Alexander Pushkin: Weaving Words into Russian History (2024)

Alexander Pushkin has gone down as one of the most influential Russian writers of all time. The poet, playwright, and novelist was born in 1799 and continued to write until his death in 1837. He had an eventful life full of turbulence and ended in the same vain. He died in a duel with another man after a life of exile and political trouble. Eugene Onegin’s novel in verse is arguably his most iconic piece.

Poet Overview

Born: Moscow, Russia, June 6, 1799.

Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin was born in the famous Russian city of Moscow. It is safe to say that he had an upper-class upbringing, which no doubt gave him valuable insights that would later influence his work. His father, Sergey Lvovich Pushkin, hailed from a long line ofRussian nobility, while his mother’s side of the family was equally interesting. Abram Petrovich Gannibal, his great-grandfather, was an African nobleman who came to Russia years before he was born.

With both parents being from powerful and rich families, he was allowed access to a unique education. He was tutored for much of his younger years, learning a wide variety of subjects, including French. His nanny, Arina Rodionovna, played a significant role in his development by teaching him the nuances of the Russian language.

As he became a young man, he was exposed to higher education at the Lyceum near Saint Petersburg. This prestigious school openly showed their respect for his literary talents. It was at the age of 15 that he published his first poem. During his formal and self-education, he began to take on the ideas of important figures from the French Enlightenment, such as Voltaire. From this period onwards, Pushkin started to integrate and form philosophical ideas.

An interest in social issues and politics within Russia would grow. A number of his works began criticizing the Russian hierarchy, such as ‘Ode to Liberty.’ Emperor Alexander I was not impressed and had him exiled in 1820. During this time, he was not allowed to publish any writings due to being under the watchful eye of the Emperor’s political police. However, Pushkin did not exactly follow these orders completely, as he created his play Boris Godunov, which became known as his most well-known.

His rebellious nature prevailed, as he wrote ‘The Captive of the Caucasus‘ and The Fountain of Bakhchisaray from 1820-1823, which also embodied his social beliefs. They also would garner great critical acclaim for years to come.

Exile and persecution only pushed him further away from alignment with the political ideals of Russia at the time. He sought out and joined the Filika Eteria, which was a secret society that aimed to aid Greece’s independence movement.

In 1830, during the writing process of his epic Eugene Onegin, he married his wife, Natalia Goncharova, who would later be at the center of a dispute that ended his life. For the years after, there were whiffs of infidelity rising in their relationship, with there being rumors of Goncharova’s affairs. Georges d’Anthès, who was the husband of her sister, was allegedly romantically involved with Natalia. Pushkin would confront him on January 27, 1837. Tragically, Pushkin was injured and succumbed to his injuries two days later.

Collections

Famous Poems

• ‘I Loved You‘ – Pushkin wrote‘I Loved You’in 1829 and published it a year later in 1830. It is a wonderful example of Pushkin’sverseand the way that he considered women in his life and literature. Since its publication, it has been set to music by several different artists and composers.
• ‘To the Sea‘ – Alexander Pushkin’s romantic tropes are here in ‘To the Sea.’ His ode to the sea portrays its vastness, power, and mystique. Pushkin marvels at its beauty, comparing it to a living entity that commands awe and respect.
• ‘Eugene Onegin‘ – Many consider his novel in verse, Eugene Onegin to be his magnum opus. It tells the story of Eugene Onegin and his life in St. Petersburg society. It’s not too far of a stretch to say it was heavily influenced by his own experiences. The work hits a perfect blend of poignant romance, societal critique, and lyrical descriptions, written in a distinct and innovative stanzaic structure.
• ‘The Bronze Horseman‘ – This narrative poem tells the tragic story of Evgenii and his lover Parasha during the catastrophic flood in St. Petersburg. It’s a tale of human struggle against the forces of nature and fate, set against the backdrop of a powerful historical event.
• ‘The Captive of the Caucasus‘ – One of Pushkin’s celebrated narrative poems, it recounts the story of a Russian soldier, Vasily, captured by mountain tribes in the Caucasus.

Poetry Style

Timeline

Achievements

Due to being active during the early 19th century, modern awards had either not been created or were in their early developmental stages. However, a number of buildings, statues, and events are named after him.