Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin Term Paper

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Alexander Pushkin's work "Eugene (Evgenii) Onegin" could be called a poem, it is most often designated as a novel because of the development of the characters, dialogue and plot. In addition, as the best written novels, the reader is left with many questions at the end and not a total resolution. Each time the literary piece is read, different ideas come to light as well as the way the characters relate to each other and the author, himself. In fact, the novel is even more multifaceted because the narrator/author at times joins the two main male characters in the action.

Briefly, "Eugene Onegin" is love gained/love lost novel. Eugene Onegin, a tired-of-life Petersburg gentleman, visiting his newly inherited estate, somehow becomes the desire of his neighbor's quiet daughter, Tatiana. The latter sends Onegin a love letter, to which he heartlessly responds. Onegin flirts ridiculously with Olga, Tatiana's more brazen sister. Olga's youthful poet fiance Vladimir Lensky, who is an associate of Onegin, challenges Onegin to a duel and is killed. Onegin leaves Petersburg for several years. When returning he once again meets Tatiana, who has become a sophisticated woman and the wife of a well-known society general. Surprisingly, Onegin falls in love with Tatiana, who rejects his desires. She admits to a lingering passion for him and that she would gladly give up her present mundane life immediately, if she did not believe that Onegin cares for her now only because of her place in society.

From the beginning of the novel, Pushkin uses Onegin and Lensky as a means to describe two different individuals found in life. Onegin is a young egotistical "fop," who lives a comfortable life. Yet, despite the fact that most others would envy his life, Onegin is unsatisfied, bored with life. " ... he's seen it all; with looks and fashion he's dreadfully dissatisfied (Chapter 1, XXI)" ... he yawns: "Ballet --they all have richly earned a pension;" he turns away: "I've had enough -- now even Didelot's tedious stuff." His life consists of fashionable clothes and dress, expensive vanity knickknacks and bronzes (Chapter 1, XXIV).

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On the other hand, Vladimir Lensky is a young, good-looking poet, "flower of age," and optimistic about his future and what it will bring. "He was too young to have been blighted by the cold world's corrupt finesse; his soul still blossomed out, and lighted at a friend's word, a girl's caress." And "He sweetened up with fancy's icing the uncertainties within his heart; for him, the objective on life's chart was still mysterious and enticing" (Chapter 2, II, VI). It is true, as some critics say, that the characters of Onegin and Lensky are overblown, almost as a parody of themselves. However, this is what endears the readers to them. Are not all humans in reality parodies, as well?

The differences between the two men are clearly seen throughout the novel, especially in the way that they perceive love. Onegin, who is sour on life and himself, cannot accept the love of Tatiana. Whereas Lensky sees love as another one of life's exciting opportunities. Onegin, because of his experiences in life (or, perhaps he was just born this way), is cynical and expects the worst. Lensky, naive and yet to be hurt by the fickleness of life, is still open emotionally and blind.

The comparison of Onegin and Lensky is exemplified well in the ballroom scene and the duel. The first revolves around Onegin's seduction of Olga. Even though Olga is engaged to Lensky, Onegin deceptively decides to steal her from his friend. He whispers ballads, squeezes her hand, makes her face flush with pleasure, and takes her for a turn around the ballroom. Onegin assumes Lensky's romantic character to win Olga, and she is pleased to find a new Romantic hero and to distress her former suitor. After Lensky challenges Onegin to a duel and leaves the ball, Olga becomes tired of Onegin, as he is once again struggling with boredom.

Similarly at the duel the two characters reveal themselves. Dueling advises displaying the identity of two rivals and designs a way of differentiating one. The face-off presents the two competitors….....

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