Loving others is a grave sin. Poetic analysis "to love others is a heavy cross". Analysis of the poem "To love others is a heavy cross" by Pasternak

The writing

Boris Leonidovich Pasternak is a remarkable poet and prose writer of the 20th century. He can be fully called an aesthete writer, subtly and deeply feeling beauty. He has always been a connoisseur of natural and pristine beauty, which, of course, was reflected in his work. And, as a vivid example of all of the above, I would like to pay special attention to such a poem by Pasternak as "To love others is a heavy cross ...".

The first thing that catches your eye in this work is the simplicity and lightness of the style. It is very short, consisting of only three quatrains. But in this brevity lies one of its greatest virtues. Thus, each word is, as it were, more valued, has greater weight and meaning. Analyzing the author's speech, one cannot but pay attention to the amazing naturalness of the language, simplicity and even some colloquialism. The literary and linguistic bar has been reduced to almost everyday speech, take at least such a phrase as "All this is not a big trick." Although there is also a bookish style, for example, the opening phrase of the work “To love others is a heavy cross.” And here I would like to note that this phraseological phrase contains a clear allusion to biblical motifs that are so frequent in the works of Boris Pasternak.

How can you determine the theme of this poem? It would seem that the work is an appeal of a lyrical hero to his beloved woman, admiration for her beauty:

Loving others is a heavy cross,

And you are beautiful without convolutions,

And the charms of your secret

The solution to life is tantamount to.

The question arises - what is the secret of the charm of his beloved? And then the writer gives us the answer: her beauty lies in her naturalness, simplicity (“And you are beautiful without convolutions”). The next quatrain takes us to a deeper semantic level of the work, to reflections on the essence, nature of beauty in general.

What is beauty according to Pasternak? This is natural beauty, without artificiality, without pomposity and frills. In this poem, we again encounter the so-called "theory of simplicity" of the poet, simplicity, which is the basis of life, of all things. And female beauty should not contradict, but organically fit into the overall huge and global picture of universal beauty, which all God's creatures equally possess. Beauty is the only and main truth in the poet's world:

In the spring, the rustle of dreams is heard

And the rustle of news and truths.

You are from a family of such foundations.

Your meaning, like air, is disinterested.

The last line of this quatrain is especially symbolic. How profoundly metaphorical is the expression "selfless air"! Thinking about it, you understand that nature is actually disinterested, it gives us the opportunity to breathe and, accordingly, live without asking for anything in return. So beauty, according to Pasternak, should be disinterested, like air, it is something that belongs to everyone equally.

In this poem, the poet delimits two worlds - the world of natural beauty and the world of people, everyday squabbles, "verbal rubbish" and petty thoughts. The image of spring as a time of rebirth and rebirth is symbolic: “In spring, the rustle of dreams and the rustle of news and truths are heard.” And the lyrical heroine herself is like spring, she is “from the family of such foundations”, she is like a fresh breath of the wind, she is a guide from one world to another, the world of beauty and naturalness. In this world there is only room for feelings and truths. Getting into it, it would seem, is easy:

Easy to wake up and see

Shake verbal rubbish from the heart

And live without clogging in the future,

All this is not a big trick.

Beauty is the key to this new and beautiful life, but is everyone able to see true beauty in simple and artless things?.. Is it possible for each of us to “wake up and see clearly”…

It should be noted the features of the author's presentation of the lyrical hero and the lyrical heroine of this poem. They seem to remain behind the scenes, they are unclear and vague. And each of us can involuntarily imagine himself and his beloved in the place of the heroes. Thus, the poem becomes personally meaningful.

Referring to the composition of the poem, it can be noted that the author chose a fairly easy-to-perceive meter (iambic tetrameter), which once again confirms his intention to emphasize the simplicity and uncomplicated form, which recedes before the content. This is also proved by the fact that the work is not overloaded with artificially created paths. Its beauty and charm is in its naturalness. Although it is impossible not to notice the presence of alliteration. “Rustle of dreams”, “rustling of news and truths” - in these words, the frequent repetition of hissing and whistling sounds creates an atmosphere of peace, silence, tranquility and mystery. After all, you can only talk about the main thing the way Pasternak does it - quietly, in a whisper ... After all, this is a secret.

Finishing my reflection, I involuntarily want to paraphrase the author himself: reading other poems is a heavy cross, but this is really “beautiful without convolutions”.

This poem was written in 1931. The creative period since 1930 can be called special: it was then that the poet glorifies love as a state of inspiration and flight, comes to a new understanding of the essence and meaning of life. Suddenly, he begins to understand earthly feeling differently in its existential, philosophical meaning. An analysis of the poem "To love others is a heavy cross" is presented in this article.

History of creation

The lyrical work can be called a revelation, since in it Boris Pasternak captured a difficult relationship with two significant women in his life - Evgenia Lurie and Zinaida Neuhaus. The first lady was his wife at the very beginning of his literary path, and the poet met the second much later. Evgenia was about the same circle as the poet, he knew how she lives and breathes. This woman understood art, and literature in particular.

Zinaida, on the other hand, was a person far from bohemian life, she did an excellent job with the daily duties of a hostess. But for some reason, at some point, it was a simple woman who turned out to be more understandable and closer to the refined soul of the poet. No one knows why this happened, but after a short time, Zinaida became the wife of Boris Pasternak. The poetic analysis “To love others is a heavy cross” emphasizes the depth and anguish of these difficult relationships with two women. Involuntarily, the poet compares them, analyzes his own feelings. These are the individual conclusions Pasternak comes to.

"To love others is a heavy cross": analysis

Perhaps one of the most mysterious poetic creations can be considered this poem. The semantic load in this lyrical work is very strong, it takes the breath away from real aesthetes and excites the soul. Boris Pasternak himself (“To love others is a heavy cross”) called the analysis of his own feelings the greatest mystery that is beyond solution. And in this poem, he wants to understand the essence of life and its integral component - love for a woman. The poet was convinced that the state of being in love changes everything inside a person: significant changes take place with him, his ability to think, analyze, and act in a certain way is being revised.

The lyrical hero feels a sense of reverence for a woman, he is determined to act for the benefit of the development of a great and bright feeling. All doubts recede, fade into the background. He is so amazed by the grandeur and beauty of the state of integrity that has opened up to him that he experiences delight and rapture, the impossibility of living on without this feeling. The analysis “To love others is a heavy cross” reveals the transformation of the poet's experiences.

The state of the lyrical hero

In the center is the one who experiences all the transformations in the most direct way. the lyrical hero changes with each new line. His former understanding of the essence of life is replaced by a completely new understanding and acquires a shade of existential meaning. What does the lyric hero feel? He suddenly found a safe haven, a person who can love him wholeheartedly. In this case, the lack of education, the ability to think high is perceived by him as a gift and grace, as evidenced by the line: "And you are beautiful without convolutions."

The lyrical hero is ready to devote himself until the end of his days to unraveling the secret of his beloved, which is why he compares it with the mystery of life. An urgent need for change awakens in him, he needs to free himself from the burden of previous disappointments and defeats. An analysis of “To love others is a heavy cross” shows the reader how deep and significant changes took place with the poet.

Symbols and Meanings

This poem uses metaphors that a simple man in the street will seem incomprehensible. To show the full power of the ongoing rebirth in the soul of the hero, Pasternak puts certain meanings into words.

"Rustle of dreams" personifies the mystery and incomprehensibility of life. This is something truly elusive and piercing, which cannot be comprehended only by the mind. It is also necessary to connect the energy of the heart.

"The rustle of news and truths" means the movement of life, regardless of external manifestations, upheavals and events. Whatever happens in the outside world, life continues its inexorable movement in an amazing way. Against everything. Contrary.

"Verbal rubbish" symbolizes negative emotions, experiences of the past, accumulated grievances. The lyrical hero speaks of the possibility of renewal, of the need for such a transformation for himself. The analysis “To love others is a heavy cross” emphasizes the importance and necessity of renewal. Love here becomes a philosophical concept.

Instead of a conclusion

The poem leaves a pleasant feeling after reading. I would like to remember for a long time about it and about the meaning that it contains. For Boris Leonidovich, these lines are a revelation and an open secret of the transformation of the soul, and for readers, they are another reason to think about their own life and its new possibilities. An analysis of Pasternak's poem "To love others is a heavy cross" is a very deep disclosure of the essence and meaning of human existence in the context of a single human existence.

There were three women in Pasternak's life who were able to win his heart. A poem is dedicated to two of the lovers, the analysis of which is presented in the article. It is studied in the 11th grade. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with a brief analysis of “Loving others is a heavy cross” according to the plan.

Brief analysis

History of creation- the work was written in the fall of 1931, two years after meeting Zinaida Neuhaus.

Theme of the poem- love; qualities of a woman that deserve love.

Composition– The poem was created in the form of a monologue-address to the beloved. It is concise, but, nevertheless, is divided into semantic parts: the hero's attempt to unravel the secret of the special beauty of his beloved, brief reflections on the ability to live without "litter" in the heart.

Genre- elegy.

Poetic size- written in iambic tetrameter, cross rhyme ABAB.

Metaphors – “to love others is a heavy cross”, “the charm of your secret is equivalent to the solution of life”, “the rustle of dreams”, “the rustle of news and truths”, “to shake verbal rubbish out of the heart”.

epithets – "you are beautiful", "meaning... disinterested", "not a big trick".

Comparison – "your meaning is like air."

History of creation

The history of the creation of the poem should be sought in the biography of Pasternak. The first wife of the poet was Evgenia Lurie. The woman was an artist, so she did not like and did not want to deal with everyday life. Boris Leonidovich had to do household chores himself. For the sake of his beloved wife, he learned to cook, wash, but he did not last long.

In 1929 the poet met Zinaida Neuhaus, the wife of his pianist friend Heinrich Neuhaus. A modest, pretty woman immediately liked Pasternak. Once he read his poems to her, instead of praise or criticism, Zinaida said that she did not understand anything from what she had read. The author liked this sincerity and simplicity. He promised to write more clearly. The love relationship between Pasternak and Neuhaus developed, she left her husband and became the poet's new muse. In 1931, the analyzed poem appeared.

Subject

The poem develops the popular theme of love in literature. The life circumstances of the poet leave an imprint on the lines of the work, therefore, poetry should be read in the context of Pasternak's biography. The lyrical hero of the work completely merges with the author.

In the first line, Pasternak hints at a relationship with Evgenia Lurie, whom it was really difficult to love, since the woman was quick-tempered and wayward. Further, the lyrical hero turns to his beloved. He considers her advantage "lack of convolutions", that is, not too high intelligence. The poet believes that this is what gives a woman charms. Such a representative of the weaker sex is more feminine, can be an excellent hostess.

The author believes that the beloved lives not so much with her mind as with her feelings, therefore she knows how to hear dreams, news and truths. It is as natural as air. In the last stanza, the poet admits that next to such a woman it is easy for him to change. He realized that it is very easy to “shake the verbal rubbish out of the heart” and prevent a new clogging.

Composition

The poem is created in the form of a monologue-address to the beloved. It can be divided into semantic parts: the hero's attempt to unravel the secret of the special beauty of his beloved, brief reflections on the ability to live without "litter" in the heart. Formally, the work consists of three quatrains.

Genre

The genre of the poem is an elegy, since the author is thinking about the eternal problem, sadness is felt in the first line, apparently from the fact that he felt this “heavy cross” on himself. There are also signs of a message in the work. The poetic size is iambic tetrameter. The author uses the cross rhyming ABAB.

means of expression

To reveal the theme and create the image of an ideal woman, Pasternak uses artistic means. Plays the main role metaphor: “to love others is a heavy cross”, “the charm of your secret is equivalent to the solution of life”, “the rustle of dreams”, “the rustle of news and truths”, “shake verbal rubbish from the heart”. Much less text epithets: "you are beautiful", "meaning ... disinterested", "not a big trick". Comparison only one thing: "your meaning is like air."

Poem Test

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“To love others is a heavy cross” Boris Pasternak

Loving others is a heavy cross,
And you are beautiful without convolutions,
And the charms of your secret
The solution to life is tantamount to.

In the spring, the rustle of dreams is heard
And the rustle of news and truths.
You are from a family of such foundations.
Your meaning, like air, is disinterested.

Easy to wake up and see
Shake verbal rubbish from the heart
And live without clogging in the future,
All this is not a big trick.

Analysis of Pasternak's poem "To love others is a heavy cross"

The personal life of Boris Pasternak was full of fleeting novels and hobbies. However, only three women were able to leave an indelible mark on the poet's soul and evoke a feeling that is commonly called true love. Boris Pastrenak married quite late, at the age of 33, and the young artist Evgenia Lurie became his first wife. Despite the fact that the spouses were crazy about each other, quarrels constantly broke out between them. The chosen one of the poet turned out to be a very hot-tempered and wayward lady. Plus, she considered it below her dignity to engage in household arrangements while another unfinished painting was waiting for her on the easel. Therefore, all household chores had to be taken over by the head of the family, who, over several years of family life, learned to cook, wash and clean perfectly.

Of course, Boris Pasternak and Evgenia Lurie had a lot in common, but the poet dreamed of family comfort and that next to him there would always be an ordinary person, devoid of creative ambitions. Therefore, when in 1929 he was introduced to the wife of his friend pianist Heinrich Neuhaus, he fell in love with this modest and sweet woman literally from the first moments. During one of his visits to a friend, Boris Pasternak read several of his poems to Zinaida Neuhaus, but she honestly admitted that she did not understand anything in them. Then the poet promised that he would write especially for her in a simpler and more accessible language. At the same time, the first lines of the poem “To love others is a heavy cross” were born, which were addressed to the legal wife. Developing this theme and referring to Zinaida Neuhaus, Pasternak noted: "And you are beautiful without convolutions." The poet hinted that the subject of his hobbies is not distinguished by high intelligence. And it was precisely this that most of all attracted the author in this woman, who was an exemplary hostess and fed the poet with excellent dinners. As a result, what should have happened happened: Pasternak simply recaptured Zinaida from her lawful spouse, divorced his own wife and remarried the one who for many years became his true muse.

In this woman, the poet admired her simplicity and artlessness. Therefore, in his poem, he noted that "the charm of your secret is equivalent to the solution of life." With this phrase, the author wanted to emphasize that it is not the mind or natural attractiveness that makes a woman beautiful. Her strength lies in the ability to live according to the laws of nature and in harmony with the surrounding world. And for this, according to Pasternak, it is not at all necessary to be an erudite person who is able to support a conversation on philosophical or literary topics. It is enough just to be sincere, to be able to love and sacrifice yourself for the sake of a loved one. Addressing Zinaida Neuhaus, the poet writes: "Your meaning, like air, is disinterested." This simple phrase is full of admiration and admiration for a woman who does not know how to pretend, flirt and make small talk, but is pure in thoughts and deeds. Pasternak notes that it is not difficult for her to wake up in the morning and “shake the verbal rubbish out of her heart” in order to start the day from scratch, joyfully and freely, “to live without clogging in the future.” It was this amazing quality that the poet wanted to learn from his chosen one, and it was precisely this spiritual purity, poise and prudence that he admired.

At the same time, the author noted that it was not at all difficult to love such a woman, since she seemed to be created for the family. Zinaida Neuhaus became for him an ideal wife and mother, who won his heart with her disinterested care for loved ones and the desire to always come to the rescue in difficult times.

However, touching affection for his wife did not prevent Boris Pasternak in 1946 from experiencing love torments again and having an affair with Olga Ivanskaya, an employee of the Novy Mir magazine. But even the news that his chosen one was expecting a child did not affect the poet's decision to keep his own family, in which he was truly happy.