Turgenevsky story "Living relics" is included in the collection "Notes of the hunter." The famous writer spent the summer and half of the autumn of 1846 hunting in the Spasskoe Lutovino family estate. In October, having arrived in St. Petersburg, he learned that N. Nekrasov and I. Panaev, who had offered their cooperation to him, became the head of the literary magazine Sovremennik.
It was at this very time that Turgenev created his amazing story “Living relics”. Analysis of the work suggests that in it the writer embodied the most beautiful image of the good, long-suffering and at the same time humble Russian soul, completely submissive to the will of God.
Petr Petrovich
Barin Petr Petrovich, who came to hunt black grouse in Belevsky district, with huntsman Yermolai fall in heavy rain. Thus begins his story Turgenev ("Living relics"). The summary continues further with the fact that although they were in waterproof raincoats, the hunt did not work out right away: it was inconvenient, the branches were covered with water, it was numb even in the bosom, and the dogs knocked down their flair from the water. And then Yermolai proposed to go to the farm Alekseyevka belonging to mother Petr Petrovich.
Having reached the place, they found a clean, uninhabited outhouse, where they spent the night. The next day the weather was sunny and cloudless.
Barn
It should be noted that Turgenev was a great master in describing landscapes. “Living relics” is a story that incomparably describes the fragrant village nature, fresh air and the twittering of larks.
In general, Pyotr Petrovich wanted to walk, along the path he reached the apiary and there he suddenly saw a wicker shed, where hives are usually cleaned for the winter. He opened the door and looked in, pulled by the smell of fragrant dried herbs - mint and lemon balm. In the corner stood the stage, where a small figure was visible, covered with a blanket.
He wanted to close the door, but suddenly he heard that someone was calling him. He was dumbfounded by the surprise and from the fact that he saw an almost shrunken bronze female head with a narrow nose, thin lips, white teeth and colorless eyes, and locks of red hair were knocked out of the headscarf.
Lukery
Petr Petrovich began to peer into his face. It was unusual, like an image from an old icon. The woman called herself Lukerya and reminded him that she had dances with his mother in Spassky and was singing. He recognized her and immediately remembered how beautiful she was at the master's courtyard. She was ruddy, full of songwriter, laughter and dancer. All local guys looked after her. And then Petr Petrovich was still a 16-year-old boy, who also liked her very much.
Turgenev, “Notes of the hunter”: “Living relics”
He spoke her name and asked about what had happened to her.
The writer famously twists the plot, and it becomes unusually interesting who this woman is and what trouble happened to her.
She began to tell him that about seven years ago she was engaged to Vasily Polyakov, a prominent and curly barmaid barmaid. One night, she could not sleep, she went out onto the porch, and she heard the voice of her beloved. From surprise, she stumbled and fell heavily. Returning to her room, she realized that as if something had broken in her, she became seriously ill, and became ill. The lady, by her kindness, showed her to the doctors, but they could not even determine her diagnosis.
It was not customary to keep cripples in the manor houses, and the sick girl was sent here to relatives. The groom burned her, and married another.
Half dead creature
Lukerya continued her story by saying that for many years she has been lying here, in the summer here, in a lash, and in winter - in the waiting room. Kind people do not forget her. Lukerya said that at first she was languishing, but then she got used to it, and thought that she was not so bad as compared to deaf and blind invalids and homeless people.
She even noted that it is very easy for a healthy person to sin, and even sin itself departed from it. Then she began to tell that priest Alexei, when he began to take communion, said that she had nothing to confess, but she reminded him of a mental sin, then the priest noted that this sin was not so great. Lukerya added that she even tries to drive bad thoughts from herself. Turgenev "Living relics" literally decorates with dreams Lukerya.
Christ
She told her guest that sometimes she sings quietly to herself, and sometimes she says prayers, which she also knows a little: Our Father, Mother of God, akathist to All Who Mourn.
Barin wanted to offer treatment, but she flatly refused and asked not to feel sorry for her. And then she began to talk about her unusual dreams.
Once she sees a field and golden rye, in her hands she has a sickle that looks like a month, and next to her is a redhead dog, she is trying to bite her all. And she wanted to make a wreath of cornflowers, but it still did not work out, and then someone called her by name. She put on her head, like a kokoshnik, her sickle and everything shone around. And suddenly, Lusha saw that it was not the bridegroom, Vasily, who was rolling toward her, but Christ Himself in a white robe with a golden belt. He extended a hand to her and said that she should not be afraid of Him, for she was His bride dismantled and would have round dance with Him in the Kingdom of Heaven and sing heavenly songs. Then he took her hand, His wings fluttered open, and they flew. But the dog remained, since it was her illness, and in the Kingdom of Heaven she would no longer have a place.
Deceased parents
And then it’s even more interesting to saturate with Turgenev’s details “Living Relics”. Lukerya also told her other dream. Her deceased parents came to her and bowed low to her. She immediately asked why they were doing this. They began to talk with her about the fact that she had not only lightened her soul, but also saved them. Allegedly, Lukerya has already dealt with her sins, but now she is conquering parental sins. Then they disappeared, bowing again.
Death Woman
And then the sick girl and her third dream told. As if she sees herself on a big road in a scarf with a wand and a knapsack. It seems she needs to go somewhere on a pilgrimage. And people pass by her like wanderers. And between them, she saw a woman a head taller than them. She curled around them, the dress on her is not Russian, her face is lean and strict. Everyone eschews her, and she went straight to Lucrier. Lusha asked her about who she was, and she replied that she was her death. The girl was not afraid for a moment and began to pray for her to pick her up as soon as possible. Death turned around and said that, they say, after the "Petrovka" ... And then the girl woke up.
Many more interesting things were told by Lusha to the gentleman, and in parting, she asked her mother to slow him down a little by the local peasants. They have little fortune, and they would have prayed for them.
A few weeks later, Lukerya died, just after the Petrovka.
Conclusion
This is how Turgenev finished his amazing story. “Living relics” (a brief summary reveals only a small part of the story) tells about a real event. It is known that this story really happened with Turgenev and even the name of his heroine is genuine.
Lukerya almost does not cause pity, she even in such a martyrdom praises God and prays to him. She knows why all this was sent to her, and patiently carries her cross.
The work “Living relics” by Turgenev made quite difficult. Analyzing it, after reading each reader will necessarily think about the eternal and very deep questions of faith and repentance. The spiritual component is very strong in it. After all, while a person is healthy, he rarely recalls the Savior. As the people say: "Until the thunder strikes, the man will not cross himself." But sooner or later everyone will come to God and will ask for forgiveness of their sins.