"Bezhin Meadow" - a story by I. S. Turgenev, included in the collection "Notes of the Hunter". During the creation of this work, Turgenev spent a lot of time in the village. His main interlocutors were hunters, who were very different from the rest of the villagers. It is these stories, as well as the amazing nature that served as the inspiration for the creation of the series “Notes of the hunter”. The story "Bezhin Meadow" is a small-volume work, replete with descriptions of beautiful and serene Russian landscapes.
The story begins with the fact that on one warm July day the hunter is lost in the forest. For a long time he wanders along unknown paths, but he still cannot find his way home. Already completely desperate and almost falling into a cliff, the hunter suddenly notices a bonfire. Out of nowhere, two large dogs run out to meet him with a bark, followed by village boys. The hunter learns that the guys came to graze horses at night, because during the day the insects and heat do not give rest to the animals.
Having modestly settled down under a bush next to a bonfire, the traveler pretends to be asleep, although he actually watches the boys. The hunter does not want to restrain them, and therefore does not show that he sees and hears everything. The guys, a little relaxed, resume interrupted communication. Rings and shimmers with their voices Bezhin meadow.
Characteristics of boys. Appearance Features
There are five guys around the fire: Fedya, Pavlusha, Vanya, Kostya and Ilyusha. Bezhin meadow - this is the name of the place where they drove out to graze horses. Fedya is the oldest in appearance, he is about 14 years old. At first glance, the hunter realizes that the boy is from a wealthy family, and that he came with the guys not because of need, but for fun. This is evident in his manner of communication, in the neat new clothes and in the delicate facial features.
The second boy is Pavlush. Behind his external unattractiveness lies an amazing strength of character. The boy immediately arouses great sympathy with the hunter. Despite being only twelve years old, Paul behaves like an adult. He reassures the boys when something scares them, in each of his words, discernment and courage can be traced. The story "Bezhin Meadow" is a work in which Turgenev with special love describes ordinary peasant children, each of whom represents the future of the country.
Ilya is the same age as Pavlush. He has an unremarkable face, on which lies the imprint of painful care for something. It is Ilyusha who tells more than all the stories, he is distinguished by the ability to convey the essence of what happened well and excitingly. Of these stories is the work "Bezhin meadow." The characterization of boys given in the story emphasizes the individuality of each narrator.
Kostya is a boy with attentive and sad eyes. His freckled face is decorated with huge black eyes, shining with an incomprehensible brilliance, as if he wants to say something important, but can not. He is about ten years old.
The last boy, the youngest, is Vanya. At first, the hunter does not notice him, since the child lies hiding with the head of a matting tree. This is a seven year old boy with curly hair. He does not tell a single story, but the author admires his childlike purity of thinking.
Each of the guys is engaged in his own business and at the same time conducts a conversation. Silence echoed them Bezhin meadow. The stories of the boys are very interested in the hunter, so he is trying with all his might to pretend that he is sleeping.
Brownie
The first to begin his story is Ilyusha. He says that he heard a brownie when he and the guys after work were left to sleep on a roll. The spirit made a noise, made a noise over the heads of the guys, coughed and disappeared.
Mermaid
The next case, about which Kostya heard from his father. Once Gavrila, a carpenter, went into the woods and met a beautiful mermaid there. She called Gavril for a long time, but he did not give in. And when he felt that there was no strength left to resist, he overshadowed himself with the banner of the cross. The mermaid burst into tears and said that he, too, would pour tears with her all his life. After this carpenter, no one saw the fun anymore. Turgenev ("Bezhin Meadow") as if embeds the stories of boys in one big story of a hunter.
Drowned
Ilyusha talks about the psar Yermil, who, returning home late, saw a little lamb on the grave of a drowned man. He took it for himself, but it turned out that it was the soul of the deceased that dwelt in the animal.
Suddenly, the dogs jump from their seats and rush into the darkness. Pavlusha, without hesitation, runs after them to check what is the matter. He imagines that the wolf made his way too close to them. It turned out that this is not so. The hunter involuntarily admired the boy, he was so handsome and brave at that moment. With special love draws the image of Pavlusha Turgenev. "Bezhin Meadow" is a story that, although it ends on a minor note, nevertheless sings the victory of good over evil.
Restless master
Ilyusha continues her story with rumors of a deceased master. One day his grandfather Trofim met him and asked what he was looking for. The deceased replied that he needed a grass break. So, the master lived too little, he wanted to break out of the grave.
Vestibule
Further, Ilyusha talks about the fact that on Parental Saturday you can meet those who should die soon. Grandma Ulyana first saw the boy Ivashka, who drowned shortly afterwards, and then herself. Strange and sometimes scary images causes Bezhin meadow. Boys' stories are real evidence of this.
Antichrist
Pavlush picks up the conversation with her tale of a solar eclipse. In their village, there was a legend that at the moment when the sun would close in heaven, Trishka would come. This will be an unusual and crafty person who will begin to seduce all believing Christians with the sin.
Goblin and water
The next in turn is a story from Ilyusha. He tells of how a village peasant led a goblin through the forest, and he barely beat him off. This story smoothly flows into the story of the waterman. Once there lived one girl of Akulin, she was very beautiful. After the waterman attacked her, she began to go crazy. Now Akulina walks all black, in torn clothes and laughs for no reason.
Watermark also ruins the local boy Vasya. His mother, foreseeing trouble from the water, with great excitement lets him go swimming. However, he still cannot save it. The boy is drowning.
The Fate of Pavlushi
At this time, Paul decides to go down to the river to collect water. He comes back excited. To the children’s question he answers that Vasin heard a voice, that he called him to him. The boys are baptized, they say that this is a bad sign. It was no accident that Bezhin meadow spoke to him. The characteristic of boys reveals each individual image, veiledly painting the inner world of children.
Morning and homecoming
Waking up in the early morning, the hunter decides that it is time to return home. He gathers quietly and walks over to the sleeping boys. Everyone is sleeping, only Pavlusha raises her head and looks at him. The hunter nods to the boy and leaves. Goodbye to him Bezhin meadow. Characteristics of boys require special attention. After reading, it is worth revisiting it again.
The story ends with the words that Paul subsequently dies. The boy does not sink, as the stories of the boys predict him; he falls from the horse and crashes to death.