N. S. Leskov "Dumb Artist": a summary of the work

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

According to the story "Lefty", modern readers are more familiar with the writer N. S. Leskov. “Dumb Artist”, a summary of which is given in this article, is a work about the love of a serf actress and a hairdresser, whose fate depends on the will of the wayward and cruel Count Kamensky. The story is structured in such a way as if this old story is being told by the old nurse of the author's younger brother in the cemetery at the grave of the "stupid artist" Arkady. It was she who had to endure all the suffering from unhappy love and the arbitrariness of the owner.

N. S. Leskov. "Dumb Artist". The main characters of the work

• Arkady is a make-up artist and hairdresser in the theater of serf actresses. The story is named after him.
• Lyubov Onisimovna is an artist, beloved of the protagonist.
• Count Kamensky is the owner of the theatre.
• Brother of Count Kamensky.
• Droshida is a crazy drunken old woman to whom the main character was sent.

N. S. Leskov. "Dumb Artist" (summary). Chapters 1-5

Arkady is a handsome and interesting person. He serves in the theater of the Oryol Count Kamensky as a make-up artist for young actresses. The master himself loves him, but at the same time he keeps him very strict, like his other serfs. So, the actresses of this theater were forbidden any love relationships with men. This right belonged only to the count. He was known for his fondness for women of this kind. A young beautiful actress Lyubov Onisimovna, who is in love with Arkady, serves in this theater. He, in turn, loves her back. But lovers do not have the opportunity to meet, as this is forbidden by their master. Also, Arkady, under fear of being given into the soldiers, was not allowed to cut and shave anyone other than the count.

N. S. Leskov. "Dumb Artist" (summary). Chapters 6-11

Once, the count in his house arranged a reception in honor of the sovereign passing by Orel. It was planned to show a performance in which Lyubov Onisimovna was to play the main role. As a gift for this, the count gave her kamarin earrings - a sign of the owner's special disposition towards the actress. After the performance, Lyuba, in the guise of an innocent maiden Cecilia, was to be taken to Kamensky's chambers.

Arkasha should comb and dress her. Trouble crept up on him too. His brother from the village came to visit the count, who asked him for a barber to bring himself into a good condition. Kamensky refused him, saying that his best hairdresser Arkady cuts his hair.only him. Then the count's brother deceived a talented master, supposedly cutting his poodle. When Arkady arrived, the count's brother ordered him to be cut and shaved. The forced hairdresser was forced to agree to this. After the performance, the make-up artist, following the order of the count, comes to his beloved to comb her hair. He promises to take her away from the wayward and lustful owner and marry her. Young lovers do not know that six people are already waiting for them at the door to immediately grab them. Realizing this, Arkady smashes the window with his shoulder and runs with Lyuba. They are chasing after them. They go to the priest, who blesses "desperate weddings".

N. S. Leskov. "Dumb Artist" (summary). Chapters 12-19

The young people ask the priest to marry them and hide them from the chase. The priest takes money from them, but he still gives it to the count's people. The captives are taken to the owner's estate. Lyuba is interrogated for a long time, how long she stayed alone with Arkady. And the young hairdresser is being tormented and tormented at the same time. These tortures take place under Lyubov Onisimovna's room. She, hearing the cries of her beloved, tries to commit suicide. After being rescued, she is taken to the barnyard, as if she were crazy, under the supervision of the drunken old woman Drosis. After some time, Lyuba finds out that the count gave Arkash as a soldier, equipping him with a letter to send him to war.

It's been three years. Due to a disease in her legs, the poor girl was no longer returned to the theater. So she lived in the barnyard with Drosis. Soon Lyuba received a letter from her beloved, who rose to the rank of officer. He wrotethat he would come and ransom her from the count. It just wasn't destined to happen. The innkeeper janitor robbed and stabbed a former hairdresser at night. In the morning Lyubasha received the news that her Arkady had been killed. He was given a magnificent funeral as an officer and almost a nobleman. And Lyuba has since become addicted to alcohol.

Leskov's story "Dumb Artist" evokes in readers a feeling of compassion for bonded serfs, whose fate is entirely dependent on their masters. The author in the work, in the words of the main character, says that ordinary people should be pitied, that they are all “sufferers.”