Hallowed be your name...
Is this story pure fiction or did Kuprin manage to find a plot in real life that corresponds to the author’s idea?
The writer tried to find plots and images for his works in the real world. The story is based on facts from the family chronicle of the Tugan-Baranovsky princes. In October 1910, Kuprin reported this to his friend, critic and literary historian F.D. Batyushkov: “Do you remember this? - the sad story of the little telegraph official Zheltkov, who was so hopelessly, touchingly and selflessly in love with Lyubimov’s wife (D.N. is now the governor in Vilna).”
– Where does the action take place?
What pictures of nature does the author describe, how do they affect the mood of Princess Vera Nikolaevna?
The action takes place in a seaside resort town. Kuprin shows the middle of August, when “suddenly the disgusting weather that is so typical of the northern coast of the Black Sea began.” Rain, hurricane winds, and thick fog drive away the inhabitants of the resort; “the abandoned dachas with their sudden spaciousness, emptiness and bareness look sad.” But by the beginning of September, “quiet, cloudless days arrived, so clear, sunny and warm, which were not even in July.” The peace that came in nature was transmitted to Vera Nikolaevna: she “was very happy about the lovely days that had come, the silence, the solitude.”
– How does the princess perceive her name day?
“According to her sweet, distant childhood memories, she always loved this day and always expected something happily wonderful
«.
– How does Vera Nikolaevna feel about her husband?
“The former passionate love for my husband has long since turned into a feeling of lasting, faithful, true friendship.”
– How does her portrait characterize the princess?
With a tall, flexible figure, a cold and proud face, she “was strictly simple, cold and a little patronizingly kind to everyone, independent and royally calm.”
– Will she be capable of ardent, passionate love?
Perhaps in her youth and early youth the princess was capable of a strong, all-consuming feeling; it is not for nothing that Kuprin mentions her former passionate love for her husband. But “time heals,” including from ardent impulses. Now this woman will no longer easily let anyone into her soul. Kuprin does not condemn the heroine, he only notes the changes in her character that have occurred over time. And who among us does not lose spontaneity and depth of feelings with age! But there are people for whom love at any age is a holy and passionate revelation. They managed to preserve their souls for the great elements. Meeting them is a happily-wonderful experience.
moment in a woman's life.
– What event disrupts the calm progress of the name day?
Read the description of the bracelet. What did the princess feel when she saw him?
In poorly polished garnets, before the fire, the light bulbs light up “lovely deep red living lights.” The bracelet foreshadows a future tragedy. (“It’s like blood!” Vera thought with unexpected alarm.”)
– What did Vera Nikolaevna think when she saw the letter?
"Oh, this is the one!" – Vera thought with displeasure.” Apparently, this is not the first letter that the princess receives from her admirer.
- Read the letter. What properties does green pomegranate have? What feelings does G.S.Zh. experience?
A rare variety of pomegranate – green – “has the property of imparting the gift of foresight to women who wear it and drives away heavy thoughts from them, while protecting men from violent death.” Note that G.S.Zh. Now there is no talisman - and now nothing will protect the unfortunate lover from death. Feelings of G.S.J. unusually sublime - “reverence, eternal admiration and slavish devotion.” They are akin to the feelings of Khvoshchinsky, the hero of the story by I.A. Bunin "Grammar of Love". “Now I can only wish you happiness every minute and rejoice if you are happy. I mentally bow to the ground of the furniture on which you sit, the parquet floor on which you walk, the trees that you touch in passing, the servants with whom you speak.” This is sacrificial, to some extent even crazy love. G.S.J. devoted to his beloved until death and “a humble servant after death.” But he is unhappy, this is confirmed by Vera: “... now not only this unfortunate man will be funny, but I will be funny too.”
– What is included in Prince Shein’s homemade humorous album?
This album contains the story “Princess Vera and the telegraph operator in love.” From the ironic story of Vasily Lvovich, we learn how Vera, not yet married, received her first letter “with kissing doves on the title” and showed it to her parents and fiance. Prince Shein mocks the feelings of G.S.Zh. For Shein, true love means nothing; it is for crazy people. And again in the prince’s story there is a mention of the death of a lover...
– What is the story of General Anosov and why is it given in such detail? What is this man's drama?
Anosov knows what love is at first sight. But his wife left him. “People nowadays have forgotten how to love,” says the general. – I don’t see true love. I didn’t even see it in my time.” Anosov talks about why people get married. Women have “the desire to be a housewife, the head of the house, independent... In addition, the need for motherhood, and to start building your own nest.” Men have other motives - “tiredness from a single life, from disorder in the rooms... from debts, from unceremonious comrades... You feel that living with a family is more profitable, healthier and more economical... you think: when the kids come, I’ll die, but part of me is still “will remain in the world... sometimes there are thoughts about a dowry.” As we see, the motives for marriage of people who lived at the beginning of the 20th century differ little from the aspirations of our contemporaries... Through the mouth of his hero, Kuprin exclaims: “Where is love? Is love unselfish, selfless, not waiting for reward? The one about which it is said “strong as death”?.. Such love, for which to accomplish any feat, to give one’s life, to go to torment is not work at all, but one joy.” According to the writer, “love should be a tragedy. The greatest secret in the world! No life conveniences, calculations or compromises should concern her.” Kuprin tried to find such love in real life and glorified it in his story. The writer is sure that “almost every woman is capable of the highest heroism in love... For her... love contains the whole meaning of life - the entire universe. But it is not at all her fault that love among people has taken such vulgar forms and has simply descended to some kind of everyday convenience, to a little entertainment. Men are to blame... incapable of strong desires, of heroic deeds, of tenderness and adoration before love.” Every woman dreams of love “one, all-forgiving, ready for anything, modest and selfless.” This is the ideal of love according to Kuprin.
But achieving the ideal is difficult, almost impossible. If there is no love, women take revenge. They take revenge on themselves and others.
TO
How deep and true are the author’s thoughts about love! How subtly he understands its nature! The story “The Garnet Bracelet” is a textbook of life, a source of wisdom and moral purity. The essence of the great feeling is revealed to us in its entirety. We think again and again about the eternal, the imperishable, about what worries people at all times...
Prince Shein and the princess's brother decide to find Zheltkov and return the bracelet to him in order to preserve the good name of Vera and her husband. The telegraph operator’s appearance is unusual: “very pale, with a gentle girlish face, blue eyes and a stubborn childish chin with a dimple in the middle.” He is very excited, looking at Vasily Lvovich with pleading eyes. Seven years of “hopeless and polite love” have passed, but the feeling cannot be drowned out. Zheltkov sees the only way out - death. The “enormous tragedy of the soul” is resolved by suicide.
– What does Vera think about when she learns about Zheltkov’s death?
She foresaw a tragic outcome. What was it - love or madness?
– How does Zheltkov appear in his suicide letter? Does he already seem like a dead person to begin with?
Zheltkov admits that he “crashed like an uncomfortable wedge” into Vera’s life and is eternally grateful to her just for the fact that she exists. His love is not a disease, not a manic idea, but a reward sent by God. His tragedy is hopeless, he is a dead man.
– What is the fate of the garnet bracelet? How does the princess feel on her last meeting with Zheltkov?
The unhappy lover asked to hang a bracelet - a symbol of holy love - on the icon. The lips of the dead hero “smiled blissfully and serenely, as if, before parting with life, he had learned some deep and sweet secret that resolved his entire human life.” And Vera realized that “the love that every woman dreams of passed her by.” After his death, Zheltkov receives the highest reward: Vera “kissed him on his cold, damp forehead with a long, friendly kiss.” And yet friendly
kiss! No, even after Zheltkov’s self-sacrifice, the princess did not fall in love with her admirer. Lawless Heart…
– What role does Beethoven’s music play in the work? What feelings does it evoke for the princess?
Beethoven's Sonata No. 2 is “an exceptional, unique work of depth.” (If possible, it is advisable to let students listen to an excerpt from this composition.) The music is in amazing harmony with the experiences of Vera, in whose soul the words ring: “Hallowed be Thy name.” In these gentle sounds there is a life that “humbly and joyfully doomed itself to torment, suffering and death.” The last memories of the lover are covered with sweet sadness. “Calm down, I’m with you. Think of me and I will be with you, because you and I loved each other only for a moment, but forever. Do you remember about me? A moment of happiness for Zheltkov becomes an eternity.
-Has Zheltkov forgiven the princess?
Vera feels that her lover has forgiven her. I could not help but forgive, because in the mournful hour of parting, on the threshold of death, I still sang the glory of my goddess.
– Would you forgive a person whom you loved passionately and who did not reciprocate your feelings?
– How does the writer see true love?
True love, according to Kuprin, is the basis of everything earthly. It should not be isolated, undivided. Love should be based on high sincere feelings and strive for the ideal. This is a holy tragedy in human life. Love is stronger than death and elevates a little person above the vain world of injustice and malice.
Literature lesson in 11th grade based on the story by A.I. Kuprin “The Garnet Bracelet”
Municipal budgetary educational institution
"Secondary school No. 22"
Methodological development of a literature lesson in grade 11 based on the story by A.I. Kuprin “The Garnet Bracelet”
Developer: teacher of Russian language and literature Ilinykh Irina Vasilievna.
Cherepovets, 2017
Purpose of the lesson: To show the writer’s skill in depicting the world of human feelings, to reveal the idea and artistic features, the role of detail in the story, to develop the ability to analyze the text of a work of art.
Objectives: -Expand and deepen students’ understanding of the works of A.I. Kuprin, a master of artistic expression;
- Arouse a feeling of admiration for pure, sublime love;
- Help you compare what you read with the world of your own soul, think about yourself.
— Cultivate a respectful attitude towards the feelings of another person
Equipment: story “The Garnet Bracelet” by Kuprin, audio recording of Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata”, poems about love.
Methodical techniques: analytical conversation; commented reading, watching video episodes + discussion.
Application of elements of educational dialogue, formation of a situation for discussion.
- Teacher's opening speech.
Russian writer K.G. Paustovsky once said: “Kuprin has one cherished theme. He touches her chastely, reverently and nervously. Otherwise, you can’t touch her. This is the theme of love."
Today we will touch upon the great mystery of love. But we still won’t be able to open it completely for ourselves, to understand it completely. Let's see what interpretation of love the writer A.I. Kuprin offers.
- Checking d/z.
— What works of the writer did you get acquainted with at home? They have one theme - the theme of love. What kind of love is this? Ponder. (students give detailed answers - reflections on the story “Olesya”, the stories “Shulamith”, “Pomegranate Bracelet”. We come to the conclusion that in all these works love is beautiful, strong, but tragic)
3.
A message from a prepared student about the history of the creation of the story “The Garnet Bracelet.”
V o
The story was again based on a real incident. Telegraph official Zheltkov was hopelessly in love with the wife of one of the Russian governors, who once sent a gift to his beloved woman - a simple gilded chain with a pendant in the shape of an Easter egg. According to her son, it was “a curious incident, most likely of an anecdotal nature.” However, under Kuprin’s pen, it turned into a tragic love story, and the gold-plated chain into a garnet bracelet.
- What issues does the author continue to develop in this story? (contrasting the vulgarity of the world and the unselfish and sincere feeling of love, capable of self-sacrifice)
-Reading and analysis of the 1st chapter of the story. The narrative begins with a description of the landscape. What kind of landscape is this? What are its features?
In music there is such a thing as an overture (overture-). Can this chapter be called a kind of overture to the work? Why? Give your reasons. And the story itself sounds like a piece of music. What music comes to mind when we read it? (students’ answers: different, sometimes calm, minor, sometimes upbeat and anxious, sometimes sad, sad)
— Describe the guests at Princess Vera’s name day. What gifts do they give her? How does this characterize them?
-Read the description of the garnet bracelet. What do pomegranates symbolize? How did the guests react to this gift? Princess Vera? (Princess Vera, whose former passionate love for her husband turned into a feeling of faithful, true friendship... She was strictly simple, cold with everyone and a little patronizingly kind, independent and royally calm." This calmness is what kills Zheltkov)
-A prepared student talks about the personality and fate of Zheltkov. (the story of his love for Prince Vera)
4. Students act out the skit “Visiting the official Zheltkov” (the moment when Vera Nikolaevna’s brother and husband come to explain to him)
Questions for students to understand:
A) How do the participants in the episode behave? Describe everyone’s behavior and express your point of view.
B) Who do you think is more worthy of respect? Why?
C) The supporting words of this scene should be the words of the official Zheltkov: “It so happens that I am not interested in anything in life: neither politics, nor science, nor philosophy, nor concern for the future happiness of people - for me, all life lies only in you,” - this is how the hero confesses his love to Vera Nikolaevna)
5. Research work with the text: students write down the words most frequently used in letters: You, You, You...
-What do they indicate? How did the hero feel about Princess Vera? (reverently, with respect, his love is selfless and pure, does not require anything in return) not
- Why is the ending of the story so tragic? What couldn’t the young man’s heart bear? (in his dream of love, the hero finds salvation from the cynicism and vulgarity of the real world (remember how tired Anna, Vera Nikolaevna’s sister, was fed up with vulgar stories with illustrations from Prince Shein....)
6. Prepared students tell about two love stories told by General Anosov.
— What brings these stories together and what are the differences?
— In what words of the general is the main meaning of the stories? (notebook entry: “Love should be a tragedy. The greatest secret in the world!
No life conveniences, calculations and compromises should concern her.” and “Yes,” the general finally drawled. - Maybe it's just
an abnormal fellow, a maniac, but who knows? - maybe your life
the path, Verochka, was crossed by exactly the kind of love that women and
which men are no longer capable of."
7. Analysis of the episode “Book. Vera says goodbye to Zheltkov"
— Reading aloud a passage (ch.)
— What place does this chapter occupy in the composition of the story?
The plot climax of the story coincides with the psychological one. Vera's farewell to Zheltkov is a turning point in her internal state. When she looks at the face of the deceased, reads deep importance, sees his blissful and serene smile, she understands that “the love that everyone dreams of
a woman walked past her. She remembered the words of General Anosov about the eternal
exclusive love - almost prophetic words. And, spreading in both directions
hair on the dead man's forehead, she tightly squeezed his temples with her hands and kissed him
on the cold, damp forehead with a long, friendly kiss.”
The princess comes home and asks her friend Jenny Reiter to play something for her. The pianist performs Beethoven’s “Apossionata”, which Zheltkov mentioned in his farewell letter.
8. Students read Chapter 13 to the sounds of the “Moonlight Sonata” (as if left alone with the text, with their thoughts)
Questions about the text:
—What is the role of the landscape at the beginning of the chapter?
— How did music affect Prince Vera? What did she understand at that moment?
— What words are repeated in the text and what do they mean?
Vera seemed to take into her heart everything that Zheltkov experienced and felt. “No, no,” he has forgiven me now. Everything is fine...” - on this pathetic note ends the story about the unearthly feeling of love, preserved even after the death of a person and capable of changing the destinies of living people.
10. Summing up. Reflection.
1. What is the theme, the main idea of the story?
2. What kind of love is this? Choose epithets.
3. Is the work relevant in our time? Why?
4. Does love always have to be a tragedy? Justify your answer.
5. Question for discussion: is suicide a way out of a difficult life situation?
11. D/z - write a mini-essay on the topic: “Love, even unrequited, is great happiness?”
—
