And ostrich feathers are bowed. Block stranger poem

In the evenings above the restaurants
Hot air is wild and deaf
And rules drunken shouts
Spring and pernicious spirit.

Far above the lane dust,
Over the boredom of country cottages,
Slightly gilded bakery pretzel,
And the cry of a child is heard.

And every evening, behind the barriers,
Breaking pots,
Among the ditches they walk with the ladies
Proven wits.

Oarlocks creak above the lake
And a woman screams
And in the sky, accustomed to everything
The disk is pointlessly twisted.

And every evening the only friend
Reflected in my glass
And moisture tart and mysterious
Like me, humble and deaf.

And next to the neighboring tables
Sleepy lackeys stick out,
And drunkards with rabbit eyes
"In vino veritas!"* they shout.

And every evening, at the appointed hour
(Is this just a dream?)
Maiden's camp, seized by silks,
In the foggy window moves.

And slowly, passing among the drunk,
Always without companions, alone
Breathing in spirits and mists,
She sits by the window.

And breathe ancient beliefs
Her elastic silks
And a hat with mourning feathers
And in the rings a narrow hand.

And chained by a strange closeness,
I look behind the dark veil
And I see the enchanted shore
And the enchanted distance.

Deaf secrets are entrusted to me,
Someone's sun has been handed to me,
And all the souls of my bend
The tart wine pierced.

And ostrich feathers bowed
In my brain they sway
And bottomless blue eyes
Blooming on the far shore.

There is a treasure in my soul
And the key is entrusted only to me!
You're right, drunk monster!
I know: the truth is in wine.

*In vino veritas! - The truth is in the wine! (lat.)

Analysis of the poem "The Stranger" by Alexander Blok

To understand the meaning of the poem "The Stranger", you need to know the history of its creation. Blok wrote it in 1906 during a difficult period when his wife left him. The poet was simply crushed by despair and spent whole days in unrestrained drunkenness in dirty cheap establishments. Blok's life was going downhill. He was well aware of this, but could not fix anything. The betrayal of his wife put an end to all the hopes and aspirations of the poet. He lost the purpose and meaning of his existence.

The poem begins with a description of the situation in which the lyrical hero is now. He has long been accustomed to the gloomy atmosphere of dirty restaurants. The author is constantly surrounded by drunk people. Nothing changes around, it drives you crazy with its monotony and meaninglessness. Even the source of poetic inspiration, the moon, is just "an accustomed ... disk to everything."

In this situation, the hope for deliverance comes to the lyrical hero in the form of a mysterious stranger. It is not clear from the poem whether this woman is real, or only a figment of the imagination, distorted by the continuous use of wine. The stranger at the same time passes between the drunken rows and takes her place at the window. She is a creature from another, pure and bright world. Looking at her majestic appearance, smelling perfume, the author understands all the abomination of his position. In dreams, he is carried away from this stuffy hall, begins a completely new life.

The end of the poem is ambiguous. The conclusion that the author comes to ("The truth is in wine!") can be interpreted in two ways. On the one hand, Blok did not become like the drunkards around him, who had completely lost hope for the future. He realized that he continues to keep a spiritual "treasure" that he has the right to dispose of. On the other hand, seeing a stranger and awakening faith in the best can be just drunken delirium, followed by a severe hangover.

The poem is written in figurative language. The epithets reflect the spiritual emptiness of the author (“pernicious”, “meaningless”, “sleepy”). The gloominess of the situation is enhanced by metaphors (“tart and mysterious moisture”, “with the eyes of rabbits”) and personifications (“rules ... a corrupting spirit”).

A sharp contrast to the dirty restaurant is the description of a stranger. The author highlights only individual details that have a symbolic meaning for him (“elastic silks”, “narrow hand”). The transience of the image emphasizes the unreality of what is happening. In the author's mind, the line between dream and reality is blurred.

The poem "The Stranger" occupies a special place in Blok's work. It reflects the author's sincere feelings and thoughts during a period of acute mental and life crisis. An attempt has been made to find a way out of this disastrous situation.

In the evenings above the restaurants
Hot air is wild and deaf
And rules drunken shouts
Spring and pernicious spirit.

Far above the lane dust,
Over the boredom of country cottages,
Slightly gilded bakery pretzel,
And the cry of a child is heard.

And every evening, behind the barriers,
Breaking pots,
Among the ditches they walk with the ladies
Proven wits.

Oarlocks creak above the lake
And a woman screams
And in the sky, accustomed to everything
The disk is pointlessly twisted.

And every evening the only friend
Reflected in my glass
And moisture tart and mysterious
Like me, humble and deaf.

And next to the neighboring tables
Sleepy lackeys stick out,
And drunkards with rabbit eyes
"In vino veritas!"* they shout.

And every evening, at the appointed hour
(Is this just a dream?)
Maiden's camp, seized by silks,
In the foggy window moves.

And slowly, passing among the drunk,
Always without companions, alone
Breathing in spirits and mists,
She sits by the window.

And breathe ancient beliefs
Her elastic silks
And a hat with mourning feathers
And in the rings a narrow hand.

And chained by a strange closeness,
I look behind the dark veil
And I see the enchanted shore
And the enchanted distance.

Deaf secrets are entrusted to me,
Someone's sun has been handed to me,
And all the souls of my bend
The tart wine pierced.

And ostrich feathers bowed
In my brain they sway
And bottomless blue eyes
Blooming on the far shore.

There is a treasure in my soul
And the key is entrusted only to me!
You're right, drunk monster!
I know: the truth is in wine.

*In vino veritas! - The truth is in the wine! (lat.)

Analysis of the poem "The Stranger" by Alexander Blok

To understand the meaning of the poem "The Stranger", you need to know the history of its creation. Blok wrote it in 1906 during a difficult period when his wife left him. The poet was simply crushed by despair and spent whole days in unrestrained drunkenness in dirty cheap establishments. Blok's life was going downhill. He was well aware of this, but could not fix anything. The betrayal of his wife put an end to all the hopes and aspirations of the poet. He lost the purpose and meaning of his existence.

The poem begins with a description of the situation in which the lyrical hero is now. He has long been accustomed to the gloomy atmosphere of dirty restaurants. The author is constantly surrounded by drunk people. Nothing changes around, it drives you crazy with its monotony and meaninglessness. Even the source of poetic inspiration, the moon, is just "an accustomed ... disk."

In this situation, the hope for deliverance comes to the lyrical hero in the form of a mysterious stranger. It is not clear from the poem whether this woman is real, or only a figment of the imagination, distorted by the continuous use of wine. The stranger at the same time passes between the drunken rows and takes her place at the window. She is a creature from another, pure and bright world. Looking at her majestic appearance, smelling perfume, the author understands all the abomination of his position. In dreams, he is carried away from this stuffy hall, begins a completely new life.

The end of the poem is ambiguous. The conclusion that the author comes to ("The truth is in wine!") can be interpreted in two ways. On the one hand, Blok did not become like the drunkards around him, who had completely lost hope for the future. He realized that he continues to keep a spiritual "treasure" that he has the right to dispose of. On the other hand, seeing a stranger and awakening faith in the best can be just drunken delirium, followed by a severe hangover.

The poem is written in figurative language. The epithets reflect the spiritual emptiness of the author (“pernicious”, “meaningless”, “sleepy”). The gloominess of the situation is enhanced by metaphors (“tart and mysterious moisture”, “with the eyes of rabbits”) and personifications (“rules ... a corrupting spirit”).

A sharp contrast to the dirty restaurant is the description of a stranger. The author highlights only individual details that have a symbolic meaning for him (“elastic silks”, “narrow hand”). The transience of the image emphasizes the unreality of what is happening. In the author's mind, the line between dream and reality is blurred.

The poem "The Stranger" occupies a special place in Blok's work. It reflects the author's sincere feelings and thoughts during a period of acute mental and life crisis. An attempt has been made to find a way out of this disastrous situation.

"The Stranger" Alexander Blok

In the evenings above the restaurants
Hot air is wild and deaf
And rules drunken shouts
Spring and pernicious spirit.

Far above the lane dust,
Over the boredom of country cottages,
Slightly gilded bakery pretzel,
And the cry of a child is heard.

And every evening, behind the barriers,
Breaking pots,
Among the ditches they walk with the ladies
Proven wits.

Oarlocks creak above the lake
And a woman screams
And in the sky, accustomed to everything
The disk is pointlessly twisted.

And every evening the only friend
Reflected in my glass
And moisture tart and mysterious
Like me, humble and deaf.

And next to the neighboring tables
Sleepy lackeys stick out,
And drunkards with rabbit eyes
"In vino veritas!"1 they shout.

And every evening, at the appointed hour
(Is this just a dream?)
Maiden's camp, seized by silks,
In the foggy window moves.

And slowly, passing among the drunk,
Always without companions, alone
Breathing in spirits and mists,
She sits by the window.

And breathe ancient beliefs
Her elastic silks
And a hat with mourning feathers
And in the rings a narrow hand.

And chained by a strange closeness,
I look behind the dark veil
And I see the enchanted shore
And the enchanted distance.

Deaf secrets are entrusted to me,
Someone's sun has been handed to me,
And all the souls of my bend
The tart wine pierced.

And ostrich feathers bowed
In my brain they sway
And bottomless blue eyes
Blooming on the far shore.

There is a treasure in my soul
And the key is entrusted only to me!
You're right, drunk monster!
I know: the truth is in wine.

Analysis of Blok's poem "The Stranger"

When it comes to the creative heritage of the Russian poet Alexander Blok, many often recall the textbook poem Stranger, written in 1906 and which has become one of the best romantic works of this author.

The Stranger has a rather sad and dramatic backstory. During the period of writing the poem, Alexander Blok experienced a deep emotional drama caused by his wife's betrayal, which went to the poet Alexander Bely. According to the recollections of the poet's relatives, he uncontrollably drowned his grief in wine and spent days and nights sitting in cheap drinking establishments filled with dubious personalities. It is likely that in one of these restaurants Alexander Blok met a mysterious stranger - an elegant lady in a hat with a mourning veil, who every evening at the same time occupied a table near the window, indulging in her sad thoughts.

In this establishment, she clearly looked like a foreign creature, belonging to a completely different world, where there is no place for dirt and street swearing, prostitutes, gigolos and lovers of cheap booze. And, quite likely, it was the image of a mysterious woman, so out of place in the interior of a cheap tavern, that aroused in the poet a desire not only to delve into her secret, but also to analyze his own life, realizing that he was wasting it.

Describing the environment around him, Alexander Blok deliberately contrasts the dirt and drunken fumes with the divine image of an unknown woman, who, apparently, is experiencing an equally deep spiritual drama, but does not sink to drown her grief in alcohol. The realization that the fragile stranger turns out to be much stronger and more courageous than all those men who surround her gives rise to a kind of admiration in the poet's soul. This is the first bright moment in his life in many months, which he tries to grab onto, like a lifeline, to emerge from the abyss of unrestrained drunkenness. The fact that he succeeded brilliantly is confirmed by the very fact of the existence of the poem "The Stranger", which, as it turned out later, became a turning point not only in life, but also in the work of Alexander Blok.

And precisely the opposition of the dark and light sides of life, which is very clearly seen in this lyrical and very moving work, indicates that the poet understands very clearly that his life is going downhill at an inexorable speed. Such an antithesis sets the rhythm for the whole work, as if emphasizing that there is another reality in which even with a broken heart one can rejoice and be surprised at simple things that evoke the brightest and most exciting feelings. The image of a stranger identifies a slightly ajar door to another reality, and all that remains is to take a couple of unsteady steps to find yourself where there is no place for a gloomy reality with its vulgarity, betrayal, cruelty and dirt.

Stay in the arms of Bacchus or try to get into the mysterious world of a stranger filled with light and purity? Alexander Blok chooses the third way, arguing that there is also truth in wine, but at the same time deciding not to stoop to the level of those who drink not in order to comprehend it, but in order to forget it. This is confirmed by one of the last stanzas, in which the poet confesses: “There is a treasure in my soul, and the key is entrusted only to me!”. These words can be interpreted in different ways, but their most likely meaning is that only spiritual purity, the ability to love and forgive, give a person the strength to live on. But in order to realize this, you must first sink to the very bottom, and then meet a mysterious stranger who will make you believe in your own strength with her mere presence, even if her image is a figment of the imagination poisoned by alcohol.

Hot air is wild and deaf

And rules drunken shouts

Spring and pernicious spirit.

Over the boredom of country cottages,

Slightly gilded bakery pretzel,

And the cry of a child is heard.

Among the ditches they walk with the ladies

And a woman screams

And in the sky, accustomed to everything

The disk is pointlessly twisted.

Reflected in my glass

And moisture tart and mysterious

Like me, humble and deaf.

Sleepy lackeys stick out,

And drunkards with rabbit eyes

"In vino veritas!"* they shout.

(Is this just a dream?)

Maiden's camp, seized by silks,

In the foggy window moves.

Always without companions, alone

Breathing in spirits and mists,

She sits by the window.

Her elastic silks

And a hat with mourning feathers

And in the rings a narrow hand.

I look behind the dark veil

And I see the enchanted shore

And the enchanted distance.

Someone's sun has been handed to me,

And all the souls of my bend

The tart wine pierced.

In my brain they sway

And bottomless blue eyes

Blooming on the far shore.

And the key is entrusted only to me!

You're right, drunk monster!

I know: the truth is in wine.

Analysis of the poem "The Stranger" by A. A. Blok

Blok's most famous poem, relating to the second period of creativity, is "The Stranger".

The entire first stanza of this poem is actually an extended metaphor, although many researchers argue that it is possible to establish with the utmost accuracy where the events described in the poem took place. The picture itself does not need such specification:

Hot air is wild and deaf

And rules drunken shouts

Spring and pernicious spirit"

The next three stanzas further reinforce this motif, emphasizing the disharmony of the world:

And a woman screams

And the sky, accustomed to everything,

The disk is pointlessly twisting.

These pictures prepare the appearance of a miracle: the contrast between the past and the appearance of the beautiful Stranger is too great. The vision itself arises, as it were, from the evening twilight, from the vulgar cry of drunkards, the creak of oarlocks, the squeal of women, it arises as a denial of a disharmonious world.

A stranger among restaurant tables, among drunkards. The fact that it could just be a dream is indicated by only one unexpected detail - "breathing in spirits and mists", - a little explains the words of the author. "Always and everywhere, more and deeper than anything, lies a peaceful fog ..". This image of fog further enhances the mystery of the appearance of the Stranger. The next three stanzas are filled with complex symbolism that cannot be directly deciphered, and does not need it. Here everything is fragile, based on mystery, the soul is freed from the vulgar pressure of everyday life, flies away to other worlds, discovering treasures unknown to the world in its depths. It is important that the human soul for a moment came into contact with the world of beauty. In this context, the words no longer cut the ear:

Blooming on the far shore.

The poem ends with a stanza, where there are two exclamatory sentences, the meaning of which is contrasted with each other:

And the key is entrusted only to me!

You're right, drunk monster!

I know: truth and guilt.

Poem. Alexander Blok: a stranger.

"Poems about love and poems about love" - ​​Love lyrics of Russian poets & Anthology of Russian poetry. © Copyright Peter Solovyov

Alexander Blok is known throughout the world as a symbolist poet. His works are full of symbols that convey the author's mood, the atmosphere in which the poet lived and worked, and the style of life.

Many of his poetic masterpieces are shrouded in a kind of haze of mystery and mystery, which does not prevent the author from talking with the reader in simple words, sharing experiences and investing a piece of his own soul. This is exactly what the poem "The Stranger" is.

"The Stranger" is one of the most famous and recognizable works of Blok's work.

In the evenings above the restaurants
Hot air is wild and deaf
And rules drunken shouts
Spring and pernicious spirit.

Far above the lane dust,
Over the boredom of country cottages,
Slightly gilded bakery pretzel,
And the cry of a child is heard.

And every evening, behind the barriers,
Breaking pots,
Among the ditches they walk with the ladies
Proven wits.

Oarlocks creak above the lake
And a woman screams
And in the sky, accustomed to everything
The disk is pointlessly twisted.

And every evening the only friend
Reflected in my glass
And moisture tart and mysterious
Like me, humble and deaf.

And next to the neighboring tables
Sleepy lackeys stick out,
And drunkards with rabbit eyes
"In vino veritas!"1 they shout.

And every evening, at the appointed hour
(Is this just a dream?)
Maiden's camp, seized by silks,
In the foggy window moves.

And slowly, passing among the drunk,
Always without companions, alone
Breathing in spirits and mists,
She sits by the window.

And breathe ancient beliefs
Her elastic silks
And a hat with mourning feathers
And in the rings a narrow hand.

And chained by a strange closeness,
I look behind the dark veil
And I see the enchanted shore
And the enchanted distance.

Deaf secrets are entrusted to me,
Someone's sun has been handed to me,
And all the souls of my bend
The tart wine pierced.

And ostrich feathers bowed
In my brain they sway
And bottomless blue eyes
Blooming on the far shore.

There is a treasure in my soul
And the key is entrusted only to me!
You're right, drunk monster!
I know: the truth is in wine.

How did the poem come about?

According to the memoirs of contemporaries, the life of the famous poet in 1906 was subject to some strange regime. Vladimir Pyast, a poet, said that while experiencing the personal drama of parting with his wife, Blok felt very depressed. Although there was nothing strange in the daily routine. Alexander Alexandrovich got up at the same time, demanded dinner, and after that went for a walk. Most often, Blok walked around the outskirts of St. Petersburg, where he watched everything that was happening around. I could go to some restaurant. And I must say frankly, applied to the bottle more often than it could be permissible. One of the establishments was especially liked by the poet. He went there regularly.

The institution was not elite and rather looked like a tavern. But here the romantic could see some mystery. He was quietly located in a cheap drinking establishment and spent hours looking for "forgetfulness in wine".

Alexander himself claimed that he needed new impressions that would fill him with new energy, and he would be able to work on his unusual works again. And for this, perhaps, he will even have to sink to the very bottom of this terrible life. But on the other hand, he will have the necessary life experience, which he will then be able to use in his poetry.

Constantly visiting this restaurant, the poet even got his own place from which one could watch what was happening. Here he saw a woman who brought with her a touch of mystery. This stranger did not look like anything around, and rather resembled a precious stone that was in the dust. So she did not go to the atmosphere of a tavern. Exquisite clothes and manners - everything betrayed in her an aristocrat. It seemed that her appearance is completely out of place in this restaurant.

The appearance of a stranger, who, apparently, was experiencing mental pain, made a great impression on Blok. This woman seemed to him a very strong personality, able to cope with life's difficulties with her own, internal forces, and not with the help of wine.

Admiring the girl, her endurance and self-control, the lyricist and romantic Blok wrote this textbook work.

Time of action - spring. Blok could not help but describe the situation around the twisting plot.

A bit boring in the area of ​​suburban cottages. In the evenings, couples walk, someone is located in restaurants, somewhere you can hear the cry of a child - nothing special happens.

Here our hero spends his time, in a small tavern, which does not shine with its guests, but rather the opposite. Among ordinary visitors there are also those who have sunk to the very bottom of life: drunkards, gigolos, prostitutes. But even in this vulgar environment, our hero finds something romantic.

Here a stranger appears, who is always alone, without any accompaniment. She comes at the same time. And even the table is occupied by the same one, having passed between drunken visitors.

A rather tipsy poet pays attention to her. A girl, obviously of noble birth, occupies his thoughts. The romantic embarks on a voyage of "charming distance", trying to unravel the incomprehensible female mystery.

Reflecting on the life of an unknown, but such a beautiful, exquisitely dressed and well-mannered girl, the lyricist begins to analyze his own life. He gets insight. He understands that in the life of any person troubles, tragic events, grief can occur, but you need to find the strength in yourself to withstand life's adversities. Don't sink to the bottom. There is no point in drunkenness and inaction. It all depends on the victim. Either he gives up and does not want to fight, or remains true to his principles and ideals. He says - "The key is entrusted only to me!"

Literary roll call

Researchers of the work of Alexander Blok say that invisible literary threads can be drawn between the work "The Stranger" and various works of other classics.

For example, Gogol's story "Nevsky Prospekt", when the main character, the artist Piskarev, ends up in an orphanage where vulgarity and depravity reign.

The charm of mystery can be found in the poems of Pushkin, Lermontov, Tyutchev.

Writers recall V. Bryusov's poem "The Passer-by", where the heroine also appears from the "twilight of spirits", and the drunken author is drowning in vicious sensations.

Blok did not hesitate in his work to describe in detail both the drinking establishment, and the image of a glorious woman, and his attitude towards her. The product does not look "dirty". On the contrary, the pure image of the girl made the main character cleaner. Everything came together in this poem, which is why the reader fell in love with it.

Expressive means

Some researchers called Blok's poem a ballad. This, of course, is not true. There is no fantasy or epic plot in the poem.

The poem "The Stranger" can be divided into three parts. The first, which tells about the ordinary life of the poet, about the boredom that reigned in the holiday village. The second, about a beautiful, refined stranger. The third, about the conclusions made by the main character.

For a better opposition, on which the entire text is built, the author uses various means:

✔ Epithets.
✔ Metaphor.
✔ Comparisons.
✔Avatars.

Many critics of that time, when trying to analyze this poem, noticed that it was very musical.

Critical evaluation of the work

Initially, any reviews and reviews of Blok's poem "The Stranger" came from critics not in the most forest vein. Many have noticed that the plot is not new, there is little dynamics in it. Some even called the storyline a drunken hallucination.

But the exciting work attracted with its melodiousness, truthfulness and mystery. The reader was able to catch all the charm perfectly in this vulgar and vulgar world. The desire to get rid of vices and give up drinking in favor of a life that can give pleasure without the help of wine creates a positive image of both the main character and the beautiful stranger.

It is known that this real meeting made a great impression on Alexander Alexandrovich. He seriously thought about his life and thanks to his thoughts he was able to get out of the depression in which he was at that time.

It is not surprising that the contrast between the sinful and vulgar world and the wonderful tender and airy feelings conveyed by the author makes the reader think not only about the acting characters, but also about his own life. This is the highest purpose of poetry.