This poem was written in 1931. The creative period since 1930 can be called special: it was then that the poet sings love as a state of inspiration and flight, comes to a new understanding of the essence and meaning of life. Suddenly, he begins to differently understand the earthly feeling in its existential, philosophical meaning. The analysis of the poem “To love others is a heavy cross” is presented in this article.
History of creation
The lyrical work can be called a revelation, since in it Boris Pasternak captured a difficult relationship with two significant women in his life - Eugenia Lurie and Zinaida Neigauz. The first lady was his wife at the very beginning of the literary path, and the second poet met much later. Eugene was about the same circle with the poet, he knew how she lives and breathes. This woman understood art, and literature in particular.
Zinaida, on the other hand, was a person who was far from a bohemian life; she coped well with the daily duties of the hostess. But for some reason, at some point, it was a simple woman who was more clear and closer to the poet’s refined soul. No one knows why this happened, but after a short time, Zinaida became the wife of Boris Pasternak. The poetic analysis “To love others is a heavy cross” emphasizes the depth and strain of these difficult relationships with two women. Involuntarily, the poet compares them, analyzes his own feelings. These are the individual conclusions Pasternak comes to.
“To love others is a heavy cross”: analysis
Perhaps this poem can be considered one of the most mysterious poetic creations. The semantic load in this lyrical work is very strong, from it the real aesthetes are breathtaking and the soul is worried. Boris Pasternak himself (“To love others is a difficult cross”) called the analysis of his own feelings the greatest mystery that is beyond clue. And in this poem he wants to understand the essence of life and its integral component - love for a woman. The poet was convinced that the state of love changes everything inside a person: significant changes take place with himself, the ability to think, analyze, and act in a certain way is subject to revision.
The lyrical hero feels a sense of reverence for the woman, he is determined to act for the benefit of developing a great and bright feeling. All doubts recede, fade into the background. He is so struck by the grandeur and beauty of the state of integrity that has opened up to him that he experiences delight and ecstasy, the inability to live on without this feeling. The analysis “To love others is a heavy cross” reveals the transformation of the poet’s experiences.
The status of the lyrical hero
In the center is the one who directly experiences all the transformations on himself. The internal state of the lyrical hero changes with each new line. His previous understanding of the essence of life is replaced by a completely new understanding and takes on a shade of existential meaning. What does the lyrical hero feel? He suddenly found a safe haven, a man who could love him wholeheartedly. In this case, the lack of education, the ability to think highly is perceived by them as a gift and grace, as evidenced by the line: "And you are beautiful without convolutions."
The lyrical hero is ready until the end of his days to devote himself to solving the mystery of his beloved, which is why he compares it with the mystery of life. The urgent need for change awakens in him; he needs to free himself from the burden of previous disappointments and defeats. The analysis “To love others is a heavy cross” shows the reader how deep and significant changes have taken place with the poet.
Symbols and meanings
In this poem, metaphors are used that seem simple to the average man inexplicable. To show the full power of an accomplished rebirth in the hero’s soul, Pasternak invests certain meanings in words.
"The rustle of dreams" personifies the mystery and incomprehensibility of life. This is something truly elusive and piercing, which cannot be understood only by reason. It is also necessary to connect the energy of the heart.
"The rustle of news and truths" means the movement of life, regardless of external manifestations, shocks and events. Whatever happens in the outside world, life strikingly continues its inexorable movement. Contrary to everything. Contrary to.
"Verbal rubbish" symbolizes negative emotions, experiences of the past, accumulated resentment. The lyrical hero speaks of the possibility of renewal, of the need for such a transformation for himself. The analysis “To love others is a heavy cross” emphasizes the importance and necessity of renewal. Love here becomes a philosophical concept.
Instead of a conclusion
The poem leaves pleasant feelings after reading. I want to remember him for a long time and the meaning that it contains. For Boris Leonidovich, these lines are a revelation and an open secret of the transformation of the soul, and for readers it is another reason to think about their own life and its new possibilities. The analysis of Pasternak’s poem “To love others is a heavy cross” is a very deep disclosure of the essence and meaning of human existence in the context of a single human existence.