Summary of Leskov's "Old Genius". Leskov's works

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

From the middle of the nineteenth century, people began to create in Russia who madly love their homeland, believe in the people, smart and talented, stand for freedom in all its manifestations, oppose the idea of a small person.

Leskov becomes one of the classics that touch on deep topics.

"The old genius", whose analysis reveals a deeper meaning of the work than it might seem at first glance, strikes the reader from different angles.

Author in brief

Leskov's work "The Old Genius" is one of the most successful works of the writer.

Nikolai Semenovich Leskov is one of the most popular authors of Russia. He created stories and novels about the fate of ordinary people. It is impossible to find lies or hypocrisy in his work, because he wrote about what he knew thoroughly. Interestingly, he also wrote in a genre that is not particularly typical for Russian literature - Christmas stories. The author did not believe in the church, especially after his rapprochement with Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy. He ridiculed the vices of the clergy, justtelling the truth. Knowing full well that his works would not be understood by politicians and writers, he continued to write. At the same time, he himself said that he would not show his story "Night Owls" to anyone, he would keep it in a locked drawer, because, most likely, no one would understand what he wanted to say.

Great works

However, in the second half of the twentieth century, Nikolai Semenovich joins the ranks of recognized authors not only among compatriots, but also among foreign connoisseurs. Among his most well-deserved creations are such works as "Nowhere" (1864), "Bypassed" (1865), "Islanders" (1866), "On Knives" (1870), "Cathedrals" (1872), "The Mean Family " (1874) and "Damn's Dolls", published in 1890.

Summary of Leskov's "Old Genius"

The old woman trusted the young dandy from St. Petersburg, because she was well acquainted with his mother, a decent woman. So she lent him a large sum of money. To do this, she had to mortgage her estate. She was sure that the money would be returned to her, but several years pass, and the debtor is still not announced. The old woman has to go in search of him. She arrives in St. Petersburg, where the court makes a decision, according to which the debtor is obliged to repay the debt. Only for this he had to be handed a paper with a receipt. Frant had many high and revered patrons, and therefore no one dared to hand over paper to him. Later it becomes known that livesdandy with his mistress, but registered in an apartment building, and there is no way to deliver the document to the address. The old woman is in despair, because not only she lives in the house, but also her sick daughter and granddaughter. People understand that what is happening is unfair, everyone is very sorry for the old woman, but no one is ready to help.

However, there is a man who called himself a genius, who asks for 500 rubles for help. And the dandy with his rich lady, meanwhile, goes on a trip. A genius in the person of a volunteer negotiates with a Serbian fighter, the debtor is stopped on the day of departure, he is obliged to introduce himself, after which he is immediately handed a paper. The whole point is that now he cannot go abroad unless he pays the debt, which he has to do. When the summary of Leskov's "Old Genius" is read, it becomes clear that the master of words was able to show, using the example of one case, the entire opacity of the judicial system, the optional enforcement of laws for high-ranking officials and people who occupy a prominent place in society.

About the appearance of a masterpiece

Love for Russia inspired the author to learn more and more new things about her and display his thoughts on paper. Nikolai Semenovich served as a court clerk for several years. He was well versed in the bureaucratic component of the judicial system, saw its strengths and weaknesses, the impossibility of an ordinary person without high-ranking patrons to defend the truth before modern law. The writer explained to ussituation in which any of us may find ourselves. We can realize how great the inequality of citizens was before the court, and also find out what the author wanted to convey to us, just by reading the summary of Leskov's "Old Genius". It, like the full version of the work, makes you think about pressing topics, as well as rethink some things.

Important details

In the story, the author describes a story, on the one hand, typical, about inequality and bureaucracy, on the other hand, interesting and thoughtful, about heroes with original character traits. The old woman, for example, is kind to everyone, she does not want harm even to the person who treated her vilely. For her, laws and officials are not important, because she is simple enough not to bother with conventions. The "old genius" is faced with the task of catching the swindler, and he, using all his experience, logic and cunning, develops a plan. The image of the debtor is captured from the little things.

He is a selfish and narcissistic person, otherwise how could he do this to people? He is unable to earn an honest job, he wants to spend his whole life having fun. Leskov (the story "The Old Genius") shows us how the brain of a former official works, what some people from the younger generation are like, who do not want to do anything, but only get ready, without straining at all.

Story Composition

The idea is the vulnerability of a small person to corrupt bureaucrats. Authorargues that if the state is not able to protect people, ensure their rights and the implementation of laws, then people should do all this themselves. The plot itself is built on the observer's stories about what is happening. There are multiple artistic devices, which from time to time create the effect of a tragicomedy. An interesting feature is that the author is the protagonist of the work, as the summary of Leskov's "Old Genius" tells. He feels sympathy for the old woman, wants to help her somehow, but does not believe that she will be able to achieve the truth, so he just gives her some money. It is interesting that such a happy outcome falls just on the holiday of Christmas. This is hardly an accident, because the author really believes in the spiritual principle inherent in every person.

Unexplored Leskov

"Old Genius" (critics confirm this) displayed a true picture of what was happening. It traces both positive and negative character traits characteristic of a Russian person. The author showed the depth of human talent. With his characteristic irony and sharpness of statements, he described the class of officials, all their unwillingness to work, to bring at least some benefit to the state and people.