August 10, 1862. The famous German resort of Baden-Baden is very lively. The weather is beautiful, the music is playing, and there is a game going on in the casino. Ladies from high society are bored near the Russian Tree and lazily listen to the chatter of some French writer.
II
A man of about thirty is sitting at a table in front of the coffee shop: handsome, dark, lean and courageous. This is Grigory Mikhailovich Litvinov, the son of a retired official. Litvinov’s mother received a large estate as a dowry, but she and her husband were unable to put it in order. The Litvinovs did not go bankrupt, but their economy was gradually falling into disrepair. It's too big and requires a lot of attention.
Gregory's mother died of consumption. This happened in the year when the young man entered Moscow University. Litvinov did not complete his studies. During the Crimean War, he served in the militia, where he almost died of typhus. Returning to his native estate, Grigory happily immersed himself in household chores, but soon realized that he lacked knowledge of agriculture.
During his studies, Grigory often visited Dresden, where his second cousin Tatyana lived with her aunt Kapitolina Markovna. Litvinov had known this girl since childhood. They were very friendly, and then they fell in love with each other. Gregory made Tatiana an offer, which she happily accepted. Before returning to Russia, Tatiana's aunt wanted to see Baden-Baden. Litvinov has also arrived at the resort and is expecting his bride and aunt.
III
Suddenly Litvinov is noticed by his Moscow acquaintance Bambaev. He introduces Grigory to a young man named Voroshilov. The men persistently invite Litvinov to meet a certain Gubarev, who writes a profound work “about everything.”
But first, the young people decide to have lunch at a coffee shop. At the table, Voroshilov becomes animated, rattling off names and dates, waving his arms. Litvinov listens to him rather condescendingly.
The company goes to Gubarev’s hotel. On the stairs, the friends encounter a woman under a veil. Seeing Litvinov, the stranger freezes and follows him with her gaze, but none of the men pays attention to the lady.
IV
The evening at Gubarev's, where many guests have gathered, is chaotic. People smoke, argue until they are hoarse, gossip and drink cold beer. They talk about politics, literature, music, emancipation, and the future of Russia. Students, officers, elderly ladies and respectable gentlemen jump from subject to subject, pronounce intricate terms, often without understanding their meanings. At the center of this living whirlpool is the owner. Gubarev practically does not speak. He only makes indistinct hums, asks short questions and pulls at his beard. But everyone listens to him like an oracle.
Litvinov has a headache and leaves this bedlam for a coffee shop around ten in the evening. There, the man he saw at Gubarev’s comes up to him.
V
Gregory understands that this man is no match for those he met today. Retired official Sozont Ivanovich Potugin turns out to be an intelligent and interesting interlocutor. Litvinov wonders what kind of circle gathers at Gubarev’s. Sozont Ivanovich explains: all people are the sweetest, noblest and kindest. And they are drawn to Gubarev because they need a boss, a master around whom they can revolve.
The acquaintance turns out to be really pleasant. Litvinov and Potugin part with the intention of meeting again.
VI
Gregory returns to his hotel room and is surprised to notice a large bouquet of heliotropes. The servant explains that they were brought by a veiled lady. Litvinov cannot fall asleep for a long time, remembers the past day, the whirlpool of faces and conversations, and also tries to unravel the mystery of the bouquet. He remembers.
VII
Irina was the eldest daughter in the greatly impoverished family of Prince Osinin, whom Gregory’s father knew well from his service days. He introduced his son to this family. Litvinov immediately fell in love with a beautiful and proud girl. He was exhausted from unrequited love, but suddenly Irina changed her attitude and responded to Gregory’s feelings. Irina’s parents were not against it, although they considered such a marriage unequal. They knew their daughter’s decisive character, and Litvinov’s fortune was significant. In their difficult circumstances they could not hope for a better match.
VIII
Suddenly everything changed. That winter the court came to Moscow. A ball was announced at the Assembly of the Nobility, and the Osinins decided to participate in it. Litvinov also wanted to appear at the ball with his bride, but Irina insisted that he not go. Before the ball, Gregory came to admire his beloved in an evening dress and gave her a bouquet of heliotropes.
In the morning, Irina complained of fatigue and did not leave her room all day. The prince said that his daughter was a great success at the ball, everyone wanted to dance with her. High society remembered the Osinins, the prince and princess were invited to many houses.
Near the bride's house, Litvinov saw a rich carriage in which an important elderly dignitary was sitting. It was the count, cousin of Irina's mother.
IX
The next day, Grigory tried to see Irina, but again nothing worked out. The young man realized that something irreparable had happened.
In the evening they brought a note in which the girl said that everything was over between them, and she was leaving for St. Petersburg. Irina asked never to seek a meeting with her again. Gregory had a hard time with this breakup. He dropped out of university and went to the village to live with his father. Litvinov heard rumors about how Princess Osinina shone in the world and then got married.
X
The next morning after the memories, Gregory goes for a walk around the outskirts of Baden-Baden. On one of the paths he sees Voroshilov with Bambaev. To avoid being seen by them, Litvinov hides behind a bush.
Hungry, Grigory enters a coffee shop. Suddenly, a cheerful company of generals and society ladies arrives, among whom is Irina. Litvinov wants to leave, but the woman herself calls him and introduces him to her husband, General Ratmirov.
Grigory feels awkward. Aristocrats discuss the latest reforms and the abolition of serfdom. Litvinov is in a hurry to leave; it is very difficult for him to restrain his emotions. Irina makes Grigory promise that they will meet at the hotel.
XI
Litvinov tries to read, but nothing comes out. He goes for a walk, but this activity does not help to distract himself. All his thoughts are concentrated around such an unexpected and exciting meeting. Then new acquaintances from Gubarev’s circle come to Grigory and completely ruin the day. In the evening they bring a letter from Tatyana. In it, the girl reports that her aunt is ill, and therefore they will arrive in a week.
The next day goes badly. Gubarev has left, and part of his circle decides to move to Litvinov. Having difficulty getting rid of the annoying guests, Grigory feels completely defeated.
In the morning there is a knock on the door, Litvinov thinks in horror that it is the Gubarevites again. But Potugin enters. Grigory is extremely happy to see him. Unexpectedly, Sozont Ivanovich reports that Irina sent him. She asked that Litvinov be brought to her immediately. Gregory is surprised, but agrees to visit his ex-fiancee.
XII
Potugin brings Litvinov to the general’s wife and immediately disappears under a plausible pretext. Grigory feels extremely awkward. Irina asks him for forgiveness for the past and offers to remain friends. She feels stuffy in the society where she is, and Litvinov is a breath of fresh air for her. They could occasionally meet, talk, correspond.
General Ratmirov enters. He speaks quite affectionately with an old acquaintance of his wife, but in the conversation one can feel the tension caused by the inequality of position. In great confusion, Litvinov leaves and promises himself not to meet with the general’s wife in the future.
XIII
The next day, Gregory goes for a walk in the mountains and meets Irina there. He pretends not to notice the woman, but he is sincerely happy when he meets Potugin. He is walking hand in hand with a girl of about five years old. Grigory tries to find out how Potugin met Irina, but he fails to hear anything concrete from his interlocutor.
On the way back, Irina approaches Gregory, again hiding her face under a veil. She reproaches Litvinov for his ugly act: he noticed her, but turned away. The woman asks not to neglect their friendship. Litvinov is forced to promise that he will not do this in the future.
The old duchess appears on the alley, Irina hurries to her.
XIV
Irina sends Litvinov a note inviting him to a party. Gregory goes there without any desire.
XV
The evening, as expected, turned out to be terrible. Empty talk, failed attempts by a fashionable spiritualist to put a living cancer to sleep, fake music. Irina makes Litvinov sit next to her. He constantly sees her tender neck, catches the smell of her exquisite perfume. Grigory realizes with horror that he is in love with Irina, and this feeling is stronger than him.
At the end of the evening party, General Ratmirov remarks to his wife that she is obviously infatuated with Litvinov. Irina laughs. Her husband's jealousy amuses her. But Ratmirov is not amused. This woman scares him sometimes.
XVI
Grigory does not sleep all night, tormented by remorse. He is torn between love and duty. It seems to Litvinov that he is acting terribly, deceiving the pure and kind Tatyana.
In the morning, Grigory goes to Irina. He confesses his love to her and informs her of his desire to immediately leave to meet his bride. The general’s wife agrees with him: it will be better for everyone. But he immediately takes Gregory’s word that they will see each other again.
ХVII
Shocked by the difficult conversation, Litvinov wanders in the mountains. He feels like his life is ruined. Having come to his senses a little, he goes to the station and gives a telegram to Tatyana, in which he makes an appointment for his bride in Heidelberg. Then Gregory returns to Irina. He wants to keep his word and end this unpleasant story as soon as possible.
Litvinov finds a woman in the same chair as three hours ago. Grigory reports that the train leaves today at seven o'clock in the evening. He had already sent a telegram, and now he came to say goodbye. Irina is shocked by such haste, but agrees that Litvinov is doing the right thing. The woman confesses her love to Gregory and knows for sure that she will never forget him.
ХVIII
Litvinov spends the remaining time before the train departs in a state of nervous excitement. At a quarter past six Irina suddenly bursts into his room and throws herself on his neck.
Two hours pass. The lovers are sitting on the sofa, things are scattered around. There is a letter from Tatyana on the table. Auntie has recovered, so they are leaving and will be in Baden tomorrow at noon. Gregory must meet them. In the same hotel where Litvinov lives, an apartment has been rented for the ladies.
In the evening, Gregory sends Irina a note, and in the morning he receives an answer. The woman writes that Litvinov should not feel obligated after what happened between them yesterday. She does not restrict his freedom, but is ready to follow him to the ends of the earth.
XIX
Litvinov feels like a thief after the first theft and is afraid of meeting Tatyana. But everything goes easily and naturally. The aunt immediately takes the young couple out of the hotel to see the city.
While walking, Potugin approaches them and Litvinov introduces him to the ladies. All four continue to slowly wander through the beautiful streets, listen to music, then Sozont Ivanovich unexpectedly takes his leave. Grigory has a suspicion that Osinina sent him.
Already at the hotel, Grigory is given a note from Irina. The woman asks him to come in for one minute. Litvinov apologizes to Tatyana and hurries to meet his beloved.
XX
Irina runs out to Gregory in a ball gown, in which she looks incredibly beautiful. The woman actually called Litvinov for a minute; she was going to visit. Grigory showers Irina’s hands with kisses and assures that Tatyana is now in the past. He can only breathe near the feet of his beloved.
On the way back, Litvinov is called out by Potugin and asks to listen. He warns Gregory about a serious mistake on his part and asks him to think about his bride. Sozont Ivanovich confesses his hopeless love for Irina. He met her when the future general’s wife lived with her relative in St. Petersburg. The beauty of the girl amazed Sozont Ivanovich. He could only look at Irina from afar, because he perfectly understood that he was too old and poor for her.
Suddenly, Irina turned to Sozont Ivanovich with a request. He will receive a large sum of money if he marries Irina’s friend, who finds herself in a difficult situation. Potugin agreed. But the woman suddenly became seriously ill, then gave birth to a girl and was soon poisoned. Sozont Ivanovich took the child and passed it off as his daughter. Irina asked him about this.
Angry and embarrassed by Potugin's story, Litvinov returns to the hotel.
XXI
The next day, Grigory decides to confess everything to Tatyana, but the girl has already guessed everything. Tatyana agrees to break the engagement and leave, but she needs time to somehow calm down and pull herself together.
Litvinov immediately goes to Irina and tells her that he has broken off relations with Tatyana. The general’s wife is perplexed: why did he do this? Grigory is hurt by this reaction, because he is not going to share his beloved with another. This is dishonest and humiliating. Irina repents of her words and again promises to leave with Litvinov. But Grigory must prepare everything and quickly: in two weeks the Ratmirovs are leaving for Italy.
XXII
Litvinov goes to Tatyana’s room and finds Kapitolina Markovna there. The aunt begs him to change his mind, but the ex-fiancee interrupts her relative and asks Gregory to take the letter to the post office. Returning to the hotel, Litvinov learned that Tatyana and his aunt had left for an unknown direction.
Frustrated and confused, Grigory writes a letter to Irina.
XXIII
He explains that his whole life, all his plans are now destroyed and only her love remains. If Irina is not ready to give up everything and run away with him, then it is better for her to say so right away. He cannot offer his beloved position in society and wealth, but will only give rise to evil rumors. Irina hates and despises the world, but will she dare to neglect her position?
In response, Grigory receives a note in which Irina makes an appointment. She hugs Litvinov and cries, but firmly promises that she will share any fate with him.
XXIV
Grigory is preparing to escape, but things are going sluggishly, as if he is not fully aware of his action. There is little money, and the man does not know where to get it quickly.
XXV
Suddenly a letter arrives from Irina. She reports that she cannot escape with Grigory, she overestimated her strength. But Litvinov can go to St. Petersburg to be near her. Irina promises to get her beloved a good place, assures her of her unchanging love.
Life in Baden-Baden, a fashionable German resort, on August 10, 1862 was not much different from life on other days of the season. The audience was cheerful and colorful. However, it was not difficult to identify our compatriots in it, especially near the “Russian tree”.
It was here, at Weber’s coffee shop, that Litvinov was discovered by his Moscow acquaintance Bambaev, who loudly called out to him. With him was Voroshilov, a young man with a serious face. Bambaev immediately offered to have dinner if Grigory Mikhailovich had the money to pay for it.
After lunch, he dragged Litvinov to Gubarev’s hotel (“it’s him, the same one”). A tall, slender lady in a hat with a dark veil coming down the hotel stairs turned to Litvinov, flushed, followed him with her eyes, then turned pale.
Besides Gubarev, the room also contained Sukhanchikova and a middle-aged, heavy-set man who had remained silent in the corner all evening. Conversations were interspersed with gossip, discussion and condemnation of acquaintances and comrades. Voroshilov, as during lunch, poured out scientific information. Tit Bindasov, by appearance a terrorist, by vocation a policeman, came with his friend, and the din and confusion increased so much that by ten o'clock Litvinov had a headache and returned to Weber.
After a while, the silent man who was sitting in Gubarev’s corner appeared nearby. Introduced himself: Potugin Sozont Ivanovich, court councilor. And he asked how he liked the Pandemonium of Babel. If ten Russians come together, the question of the meaning, the future of Russia, will instantly come up, but everything will be in the most general terms, without evidence. The rotten West also gets it. Only he hits us on all counts, albeit rotten. And note: we scold and despise, but we only value his opinion.
The secret of Gubarev's undoubted influence is will, and we give in to it. We need a master everywhere. People see: a man has a great opinion of himself, he gives orders. Therefore, he is right and must be obeyed. Everyone is despondent, walking around hanging their noses, and at the same time living in hope. Everything, they say, will certainly happen. There will be, but there is nothing in cash. In ten centuries nothing has been developed, but... it will be. Be patient. And everything will come from the man. So they stand in front of each other: the educated one bows to the peasant (heal my soul), and the peasant bows to the educated one (teach me: I’m disappearing from the darkness). And both are not moving, but it’s high time to adopt what others have come up with better than us.
Litvinov objected to this that it cannot be adopted without being in accordance with national characteristics. But it’s not easy to bring down Sozont Ivanovich: you just offer good food, and the people’s stomach will digest it in its own way. Peter I flooded our speech with other people's words. At first it turned out monstrously, and then the concepts took root and were assimilated, the alien forms evaporated. The same will happen in other areas. Only weak nations can fear for their independence. Yes, Potugin is a Westerner and devoted to civilization. This word is pure, understandable, and holy, but nationality and glory smell of blood! He loves his homeland and... hates it. However, he will soon go home: garden soil is good, but cloudberries should not grow on it.
As they parted, Litvinov asked Potugin for his address. It turned out that you can’t go to him: he’s not alone. No, not with my wife. (Litvinov lowered his eyes knowingly.) No, that’s not it: she’s only six years old, she’s an orphan, the daughter of a lady.
At the hotel, Litvinov discovered a large bouquet of heliotropes. The servant said that a tall and beautifully dressed lady brought them. “Really SHE?” This exclamation did not refer at all to his bride Tatyana, whom Litvinov was waiting for in Baden with her aunt. He realized that this was Irina, the eldest daughter of the impoverished Osinin princes.
General information
A novel of deep doubts and faint hopes, “Smoke” differs sharply from all the writer’s previous novels. First of all, it lacks a typical hero around whom the plot is organized. Litvinov is far from his predecessors - Rudin, Lavretsky, Insarov and Bazarov. This is not an outstanding person, who does not pretend to be a public figure of the first magnitude. He strives for modest and quiet economic activity in one of the remote corners of Russia. We meet him abroad, where he improved his agronomic and economic knowledge, preparing to become a competent landowner.
Next to Litvinov is Potugin. The author seems to be expressing his ideas through his lips. But it is no coincidence that the hero has such an inferior surname: he has lost faith in himself and in the world around him. His life is broken by unrequited, unhappy love.
Finally, the novel lacks a typical Turgenev heroine capable of deep and strong love. Irina is corrupted by secular society and deeply unhappy: she despises the life of people in her circle, but at the same time she cannot free herself from it.
The novel is also unusual in its basic tone. Satirical motifs, not very characteristic of Turgenev, play a significant role in it. In the tones of a pamphlet, “Smoke” paints a broad picture of Russian revolutionary emigration. The author devotes many pages to a satirical depiction of the ruling elite of Russian society in the scene of the generals' picnic in Baden-Baden.
The plot of the novel “Smoke” is also unusual. At first glance, the satirical pictures that have proliferated in it become digressions, loosely connected with Litvinov’s storyline. And the Potugin episodes seem to fall out of the main plot of the novel. After the publication of “Smoke,” criticism from various directions reacted coldly to it: it was not satisfied with either the ideological or artistic side of the novel. They talked about the vagueness of the author’s position, calling “Smoke” a novel of antipathies, in which Turgenev played the role of a passive person, indifferent to everything.
Revolutionary-democratic criticism drew attention to the satirical pamphlet on revolutionary emigration and reproached Turgenev for turning to the right, classifying the novel as an anti-nihilistic work. Liberals were unhappy with the satirical portrayal of the “tops.” Russian “soilists” (Dostoevsky, N. N. Strakhov) were indignant at Potugin’s Westernizing monologues. Identifying the hero with the author, they reproached Turgenev for his contemptuous attitude towards Russia, for slandering the Russian people and their history. Judgments were expressed from various sides that Turgenev's talent had dried up, that his novel was devoid of artistic unity.
Motives of the novel
In the novel “Smoke,” Turgenev depicts a special state of the world that periodically repeats itself: people have lost a clear goal that illuminated their lives; the meaning of life was obscured by smoke. The heroes live and act as if in the dark: they argue, quarrel, fuss, rush to extremes. It seems to them that they have fallen into the power of some dark elemental forces. Like desperate travelers who have lost their way, they rush around in search of her, bumping into each other and scattering to the sides. Their lives are ruled by blind chance. In a feverish race of thoughts, one idea replaces another, but no one knows where to join, what to strengthen on, where to drop anchor.
In this hustle and bustle of life, which has lost its meaning, a person loses self-confidence, becomes smaller and fades. Bright personalities fade, spiritual impulses die out. The image of “smoke” - chaotic human swirling, meaningless spiritual whirlwind - runs through the entire novel and unites all its episodes into a symphonic artistic whole. His extended metaphor is given towards the end of the novel, when Litvinov, leaving Baden-Baden, watches from the carriage window the chaotic whirling of smoke and steam.
Criticism
“Smoke” not only did not bring Turgenev the expected literary fame and success, but almost completely set the writer at odds with his compatriots. An anonymous reviewer of the newspaper “Voice” stated: “Mr. Turgenev does not look at Russia “from his beautiful distance” with love, he places contempt on it from there!” F. I. Tyutchev expressed deep dissatisfaction with “Smoke”. Tyutchev's review especially struck a chord with Turgenev: he rated him too highly as a poet and valued his friendly relations with him very much. Turgenev received an epigram from Russia for “Smoke”:
Democratic journalism and criticism especially made fun of the novel. In Iskra for 1868, a cartoon novel “Fathers and Sons” appeared, consisting of satirical engravings by A. M. Volkov and poisonous signatures under them. In the last cartoon, Turgenev was sitting at a restaurant table with Pavel Petrovich Kirsanov. The caption read: " In Dresden, on the terrace between two and four o'clock, at the most fashionable time for a walk, we meet the author of the novel with Pavel Petrovich, drinking milzbrunn and sprudel and talking amicably. “How we butchered Bazarov,” notes Pavel Petrovich. Instead of answering, the author of “Fathers and Sons” thoughtfully lit a cigarette and released “Smoke”.
Volkov’s caricature was published in Iskra in 1867: Turgenev holds a censer on a saucer from which smoke comes out. A group of men and women are looking at him. Signature: " What an unbearable smell - wow! - The smoke of dying fame, the children of smoldering talent... - Shhh, gentlemen! And Turgenev’s smoke is sweet and pleasant to us" A. M. Volkov illustrated “Smoke” with a number of cartoons, at the end of which the following general conclusion about the novel was given: “ This is no longer smoke - this is the devil knows what it is, some kind of disgusting cross between “Nowhere” and “Head”, immersed in the very mud of the “Churned Sea,” said Litvinov, and said a smart word for the first time».
See also
Notes
Literature
- Lebedev O. Turgenev. Life of wonderful people - M.: Young Guard, 1990. - 608 p. - .
Links
- Section dedicated to I. S. Turgenev on the website of the Library-Reading Room named after I. S. Turgenev in Moscow
- I. S. Turgenev. Biographies. Library of works, articles and publications about life and creativity. Museums of Turgenev I. S.
| Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev | |
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Lack of money Where it's thin, that's where it's torn Freeloader Breakfast with the leader Bachelor A month in the village Provintsialka |
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See what “Smoke (novel)” is in other dictionaries:
Smoke (dispersed system) a suspension of small solid particles in the air, for example those formed as a result of incomplete combustion of certain materials Smoke (novel) novel by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev Smoke (taxation) one family household ... Wikipedia
Smoke (Turgenev)- novel in chapter XXVIII; written in 1867. The action takes place in Baden-Baden and partly in Russia (chap. XXVII XXVIII) in 1862 Annette. Babette. . Belskaya, Eliza. Verdier. Quiz Generals: irritable, condescending, obese. . Lady in yellow... Dictionary of literary types
Wikipedia has articles about other people with this surname, see Kazakov. Wikipedia has articles about other people with this surname, see Bronstein. Roman Kazakov ... Wikipedia
This term has other meanings, see Petty Demon. Little Demon Little Demon Genre: novel (genre)
Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral. 1482 Genre: novel
This term has other meanings, see Yesterday (meanings). Yesterday Genre: novel
Indeed, not all of his creations found positive responses from critics. The writer was often accused of showing his personal life too openly to others, and all his heroes have prototypes among his contemporaries. The novel “Smoke” was no exception. When it was published, critics immediately distributed the roles of the main characters among their contemporaries. Some could be recognized simply by their last name: Gubarev - Ogarev.
The history of the creation of Turgenev’s “Smoke”
Turgenev's extraordinary novel “Smoke” is considered one of the largest literary works that was created not only by the author, but, in general, in Russian literature of the nineteenth year. Turgenev's plot is interesting not only for its artistic techniques. It perfectly depicts the social life of the country and also touches on politics. Popular issues that interested people at that time were the reform of 1860.
The author tried to show his opinion and views on the time in which he had to live. The writer hatched his idea for about six months; writing the novel took the same amount of time. And in 1867 the work began to be published. First in the magazine “Russian Bulletin”, then a year later in a separate edition.
Turgenev was never in a hurry with his literary works, and during the period of work on the novel he was also ill. Therefore, the work did not move very quickly.
Analysis of Turgenev's novel
The main characters of the novel “Smoke” are in constant search and the life that exists in society influences these searches. It is known that many critics and writers accused the author of not showing in his work a plot that would develop and be bright and rich.
Those who defended the writer argued that the author was simply trying to convey all the complexities of the psychological character of the main characters, and also that he was able to quite realistically convey the situation in which the plot develops. In addition, it is known that just before the author began writing his novel, he repeatedly entered into disputes about the populist movement. Turgenev completely rejected the idea that peasants and their community could revive the country. According to the writer, such a function is only possible for the enlightened and educated nobility.
The novel begins with an introduction that takes the reader to the place where all subsequent events will develop. The author moved away from the usual manner of setting the action in Russia. He moved the events to a small resort town located in Germany - Baden-Baden. During the writer’s time, representatives of the noble class and, accordingly, the intelligentsia flocked to German resorts. Therefore, the first chapters take the reader into the society that gathered at that time in this German town. It is worth noting that all the people here are a colorful and successful background to show the development of the love story and the environment in which disputes about the future of his country will take place.
But the writer immediately critically portrays this society and even uses satire. He believes that they cannot sensibly and correctly assess the situation in their native country, and therefore cannot speak correctly about the reforms that are taking place within Russia.
The author makes Litvinov, who is young and handsome, the main male character in the novel. He practically does not participate in conversations about politics and therefore does not share any opinion at all. In the story, the reader learns that he has a good education, has a beloved girl, whom he wants to marry in the near future and dreams of rebuilding his estate after marriage.
The plot of Turgenev’s entire plot begins at the moment when the author returns the reader to the past, when Litvinov’s love was just beginning. But it immediately becomes known that it ended tragically and sadly. The girl he loved so much was called Irina. But she left the young man for the sake of secular society and a wonderful and brilliant life. Then she accepted the patronage of a distant but wealthy relative, and subsequently found a profitable match and got married. Soon she herself was the center of all social evenings and receptions.
Litvinov could not forget Irina for a long time, he was worried and preferred not to appear in society. One day he met Tatyana, a beautiful and sweet girl. Litvinov decided to marry her. But unexpectedly the hero meets Irina and his thoughts are again occupied with his old love. And Irina herself was already tired of the life she led. She still turned out to be a stranger to her. After all, the girl was strong and brave, she loved will and freedom. Seeing Litvinov, she remembered him again. At that moment, he seemed to Tatyana to be the closest and dearest person, and she reached out to him.
Events begin to develop instantly. Almost after a few meetings, they are again in love with each other, and this pushes the young man to explain himself to Tatyana and break off the engagement. But it is in Tatiana that the author puts all the best feminine traits, as if he portrays her as an ideal girl. She is smart, kind, and modest. But her main quality is spiritual sensitivity, which can be found quite rarely in a person.
Tatyana immediately felt some strange changes in her fiancé. And as soon as he said just a few words, she immediately understood what had happened. This was not at all expected by Litvinov, who did not dare to start a conversation. Therefore, when the explanation finally happens, Tatyana was already ready for it, she behaved calmly and nobly. Yes, she was in pain, she suffered greatly. But the girl was so courageous that she found the strength to live on, forgetting about everything.
The climax in Turgenev's plot comes when the final explanation occurs, but between Litvinov and Irina. This conversation leads to the fact that the young people decide to run away and start a life together away from everything. Although they both understood that this would never happen. Irina was very indecisive and could not do this. Litvinov, even in his dreams, could not imagine how they would live without people from high society, what it meant to live secretly, and in general, how to carry out such an escape. But still, the young people had a determined attitude.
Just before escaping, Irina, frightened, sends the young man a note in which she says that she cannot take the last step. At the same time, she asked to maintain their relationship in the form in which it existed at the moment. Realizing that he had lost two women at once, Litvinov left the country. The hero meets Tatyana abroad, who forgives him. And it turns out that all this: love, and arguments, and betrayal - all this can dissipate like smoke.
Turgenev society in the novel
The author, like many writers of that time, decided to turn his attention to the social and political life of the country. This was the result of new reforms carried out by Alexander II, when everyone thought about which path the country should take. This is what the nobles are talking about, having gathered by chance at Gubarev’s.
Litvinov also finds himself in one of these conversations, when he is surrounded by people of very different classes, having different titles. The author describes each of those present with some sarcasm. And all these disputes, according to the writer, are empty and meaningless. His hero, who is irritated by everything in this conversation: people, their phrases, and even the arguments they give, also thinks so. But there is one person whom the author singles out from the whole society. This is Potugin. It is known that he is an adviser to the emperor’s court, quite intelligent, and at the same time thinks very originally.
Litvinov easily finds a common language with him. By the way, this Turgenev hero, who is close to the emperor, also expresses the author’s position on the situation that is happening in the country. Potugin adheres to ideas that were widespread in the West at that time. He, like Ivan Sergeevich, believes that the people cannot be the main driving force in the country.
Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev
"Smoke"
Life in Baden-Baden, a fashionable German resort, on August 10, 1862 was not much different from life on other days of the season. The audience was cheerful and colorful. However, it was not difficult to identify our compatriots in it, especially near the “Russian tree”.
It was here, at Weber’s coffee shop, that Litvinov was discovered by his Moscow acquaintance Bambaev, who loudly called out to him. With him was Voroshilov, a young man with a serious face. Bambaev immediately offered to have dinner if Grigory Mikhailovich had the money to pay for it.
After lunch, he dragged Litvinov to Gubarev’s hotel (“it’s him, the same one”). A tall, slender lady in a hat with a dark veil, coming down the hotel stairs, turned to Litvinov, flushed, followed him with her eyes, then turned pale.
Besides Gubarev, there were Sukhanchikova and a middle-aged, heavy-set man in the room, who had remained silent in the corner all evening. Conversations were interspersed with gossip, discussion and condemnation of acquaintances and comrades. Voroshilov, as during lunch, poured out scientific information. Tit Bindasov, by appearance a terrorist, by vocation a police officer, came with his friend, and the din and confusion increased so much that by ten o'clock Litvinov had a headache and returned to Weber.
After a while, the silent man who was sitting in Gubarev’s corner appeared nearby. Introduced himself: Potugin Sozont Ivanovich, court councilor. And he asked how he liked the Pandemonium of Babel. If ten Russians come together, the question of the meaning, of the future of Russia, will instantly come up, but everything will be in the most general terms, without evidence. The rotten West also gets it. Only he hits us on all points, albeit rotten. And note: we scold and despise, but we only value his opinion.
The secret of Gubarev's undoubted influence is will, and we give in to it. We need a master everywhere. People see: a man has a great opinion of himself, he gives orders. Therefore, he is right and must be obeyed. Everyone is despondent, walking around hanging their noses, and at the same time living in hope. Everything, they say, will certainly happen. There will be, but there is nothing in cash. In ten centuries nothing has been developed, but... it will be. Be patient. And everything will come from the man. So they stand in front of each other: the educated one bows to the peasant (heal my soul), and the peasant bows to the educated one (teach me: I’m disappearing from the darkness). And both are not moving, but it’s high time to adopt what others have come up with better than us.
Litvinov objected to this that it cannot be adopted without being in accordance with national characteristics. But it’s not easy to bring down Sozont Ivanovich: just offer good food, and the people’s stomach will digest it in its own way. Peter I flooded our speech with other people's words. At first it turned out monstrously, and then the concepts took root and were assimilated, the alien forms evaporated. The same will happen in other areas. Only weak nations can fear for their independence. Yes, Potugin is a Westerner and devoted to civilization. This word is pure, understandable, and holy, but nationality and glory smell of blood! He loves his homeland and... hates it. However, he will soon go home: garden soil is good, but cloudberries should not grow on it.
As they parted, Litvinov asked Potugin for his address. It turned out that you can’t go to him: he’s not alone. No, not with my wife. (Litvinov lowered his eyes knowingly.) No, that’s not it: she’s only six years old, she’s an orphan, the daughter of a lady.
At the hotel, Litvinov discovered a large bouquet of heliotropes. The servant said that a tall and beautifully dressed lady brought them. “Really SHE?” This exclamation did not refer at all to his bride Tatyana, whom Litvinov was waiting for in Baden along with her aunt. He realized that this was Irina, the eldest daughter of the impoverished Osinin princes. At the time they met, she was a seventeen-year-old beauty with exquisitely regular facial features, marvelous eyes and thick blond hair. Litvinov fell in love with her, but for a long time could not overcome her hostility. Then one day everything changed, and they were already making plans for the future: to work, read, but most importantly, travel. Alas, nothing was destined to come true.
That winter the court visited Moscow. There was a ball coming up at the Assembly of the Nobility. Osinin considered it necessary to take Irina out. She, however, resisted. Litvinov spoke in favor of his intention. She agreed, but forbade him to be at the ball and added: “I will go, but remember, you yourself wanted this.” Arriving with a bouquet of heliotropes before she left for the ball, he was struck by her beauty and majestic posture (“what does breed mean!”). Irina's triumph at the ball was complete and stunning. An important person drew attention to her. The Osinins’ relative, Count Reisenbach, an important dignitary and courtier, immediately decided to take advantage of this. He took her to St. Petersburg, settled her in his house, and made her an heir.
Litvinov dropped out of university, went to his father in the village, became addicted to farming and went abroad to study agronomy. Four years later we found him in Baden on his way to Russia.
The next morning, Litvinov came across a picnic of young generals. “Grigory Mikhailych, don’t you recognize me?” - came from the group of people having fun. He recognized Irina. Now she was a fully blossomed woman, reminiscent of Roman goddesses. But the eyes remained the same. She introduced him to her husband, General Valerian Vladimirovich Ratmirov. The interrupted conversation resumed: we, large landowners, are ruined, humiliated, we need to go back; Do you think this will is sweet for the people? “And you try to take this will away from him...” Litvinov could not stand it. However, the speaker continued: and self-government, who really asks for it? It's better the old way. Trust the aristocracy, don’t let the mob get smart...
To Litvinov the speeches seemed more and more wild, the people more and more strangers, and Irina fell into this world!
In the evening he received a letter from his fiancée. Tatyana and her aunt are delayed and will arrive in six days.
The next morning Potugin knocked on the room: he was from Irina Pavlovna, she would like to renew acquaintance. Ms. Ratmirova greeted them with obvious pleasure. When Potugin left them, without preamble, she offered to forget the harm they had caused and become friends. There were tears in her eyes. He assured her that he was happy about her happiness. Having thanked him, she wanted to hear how he lived these years. Litvinov fulfilled her wish. The visit had already lasted more than two hours, when Valerian Vladimirovich suddenly returned. He didn't show any displeasure, but he couldn't hide some concern. When saying goodbye, Irina reproached: and the most important thing you have hidden is that they say you are getting married.
Litvinov was dissatisfied with himself: he was waiting for a bride, and he should not have run at the first call of a woman whom he could not help but despise. She will no longer have his legs. Therefore, when he met her, he pretended not to notice her. However, about two hours later, on the alley leading to the hotel, I saw Irina again. “Why are you avoiding me?” There was something mournful in her voice. Litvinov frankly said that their paths had diverged so far that it was impossible for them to understand each other. Her enviable position in the world... No, Grigory Mikhailovich is mistaken. A few days ago, he himself saw examples of these dead dolls that make up her current society. She is guilty before him, but even more so before herself, she asks for alms... Let's be friends or at least good acquaintances. And she extended her hand: promise. Litvinov promised.
On the way to the hotel, he met Potugin, but to the questions that occupied him about Mrs. Ratmirova, he only answered that he was proud as a devil and spoiled to the marrow of his bones, but not without good qualities.
When Litvinov returned to his room, the waiter brought a note. Irina announced that she would have guests and invited her to take a closer look at those among whom she now lives. Litvinov found even more comical, vulgar, stupid and pompous at his visit than the previous time. Only now, almost like Gubarev, there was an absurd hubbub, and there was no beer and tobacco smoke. And... conspicuous ignorance.
After the guests left, Ratmirov allowed himself to talk about Irina’s new acquaintance: his silence, obvious republican biases, etc., and about the fact that he, apparently, was very interested in her. The smart woman's magnificent contempt and devastating laughter were the answer. Resentment ate into the general’s heart, his eyes grew dull and brutal. This expression was similar to when, at the beginning of his career, he spotted rebellious Belarusian men (this is where his rise began).
In his room, Litvinov took out a portrait of Tatyana, looked for a long time at the face expressing kindness, meekness and intelligence, and finally whispered: “It’s all over.” Only now he realized that he never stopped loving Irina. But, having suffered without sleep all night, he decided to say goodbye to her and leave to meet Tatyana: he must fulfill his duty, and then at least die.
In a morning blouse with wide open sleeves, Irina looked charming. Instead of saying goodbye, Litvinov started talking about his love and his decision to leave. She considered this reasonable, but made him promise not to leave without saying goodbye to her. A few hours later he returned to fulfill his promise and found her in the same position and in the same place. When is he leaving? At seven today. She approves of his desire to end it quickly, because he cannot hesitate. She loves him. With these words, she retired to her office. Litvinov was about to follow her, but then Ratmirov’s voice was heard...
In his room he was left alone with gloomy thoughts. Suddenly at a quarter past six the door opened. It was Irina. The evening train left without Litvinov, and in the morning he received a note: “...I don’t want to restrict your freedom, but<…>if necessary, I will drop everything and follow you..."
From that moment on, calmness and self-respect disappeared, and with the arrival of the bride and her aunt Kapitolina Markovna, the horror and ugliness of his situation became even more unbearable for him. The dates with Irina continued, and the sensitive Tatyana could not help but notice the change in her fiancé. She herself took the trouble to explain herself to him. She behaved with dignity and real stoicism. A frank conversation took place with Potugin, who tried to warn him. Sozont Ivanovich himself has long been destroyed, destroyed by love for Irina Pavlovna (this awaits Litvinov too). He hardly knew Belskaya, and the child was not his, he simply took everything upon himself because Irina needed it. A scary, dark story. And one more thing: Tatyana Petrovna has a heart of gold, an angelic soul, and the fate of the one who becomes her husband is enviable.
It wasn’t easy with Irina either. She is unable to leave her circle, but she cannot live in it either and asks not to leave her. Well, love for three is unacceptable for Grigory Mikhailovich: all or nothing.
And now he is already at the carriage, a minute - and everything will be left behind. "Gregory!" — Irina’s voice was heard behind her. Litvinov almost rushed to her. Already from the carriage window he pointed to the seat next to him. While she hesitated, the whistle sounded and the train started moving. Litvinov was traveling to Russia. White puffs of steam and dark puffs of smoke rushed past the windows. He watched them, and everything seemed like smoke to him: both his own life and the life of Russia. Wherever the wind blows, it will carry it there.
At home, he took care of the household, managed to do something here, and paid off his father’s debts. One day his uncle came to see him and told him about Tatyana. Litvinov wrote to her and received in response a friendly letter ending with an invitation. Two weeks later he set off.
Seeing him, Tatyana offered him her hand, but he did not take it, but fell to his knees in front of her. She tried to pick him up. “Don’t disturb him, Tanya,” said Kapitolina Markovna, who was standing right there, “he brought his guilty head.”
At the fashionable resort of Baden-Baden in August 1862, while awaiting the arrival of his bride Tatyana, Litvinov accidentally meets the woman he once loved. He also meets the silent Potugin Sozont Ivanovich, a court councilor.
Potugin turned out to be a Westerner, devoted to civilization, loving and hating his homeland at the same time. He is raising a 6-year-old girl, an orphan, the daughter of a lady. Litvinov is waiting in Baden for his bride Tatyana with her aunt. Irina, Princess Osinina, who accidentally met Litvinov at the hotel, sends him flowers. Once they were in love and made plans to travel together. But a ball took place, where Irina was a stunning success, an important person drew attention to her, so the Osinins’ relative, the courtier Count Reisenbach, took her to St. Petersburg and made her heiress. Litvinov dropped out of university, went to the village to visit his father, then went abroad to study agronomy. And here he is in Baden, on the way to Russia.
The next morning, at the generals' picnic, Litvinov saw Irina. She introduced him to her husband, General Valerian Vladimirovich Ratmirov. The conversation was about people and land. To Litvinov, these people seemed strangers, and their speeches were wild, but what was most depressing was that Irina found herself in such a world. Litvinov's bride was delayed for 6 days.
Irina sent Potugin the next morning. She wanted to renew their acquaintance. We talked for 2 hours until Irina’s husband arrived. Then he began to avoid Irina. He explained to her that their paths had diverged, but she regrets, because now she lives among dead dolls. She asks him to be her friend. She invited her to a reception so that Litvinov could see in what circle of ignoramuses she had to be. Litvinov realized that he never stopped loving Irina. The woman also realized the mistake she had made many years ago. After spending time together, Irina agrees to give up everything for Litvinov. He did not dare to leave. The bride and her aunt arrived. Litvinov meets with Irina. He is warned by Sozont Ivanovich, who has long been destroyed by his love for Irina. It was for her sake that he undertook to raise Belskaya’s daughter. Irina could not leave her circle, and she felt bad living like that.
Litvinov leaves for Russia. Smoke rushed past the windows. Everything seemed like smoke to him: his life, the life of Russia. At home he set about organizing the household and paid off his father’s debts. When Tatyana invited him, he went and fell to his knees and confessed.
