This article will provide an analysis of the poem of the Scythian Bloc, as well as its summary. It is noteworthy that this is the last work of the poet. More until 1921 (year of death), he wrote nothing.
History of creation
In record time, Blok wrote his poem. "Scythians" (the analysis is best to start with the history of creation) appeared in just two days - January 29 and 30. The year 1918 was marked for the poet by a significant creative upsurge. At the beginning of the year he created The Twelve, then the article Intelligentsia and Revolution, and at the end the poem we are considering.
The reason that prompted Blok to write the work was purely political. According to the poet’s diary, he closely followed the peace talks held in Brest-Litovsk by the Soviet government and the Germans. Their unexpected breakdown caused a storm of emotions and indignation in the writer: “... a sneaky bourgeois, a German tear ... We looked at you with Aryan eyes while you had a face. And we will look at your face with our sly, quick look; we will be thrown off by Asians and the East will be shed on you ... Are we barbarians? Good thing. " This small passage contains the key to understanding the meaning of the poem.
It is also necessary to mention that a revolution took place in 1917, and the Bolsheviks came to power.
Summary: start
Block (“Scythians”) assigns a special place to Russia in his work. The analysis of the poem suggests that he represented the homeland as a certain border that separated West and East, at the same time defended the first from the attacks of the second and served as an ambassador, and established relations. That is why Russia deserves to be treated with respect and reverence, but hostility to it can lead to disaster.
In his work, Blok refers to a huge number of interlocutors: "Millions are you." That is, to the entire European world, he encouraged him to think about the role and value of Russia.
The main part and denouement
Analysis of the poem “Scythians” by Alexander Blok makes it possible to evaluate the work as a warning to the enemies of our country. The poet asks to listen to himself and change his mind, he threatens - Russia will find something to answer the aggressor. However, the conflict can end badly: "... sick later offspring will curse you for centuries."
Blok is confident that Russia is able to live in peace with all European countries: "We will become brothers." And if a global conflict arises, then the renewed homeland will simply not take part in it, since it has other interests.
The poem ends with a patriotic appeal: "... come to your senses, old world." The poet calls Europe to reconciliation and unification, otherwise disaster cannot be avoided. In the verse, anti-war intonations sound most distinctly.
Block, “Scythians”: analysis
The work can be called a revolutionary-patriotic ode. It consists of 12 quatrains, that is 76 lines written by iambic versatile. Literary scholars put this poem on a par with such great creations as “Slanderers of Russia” (Pushkin) and “Last Housewarming” (Lermontov).
The work is a direct reflection of the historical situation of Russia in those years. It was a very scary and stressful time - a new state was just beginning to form, born in the fire of the October Revolution. Undoubtedly, all this was reflected in Blok's poem.
Theme and idea
The peace-loving Block remains faithful to itself. The Scythians (analysis confirms this) call for harmony and peace. In almost every stanza, the poet says that after all the horrors suffered, it is time to sit down at the negotiating table and join forces.
Russia has suffered so much over the past few years, and now it has no desire to get involved in a new war with the Old World. In addition, the young country has its own plans for the future, and there is no need for her to interfere in other people's squabbles, which is why she will observe everything from the side with “slanting eyes”.
An analysis of the poem of the Scythian Bloc suggests that anti-war themes come to the fore. The poet identifies Russia with the Scythians and, despite appeals for peace, makes it clear that she has enough strength to repulse any enemy who dares to step on her land: "... we have nothing to lose, and treachery is available to us." The writer has his own opinion on the identity in Russia; he assigns it one of the crucial roles for the world.
For many centuries, our homeland, according to the poet, served as a "shield" separating Asia and Europe and preventing their direct clashes. On the one hand, Europe longed for the wealth of Asian countries, their secrets and mysteries. On the other hand, the Mongol horde could break into the lands of the Old World and capture them. Only thanks to Russia, which is taking the brunt, did not one side suffer. Our homeland appears as a peacemaker in this situation. The block emphasizes the high sacred meaning of the existence of Russia.
The poem is imbued with patriotism. Despite the fact that the poet calls for peace, he does not detract from the strength of his country. On the contrary, he emphasizes that, if necessary, Russia will be able to respond. But why raise the horrors of war, which are so fresh in memory. A lean world, from the point of view of the Bloc, is better than a good battle.
The middle of the poem is noteworthy. Here, the author paints the homeland in a new way - it appears before the reader as the “wise Sphinx”, who, despite the fact that he is bleeding with “black blood”, is ready to come to the rescue if necessary and give advice. The work ends with a direct humanistic appeal filled with peacefulness and patriotism.
Scythians (Block): stanza analysis
Let's analyze a few quatrains:
- In the first, the poet addresses European countries. He calls the Russian people Scythians, alluding to relations with Russia as a barbaric country.
- The second one is just about how for many centuries our homeland served as a shield.
- In the third, the poet looks back at the safe and carefree past of Europe.
- In the fifth, the topic of conquest appears - the greedy look with which the Old World looked to the East is described.
- The seventh quatrain describes modernity: “trouble” is approaching, “multiplying resentment” every day. But this will not lead to anything good.
- In the eighth, for the first time, the image of the Russia-Sphinx appears, which looks around "with hatred and love."
From the poem it becomes clear how much Alexander Blok was worried about the fate of his country and the whole world. “Scythians” (the analysis is presented in this article) are a kind of cry of the soul. It is painful for the poet to look at the horror that surrounds him. But he understands, if nothing is changed, it will be much worse.
Evaluation of contemporaries
An analysis of Blok’s poem “Scythians” showed how topical this work was for its time. However, the reaction of his contemporaries was mixed. Many did not like the challenge made in the poem, sharp patriotic and civil pathos.
The writer himself spoke very coldly about the Scythians; he did not like the way they came out. Blok even called them "boring."