B. P. Astafiev, "Domsky Cathedral": a summary, features of the work and reviews

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Viktor Petrovich Astafiev - the author of the story "The Dome Cathedral" - was born in troubled times and took a sip of all the troubles and misfortunes that fate could only prepare for him. From an early age, life did not spoil him: first, his mother died, and Victor could not come to terms with it until the end of his life, later his father brought a new wife to the house, but she could not stand the boy. So he ended up on the street. Later, Viktor Petrovich will write in his biography that he began an independent life suddenly and without any preparation.

A master of literature and a hero of his time

The literary life of V. P. Astafiev will be quite eventful, and the works will be loved by all readers, from the smallest to the most serious.

Astafiev's story "The Dome Cathedral" undoubtedly took one of the most honorable places in his literary biography and even after years does not cease to find connoisseurs amongmodern generation.

B. Astafiev, "Domsky Cathedral": summary

In the hall, crowded with people, organ music sounds, from which the lyrical hero has various associations. He analyzes these sounds, compares them either with the high and sonorous sounds of nature, or with hissing and low peals of thunder. Suddenly, his whole life appears before his eyes - and the soul, and the earth, and the world. He remembers the war, pain, loss, and, amazed by the sound of the organ, he is ready to kneel before the greatness of the beautiful.

Despite the fact that the hall is full of people, the lyrical hero continues to feel lonely. Suddenly a thought flashes through his mind: he wants everything to collapse, all executioners, murderers, and music sounds in the souls of people.

He talks about human existence, about death, about the path of life, about the significance of a small person in this big world, and understands that the Dome Cathedral is a place where gentle music lives, where all applause and other exclamations are prohibited, that it is a house of peace and tranquility. The lyrical hero bows his soul before the cathedral and thanks him from the bottom of his heart.

Analysis of the work "Dome Cathedral"

Now let's take a closer look at the story written by Astafiev ("Dome Cathedral"). Analysis and comments on the story can be presented as follows.

From the first lines, the reader observes the author's admiration for the majestic work of architectural art - the Dome Cathedral. Viktor Petrovich more than once had to visitthis cathedral, which soon came to his liking. The building of the Dome Cathedral, located in the capital of Latvia - Riga, has survived to this day only partially. Made in the Rococo style, the cathedral was built according to the design of foreign sculptors and architects, invited specifically to erect a new building that would sound through the ages and remain a wonderful reminder of the past for generations to come.

But it was the organ with incredible acoustic power that made the cathedral a real attraction. Great virtuoso composers wrote their works especially for this majestic organ and gave concerts there, in the cathedral. Thanks to the assonances and dissonances that V. P. Astafiev skillfully uses at the beginning of the story, the reader can feel himself in his place. The melodies of the organ, compared with thunder and the roar of waves, with the sounds of a harpsichord and a ringing stream, reach us, it would seem, through space and time …

The writer tries to compare the sounds of the organ with his thoughts. He understands that all those terrible memories, pain, grief, worldly fuss and endless problems - all disappeared in an instant. The sound of the organ has such majestic power. This passage affirms the author's point of view that solitude with high, time-tested music can work wonders and heal spiritual wounds, and this is exactly what Astafiev wanted to say in his work. "Dome Cathedral" is rightfully one of his deepest philosophical works.

Imageloneliness and soul in the story

Loneliness is not a fact, but a state of mind. And if a person is lonely, then even in society he will continue to consider himself so. Organ music sounds through the lines of the work, and the lyrical hero suddenly realizes that all those people - evil, kind, old and young - they all disappeared. He feels only himself and no one else in the crowded hall…

And then, like a bolt from the blue, the hero is pierced by a thought: he realizes that at this very moment someone may be trying to destroy this cathedral. Endless thoughts are swarming in his head, and the soul, healed by the sounds of the organ, is ready to die overnight for this divine melody.

Music stopped sounding, but left an indelible imprint on the soul and heart of the author. He, being under the impression, analyzes every sound that has sounded and cannot help but simply say “thank you” to him.

The lyrical hero received healing from accumulated problems, grief and the killing bustle of the big city.

Dome Cathedral genre

What else can be said about the story "The Dome Cathedral" (Astafiev)? The genre of the work is difficult to determine, because it contains the designations of several genres. "The Dome Cathedral" was written in the genre of an essay, reflecting the author's inner state, impressions from one life event. Victor Astafiev first published The Dome Cathedral in 1971. The story was included in the "Zatesi" cycle.

"Dome Cathedral": composition plan

1. Dome Cathedral - monasterymusic, silence and peace of mind.
2. A music-filled atmosphere that evokes many associations.
3. Only the sound of music can touch the strings of the human soul so subtly and deeply.
4. Getting rid of the burden, mental heaviness and accumulated negativity under the influence of a miraculous medicine.
5. Gratitude of the lyrical hero for healing.

In conclusion

It is worth noting that the author undoubtedly has a fine spiritual organization, because not everyone can feel the music so much, heal under its influence and convey their inner state to the reader with subtle gentle words. Victor Astafiev as a phenomenon of our time deserves respect. And by all means, everyone should read Viktor Astafiev's Dome Cathedral.