It describes the life of a young and wealthy man, from the death of his rich uncle, to a duel with his best friend. This novel was written a very long time ago, and through it we can see the life that A.S Pushkin lived.
I suggest reading on this website because the translation here is great, and it gives off the correct rhythm of the original text. I personally read it in both languages.
The first chapter starts off with Onegin caring for his sick uncle, and thinking in his head, "When will this man finally die?" Pushkin describes his created character as a selfish person, who basically lived life for his own enjoyment. Truly, this text is easy to follow because it only has four main characters, yet sometimes, it's not so easy to understand, and you have to do a little bit of research to know what's going on. This novel has many famous pieces, including the first stanza:
``My uncle -- high ideals inspire him;
but when past joking he fell sick,
he really forced one to admire him --
and never played a shrewder trick.
Let others learn from his example!
But God, how deadly dull to sample
sickroom attendance night and day
and never stir a foot away!
And the sly baseness, fit to throttle,
of entertaining the half-dead:
one smoothes the pillows down in bed,
and glumly serves the medicine bottle,
and sighs, and asks oneself all through:
"When will the devil come for you?"''
This text was later incorporated into a wonderful opera, as well as ballet.
I recommend it, not so much for entertainment because it is not such an easy text, but more for information. To learn about the life back then, to feel it for yourself. Perhaps later on in your school assignments you can use this text as an example, for it hits all themes- love, loss, loneliness, friendship, ,betrayal.
That's all from me today.
xoxo
Bestreads101
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