The publication of the novel "Rudin" by Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev in the socio-political journal "Contemporary" was an important event in the literary career of the writer. Initially, the work "Rudin" Turgenev planned to write in the form of a story. However, the writer wanted to show a more complete scale of the social reality of his time and supplemented the novel with an epilogue and secondary characters.
History of the writing of the novel
This novel is not considered the main creation of the writer. Nevertheless, for Turgenev’s career, he was of great importance, since he became the first great work of the author. The novel "Rudin" consists of twelve chapters and an epilogue. In Rudin, the writer was looking for his own creative style, and this novel was a successful attempt to move from novels and short stories to larger works. The novel "Rudin" was written by Turgenev at the Spasskoye-Lutovinovo estate in the summer of 1855. At first, the work was called "Brilliant Nature", and the names of the main characters were different.
The first listeners of the work were the sister of Leo Tolstoy - Maria Nikolaevna and her husband Valerian Petrovich. Subsequently, Turgenev took into account the comments of Maria Nikolaevna and changed some scenes of the novel. In 1855, Turgenev was given permission to publish Rudin in the 1st and 2nd issues of Sovremennik for 1856. The epilogue in which the protagonist dies on the barricades was published four years later.
Characters of the work
Daria Mikhailovna Lasunskaya - eminent and wealthy widow of the Privy Councilor, has three children.
Natalya Alekseevna Lasunskaya - daughter of Daria Mikhailovna, a girl of seventeen years old.
Vanya and Petya are the sons of Daria Mikhailovna, ten and nine years old.
Dmitry Nikolaevich Rudin - a guest on the Lasunsky estate, a young man of thirty-five years.
Alexandra Pavlovna Lipina, a young rich widow without children, lives with her brother Sergei Volintsev in her own estate.
Sergey Pavlovich Volintsev - brother of Alexandra Pavlovna Lipina, retired captain, in love with Natalia Lasunskaya.
Mikhailo Mikhailovich Lezhnev - a young landowner of thirty years, a neighbor Lasunsky. Familiar with Dmitry Nikolayevich Rudin from his student years. Silent and independent, in love with Alexandra Pavlovna Lipin.
Pandalevsky is a young polite man. He lives in the Lasunsky house as a dependent.
Bassistov - a teacher of 22 years old, is engaged in the training and education of the sons of Lasun. Worships Rudin.
Afrika Semenovich Pigasov - often visits the house of Lasunsky.
Summary of the novel
The novel takes place in the 1840s. Secular lady, Daria Mikhailovna Lasunskaya, every summer in the summer comes to the village with her children. Her estate is considered the first in the entire province. Daria Mikhailovna is trying to maintain a cheeky and simple atmosphere in her house, with a slight touch of contempt of a socialite for the "small people" surrounding her.
On a calm summer morning, the reader gets acquainted with the young widow Alexandra Pavlovna Lipina. She helps treat peasants in a rural hospital. Mikhailo Lezhnev is unrequitedly in love with Alexander Lipin. In the monotonous village life, the only entertainment for an educated widow is dinner parties and evenings with Daria Mikhailovna Lasunskaya. Interesting and enlightened guests often gather at these meetings to discuss music, literature, and socio-social issues.
Once in the house of Lasunsky appears a certain Dmitry Nikolaevich Rudin. He captivates listeners with his practical speeches, wit, well-read and ardent nature. In the course of social conversations, Dmitry immediately puts in place the arrogant Afrikan Pigasov, who often visited the Lasunskys. The guest also makes a great impression on the seventeen-year-old daughter of the hostess, Natalya Alekseevna. Daria Mikhailovna Lasunskaya, being impressed by the competence of the young man in matters of science, education and the meaning of life, invites Dmitry Nikolaevich to stay on her estate.
The next morning, Daria Mikhailovna invites Rudin to her office, where he tells him about the local community. She speaks respectfully about Mikhailo Mikhailovich Lezhnev. It turned out that Rudin was familiar with him when they studied at the university together, but at the end of their studies their paths diverged. After some time, the footman reports to the landlady about the arrival of Lezhnev, who arrived to solve the boundary question. Lezhnev, at the sight of Rudin, bowed very coldly to him, letting everyone know that he was not happy about this meeting.
During the time spent in the Lasunsky estate, Rudin became a favorite interlocutor of Daria Mikhailovna. He often communicates with the daughter of the mistress, Natalya Alekseevna - gives her rare books to read, recites his articles aloud. The teacher of the sons of Lasunsky, the Bassists, looks and listens to Rudin with admiration; the impudent Pigasov, began to come to the estate to Lasunsky much less often.
The news that Dmitry Rudin is visiting his neighbor’s house, Lasunskaya, became unpleasant news for the landowner Mikhailo Lezhnev. In his student years, when they studied together in the capital, Lezhnev was in love with one girl. He spoke about his feelings to Rudin. He began to actively interfere in the relationship of the couple, as a result of destroying the happiness of Lezhnev, and the upcoming wedding with his lover.
Communication between Natalya Alekseevna and Rudin makes an increasing impression on the young lady, she falls in love with Dmitry. Alexander Lipin calls on Mikhailo Lezhnev to change his judgment about Rudin. In response to this, she listens to an even more negative opinion about Dmitry Mikhailovich: he is hypocritical, cold, often lives at the expense of others, his fiery nature and speech are just a mask. And the most dangerous thing is that he can easily destroy such a young and naive girl as Natalya Alekseevna. Lasunsky Sr. does not approve of Rudin’s frequent conversations with her daughter, but does not fear them either. She believes that in the village Natalya gravitates toward Rudin more from boredom than from some other feelings. Daria Mikhailovna is mistaken.
One of the fine summer days, Dmitry Rudin invites Natalya on a date, which explains the girl in love. In response, he hears: "I will be yours." Daria Mikhailovna learns about this conversation from Pandalevsky. She declares to her daughter that she would prefer to see her dead than the wife of Dmitry Nikolaevich. Rudin, having met with Natalia, tells her that it is necessary to submit to the will of the mother and fate. The girl considers him a coward and leaves. The couple in love due to the indecision of Rudin breaks up.
Rudin writes a note to Volynsky, and then proceeds to a farewell letter for Natalia. Rudin modestly says goodbye to Lasunsky Sr. explaining that he needs to leave for his village. Daria Mikhailovna very dryly says goodbye to him. Dmitry Nikolayevich hurriedly prepares for departure, having managed to deliver a letter to Natalya. Natalia feels shame for her love.
Two years pass, Natalya becomes the wife of Volintsev. Alexandra Pavlovna Lipina marries Lezhnev, their son is growing up. Rudin wanders around the world. He wanders from city to city, completely indifferent to where to go.
