Analysis Of The Novel Eugene Onegin - 1481 Words

A well-known proverb states â€Å"behind every great man stands an even greater woman.† In Alexander Pushkin’s novel Eugene Onegin, transparently named after the male protagonist, female counterpart Tatyana Larina eclipses Eugene. Unlike Eugene, Tatyana shows an aptitude for sensitivity, strength, and adaptation -- traits becoming of an eponymous hero. Upon her introduction into the novel, Tatyana’s aloof disposition and affinity for reading reveal she is destined to transcend conventions. As Eugene floats listlessly through life, Tatyana grows into a compelling character who defies 19th century social barriers. Later, after falling in love with Eugene, Tatyana exhibits a forwardness and independence evocative of a burgeoning feminist heroine.†¦show more content†¦Ironically, Dmitry Larin sees no harm in allowing his daughter to read the likes of Richardson, Cottin, Stael, and Rousseau, yet these texts are inspiring Tatyana’s rejection of womanly models. Pushkin uses Tatyana’s books to serve two purposes: to further Tatyana’s character arc and to establish one of the novel s themes. Thematically, Pushkin implies that the realm of art and fiction weigh heavily upon one s actions and personality. Furthermore, Tatyana’s personal library is wrought with strong female leads. John Jacques Rousseau, for example, penned Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded in 1740 and built a literary world in which a young servant girl displays the agency to reject her master’s sexual advances despite being in love with him (Rousseau, NA). Pamela teaches impressionable readers like Tatyana to assert will over their lives regardless of their position in society and innate emotions. Additionally, Pamela’s rejection of desire and preservation of honor show Tatyana that women can not only control their own lives, but transcend the realm of passion and male pleasure. As Tatyana begins to embody the traits of 19th century litera ry heroes, she renounces societal norms and builds the foundation for a feminist awakening. Upon falling in love with Eugene, Tatyana pens a romantic letter which mirrors the agency observed in Pamela. Unlike Tatyana’s handmaid, who attributes her husband’s love to â€Å"the will of God† (Pushkin, 65), Tatyana chooses toShow MoreRelated Digression in Nikolai Gogols Dead Souls Essay1728 Words   |  7 Pages Nikolai Gogols masterpiece novel, Dead Souls, remains faithful to the Gogolian tradition in terms of absurdity, lavish detail, and abundant digressions. Although these three literary techniques coexist, interact, and augment each other-the focus of this analysis is to examine how Gogol (or the narrator) deviates from the plotline, the significance of it, and what aesthetic purpose comes from the digression. Although Gogols marriage to elaboration is at times strenuous-in fact, it is the