The role of epigraphs in the story of A.S. Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter"

In the late 20s - 30s of the XIX century A.S. Pushkin turns to the study of Russian history. He is interested in great personalities, their role in the formation of the state. The writer addresses the actual topic of peasant speeches. The result of his labors were the works - "The History of Pugachev", "The Captain's Daughter", "Dubrovsky", "The Bronze Horseman", "Boris Godunov", "Arap of Peter the Great", "Poltava".

"The Captain's Daughter" - the final work of A.S. Pushkin. It tells about a peasant uprising led by the Cossack Emelyan Pugachev. The narration is conducted on behalf of the main character, who in his youth became a witness and participant in the events described.

In the novel "The Captain's Daughter" a typical feature of Pushkin's prose appeared - its analytical character. In this work, A.S. Pushkin acts both as a historian and as an artist-thinker who creatively comprehends and artistically recreates the history of his people, country. The poet is interested in the era of the 18th century. In this century, the Russian nobility was forged, and with it the entire Russian society. A.S. Pushkin turns to a new genre of the historical novel, in which a private fate is shown through history, and history - through a private fate.

The plot of the story "The Captain's Daughter" is based on the fate of ordinary, "small" people, intertwined with the history of the people, the country. The author is interested in the world of the common man, his attitude to the values ​​of life, the most important of which are honor and dignity.

The general epigraph - "Take care of honor from a young age" - reflects the main idea of ​​​​the work, and it characterizes not only the main character Petrusha Grinev, but also other heroes, their actions: Shvabrin, Masha Mironova, captain Mironov and his wife.

A proverb taken by A.S. Pushkin as an epigraph to the whole novel, draws the reader's attention to the ideological and moral content of the work: one of the main problems of the novel is the problem of honor, moral duty.

V.G. Belinsky saw in the story "The Captain's Daughter" "a depiction of the mores of Russian society in the reign of Catherine." Showing in the novel different types of consciousness: patriarchal, noble, folk, individualistic, A.S. Pushkin, as it were, set up a psychological experiment. The wisdom of the Russian people, enshrined in the proverb, acts here as a life guide, the moral foundation of society.

This proverb is fully recalled by Petrusha's father, Andrei Petrovich Grinev, who served under Count Minich. He puts honor above all else - above career, fortune and peace of mind. For his son, he chooses the path of an honest officer, sending him not to the brilliant guards regiment, to which Petrusha was assigned from birth, but to the army, to a distant garrison.

Talking about the beginning of the life of Petrusha, an ordinary noble undergrowth, A.S. Pushkin emphasizes his father's influence on the formation of his character with an epigraph to the first chapter of "Sergeant of the Guard":

• - If he were a guard, he would be captain tomorrow.
• - That is not necessary; let him serve in the army.
• - Pretty well said! let him push it...
• - Who is his father?

In the epigraph to the chapter "Sergeant of the Guard" Andrei Petrovich and Petrusha's understanding of the officer's duty is revealed. Pyotr Grinev is a young nobleman, a county undergrowth. He received a provincial education from a Frenchman. His father, Andrei Petrovich Grinev, considered the concept of duty from the position of an officer. He believed that the officer was obliged to fulfill all the orders of his superiors, "to serve faithfully to whom you swear." And the service must begin from the bottom in order to find out the difficulties of the army.

The epigraph to Chapter II "The Counselor" is an old song:

Is it my side, side,

Unfamiliar side!

What, didn't I come to you myself,

What, is it not a good horse that brought me:

Brought me, good fellow,

Agility, gallant vivacity

And a tavern hop.

From this epigraph, it is easy to guess that in this chapter one of the heroes will find himself in a difficult situation, largely due to rash actions, “quickness, vivacity” of the valiant. Indeed, Pyotr Grinev, not listening to the driver, who pointed out the foreshadowed storm, ended up in an unfamiliar place, as the epigraph says.

The epigraph to the third chapter "Fortress" is taken from a soldier's song:

We live in a fort

We eat bread and drink water

And how fierce enemies

They will come to us for pies,

Let's give the guests a feast:

Let's load the cannon.

The third chapter describes life in the Belogorsk fortress, so A.S. Pushkin took lines from a soldier's song as an epigraph, describing the usual activities of people living in a fortress.

The epigraph to the fourth chapter “Duel” is taken from Knyaznin: “If you please, stand in position. Look, I’ll pierce your figure like I do!”. It has no hidden meaning. This chapter tells about the duel between Shvabrin and Grinev.

In the fifth chapter "Love" we are talking about an ordinary Russian girl Masha, who hopes to meet her love. Through the epigraph, the author addresses the girl. The lines from a folk song serve as an epigraph:

Oh, girl, red girl!

Do not go, girl, young married;

You ask, girl, father, mother,

Father, mother, clan-tribe;

Save up, girl, mind-reason,

Mind-reason, dowry.

If you find me better, you will forget,

If you find worse than me, you will remember.

The attention of a young girl is attracted by Shvabrin, who was exiled to the Belogorsk fortress for participating in a duel. At first, she is attracted by the education and erudition of a young officer. However, soon Shvabrin commits a number of vile acts, which makes Masha indignantly reject his harassment. Masha meets true love in the person of Grinev.

The author seems to advise Masha not to rush to get married, but to think for herself and ask her relatives. But if you look at these lines, then most likely they are addressed to Grinev, and not to Masha, because it was to him that his father did not give his blessing for marriage, citing his youth and inexperience. The second epigraph makes it clear to the reader that the parting of the heroes really happened.

The sixth chapter "Pugachevshchina" tells how the "unknown force" - Pugachev's army - spontaneously approaches the Belogorsk fortress. The Pugachev uprising brings with it destruction and death.

The epigraph to the sixth chapter contains the song:

You young guys listen

What are we, old people, going to say.

In this chapter, news of the beginning of the Pugachev uprising comes to the Belogorsk fortress. The main actions in the chapter are connected with the professional activities of Ivan Kuzmich and his associates, experienced servicemen. Young officers faced real danger, real military problems.

The seventh chapter "The Attack" reflects the key situation of the "Captain's Daughter" - the capture of the fortress by Pugachev and the behavior of the heroes at the same time. All participants in the events find themselves in a situation of choosing life or death: each of them makes it in accordance with their ideas of morality, honor and duty.

The epigraph to this chapter is a folk song:

My head, head

Head serving!

Served my little head

Exactly thirty years and three years.

Ah, the little head did not last

Neither self-interest, nor joy,

No matter how good a word

And not a high rank;

Only the head survived

Two tall poles

maple crossbar,

Another loop of silk.

The meaning of the epigraph to this chapter lies in the fact that the service carried by Ivan Kuzmich, Grinev and others brought them neither wealth nor fame, but only led them to the gallows. This chapter is one of the key ones, since it describes the capture of the fortress by Pugachev and the behavior of everyone in this situation. Someone, stepping over their moral principles, could swear allegiance to an impostor, and someone, remaining faithful to the true sovereign, would fall on the gallows.

In the eighth chapter, The Uninvited Guest, Grinev becomes Pugachev's "uninvited guest". The epigraph to this chapter: "An uninvited guest is worse than a Tatar." At the "strange military council" the protagonist hears a "mournful barge song": "Don't make noise, mother green oak tree." His "piitic horror" is shocking not only by the song itself, but by the people who sing it, "doomed to the gallows."

The epigraph to the chapter "Separation" contains the main idea:

It was sweet to recognize

Me, beautiful, with you;

Sad, sad to leave

Sad, as if from the heart.

In this chapter, the "sad" parting of two lovers is to be. Pyotr Grinev leaves the Belogorsk fortress and says goodbye to the sick Marya Ivanovna. However, they pass this test of separation with dignity.

In the lines of the epigraph to the tenth chapter "The Siege of the City" Kheraskov's words are heard:

Having occupied meadows and mountains,

From the top, like an eagle, he cast his eyes on the hail.

Behind the camp he ordered to build a peal

And, hiding the thunderbolts in it, bring it under the hail at night.

Grinev arrived in Orenburg, the siege of this city by Pugachev began. He, exactly as in the song, surrounded the city. In this chapter, Pyotr Grinev faces a choice: the duty of an officer or the duty of feeling. "In the night" he tries to save Marya Ivanovna.

In the epigraph to the eleventh chapter "Rebellious Sloboda" the words of A. Sumarokov sound:

At that time, the lion was full, even though he was ferocious from his birth.

“Why did you deign to come to my den?” -

he asked kindly.

A.S. Pushkin compares Pugachev with a lion. But in "Rebellious Sloboda" Pugachev receives Grinev "affectionately". It was in this chapter that Grinev came to Pugachev to ask permission to leave for the Belogorsk fortress. Peter knew that it was dangerous, but the leader of the uprising lives by the principle: "Debt in payment is red." Therefore, he decides to once again help Pyotr Grinev save Masha from Shvabrin.

Epigraph to the twelfth chapter of "The Orphan":

Like our apple tree

There is no apex, no processes;

Like ours, the princess

There is no father, no mother.

There is no one to equip it,

There is no one to bless her.

Wedding song.

He is filled with sadness and worries for the orphan girl.

In the chapter "The Orphan", Grinev and Pugachev arrive at the Belogorsk fortress. There they find Masha "in a peasant's tattered dress", "with disheveled hair". She was left an orphan, she has "no father, no mother." The captain's daughter places all hopes for salvation on her beloved Grinev. However, the main savior is Pugachev, who expresses a desire to be "planted by the father" at their wedding.

In the thirteenth chapter, Arrest, a new test appears for lovers: Grinev is arrested and accused of treason. Epigraph to this chapter: Do not be angry, sir: according to my duty

I must send you to prison this very hour.

If you please, I'm ready; but I'm so hopeful

Please explain to me first what the matter is.

acquaints readers with the conclusion of this chapter, when Zurin, a friend of Grinev, is forced to arrest him, since the government, having found out about “friendly travels” with Pugachev, sent an arrest order.

Epigraph to the fourteenth chapter "Court": "Worldly rumor - Sea wave."

This proverb was chosen by Pushkin as an epigraph, because it was because of people's rumor that Grinev was put on trial. But the proverb also says that this rumor is false and shaky and passes like a wave. So Masha managed to change the opinion of the Empress. After all, the pardon of Petrusha is not due to the Empress, but thanks to Masha. She goes to St. Petersburg, it was Masha who managed to explain what caused Grinev's actions, it was she who made the empress believe herself.

Thus, a whole system of epigraphs was used by A.S. Pushkin in the novel "The Captain's Daughter". The epigraphs reflect the author's point of view. Each epigraph is a concise "summary" of the content of the chapter, indicating its emotional features. The epigraph emphasizes the main idea of ​​the work and gives it a peculiar illumination.

The whole history of the Pugachev uprising divides people into two groups: the first is the nobles, and the second is the common people. Pushkin was also able to do this in his work with the help of epigraphs. Most of them are folklore texts: proverbs and excerpts from folk songs. They reflect the author's truly popular view of events.

After analyzing the epigraphs to The Captain's Daughter, you understand that they are a clue, a key to understanding the author's position in relation to the characters, the key to our understanding of Pushkin - a writer and a citizen.

June 12 2011

Pushkin was not only a great poet, but also a wonderful prose writer. Dozens of different novels and stories belong to his pen, including "Dubrovsky", "The Queen of Spades", "The Young Lady-Peasant Woman", "The Stationmaster". But Pushkin the prose writer reaches his greatest height in his last great finished work, the historical story The Captain's Daughter.

When studying this story, many researchers pay special attention to epigraphs in the work. The nature of the epigraphs to The Captain's Daughter is very significant. Pushkin liked to supply his stories and novels with epigraphs, but in none of his previous works there is an epigraph taken from folklore. All epigraphs are borrowed mainly from literary sources, with some references to private letters, to secular chatter. A lot of epigraphs are given in foreign languages, mostly in French. Of the seventeen epigraphs given to The Captain's Daughter, ten, that is, most of them, are borrowed from folk art. This not only surrounds Pushkin with a special atmosphere of nationality, but also fully corresponds to its content. In fact, in "Eugene Onegin" there are no, except for the nanny Tatyana, any expanded images of people from the people. The plot of The Captain's Daughter not only includes a large number of characters from the people (there are about the same number of characters as nobles), but many of them are developed into exceptionally vivid full-fledged artistic images. Folklore epigraphs are presented in the story through folk songs or proverbs.

With some epigraphs, Pushkin sought to emphasize the era about which the story is being told. For the most faithful artistic recreation of the depicted era, Pushkin, along with historical documents, uses those works of fiction of the 18th century, which to a greater or lesser extent reflected that time. The specific literary atmosphere of the 18th century is communicated by Pushkin to the story through epigraphs to individual chapters taken from the comedies of Knyazhnin, Fonvizin, Kheraskov.

There are epigraphs that are clearly satirical in nature. For example, before the chapter “Duel”, a quote from Knyazhnin is given: “If you please, and stand in position.

Look, how I will pierce your figure! This epigraph, with a touch of humor, negates all the drama of the upcoming duel between Grinev and Shvabrin, and Pushkin, as it were, chuckles at the youthful intemperance of his

Most of the epigraphs help reveal the characters of the characters in the story. The images of the captain and his wife Vasilisa Yegorovna are shown in soft humorous tones. The chapter in which they first appear before the reader is given an epigraph from The Undergrowth: "Ancient people, my father."

With the help of epigraphs, the character of Masha Mironova is very subtly shaded. To the chapters in which the theme of Masha unfolds with the greatest force, epigraphs are given, taken from folk songs, proverbs, love lyrics of poets of the 18th century.

The epigraphs given to the chapters on Pugachev are very peculiar. Here is one of them, taken from the works of Sumarokov: “At that time, the lion was full, even though he was ferocious from his birth.” This epigraph not only gives a complete picture of the character, but also helps to understand what mood he is in at the moment of the story.

Of course, special attention should be paid to the epigraph given to the whole story: "Take care of honor from a young age." This epigraph becomes the tuning fork to which the entire narrative is tuned. It contains the main idea and meaning of the whole story, the main idea that Pushkin wanted to convey to readers. Each hero of the story goes through trials, which show how much they value their honor, what they can go through in life, and what not.

It is also worth noting that each epigraph, as it were, precedes the action that will be described in the chapter. All of them set the reader up for events or, described in the chapter, set a certain tone for the subsequent narrative. For example, an epigraph from a soldier's song is given to the chapter "Fortress": "We live in a fort, we eat bread and drink water," and it becomes clear what will happen about the life of the fortress and its inhabitants. The chapter "Pugachevshchina" begins with an epigraph: "You guys, listen to what we old people will say." This epigraph sets the reader up for the upcoming acquaintance with a certain historical fact, told according to eyewitness accounts. An epigraph is given to the chapter "Orphan": "Like our apple tree, there is neither a top nor a shoot."

Thus, each epigraph to the story "The Captain's Daughter" carries a semantic load, thanks to which you can not only feel the time about which the story is going on, but also understand the characters of the characters and better understand Pushkin's intention.

Need a cheat sheet? Then save it - "Folklore epigraphs to The Captain's Daughter". Literary writings!

The epigraphs to the chapters of the novel are divided into two groups: quotations from the poetry of the 18th century and lines from folk songs and proverbs. Such a selection of epigraphs and their division is not accidental. The epigraphs to the chapters form a whole system here. The voices of the era sound in them, and all the forces of conflict depicted in the novel are also represented outside the frame by their "own" voices. Let us examine in more detail the sources of Pushkin's epigraphs to the chapters of the novel.

The first chapter of "Sergeant of the Guard" is preceded by an epigraph:

If he were a guard, he would be a captain tomorrow.

That is not necessary; serve in the army.

Well said! Let him push...

Who is his father?

The epigraph is taken from the comedy "Bouncer" by Yakov Borisovich Knyazhnin (1740-1791) - poet and playwright, author of tragedies, satirical comedies and comic operas; his anti-monarchist tragedy "Vadim of Novgorod" was burned by order of Catherine II and was banned for over 120 years. "Bouncer" was performed on the Russian stage until the mid-1820s. For readers, Pushkin's contemporaries, the epigraph from Knyazhnin's comedy spoke volumes. The lines of this epigraph took them to another world, another time - the era of the reign of Catherine II. Knyaznin in his comedy recreated the atmosphere of Catherine's reign, when only the sons of the richest and most eminent nobles were accepted into the guards regiments. These were privileged regiments. Service in the guards made it possible to make a career faster and more successfully. Naturally, the nobles tried in every possible way to arrange their sons in the guard.

In Knyazhnin's comedy "Bouncer", two different worldviews clashed, people occupying fundamentally opposite positions in life, having different worldly attitudes. So, in the mouth of the Verkholet, the author puts the widespread assertion that a successful career in the guards is the height of worldly well-being, and military service is the greatest misfortune, bad luck and great failure. Another hero of the comedy, Cheston, believes that military service is a school of life and military prowess necessary for his son, and service in the guard is not safe and harmless for the upbringing and development of a young Russian nobleman.

As an epigraph to Chapter II "The Counselor" a slightly modified quotation from the recruit song "Mother gave birth to me", published in the New and Complete Collection of Russian Songs, was taken. (M., 1780, part 3, No. 68).

In the manuscript of the second chapter, this epigraph was preceded by another:

"Where is the Leader? Let's go!", taken from a poem by V.A. Zhukovsky "Desire" (1811).

In the final version of the epigraphs for Chapter II, lines are taken from the 68th song of the III part of Chulkovsky's "Prisoner".

Is it my side, side,

Unfamiliar side!

Why didn't I come to you myself,

Is it not a good horse that brought me;

Brought me, good fellow,

Agility, gallant vivacity

And a tavern hop.

Old song.

Chapter III of the novel "The Fortress" is preceded by two epigraphs. The first epigraph is a soldier's song, probably written by Pushkin himself, since it is not found in other printed sources:

We live in a fort

We eat bread and drink water;

And how fierce enemies

They will come to us for pies,

Let's give the guests a feast:

Let's load the cannon.

Soldier song.

The second epigraph ("Old people, my father") is taken from D. I. Fonvizin's comedy "Undergrowth", where Prostakova's remark sounds like this: "Old people, my father! It was not the current century. We were not taught anything" (act III, phenomenon 5).

The epigraph to the IV chapter "Duel" is taken from the comedy Ya.B. Princess "Eccentrics" (1790), act IV, phenomenon 12th:

Ying if you please, and stand in positivity.

Look, I'll pierce your figure!

The comedian depicts in a comic way a duel on daggers (a short straight dagger with a faceted blade and usually the same hilt, more often bone) of two servants - Vysonos and Prolaz. Posture is a posture, a certain position of the body.

The scene in the comedy depicts a quarrel between footmen and a parodic duel. The whole episode in Knyazhnin is described grotesquely: one of the lackey duelists protected his chest under his dress with thick reams of paper. The duel, as already written above, takes place on daggers, but the duelists do not dare to approach each other and make attacks in vain.

Knyazhnin's play "Eccentrics" in Pushkin's time was well known to readers.

To the fifth chapter, which is called "Love", two epigraphs are given. Both epigraphs are taken from the songbook. Here they are:

Oh, girl, red girl!

Do not go, girl, young married;

You ask, girl, father, mother,

Father, mother, clan-tribe;

Save up, girl, mind-reason,

Mind-reason, dowry.

Folk song.

If you find me better, you will forget

If you find me worse, you will remember.

The first epigraph is the end of the song "Oh you, Volga, Mother Volga" from N. Novikov's collection "Collection of Russian Folk Songs" (part I, M., 1780, No. 176).

The second epigraph was taken by Pushkin from the song "My Heart Spoke, Spoke", published in the same collection (No. 135).

As an epigraph to the VI chapter "Pugachevshchina" Pushkin chose the words from a folk song:

These are the first lines of the song about the capture of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible. Here is the beginning of this song:

You young guys listen

That we are old old people, we will say.

About the formidable Tsar Ivan, about Vasilyevich,

How did our Sovereign Tsar go near Kazan city.

Under Kazanka under the river let down diggings,

Over Sulai across the river rolled barrels of gunpowder,

And he placed guns and shells in an open field.

("A new and complete collection of Russian songs," part I, M., 1780, p. 156, No. 125.)

For chapter VII "The Attack" Pushkin took an epigraph from a song about the execution of the archery ataman:

My head, my head

Head serving!

Served my little head

Exactly thirty years and three years.

Ah, the little head did not last

No self-interest, no joy.

No matter how good a word

And not a high rank:

Only the head survived

Two tall poles

maple crossbar,

Another loop of silk.

Folk song.

After the fourth line of the song, Pushkin omitted the following two lines:

From the goodness of the horse do not get off,

Do not take your legs out of the stirrups.

These two lines are not cited by Pushkin because they spoke of a service that was not similar to the service of Captain Mironov, an infantryman.

In general, the poem quoted by Pushkin in the epigraph is contradictory. In the 10th line (the 8th line of the epigraph) it is said that "the little head did not earn a high rank" (rank - rank, degree), but further in the poem we are talking about the execution of the Prince - Boyar; there is a description of the execution, and he is cut off his head in such an environment:

His formidable executioner is coming,

In his hands he carries a sharp saber.

They execute the prince, leading him "to a high log house." It seems that the entire poem of the "Collection" is a set of two poems: one is about the execution of an ordinary military man, perhaps a sergeant, and the other is about the execution of the Prince - Boyar "for grave sins." Pushkin relied mainly on the first fifteen lines, but perhaps he was also attracted by the dramatic nature of the second part.

A sister walks next to the condemned and cries. He consoles her:

And you, the light of my dear sister,

You cry, don't cry

Pray to God, do not beg,

And ask the king, beg.

The transfer of the drama from the person being executed to a person close to him, perhaps, was taken into account by Pushkin. In the poem, an excerpt from which is taken as an epigraph to the chapter on the death of Mironov, it is not about the murder, but about the execution, although it also contains sympathy for the executed.

To the VIII chapter of the novel "The Uninvited Guest" an epigraph is given, which is a proverb:

An uninvited guest is worse than a Tatar.

Proverb.

The original epigraph to this chapter is crossed out in the manuscript: “And the villains came to us at mass - and they rolled out three barrels of wine and drank at the assembly hut - but they didn’t give us anything (testimony of the headman Ivan Paramonov in March 1774).

Chapter IX of the novel is called "Separation". The epigraph to this chapter is taken from a poem by M.M. Kheraskov, which begins with the following lines:

Beautiful view, lovely eyes!

You are hidden from view;

Rivers and forests and mountains

Separate us for a long time.

According to the observations of I.N. Rozanov, the text of this song was often found in song books ("Songs of Russian Poets", M.-L., 1936, p. 596).

Kheraskov Mikhail Matveyevich (1733-1807) - poet, playwright and novelist, director of Moscow University for many years, a prominent figure in Russian Freemasonry. Pushkin's brief statements about Kheraskov suggest that the author of The Captain's Daughter considered his work hopelessly outdated.

Kheraskov's poem, lines from which Pushkin took as an epigraph to this chapter, are a pastiche of a folk song:

It was sweet to recognize

To me, beautiful, with you:

Sad, sad to leave

Sad, as if from the heart.

The epigraph to Chapter X "The Siege of the City" is also taken from Kheraskov, from his epic poem "Rossiyada" (Ode XI), which tells about the capture of Kazan by the troops of Ivan the Terrible:

Occupied meadows and mountains.

From the top, like an eagle, he cast his eyes on the hail,

Kheraskov.

And here is the exact text of Kheraskov:

Meanwhile, the Russian Tsar, having occupied meadows and mountains,

From the top, like an eagle, he cast his eyes to the hail,

Behind the camp he ordered to build a peal.

And, hiding the thunderbolts in it, bring it under the hail at night.

A contemporary reader of Pushkin, who knew Kheraskov's writings, of course, remembered that in the first line of the epigraph the author of The Captain's Daughter omitted the words "Meanwhile, the Russian Tsar." Perun is the main deity of the ancient Slavs, the god of thunder and lightning. Kheraskov has lightning.

The epigraph to the XI chapter "Rebellious settlement" is as follows:

he asked kindly.

A. Sumarokov.

Among the "Proverbs" of the poet, playwright and fabulist Alexander Petrovich Sumarokov (1717-1777) no such lines were found. As indicated by M.A. Tsyavlovsky, the epigraph was composed by Pushkin himself, who skillfully imitated the style of A.P. Sumarokov's fables (see: "Pushkin's Hand. Uncollected and Published Texts", M.-L. "Academia", 1935, p. 221 ). Moreover, as Tsyavlovsky testifies, a draft of the epigraph was found ten years ago. He quotes this passage:

Rebellious freedom.

(at that time a lion)

(Lion asked without anger)

(no scary roar)

(Why did you deign to come to my den?)

(At that time, even though he was full.

Leo said, gentle in spirit and fierce).

At that time, the lion was full, even though he was ferocious from his birth.

“Why did you deign to come to my den? »-

He asked (said) affectionately.

A. Sumarokov.

The word "nativity scene" is taken in its original sense - a cave, not a robber's dwelling.

The epigraph to the XII chapter "Orphan" is taken from a wedding folk song:

Like our apple tree

There is no apex, no processes;

Like our princess

There is no father, no mother.

There is no one to equip her

There is no one to bless her.

Wedding song.

This is a reworking of the wedding song recorded by Pushkin:

A lot, a lot of oak cheese,

Lots of branches and branches

Only there is no oak

golden pinnacles;

The princess has many, many souls,

Many clans, many tribes,

Only the princess has no soul;

Her own mother is missing:

There is someone to bless

No one to equip.

(L.N., vol. 79, M., 1968, p. 210).

The song, which is similar to the one given in the epigraph, is sung when the bride is an orphan and she is given in marriage by the planted father and the planted mother.

The epigraph to the XIII chapter "Arrest" is as follows:

Do not be angry, sir: according to my duty

I must send you to prison this very hour.

If you please, I'm ready; but I'm so hopeful.

Let me first explain what the matter is.

Such a quatrain, as V. Shklovsky testifies, was not found in the works of Ya. B. Knyazhnin. True, the last two lines are reminiscent of a replica of the Simple Thinker in Knyazhnin’s comedy “Bouncer”: “So he should have finished my business before, You can endure and be until then in hope (act IV, phenomenon 6th).” One might think that in the epigraph Pushkin imitated the style of Knyazhnin.

The last chapter of the novel is called "The Judgment". It has an epigraph:

Worldly rumor is a wave of the sea.

Proverb.

In a slightly modified form (“Worldly rumor that the sea wave”), this proverb, taken by Pushkin as an epigraph, is published in the “Complete Collection of Russian Proverbs and Sayings Arranged in Alphabetical Order” (St. Petersburg, 182, p. 141); This book was in Pushkin's personal library.

So, having studied the sources of Pushkin's epigraphs to the chapters of the novel "The Captain's Daughter", we can conclude that all the epigraphs to the chapters of the novel are divided into two groups: partially genuinely borrowed from the poetry of the 18th century, partially stylized and folklore epigraphs for them. The selection of epigraphs, which are the semantic key to understanding each chapter, reflects the author's attitude to the events depicted. It was important for Pushkin that the names of Sumarokov, Knyaznin, Kheraskov appear above the chapters, orienting readers in a certain way. These poets in their works glorified the high service to the fatherland, fidelity to duty and noble honor.

Most of the epigraphs are borrowed from folk art. Folklore epigraphs reflect the historical, social, moral experience of the people, their way of life, interests, views, ideals, their wisdom, emphasize the high moral foundations of people's life. Thus, the extratextual space of the novel is heterogeneous. These are two worlds: noble and popular. These worlds are antipodes. So, already within the limits of the extra-textual space, the antithesis "the people - the nobles" is expressed, which will become decisive in the narrative world of the work.

An epigraph is a saying or a quotation placed before the text of a whole literary work or its individual chapters. The epigraph usually contains the main idea, which the author then develops in the work. I. Epigraph to the entire story "The Captain's Daughter": Take care of honor from a young age. (proverb) - The epigraph is connected with the problems of the story, it raises a question that is fundamental for Pushkin - the question of noble honor. - Folk wisdom in this case is also a reflection of the author's position. II. Each chapter is preceded by an epigraph closely related to its content and title. CHAPTER I. "Sergeant of the Guard": - If he were a guard, he would be a captain tomorrow. - That is not necessary; let him serve in the army. - Pretty well said! let him grieve ... - Yes, who is his father? Knyazhnin The chapter describes Grinev's childhood and his family. The father sends his son to serve in Orenburg, and not in St. Petersburg, and he is guided by the same considerations as the hero of Y. Knyaznin's comedy "Bouncer" Cheston, teaching his son Zamir. See "Author's and Narrator's Position in The Captain's Daughter". CHAPTER II. "Counselor": Is it my side, side, Unfamiliar side? That I didn’t come to you myself, That it wasn’t a good horse that brought me: It brought me, a good fellow, Quickness, brave courage And a tavern hop. An old song - The connection between the epigraph and the content of the chapter is purely "external: a snowstorm forced the hero to call in an "unfamiliar side." - An epigraph from a folk song anticipates the appearance of Pugachev, who will continue to be accompanied by various folklore elements in the story (see "The image of Pugachev and his means disclosure "), CHAPTER III. "Fortress": We live in a fortification, We eat bread and drink water; And like fierce enemies They will come to us for pies, We will set a feast for the guests: We will charge a cannon-shot. Soldier's song Ancient people, my father. "- Grinev's arrival at the Belogorsk fortress and a description of the life and life of the "old people" - the Mironov family (in this case, Fonvizin's words, being taken out of context, obviously lose their satirical sound). - The epigraph contradicts the further development of events, since the defenders of the fortress will be defeated by the rebels. CHAPTER IV. "Duel": - If you please, and stand in position. You'll see how I pierce your figure! Knyazhnin - The duel of Shvabrin and Grinev. CHAPTER A V. "Love": Oh, you girl, red girl! Do not go, the girl is young, married; You ask, girl, father, mother, Father, mother, clan-tribe; Accumulate, girl, mind-mind, Mind-reason, given Folk song Bude better find me, forget me, If you find me worse, remember. Folk song - The epigraph precedes Father Grinev's refusal to bless Petrusha and Masha. - The love line is also accompanied by epigraphs from folk songs, especially wedding songs, and since the bride was the central figure of the wedding ceremony, these songs are addressed to her or are performed by her. Thus, the epigraphs, as it were, become another argument in favor of the title of the story, they bring to the fore precisely the image of Masha Mironova. CHAPTER VI. "Pugachevshchina": You young guys, listen to what we old old people will say. Song - From this chapter, the love line is relegated to the background, and the reader's attention is focused on historical events shown through the eyes of an eyewitness, his, "old old man", memories. CHAPTER VII. "Attack": My head, little head, Serving head! My little head served Exactly thirty years and three years Ah, the little head did not serve neither self-interest nor joy, No matter how kind a word to myself And not a high rank for itself, Only the little head served Two high columns, A maple crossbar, Another silk loop. Folk song - This chapter describes the capture of the fortress and the oath of the inhabitants to Pugachev. - The motif of the gallows appears, which runs through the whole story (see the song in the next chapter, an episode from the "Missed Chapter") and creates in the reader a sense of the doom of Pugachev and his case. CHAPTER VIII. “Uninvited guest”: An uninvited guest is worse than a Tatar Proverb - The chapter describes Grinev’s meeting with Pugachev, the “uninvited guest” in the Belogorsk fortress: An unusual picture presented itself to me: at a table covered with a tablecloth and lined with damask and glasses, Pugachev and about ten Cossack foremen were sitting in caps and colored shirts, hot with wine, with red mugs and sparkling eyes. - The text contains a song, which is included as an insertion element by Pushkin in his novel "Dubrovsky". Don't make noise, mother green dubrovushka, Don't bother me, good fellow, to think. See "The image of Pugachev and the means of its disclosure". CHAPTER IX. "Separation": It was sweet to recognize Me, beautiful, with you, Sad, sad to part, Sad, as if with a soul. Kheraskov - Grinev leaves for Orenburg, leaving the sick Masha in the fortress in great danger. CHAPTER X. "The siege of the city": Having occupied the meadows and mountains, From the top, like an eagle, he cast his eyes on the hail. Behind the camp he ordered to build a peal And, hiding the thunderbolts in it, bring it under the hail at night. Kheraskov - The chapter shows the military council in Orenburg and gives a description of the siege of the city, around which “meadows and mountains” are occupied by Pugachev’s troops: “Now, gentlemen,” he continued, “it is necessary to decide how we should act against the rebels: offensively or defensively? » CHAPTER XI. "Rebellious Sloboda": At that time, the lion was full, even though he was ferocious from birth. “Why did you deign to come to my den?” he asked kindly. And Sumarokov - Grinev's conversation with Pugachev, Grinev's complaint against Shvabrin. - Pugachev and Grinev are going to the Belogorsk fortress: A strange thought occurred to me: it seemed to me that providence, which had brought me to Pugachev a second time, was giving me a chance to put my intention into action. - The epigraph attributed to Sumarokov is in fact Pushkin's own stylization of Sumarokov's "parables". - Pugachev, posing as Tsar Peter Feodorovich, is compared in epigraphs with an eagle and a lion - the kings of the animal world in accordance with the fable tradition. CHAPTER XII. "Orphan": Like our apple tree. Neither the top nor the process; Like our princess, there is no father, no mother. There is no one to equip her, There is no one to bless her. Wedding song - Meeting Grinev and Marya Ivanovna, who was left an orphan. - Pugachev, giving her to Petrusha and blessing the young, becomes her like a planted father: I honor you as my wife. Miraculous circumstances have united us inextricably: nothing in the world can separate us. CHAPTER XIII. "Arrest": - Do not be angry, sir: according to my duty, I must immediately send you to prison. - Excuse me, I'm ready; but I am in such hope that let me explain the matter first. Knyazhnin - The arrest of Grinev, which his friend Zurin was forced to carry out: It was a secret order to all individual chiefs to arrest me wherever they got, and immediately send me under guard to Kazan to the Investigative Commission established in the Pugachev case. CHAPTER XIV. "Court": Worldly rumor - Sea wave. Proverb. - After Shvabrin's slander, Grinev was spoken of as a traitor. - The father receives news of the decision of the Empress to exile Grinev to Siberia for an eternal settlement. The MISSED chapter has no epigraph. III. The story contains epigraphs of two types: 1. Taken from the literature of the 18th - early 19th centuries (Knyaznin, Fonvizin, Kheraskov and Sumarokov's stylization). Basically, these epigraphs are associated with the image of Grinev. 2. Epigraphs taken from folklore (sayings, proverbs, songs). They appear: - in connection with the image of Pugachev and serve as a means of revealing this character; - in connection with the image of Masha Mironova, her fate, her desire to live like "old people" lived. Thus, the dual nature of the organization of the novel was also reflected in the epigraphs: on the one hand, The Captain's Daughter is sustained in the literary tradition (European - the historical novel by Walter Scott; Russian - memoir literature of the late 18th - early 19th centuries), on the other hand, in it there are features that allow one to speak of Pushkin as a writer-historian who deeply feels the national roots of ongoing historical events. IV. The appearance of epigraphs is associated with the stylization of the work under the genre of memoirs. V. Often there is an ironic interpretation in the epigraphs (see the epigraph to Chapter XI). VI. An epigraph is a means of expressing the author's position.

The role and meaning of the epigraph in the story "The Captain's Daughter".

It would seem rather banal: - "The Captain's Daughter." But ... this work is in many school programs, and, so far, no one has thrown it off the "ship of modernity." I want to introduce my vision and work on the analysis of this story.

I propose to work on the analysis through the identification of the meaning and significance of the epigraph.

Homework for lesson 1 sounded like this: using dictionaries, remember and accurately determine what an epigraph is. In the future, getting acquainted with the pages of the story, the guys explain the meaning and meaning of the epigraph. And only at the final lesson we come to conclusions about the meaning and meaning of the epigraph to the whole story.

Turning to this topic of research, I would like to understand how literary critics understand the term "epigraph". What do dictionaries say? For example, in the “Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron” you can read the following: “Epigraph (Greek epigrajh - inscription) is a quote placed at the head of an essay or part of it in order to indicate its spirit, its meaning, the author’s attitude towards it, etc. Depending on the literary and social mood, epigraphs came into fashion, became a manner, went out of use, then resurrected. In the first half of the last century, they willingly shone as an expression of erudition and the ability to apply someone else's thought in a new sense.

And in the Literary Encyclopedia » the understanding of this term is as follows: “An epigraph is a phrase in the title of a literary work or before its individual sections. As an epigraph, proverbs, sayings, words from well-known literary works, from scripture, etc. are often taken. them in the work. The epigraph can be lyrical, to a greater or lesser extent, depending on whether the author expressed his attitude simply in a condensed formula of the main events of the given work as a whole, a separate chapter, etc.

The “School Poetic Dictionary” gives the following understanding of the epigraph: “Epigraph (Greek epigrajh - inscription)

1) In ancient times, the inscription on the monument, on the building.

2) In general European literature, an epigraph means a saying or a quotation placed before the text of a whole literary work or its individual chapters. The epigraph creates the main idea developed by the author in the narrative. Thus, we see that the epigraph is one of the optional elements of the composition of a literary work. Thanks to this, the epigraph always carries an important semantic load. Considering that we have before us a kind of author's expression, there are two options for its use, depending on whether the author's direct statement is present in the work. In one case, the epigraph is an integral part of the structure of artistic speech, given on behalf of the author.

In the other, it is the only element, apart from the title, that clearly expresses the author's point of view.

often used epigraphs in his work. We meet them in "Eugene Onegin", "The Captain's Daughter", "Poltava", "Stone Guest", "Tales of Belkin", "Queen of Spades", "Arap of Peter the Great", "Dubrovsky", some lyrical works, "Egyptian nights”, “Bakhchisaray fountain”. Regarding the latter, he once remarked: “So the Bakhchisaray Fountain was called “Harem” in the manuscript, but the melancholic epigraph (which, of course, is better than the whole poem) seduced me.” The above list of works emphasizes that the use of epigraphs by the author is not accidental. It is clear that the epigraphs in them in a certain way form the meaning of these works. What is the mechanism of this work? What connections does each epigraph have with the text? What does he serve? The answers to these questions will clarify the role of Pushkin's epigraphs. Without this, one cannot count on a serious understanding of his work.

Literary critics are always attentive to the epigraph that the author uses in his work. Let's try to figure out what is the role and significance of this literary device in prose. The Captain's Daughter, one of Pushkin's most perfect and profound creations, has repeatedly been the subject of research attention. However, this does not mean that the problems of The Captain's Daughter have been exhaustively clarified. Moreover, many issues are still controversial. In our opinion, the epigraphs in this story are of interest for research. Before us, as many Pushkinists believe, and we follow them, is a whole system of epigraphs. Let's move on to a direct analysis of the epigraphs before the chapters of the story.

They are prefaced to each chapter and to the entire work. Some chapters have multiple epigraphs. Working on the analysis of the novel, we compile the following table:

Application.

The Story of the Captain's Daughter

Take care of your honor from a young age.

Proverb

	Chapter Title		Source epigraph	The role and meaning of the epigraph in the chapter.
	Sergeant of the Guard	- If he were a guard, he would be captain tomorrow. - That is not necessary: ​​let him serve in the army. - Pretty well said! let him push it... ......................................... Who is his father? Knyazhnin.	"Braggart".	The chapter reveals the reasons for military service by Peter Grinev. Moreover, the epigraph suggests that the hero, before setting foot on the path of life, must serve. An important role will be played by the image of the father: he sends his son to experience all the hardships of army life in a garrison remote from the capital. The meaning of using the second epigraph (the answer to the question) will be revealed in the finale, when Catherine gives life to Petrusha because of the merits of his father. The epigraph here also serves as an introduction. Artistic skill is manifested in the transition from the text of the epigraph to the main text of the chapter, which begins with the words: “My father Andrei Petrovich Grinev…”
		Is it my side, side, Unfamiliar side! Why didn't I come to you myself, Is it not a good horse that brought me: Brought me, good fellow, Agility, vivacity valiant And a tavern hop. old song		The epigraph outlines the main provisions of the chapter: the hero finds himself in a foreign country, because of his mistakes without money in a snowstorm, fate confronts not only bad weather, but also with a counselor, who later turns out to be Pugachev. The rebel will save Grinev and play both a noble and fatal role in his fate.
	Fortress	We live in a fort We eat bread and drink water; And how fierce enemies They will come to us for pies, Let's give the guests a feast: Let's load the cannon. Soldier song. Old people, my father. Undergrowth.	It is still unknown whether we have a pastiche of Pushkin or a folk song. The quote from Fonvizin's comedy "Undergrowth" has been changed. Prostakova says: “Old people, my father!”	The atmosphere is conveyed from the first lines of the epigraph: the commandant and Vasilisa Yegorovna greet Petrusha kindly, they really are old people - the second epigraph is stylized as Vasilisa Yegorovna’s speech, the commandant will tell about the incident with the shooting at the cannon.
	Duel	- If you please, stand in positivity. Look, I'll pierce your figure! Knyazhnin.	Comedy "Jacks"	The epigraph predicts that there will be a duel in which one of its participants will "pierce" the other. Wounded - Petrusha.
		Oh, girl, red girl! Do not go, girl, young married; You ask, girl, father, mother, Father, mother, clan-tribe; Save up, girl, mind-reason, Mind-reason, dowry. Folk song. If you find me better, you will forget, If you find worse than me, you will remember. Same	Folk songs.	These two epigraphs turn out to be unfortunate messengers for Petrusha. Masha will not marry Grinev in this situation: she needs the marriage to be consecrated with the blessing of the future father-in-law and mother-in-law. She cares not only about herself, but also about Peter, because she understands that in the future he will not be able to be happy without parental love. The second epigraph conveys the feelings of the heroine: Masha understands that it is necessary to break off relations. Her heart is filled with pain and suffering.
	Pugachevshchina	You young guys listen What are we, old people, going to say. Song	Folk song.	The epigraph plays an unusual role: in it we see a parallel with the appeal of the “old old man” Pyotr Andreevich to the younger generation about non-violent changes in life. At the end of the novel, Grinev assessed the actions of Pugachev and his accomplices in this way: “God forbid to see a Russian rebellion, senseless and merciless!”
		My head, head Head serving! Served me head Exactly thirty years and three years. Ah, the little head did not last Neither self-interest, nor joy, No matter how good a word And not a high rank; Only the head survived Two tall poles Maple crossbar Another loop of silk. folk song	Folk song.	Looking for an epigraph to this chapter, the publisher sought to reveal Grinev's intention in the most voluminous way, who called the seventh chapter "Attack". There was no assault, as such. Breaking into the fortress, Pugachev and his gang started to their usual work - to brutal reprisals against those who dared to oppose them. The epigraph of the seventh chapter does not directly correlate with the fate of Grinev: the hero mourns the fate of Captain Mironov and Lieutenant Ivan Ignatich.
	Uninvited guest	An uninvited guest is worse than a Tatar. Proverb	Proverb.	The interpretation of the epigraph is ambiguous, but we believe that the author of this proverb meant the following: Grinev is at Pugachev's feast by invitation, and no one invited the rebel and his gang to the fortress, so the uninvited guest is Pugachev!
		It was sweet to recognize Me, beautiful, with you; Sad, sad to leave Sad, as if from the heart. Kheraskov	"Parting".	The epigraph aims at a lyrical, even minor mood: Grinev, with a pain in his heart, parted with Masha, who remained in the power of Shvabrin.
	City siege	Having occupied forests and mountains, From the top, like an eagle, he cast his eyes on the hail. Behind the camp he ordered to build a peal And, hiding the thunderbolts in it, bring it under the hail at night. Kheraskov	“Rossiada”: “Meanwhile, the Russian Tsar, having occupied the meadows and mountains, / From the top, like an eagle, cast his eyes to the city.” The author has changed the text.	The epigraph conveys the feelings of the hero and talks about what Grinev is doing to free Masha. The epigraph predicts that Pyotr Andreevich (“like an eagle”) will gallop from the city (“at night”) to the Belogorsk fortress in order to free his beloved from the hands of Shvabrin.
	rebellious settlement	At that time, the lion was full, even though he was ferocious by birth. “Why did you come to my den for?” - he asked kindly. A. Sumarokov		The stylization clearly reveals the meaning of the chapter: Pugachev (the lion) was both well-fed and ferocious (we have already read about his atrocities on the pages of the novel). Already in the epigraph, we feel that an important conversation will take place between the characters, despite the formidable tone, the owner will be affectionate with Peter.
		Like our apple There is no apex, no processes; Like our princess There is no father, no mother. There is no one to equip it, There is no one to bless her. wedding song	Folk song, the author changed it. Original version: A lot, a lot of oak cheese, Lots of branches and branches. Only cheese has no oak Golden tops: Many, many have a princess-soul, Many clans, many tribes, Only the princess has no soul, Her birth mother is missing. There is someone to bless There is no one to equip."	The author changed the original song: the oak was replaced by an apple tree. And immediately everything becomes clear: the fate of Marya Ivanovna depends on the killer of her parents (and we know that Pugachev was cruel to the children of the nobles). Therefore, as a savior of an orphan, Pugachev is dangerous!
		- Do not be angry, sir: according to my duty I must send you to prison this very hour. - Excuse me, I'm ready; but I'm so hopeful Let me first explain what the matter is. Knyazhnin	Styling under.	The epigraph of the chapter points to the arrest of Grinev and the hesitation of who should fulfill the duty: Grinev is arrested by Zurin, who once “taught him about life” in Simbirsk. But the second part of the epigraph can also refer to Zurin. After all, he knew from Petrusha about his “friendly travels with Pugachev”, he was convinced that the Investigative Commission would not find anything reprehensible in them either.
		Worldly rumor - Sea wave. Proverb	Proverb.	With the rhyme “rumour-wave”, the author expressed the essence of the trial that was carried out over Grinev: first, the Investigative Commission believed Shvabrin, then Father Andrei Petrovich believed the verdict of the Investigative Commission and the empress, who, out of respect for his father, saved his son from shameful execution and “ordered only to be exiled to a remote region of Siberia for an eternal settlement.” And then Masha saves the honor of her beloved from a slander.

Analyzing the role and significance of the epigraph in the story "The Captain's Daughter", we came to the following conclusions.

1. Epigraphs in the story do not play the role of annotations.

2. Pushkin's epigraph can play a dual role: already in chapter 1 "Sergeant of the Guard" the second epigraph performs, on the one hand, the role of an introduction (a smooth transition from the epigraph to the main text). " Who is his father?"- the epigraph sounds, and the text of the chapter begins with the words: "My father Andrei Petrovich Grinev ...". On the other hand, the meaning of this epigraph will be explained at the end of the novel, when Catherine could ask such a question when discussing the Grinev case and, having found out everything, gave Peter life because of the merits of his father.

2. Comparison of the meaning contained in the epigraph with the meaning of the chapter can be compared with the effect of light passing through a prism. We have special recommendations for readers. For example, in the chapter “Duel”, the epigraph (see table) predicts that there will be a duel in which one of the participants “pierces” the other. Petrusha is the victim. The irony is felt already in the epigraph itself.

3. Often, the epigraph conveys the style and atmosphere of everything below. For example, in chapter 3 "The Fortress" a folk song and an excerpt from Fonvizin set the atmosphere for the entire chapter (see table). Pyotr Grinev finds himself in a friendly atmosphere. The commandant and Vasilisa Yegorovna are, indeed, ancient people. And the second epigraph is superbly stylized as the speech of the common man Vasilisa Egorovna.

4. In the chapter “Pugachevshchina”, the epigraph plays an unusual role: in it we see a parallel with the appeal of the “old old man” Pyotr Andreevich to the younger generation about non-violent changes in life. AT

At the end of the story, Grinev will assess the actions of Pugachev and his accomplices in the following way: “God forbid to see a Russian rebellion, senseless and merciless!”1

5. In the chapters “Counsellor”, “Love”, “Attack”, “Separation”, “Siege of the City”, “Orphan”, the lyrical notes contained in the epigraph set the mood, permeate the content of the entire chapter.

6. Many epigraphs in the novel have been changed by the author (chapters 3 (second epigraph), 10, 12) in accordance with the meaning of the chapter. And in chapters 11 and 13, the author acts as a skillful stylizer: in chapter 11 he created an excerpt - an imitation of Sumarokov's fable, and in chapter 13 replicas in the style of Knyazhnin. These epigraphs already at the very beginning reveal the meaning and main idea of ​​the chapter.

7. With the rhyme “rumor-wave” in the epigraph to chapter 14 “Court” (see table), the author expressed the essence of the trial that was carried out over Grinev. Wave 1 - The Investigation Commission accepts Shvabrin's testimony as true, 2 - Father Andrei Petrovich believes the verdict of the Investigation Commission and the Empress, who, out of respect for her father, saved his son from a shameful execution and "ordered only to be exiled to a remote region of Siberia for eternal settlement." Wave 3 - Masha saves the honor of her beloved from a slander.

9. The proverb, put into the epigraph by the author to the whole novel: “Take care of honor from a young age,” sets the tone for the whole story. Wisdom, enshrined in the proverb, acts here as a life guide, a moral basis not only for Pyotr Grinev, but also for society as a whole. And the main character of the story, we think, will never sully honor.

Thus, we see that the epigraphs in the story have a great semantic load, are an appeal to the reader, create an atmosphere, express the author's point of view, become one with the whole novel.