review of the book “The Captain's Daughter” will say that with all the patriotism felt as well as possible, love remains the center of the story. The work can not be called boring. Sometimes it caused a smile. Small in volume, it is quite accessible in order to cope with it.