V. Korolenko: The Paradox. Summary, artistic analysis of the work

Not everyone who has physical health and material well-being feels happy. But how, in this case, to achieve peace of mind for someone who does not have it? This philosophical question was raised in his work by Vladimir Korolenko. The "paradox", the brief content of which consists only in one aphorism expressed by the hero of this story, is a work capable of making those who do not experience happiness in their lives think.

History of writing

This work V. Korolenko wrote for one day. And, based on biographical information, we can conclude that this day was not the best in the life of the writer. Shortly before this, his daughter died. Korolenko confessed to his sister in one of the letters that his condition was "broken and insignificant."

Life, according to the writer, was a manifestation of the law, the main categories of which are good and evil. Happiness to mankind is given very unevenly. Philosophical theme, over which people are racking their brains for many centuries, dedicated Korolenko's "Paradox".

Summary

The protagonist of the story is a ten-year-old boy from a well-to-do family. He and his brother often rest in a huge beautiful garden, indulging in an idle pastime, as it should, according to the author, to the children of wealthy parents. But one day an event happens, after which their emotional balance is broken. A very simple answer gives a very simple answer to Korolenko.

The "paradox", the brief content of which can be formulated with just one phrase: "Man is created for happiness, like a bird for the flight," is a deeply philosophical work.

One day a rather strange couple drove up to the house where the boys lived. One was tall and lanky. The other had the appearance, which each of the brothers remained in memory for life. He had a huge head, a weak body and ... no hands. The purpose of these gentlemen's arrival was simple - begging. This is what they earned for their livelihood. But they did it, I should say, very skillfully.

The story created by Korolenko is devoted to the contradictory nature of happiness. The "paradox", the summary of which is set forth in the article, tells of a meeting with a man for whom happiness, it would seem, is an unattainable state. But it was he, and his name was Jan Krishtof Zaluski, who told a wise aphorism, the meaning of which was that the main purpose of man is to be happy.

Phenomenon

Zaluski and his attendant earned money with rather artistic performances. At first a strange man was introduced to the public. The assistant called it a "phenomenon." Then followed a brief history of his life. And finally Zaluski himself appeared on the stage.

A man without arms was making all sorts of tricks: he threaded a thread in a needle, took food and removed his jacket in the same way. But the most amazing thing was his ability to write. And his handwriting was perfect, calligraphic. And it was in this part of the narrative that Korolenko introduced the philosophical idea. The paradox of Zaluski was that he wrote a wise aphorism about human happiness with his specific method.

Strange performance

The armless little man had a sharp tongue and a sense of humor. In addition, he was not without a certain cynicism. He made all kinds of jokes about his physical inferiority, but at the same time he remembered that he was smart enough, and therefore required a monetary reward. The highlight of his program was a philosophical aphorism, which he asked to read the embarrassed boy.

The image of the unusual "lucky man" was created in this work by Korolenko. The paradox of this character was that, not possessing what is necessary for a normal existence, he preached the philosophy of happiness. And he did it quite truthfully and convincingly.

The paradoxical lucky one

When a wise phrase was read by a boy, one of the spectators of this unusual speech expressed doubts about the fact that she is an aphorism. Zaluski did not argue. With the inherent malicious irony, he said that this aphorism from the mouth of the phenomenon is nothing more than a paradox. This word became the key in the work of Korolenko.

The paradox is when a rich and healthy person considers himself unhappy. Paradox - this is also a cripple, talking about happiness.

But Zalusky's aphorism has a continuation. Contradictory philosophical idea gave his story to VG Korolenko. The paradox also lies in the fact that Zaluski himself refuted the truthfulness of his slogan of happiness.

But happiness is not given to man ...

The only adult who penetrated the cripple with compassion was the mother of the boys. After the performance, she invited Zaluski and his friend into the house to have supper. And after the brothers saw how they retired, talking with each other. And their conversation so interested the children that they decided to follow the unusual artists.

It recalls the philosophical parable of a story written by Vladimir Korolenko. "Paradox", the main characters of which met for the first and last time, is a story about a wise wanderer. With his sudden visit, he taught children an important lesson in life.

Happiness is a relative concept. Man is born for him, like a bird for flight. But later, in Zaluski's conversation with his attendant, the boys heard the continuation of the phrase he had expressed: "But happiness, alas, is not given to everyone." And without this addition to Zaluski's aphorism, the story of Korolenko would not have been completed. The paradox of the human soul is that it stretches to harmony and balance, but it does not know absolute happiness.