Very briefly information to the author of the scaffolds. The manifestation of true talent

Voronezh region

Liskinsky district

"MKOU Dobrinskaya secondary school"

Public lesson on literature

Grade 10

Topic: Nikolai Semyonovich Leskov. Life and creative destiny writer.

Performed: literature teacher

Shaikina Nadezhda Vasilievna

Dobrino 2015.

Lesson outline

Topic: N. S. Leskov. Life and creative destiny of the writer.

Goals:- to get acquainted with the biography and creativity

writer;

To identify the features of the writer's work;

Get to know the characters

Leskov;

Develop coherent speech of students;

To instill a love for the work of writers

XIX century.

Methods:- teacher's word;

- student reports;

- use of ICT;

- notes in a notebook;

- oral survey.

Equipment:- computer, slides;

- portraits of the writer and his relatives;

- photos of monuments to Leskov and his heroes

works.

Lesson plan

1. opening speech teachers.

2. Learning new things:

Journey through the biography and work of N. S. Leskov;

Journey through the writer's work;

Excursion in the footsteps of Lesk heroes;

Oral survey on the studied material.

3. Summing up.

4. Homework.

During the classes

I. Org. moment.(1 slide)

Greetings. Presentation of the topic and objectives of the lesson. (2 slide)

Introduction to the lesson plan. (3 slide)

Leskov "as if set a goal" to approve himself,

inspire Russia and began to "create for Russia

the iconostasis of her saints and righteous - small

great people". M. Gorky

II . Introduction by the teacher.

The work of N. S. Leskov is one of the brightest and most original phenomena in Russian literature XIX century.

His fate reflected such an image of the righteous of the Russian land, which is given in The Enchanted Wanderer, Lefty and other works.

The creative manner of N. S. Leskov is extraordinary, unique and original, and the language, unexpected and strange, sharply distinguishes the writer from other artists of the 19th century.

In the works of N. S. Leskov reflected the contradictions of time, its rebellious spirit and tirelessness in search of truth. Noticing the paradoxes of Russian reality, the writer did not lose hope for the future renewal of the country, because the unpredictable Russian character is fraught with inexhaustible forces.

So, what is this man, where did he "scoop" materials for his works?

Writing in the notebook of the topic of the lesson.(2 slide)

III. Learning new.

We are embarking on a journey through the biography of N. S. Leskov. Our guide will be…

1. Leskov, Nikolai Semenovich(1831-1895) - Russian writer.

(4 slide)

(5 slide)

Father - Semyon Dmitrievich - came from the clergy, but went through the civilian part and rose to the rank of hereditary nobility. Mother - Marya Petrovna, nee Alferyeva - was a noblewoman.

(6 slide)

He was brought up mainly in the village of Gorohovo in the house of the Strakhovs. He was brought up more by his grandmother - Alexandra Vasilievna Alfereva.

(7 slide)

In this house, together with his brothers, he received the basics of secular upbringing and education, knowledge foreign languages. In 1839, he moved with his family from the Strakhovs' house to the city of Oryol on Third Noble Street. (8 slide)

In 1841-1846 he studied at the gymnasium in Orel. He left the gymnasium before finishing his studies and got a job as a minor employee in the Oryol Chamber of the Criminal Court. (9 slide) Serves in the criminal court from 1847 to 1849.

In the autumn of 1849, at the invitation of his maternal uncle, medical professor of Kyiv University S.P. Alferyev, he left for Kyiv and got a job as an assistant in the Kyiv Treasury Chamber.

From 1850 to 1857 he attends lectures at the university as a volunteer, studies Polish language, is fond of icon painting, participates in a religious and philosophical student circle, communicates with pilgrims, Old Believers, sectarians.

In 1857, he left government service and entered the private commercial firm "Shkott and Wilkins" as an agent, the head of which, the Englishman A.Ya.Shkott, was the husband of Leskov's aunt. From 1860 he began to print small notes in St. Petersburg and Kyiv periodicals. First major publication Distillery industry essays» (1861).

In January 1861 he moved to St. Petersburg. In search of earnings, he collaborates in many metropolitan newspapers and magazines, most of all in Otechestvennye Zapiski,

Leskov's own writing biography begins in 1863, when he published his first novels ( The life of a woman, musk ox) and novel nowhere(1863–1864). Leskov's second novel appeared in this edition. On knives (1870–1871),

In the 1860s, he strenuously seeks his own special path. At this time the story was written Lady Macbeth Mtsensk district (1865) He also tries his hand at dramaturgy: in 1867, on the stage of the Alexandrinsky Theater, they put on his drama from a merchant's life Waster.

Search goodies, the righteous on whom the Russian land rests is expressed in stories Sealed angel and The Enchanted Wanderer(both 1873) and in the chronicle Cathedral(1872).

(In the 1860s and early 1870s, his works were published under the pseudonym M. Stebnitsky.) In the second half of the 1870s and 1880s, Leskov created a cycle of stories about the “Russian antiques” - the righteous, without whom “there is no city of standing”. Such " good people” appear in the works ( Cadet Monastery, 1880), (Non-lethal Golovan, 1880), and ( Man on the clock, 1887),

In his later years, creating stories based on an anecdote, " funny case”, Leskov combines them into cycles. This is how stories come about. Voice of nature, 1883; vintage psychopaths, 1885; Interesting men , 1885 and others.

In 1875, Leskov, by his own admission, "most of all disagreed with the ecclesiastical." In contrast to his stories about the “Russian righteous”, he writes a series of essays about bishops, and the results are ironic, sometimes even partly satirical texts: Trivia of Bishop's Life (1878), Bishop's detours (1879), Diocesan Court (1880), Holy Shadows (1881), Synodal persons (1882)

The last works of Leskov (novel-pamphlet Damn dolls, 1890; story Midnighters, 1891; Vale etc.) are marked by sharp criticism of the entire political system of the Russian Empire.

(11 slide) For the last five years of his life, Leskov suffered severely from constant asthma attacks, which eventually brought him to the grave on February 21 (March 5) in St. Petersburg. He was buried at the Volkov cemetery in St. Petersburg.

2. Notebook entries

Biography of the writer. (12 slide)

2. Father - Semyon Dmitrievich Leskov. Mother - Marya Petrovna Leskova.

3.1839 - moving to the city of Orel.

4. 1841 - 1846 - studying at the Oryol male gymnasium.

5. 1847 -1849 - service in the Oryol Chamber of the Criminal Court.

6. 1849 - service in the Kyiv State Chamber.

7. 1857 - service with A. Ya. Shkott.

8. 1861-1862 - moving to St. Petersburg and working in the newspaper "Domestic Notes".

9. Beginning in 1863 writing career Leskov.

10. In 1875, he fell out with the church, his works were sharply criticized

Now we will get acquainted with the features of the work of N. S. Leskov. Let's listen to a report that will reveal to us the secrets of the writer's work.

4. Journey through the work of N. S. Leskov.

Leskov is a prose writer and publicist. The service provides abundant material for creativity. Since 1861, Leskov's articles appeared in the Russkaya Rech newspaper. significant portion early works written in the genre of creative essay.

Leskov keenly felt the economic and cultural backwardness of Russia in comparison with Western European countries. In the early 60s, he was sure that with the abolition of serfdom, Russia would quickly follow the path of progress. But observations of the post-reform reality have shown how few changes for the better have taken place in the life of the country. The theme of serf survivals becomes one of the main ones in his work.

The writer's work in the 60s is distinguished by great diversity in genre. Leskov tries his hand at essay, short story, story, novel, writes the only play"Waster".

All works are impregnated folklore motifs. They sound lyrical, ritual songs, proverbs, conspiracies and much more.

A striking feature creative manner Leskov is a documentary image. Many of his heroes are real prototypes(“Cadet Monastery”, “Vladychny Court”, “The Man on the Clock”).

Leskov throughout his creative way different continuous genre searches. The features of his writing talent, life experience and worldview were most clearly manifested in small genres: in essence, Leskov was the first Russian writer who managed to create the broadest picture of Russian life not in large epic works but in short stories and novels.

5. Notes in a notebook. (13 slide)

Features of the work of N. S. Leskov.

Leskov is a prose writer and publicist.

Early works were written in the genre of a creative essay.

The theme of feudal survivals becomes one of the main ones in his work.

He tries his hand at an artistic essay, a story, a novella, a novel, writes the play "The Spender".

The works are saturated with folklore motifs.

A feature of the creative manner is the documentary image.

Leskov is the first writer who created a picture of Russian life in stories and novels.

6. Excursion in the footsteps of the Lesk heroes.

Without leaving the classroom, mentally overcoming time and distance, we will find ourselves in places associated with the life and work of Leskov and his heroes.

(14 slide)

Oryol is the city of Leskov's childhood and youth. Throughout the 35-year literary journey, Oryol's impressions nourished creative imagination writer, were the source of his wonderful works. He settled many of his heroes precisely on the Oryol land, on his small homeland... (15 slide)

We are at the monument to N.S. Leskov. Installed in 1981 in the homeland of the writer, when the 150th anniversary of his birth was celebrated, this monument has not ceased to amaze the residents of Oryol and the guests of the city for 35 years.

And around, raised on columns to the height of human growth, the heroes of Lesk's works come to life . (16 slide)

Here, the “stupid artist” (that is, the make-up artist, hairdresser) shows his skills, combing the actress of the Oryol fortress theater of Count Kamensky. Love " stupid artist” to the serf actress ends tragically: Arkady did not escape torture in the count's dungeon, and Lyuba did not escape the violence of the count. (17 slide)

Love did not bring happiness to another famous heroine of Leskov - Katerina Izmailova, “Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk district”. Squinting her eyes, petrified, she stands in a prisoner's robe at pillory before being sent to prison. Four murders were committed by this woman for the sake of her reckless passion; suicide sums up the terrible drama that played out in the life of the Mtsensk merchant's wife. (18 slide)

And here we see how the gypsy Grushenka, the heroine of the story "The Enchanted Wanderer", winds in a fiery dance. Leaning on the guitar, the “typical Russian hero” Ivan Severyanych Flyagin is enthusiastically looking at the dancing gypsy - the embodiment of the mighty physical and moral forces of our people. (19 slide)

Nearby, a Tula gunsmith “conjures” over an anvil with a hammer in his left hand - “a slanting left-hander, a birthmark on his cheek, and hair on his temples was torn out during the exercise.” We notice vise - a left-handed working tool, a samovar - a symbol of the city of Tula. And the hero himself is shown just at the moment when he managed to shoe an amazing clockwork flea. (20 slide)

The first is Archpriest Saveliy Tuberozov. The second is Priest Zakharia Benefaktov. The third is Deacon Achilles Desnitsyn. (21 slides)

Leskov went to the service every day on the bridge across the Orlik River past the Church of Michael the Archangel (1801). This temple is mentioned in Leskov's stories "Non-lethal Golovan", "Yudol", essays "Noble Revolt in the Dobrynsky parish". (22 slide)

R poison with a monument to Leskov - the building of the former male gymnasium, which is described in his stories, novels and essays: “How I Learned to Celebrate”, “On Cowardice”, “Laughter and Grief”, etc.

7. Notes in a notebook (23 slide)

Famous works of N. S. Leskov.

1863-1864 - "Musk Ox", "Nowhere".

1865 - "Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk district."

1872 - "Cathedrals".

1873 - "The Enchanted Wanderer", "The Sealed Angel".

1880 - "Non-lethal Golovan".

1882 - "Synodal Persons".

1883 - "Lefty", "Dumb Artist".

1887 - "The Man on the Clock".

8. Oral questioning.

1. When and where was N. S. Leskov born? 2. What newspapers did the writer work for?

4. What is the main theme of creativity?

5. What is the peculiarity of Leskov's creative manner?

6. What is the peculiarity of Leskov's writing talent?

7. Name the most famous works of the writer.

8. What kind of people are they talking about?

III. Summarizing. (23 slide)

At the beginning, I asked the question: So, what is this person, where did he "scoop" materials for his works?

Answer the question after everything you have heard and said.

IV. Homework. (24 slide)

The underachieving group:

1. Prepare a story according to the notes in the notebook.

Strong group:

2. Select several stories in the story and prepare their retelling.

3. Prepare a report on the peculiarities of the language of the works of N. S. Leskov.

(25 slide)

Nikolai Leskov lived an interesting and difficult life. Leskov's writing path was thorny, however, he managed to break through to the stars. Many of Leskov's works are valid different reasons, were difficult for the reader to find. Many colleagues in the role, Leskov was unpleasant, "critics" and seasoned writers did not like his work. People who are fond of literature, describing Leskov's torment in walking around publishing houses, with the hope that at least someone will publish it, compare them with a hike through indifferent doctors of a sickly person. Hiding under various pseudonyms, Leskov was published in some publications, receiving a livelihood for this.

The writer Nikolai Leskov was born in February 1831, in the village of Gorohovo, which was in the Oryol province. The family in which Leskov was born was large and not rich. Nikolai's father was a criminal investigator. Leskov was brought up by wealthy relatives of his mother. When the boy turned 10 years old, he was assigned to the Oryol gymnasium. Nikolai Semenovich studied at the gymnasium for five years. Studied future writer slipshod, and eventually dropped out of high school. He went to work, got a job as a scribe in the Chamber of the Criminal Court.

Two years later, Leskov's father will die, the young man was 17 years old. The family was in trouble financial position. Nikolai's uncle, on his mother's side, Professor Alferyev invites the young man to his place in Kyiv. Arriving in Ukraine, Nikolai Semenovich Leskov gets a job in the state chamber. Working as a secretary of the recruiting presence, Leskov travels a lot around Russian Empire. In and villages, Nikolai communicates with different people- Pilgrims, Old Believers. Communication with them makes a certain impression on Leskov. In his free time, Nikolai is engaged in self-education, reads, attends lectures at the university.

In 1857 Leskov leaves public service and goes to work at Schcott & Wilkens. For three years, on the business of the company, Nikolai Semenovich travels all over the country. It is time to return to Kyiv. Here he again enters the civil service, only this time in the office of the Kyiv Governor-General. He combined his work with journalism. Leskov's articles are published in the newspapers of Kyiv and. In 1861, Nikolai Semenovich Leskov moved to the capital of the Russian Empire. Here he is engaged in journalism, writes in many newspapers and magazines. Most of all, Leskov had a creative alliance with the journal Domestic Notes.

An article by Leskov is published in Severnaya pchela. The article is devoted to a series of fires in St. Petersburg. Nikolai calls on the authorities to look into the reasons: what is it? Coincidence or activity of revolutionary students? After the article was published, a flurry of criticism fell upon Leskov, he was called an accomplice of tsarism and a strangler of freedom. Nikolai had to go on a business trip abroad, as a correspondent for Severnaya Pchela. In Europe, Leskov managed to visit Poland, France, Austria. Returning to Russia, Leskov publishes the stories: "The Life of a Woman", "Three Stories of Stebnitsky", "Musk Ox" and the novel "Nowhere". The novel "Nowhere" caused an unprecedented flurry of criticism in liberal circles, which hit Leskov like a cold shower.

Fortunately, not all of society shared liberal ideas, and there were magazines and newspapers of other political shades. The "evil" monarchy observed the foundations of political pluralism. Leskov is published in the Russian Bulletin and other conservative journals. In subsequent years, Leskov wrote several more works: “Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District”, “Warrior”, “On Knives”. Last novel became another reason for criticism of Leskov among the liberals.

In the following years of his life, Nikolai Semenovich Leskov will deal with issues of morality and religiosity. He will write a number of amazing works "Cathedrals", "The Sealed Angel", "The Enchanted Wanderer". Nikolai Leskov is the author of many wonderful works, the most famous of which is the story "Lefty". The people liked the story so much that the word "left-handed" became a household word, and means a native of the people, a master of his craft. Nikolai Semenovich Leskov died in February 1895. Nikolai was buried at the Volkovsky cemetery in St. Petersburg.

Nikolai Semenovich Leskov can be safely called the genius of that time. He is one of the few writers who could feel the people. This extraordinary personality had a passion not only for Russian literature, but also for Ukrainian and English culture.

1. Only Nikolai Semenovich Leskov graduated from the 2nd grade of the gymnasium.

2. In the Court of Justice, the writer began to work as an ordinary clerk on the initiative of his dad.

3. After the death of his father, Leskov was able to grow up in the judicial chamber to the deputy head of the court.

4. Only thanks to the Schcott and Wilkens company did Nikolai Semenovich Leskov become a writer.

5. Leskov was constantly interested in the life of the Russian people.

6. Leskov had to study way of life Old Believers, and he was carried away by their mystery and mysticism most of all.

1. Gorky was delighted with Leskov's talent and even compared him with Turgenev and Gogol.

8. Nikolai Semenovich Leskov always remained on the side of vegetarianism, because compassion for animals was stronger than the desire to eat meat.

9.Most famous work this writer is considered "Lefty".

10. Nikolai Leskov received a good spiritual education because his grandfather was a priest.

11. Nikolai Semenovich Leskov never denied his belonging to the clergy.

12. The first wife of Leskov, whose name was Olga Vasilievna Smirnova, went crazy.

13. Until the death of his first wife, Leskov visited her in a psychiatric clinic.

14. Before dying, the writer was able to release a collection of works.

15. Leskov's father died of cholera in 1848.

16. Nikolai Semenovich Leskov began to print his works at the age of 26.

17. Leskov had several fictitious pseudonyms.

18. The political future of the writer was predetermined through the novel Nowhere.

19. The only work of Leskov, which did not use writer's editing - "The Sealed Angel".

20. After studying, Leskov had to live in Kyiv, where he became a volunteer of the Faculty of Humanities.

22. Leskov was a passionate collector. Unique paintings, books and watches - all these are his rich collections.

23. One of the first this writer made a proposal to create a book of recipes for vegetarians.

24. Leskov's writing activity began with journalism.

25. Since the 1860s, Nikolai Semenovich Leskov began to write about religion.

26. Leskov had a son from his common-law wife named Andrey.

27. The writer's death occurred in 1895 from an asthma attack, which exhausted him for 5 whole years of his life.

28. Leo Tolstoy called Leskov "the most Russian of writers."

29. Critics accused Nikolai Semenovich Leskov of distorting his native Russian language.

30. Ten years own life Nikolai Semenovich Leskov gave the service to the state.

31. Leskov never looked for highest values in people.

32. Many of the heroes of this writer had their own oddities.

33. The problem with alcohol, which was observed among the Russian people, Leskov found in many drinking establishments. He believed that this is how the state earns on a person.

34. The publicistic activity of Nikolai Semenovich Leskov is connected primarily with the subject of fires.

36. At the end of Leskov's life, not a single work of his was published in the author's version.

37. In 1985, an asteroid was named after Nikolai Semenovich Leskov.

38. Leskov managed to get his first education in a wealthy maternal family.

39. Uncle Leskova was a professor of medicine.

40. Nikolai Semenovich Leskov was not only child in family. He had 4 brothers and sisters.

41. The writer was buried at the St. Petersburg cemetery.

42.Baby and early years Nikolai Semenovich were held in the family estate.

43. The child from Leskov's first marriage died when he was not even a year old.

44. Nikolai Semenovich Leskov, while working in the newspaper, was able to visit European countries such as: France, Czech Republic and Poland.

45. A good friend of Leskov was Leo Tolstoy.

46. ​​Leskov's father served as an investigator in the Criminal Chamber, and his mother was from a poor family.

47. Nikolai Semenovich Leskov was engaged in writing not only novels and short stories, but also plays.

48. Leskov had such a disease as angina pectoris.

49. The most serious activity of this writer began precisely in St. Petersburg in 1860.

50. In total, Leskov's women gave birth to 3 children.

51. On Furshtadskaya Street there was a house where Leskov spent last years own life.

52. Nikolai Semenovich Leskov was quite temperamental and active.

53. During his studies, Leskov had a lot of conflicts with teachers and because of this, he subsequently abandoned his studies altogether.

54. For three years of his life, Leskov had to travel around Russia.

55. The last story of this writer is considered to be "Hare remise".

56. Leskov was discouraged from entering into his first marriage by his relatives.

57. In 1867, the Alexandrinsky Theater staged Leskov's play with the title "The Spender". This drama about merchant life once again gave criticism towards the writer.

58. Very often the writer was engaged in the processing of old memoirs and manuscripts.

59. The influence of Leo Tolstoy affected the attitude towards the church on the part of Leskov.

60. The first Russian vegetarian character was created by Nikolai Semenovich Leskov.

61. Tolstoy called Leskov "the writer of the future."

62. Maria Alexandrovna, who was considered the empress of that time, after reading Leskov’s Cathedral, began to promote him to state property officials.

63. Leskov and Veselitskaya had unrequited love.

64. At the beginning of 1862, Leskov became a regular contributor to the Severnaya Pchela newspaper. There he published his editorials.

65. Because of the criticism presented to Nikolai Semenovich Leskov, he was not going to correct himself.

66. An important element literary creativity this writer considered speech characteristics characters and the individualization of their language.

67. Throughout years Andrei Leskov created a biography of his father.

68. In the Oryol region there is a house-museum for Leskov.

69. Nikolai Semenovich Leskov was a slanderous person.

70. Leskov's novel "Devil's Dolls" was written in the style of Voltaire.

The article tells about a brief biography of Leskov, a famous Russian writer. Leskov's works bizarrely combined criticism of the existing public order, admiration for the traditional way of life and admiration for the Christian faith.

Brief biography of Leskov: the formation of a writer

Nikolai Semenovich Leskov was born in 1831 in a small village in the Oryol province. The family of the future writer came from the clergy. Father, although he was not a priest, received a Christian education. Leskov was brought up in this spirit. The writer from childhood was well acquainted with peasant life which is reflected in his work.
Leskov began his education at the gymnasium, but did not finish it and entered the service as a scribe. Government activities did not interfere with intellectual, the future writer read a lot and had a wide circle of acquaintances in cultural society. The death of his father was the reason for moving to Kyiv, where Leskov continued his service. At the same time, he rotates in the university environment, often talking with the monks.
Since 1857, Leskov began to commercial activities in a private company. He makes numerous business trips, resulting in the publication short articles. The first writer's experiments were overly practical, but they already appeared accusatory motifs characteristic of the writer.
In 1861, Leskov moved to St. Petersburg and actively engaged in journalism. His notes were also imbued with criticism of many aspects of society, but a master was noticeable in them, deeply aware of folk life. The former passion for leftist movements is replaced by criticism of revolutionary speeches. The publication of the novel "Nowhere" (1864) became a turning point in the writer's worldview. Leskov finally breaks with youthful passion and fiercely criticizes the left movement. He acknowledges the presence of really talented, convinced young people in him, but claims that they have become a victim of deception. The revolution in Russia has no prospects and can only cause unnecessary casualties.
Leskov publishes several more works directed against nihilism, in which he depicts easily recognizable caricatures of real people. The left movement curses its former supporter.

Short biography of Leskov: mature period

heyday creative activity Leskov accounts for the publication of the chronicle "Soboryane" (1872). The essential merits of the work were forced to recognize even its extreme opponents. Leskov was able to create a generalized image of the whole of Russia, showed himself to be a true connoisseur of it. Contradictions in society, heated revolutionary movement, can only be overcome by Christian virtue. The clergy in the chronicles is presented as a guardian true values and savior from all troubles.
In the works that followed the chronicle, Leskov deepened his talent. He became the author small works, in which he could fit wide public pictures. special reception writer, which developed later, became a narrative in the form of a tale - a presentation with the help of the image of the narrator, behind whose words the position and views of the author are hidden.
Leskov throughout his life paid great attention to Christianity and put him the main place in Russian life. At the same time, he was interested in the religion of the sectarians and eventually came to criticize the official church. At one time Leskov was close to the Tolstoyans. The writer is engaged in the study of the history of early Christianity, condemns the excessive regulation and dogmatism of Russian Orthodox Church. Such views of Leskov return him to the ranks of the liberal intelligentsia.
Leskov used a wide variety of styles when writing his works. This is also a form of tale, Aesopian language, simplified or, on the contrary, overly refined narration.
Nikolai Semenovich died in 1895. The writer's works were perceived differently throughout his life. Depending on the direction of Leskov's criticism, he was either praised or vehemently condemned. What is certain is that both defenders and critics recognized Leskov's great artistic talent, independent of his political or religious beliefs.

Nikolai Semenovich Leskov was born on February 16 (old style - 4) February 1831 in the village of Gorokhovo, Oryol district. He was the eldest child in a family of five children. The writer's mother is from the noble family of the Alferyevs. His father is the son of a priest who served in the Oryol Chamber of the Criminal Court. According to contemporaries, he was able to unravel the most difficult cases. Leskov's father rose to the ranks that gave him the right to hereditary nobility.

Nikolai Semenovich spent his early childhood years in Orel. Then his family moved to the village of Panino. At the age of ten, he entered the gymnasium, but could not complete his studies there. Instead of a certificate, he was given a certificate. The father placed his son in the Oryol Chamber of the Criminal Court as a clerk of the 2nd category. Leskov was well promoted. Soon after his father's death in 1848, he transferred to the Kyiv State Chamber. In Kyiv, Nikolai Semenovich was interested in icon painting, taught the Polish language, was a volunteer at the university, took part in the activities of the student religious and philosophical circle, spent time with sectarians, pilgrims and Old Believers.

In 1857, Leskov joined the private company Schcott and Wilkins as an agent. For three years, Nikolai Semenovich traveled around Russia on company business, which allowed him to gain impressions for creativity. In 1860, St. Petersburg and Kyiv periodicals began to publish his short notes. In 1861 he moved to Petersburg.

In 1863, Leskov's first stories appeared in print. Then the publication of the anti-nihilist novel "Nowhere" begins, which led to the refusal of major liberal publications to cooperate with the writer. The 1860s were marked for him by a search own way in literature. Among the works that appeared at that time are the essay "Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District", the play "The Spender", the story "The Islanders".

In 1870, Leskov published a second novel that ridiculed the nihilists, On the Knives. Subsequently, he called it his worst work. After "On the Knives" the writer's work has changed a lot. As Gorky noted, Nikolai Stepanovich began "to create for Russia an iconostasis of her saints and righteous."

In 1874, Leskov entered the service of a special department of the Scientific Committee of the Ministry of Public Education for the review of books published for the people. In 1875 the writer traveled abroad. Leskov admitted that after the trip, "most of all, he was at odds with the ecclesiastical." Even earlier, the writer's sympathies for sectarianism, Protestantism and non-church religiosity were manifested. In the second half of the 1880s, they intensified. In many ways, this was influenced by his acquaintance with Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy, which happened in 1887. AT later works- for example, in the novel "Devil's Dolls" (1890), the story "Yudol" (1892), the story "The Improvisers" (1892) - Leskov sharply criticized political system Russian Empire.

The writer died on March 5 (February 21 according to the old style), 1895, from asthma, which had tormented him for the last five years of his life. Leskov's grave is located at the Volkovskoye cemetery in St. Petersburg.

Brief analysis of creativity

Leskov came to literature rather late, starting to write at almost 30 years old. However, he had a wealthy life experience. A considerable part of his childhood was spent in the countryside, then he traveled a lot around Russia, managed to live in Ukraine for a long time. Leskov began with articles and essays - "On the working class", "Police doctors in Russia" and so on. Then he moved on to fiction. From the very first published stories, Leskov showed himself as an original writer. His work was distinguished by its original language and literary style. He was not afraid to touch on the most pressing issues.

Leskov's prose reflects all the key features of Russian national character. The common people have always occupied a special place in the writer's works. Leskov himself reasonably claimed that he knew the Russian person “in his very depths”, since he grew up “among the people”. Thanks to this, he managed to create a whole gallery vivid images positive characters. Stories about fearless, straightforward people who cannot reconcile with evil, do not want to endure injustice, were included in the collection "The Righteous". Among the works included in the book are Lefty, The Man on the Clock, Odnodum, The Enchanted Wanderer.

Leskov is called consummate master said. This type of literary and artistic narration presupposes the presence of a narrator who does not coincide with the author, whose style of speech differs significantly from the modern literary norm. For example, in "Lefty" the narrator is most likely the same Tula master as main character. Real historical figures- Platov, Alexander I and Nicholas I - he perceives from the point of view common man. His speech deserves special attention. It contains a lot of puns, colloquial expressions, vocabulary stylized as folk etymology.

Leskov's work of 1891-1894 is distinguished by an acutely satirical character. He himself said that his latest works about society are very cruel, ”that the public does not like them for their cynicism and directness. At the same time, the writer did not seek to please the readers, although he knew well how to do it. According to Leskov, he wanted to "scourge and torture" the audience.