Summary: Leskov's "Pearl Necklace". How to live by honor?

The Christmas story "Pearl necklace" by Leskov, published in 1885, meets all the conditions that are imposed on such stories. NS Leskov "Pearl necklace" created in an unusual style for himself - this indicates that such an outstanding master is very much in control.

What should be the form of the sacred story?

This is discussed by three interlocutors for tea in the first chapter. Two very regretted that the fiction and plot of such stories turn pale, they become monotonous, because their form is very tight and limited. It must necessarily be timed to coincide with the period from Christmas to Epiphany, even though it is somehow fantastic, must necessarily have a moral and a happy ending. The authors, being in such narrow limits, are forced to be rather monotonous. In all modern stories, there is not enough imagination to fly.

The third interlocutor objected to this by knowing that story from the real, unintentional life of his brother, a man with a pure reputation, and this is an absolutely incredible story. So, a conversation about literature and life begins with a brief summary. Leskov's "Pearl Necklace" will undoubtedly surprise the reader.

Chapter two - the story

To the narrator three years ago a brother, a purest soul, came to the Christmas season, and he simply demanded that they immediately find a bride in two weeks, and he will be married to Baptism. My brother absolutely seriously believed that this was possible, and the narrator's wife was involuntarily drawn to this strange, hasty idea. She was instantly, as if by magic, a suitable bride turned up.

Young people liked each other at once. In this, the wife tries to convince the intractable husband who objects to the marriage, including because there will not be a dowry for the girl. These disputes between a loving couple that the father of the bride is a rich man, but he will not give a dowry for his daughter to the simple-hearted groom, he will certainly deceive him, and there is the beginning of a sacred story. We are giving a short summary. Leskov's "Pearl Necklace" is already beginning to be filled with the contrast between an honest groom and a future father-in-law - a roguish miser who will not part with money. The husband and wife dispute about this, and the brother in the meantime makes to the girl Mashenka the offer and gives a magnificent basket of expensive gifts - this is told in the third chapter of this life story. This is its summary. Leskov's "Pearl Necklace" will present a surprise to the reader.

Chapter four - a gift to the daughter of his daughter and future son-in-law

Meet Christmas two brothers and wife went to their future relatives - the bride and her parents. The betrothed and both families were happy, they drank champagne, prepared gifts were brought and congratulations brought. Everyone was drunk with champagne and did not have time to look back, as two weeks passed and the New Year came, which again was decided to meet in the bride's house. However, Masha's father did not even mention the dowry. But at supper at all guests he put on his daughter a necklace of pearls.

Yes, what a magnificent and expensive! It consisted of small pearls, which turned into an ever larger one, and in the center were three strikingly shiny and large black pearls. This tremendous gift of the father-fucker describes the fourth chapter, we have reviewed its brief content. Leskov's "Pearl Necklace" will subsequently turn into a completely unexpected and secret side.

Chapter Five - after the wedding

In the Epiphany days Masha and the storyteller's brother were married, and the next day the couple went to visit the newlyweds. And the narrator's brother shows them a letter from his father, which says that the pearls are fake. That was the gift of the father. And then for the letter, the father-in-law himself appeared-under the pretext that he was coming from the mass and had brought a peep. The father-in-law was surprised at the complacency with which the son-in-law met the news of deceit and the fact that the son-in-law asked her not to tell her about this, so that she would not take offense at her father, but would continue to love him ardently. And besides, the husband himself must support the daughter's love for his parents. The father-in-law has reflected, has told, that unjustly made money, as in another way it was not able. Yes, and the first two sons-in-law did not give any dowry, and they are saving him with resentment and anger in their hearts. And then suddenly he says: "But to you, son-in-law, I will give 50 thousand." And he takes this money out of his wallet. But the brother-in-law refuses.

"You, Nikolai Ivanovich, will put Masha in a delicate situation. Argue with the sisters. They gave her a dowry, but they do not. Do not need money. " Then the old man takes two more same bills out of his wallet and gives them to his daughter. "Send it to your sisters, so that no one should be offended." Masha rushed to her father's neck, and then fell to her feet: "Father, I'm so happy for my sisters." And the father himself cried. What an unexpected story Leskov created - "Pearl necklace." Heroes as a selection noble, and a miser turned into a generous man. More precisely, he behaved, as the story was supposed to have been for a long time - dignified and honest.

This half-story story "Pearl necklace" (Leskov) analysis is almost unnecessary. As the narrator concluded, it fully corresponds to the spirit of the sacred story. Indeed, there is no doubt about this.