"Notes of the Hunter": what is the main theme of the story "Biryuk"?

Turgenev, the most famous Russian writer, became famous not only for his works, but also for his wonderful spiritual qualities. Writing a series of short stories "Notes of a Hunter", he managed to influence the ruler of Alexander II, who, after reading it, conceived the abolition of serfdom. This cycle includes the story of the forester Biryuk. What is the main theme of the story "Biryuk"? We will try to find out.

The hard life of the peasants

The story "Biryuk" is one of the 25 stories of the cycle "Notes of a Hunter". The narrator in each of them is a certain hunter who involuntarily is a participant in the incidents.

The protagonist, Biryuk, appears before us as a strong, courageous man. Actually, his name is Foma Kuzmich. His nickname, which means "lonely, sullen man", he received due to his appearance and some life circumstances.

Previously, he was quite a happy man: he had a family, two children, worked as a forester, responsibly carrying out his work. But the circumstances of his personal life have changed: the wife, leaving him and the children, left with the city man. But Biryuk is not deformed, he also continues to work and live, he brings up two children, one of whom is a baby. It's hard to say at once what the main theme of the story is "Biryuk." This is a heavy peasant life, and a strong personality of the forester, and betrayal of a beloved woman. Consider the remaining aspects that will help us identify the main topic.

My home is my castle

So they say everyone who has a roof over his head. Was the forester's cottage a fortress? Let us recall how Turgenev "leads" the hunter and the reader into a peasant's hut. It has no floors, only one stove, people have to sleep on the floor. The girl, absolutely barefooted, left the room, was Biryuk's daughter. Her childhood is little like this merry time: she looks after a child who is still very young and sleeps in a cradle. Everything around is dark and dirty, which is understandable - there is no mistress. A real, adult woman. Require a child of twelve years of full order in the house and good care for the baby is simply impossible. Nevertheless, Foma's daughter complains of nothing, only submissively shakes the cradle with the baby.

With food they also sparse: Biryuk can not offer the hunter anything but bread and water, and the child has to suck only a dirty horn. The family has to be very difficult. What is the main theme of the story "Biryuk"? Undoubtedly, poverty, but at the same time the strength of a Russian man, who could not break the circumstances.

Strong and incorruptible

The wreath appears before us for the first time illuminated by a white lightning. The author immediately showed us a real hero with strong muscles, high growth and a strong physique. Although he is sullen, he is still a very good person. He did not let the hunter get wet in the rain, but offered to wait him out in the poor hut. Why do we see such a strong but gloomy man throughout the whole story? Of course, life is very hard for him. Abandoned by his wife, he stayed with two children in distress. Nevertheless, we see another side of his character - responsiveness. That proof is a story with a thief who wanted to cut down the forest in the territory protected by the forester Biryuk.

All the peasants knew that Foma would not let anyone pass by, would not allow the stealing of the forest. He did not take bribes, despite his poverty, honestly performed his work. Another main theme of the story "Biryuk" is the integrity of the Russian person, responsibility to people who entrusted him with such an important position.

Serfdom - no! What is the main theme of the story "Biryuk"?

We managed to find out what topics Turgenev raised in his story. It is worth noting that the desire to abolish serfdom at that time shows what the main theme of the story is "Biryuk." Thomas and the man-thief are serfs. How does each live? Very, very poor. But if the first is a strong and decent person, the other is ready to commit a crime, broke from poverty. Goes to the territory, which is guarded by all the famous Biryuk, and at his own risk cuts the forest. But still he is caught. But here he shows his weakness, presses on pity, insults Biryuk, in order to escape by all means. Meanwhile, Foma refuses to take money for the forest, offered by the hunter-hunter, to save the peasant.

The story "Biryuk" was written by Turgenev as an expression of protest against serfdom. He shows how hard it was at that time for serfs. And how people behave differently under different circumstances.

It is undoubtedly difficult for us living in another era to understand how difficult it was.