N.N., a middle-aged socialite, recalls a story that happened when he was twenty-five years old. N.N. then traveled without a goal and without a plan, and on his way stopped in a quiet German town N. Once N.N., having come to a student party, met two Russians in the crowd - a young artist who identified himself as Gagin and his sister Anna , which Gagin called Asya. NN avoided Russians abroad, but he immediately liked his new acquaintance. Gagin invited N.N. to his home, to the apartment in which he and his sister were staying. N. N. was fascinated by his new friends. At first Asya was shy of NN, but soon she herself began to speak to him. Evening came, it was time to go home. Leaving the Gagins, N.N. felt happy.
Many days have passed. Asya's pranks were varied, every day she seemed to be a new, different - now a well-bred young lady, now a playful child, now a simple girl. N. N. regularly visited the Gagins. Some time later, Asya stopped playing naughty, looked upset, avoided N.N. Gagin treated her kindly and condescendingly, and in N.N. the suspicion grew stronger that Gagin was not Asya's brother. A strange incident confirmed his suspicions. Once N.N. accidentally overheard a conversation between the Gagins, in which Asya told Gagin that she loved him and did not want to love anyone else. NN was very bitter.
NN spent the next few days in nature, avoiding the Gagins. But a few days later he found a note at home from Gagin, who asked him to come. Gagin met N.N. in a friendly way, but Asya, seeing the guest, burst out laughing and ran away. Then Gagin told a friend the story of his sister.
Gagin's parents lived in their village. After the death of Gagin's mother, his father raised his son himself. But once Gagin's uncle arrived, who decided that the boy should study in St. Petersburg. Father resisted, but gave in, and Gagin entered school, and then into the guards regiment. Gagin often came and once, at the age of twenty, he saw a little girl Asya in his house, but did not pay any attention to her, having heard from her father that she was an orphan and was taken by him “for feeding”.
Gagin was away from his father for a long time and was only receiving letters from him, when suddenly one day the news came about his fatal illness. Gagin arrived and found his father dying. He bequeathed to his son to take care of his daughter, Gagin's sister - Asya. Soon the father died, and the servant told Gagin that Asya was the daughter of Gagin's father and Tatyana's maid. Gagin's father became very attached to Tatyana and even wanted to marry her, but Tatyana did not consider herself a lady and lived with her sister with Asya. When Asya was nine years old, she lost her mother. Her father took her into the house and raised her himself. She was ashamed of her origin and at first was afraid of Gagin, but then she fell in love with him. He, too, became attached to her, brought her to Petersburg and, no matter how bitter it was for him to do it, he sent her to a boarding school. There she had no friends, the young ladies did not like her, but now she is seventeen, she finished her studies, and together they went abroad. And so ... she is playing pranks and fooling around as before ...
After Gagin's story, NN became easy. Asya, who met them in the room, suddenly asked Gagin to play a waltz for them, and N.N. and Asya danced for a long time. Asya waltzed beautifully, and NN recalled this dance for a long time.
The next day Gagin, N.N. and Asya were together and had fun like children, but the next day Asya was pale, she said that she was thinking about her death. Everyone except Gagin was sad.
Once N. N. was brought a note from Asya, in which she asked him to come. Soon Gagin came to N.N. and said that Asya was in love with N.N. Yesterday she had a fever all evening, she didn’t eat anything, cried and confessed that she loved N.N. She wanted to leave ...
NN told a friend about the note that Asya had sent him. Gagin understood that his friend would not marry Asya, so they agreed that NN would honestly explain to her, and Gagin would sit at home and not pretend that he knew about the note.
Gagin left, and N.N.'s head was spinning. Another note informed N.N. about the change of the place of their meeting with Asya. Arriving at the appointed place, he saw the hostess, Frau Louise, who led him into the room where Asya was waiting.
Asya was trembling. NN hugged her, but immediately remembered Gagin and began to accuse Asya of telling her brother everything. Asya listened to his speeches and suddenly burst into tears. NN was confused, but she rushed to the door and disappeared.
NN rushed about the city in search of Asya. Self-annoyance gnawed at him. Thinking it over, he went to the Gagins' house. Gagin came out to meet him, worried that Asya was not there. N.N. looked for Asya all over the city, he repeated a hundred times that he loved her, but could not find her anywhere. However, approaching the Gagins' house, he saw a light in Ashina's room and calmed down. He made a firm decision - to go tomorrow and ask Ashina's hand. N. N. was happy again.
The next day, N.N. saw a servant at the house, who said that the owners had left, and handed him a note from Gagin, where he wrote that he was convinced of the need for separation. When N. N. walked past Frau Louise's house, she handed him a note from Asya, where she wrote that if N. N. had said one word, she would have stayed. But, apparently, it's better this way ...
N.N. looked everywhere for the Gagins, but did not find them. He knew many women, but the feeling Asya awakened in him never happened again. Longing for her remained with NN for the rest of his life.
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The story "Asya" by Turgenev was written in 1857. You can familiarize yourself with the list of heroes and read the summary of Asya chapter by chapter. In the story, the author tells about the tragic love of a 25-year-old socialite and a 17-year-old village girl. The story is written in the first person, a certain N.N., who recalls a love story that happened to him during his youth.
Main characters:
Other characters:
A wealthy nobleman, Mr. N., travels around Europe. He lives in Germany in a small town Z. Here Mr. N. meets other Russian travelers - Mr. Gagin and his sister, 17-year-old girl Asya.
Mr. N. and his new acquaintances often see each other and spend a lot of time together. Mr. N. notices that Asya is behaving strangely - sometimes flirting, sometimes behaving like a child. One day Gagin tells Mr. N. the story of Asya.
It turns out that Asya and Gagin are really half-brother and sister. Asya is the illegitimate daughter of Gagin's late father and the governess. Asya is only half a noblewoman. Therefore, she is embarrassed and ashamed of herself in society. She does not believe that a decent nobleman can marry her.
Despite this, Asya falls in love with Mr. N. She invites him to a secret date. On a date, Asya tells him about her feelings. In response, Mr. N. scolds Asya for ruining everything with her impatience and haste. Asya is disappointed, she runs away.
Mr. N. realizes that he made a mistake, that he does not want to lose Asya and that he loves her. He's going to propose to her tomorrow. But the next morning Asya and Gagin leave the city. Mr N. follows in their footsteps but fails to find them. They never see each other again.
20 years after this story, Mr. N. still remembers As. He lives a bachelor and leads a lonely life.
This is interesting: The story was written in 1850. The work is included in the collection of essays by the writer "". Retelling is suitable for a reader's diary, to prepare for a literature lesson.
N.N., a middle-aged socialite, recalls a story that happened when he was twenty-five years old. N.N. then traveled without a goal and without a plan, and on his way stopped in a quiet German town 3. Once N.N., having come to a student party, met two Russians in the crowd - a young artist, who called himself Gagin, and his sister Anna , which Gagin called Asya. NN avoided Russians abroad, but he immediately liked his new acquaintance. Gagin invited N.N. to his home, to the apartment in which he and his sister were staying. N. N. was fascinated by his new friends. At first Asya was shy of NN, but soon she herself began to speak to him. Evening came, it was time to go home. Leaving the Gagins, N.N. felt happy.
Many days have passed. Asya's pranks were varied, every day she seemed to be a new, different - now a well-bred young lady, now a playful child, now a simple girl. N. N. regularly visited the Gagins. Some time later Asya stopped being naughty, looked upset, avoided NN Gagin treated her kindly and condescendingly, and in NN there was a growing suspicion that Gagin was not Asya's brother. A strange incident confirmed his suspicions. Once N.N. accidentally overheard a conversation between the Gagins, in which Asya told Gagin that she loved him and did not want to love anyone else. NN was very bitter.
NN spent the next few days in nature, avoiding the Gagins. But a few days later he found a note at home from Gagin, who asked him to come. Gagin met N.N. in a friendly way, but Asya, seeing the guest, burst out laughing and ran away. Then Gagin told a friend the story of his sister.
Gagin's parents lived in their village. After the death of Gagin's mother, his father raised his son himself. But once Gagin's uncle arrived, who decided that the boy should study in St. Petersburg. Father resisted, but gave in, and Gagin entered school, and then into the guards regiment. Gagin often came and once, at the age of twenty, he saw a little girl Asya in his house, but did not pay any attention to her, having heard from her father that she was an orphan and was taken by him "for feeding."
Gagin was away from his father for a long time and was only receiving letters from him, when suddenly one day the news came about his fatal illness. Gagin arrived and found his father dying. He hung up on his son to take care of his daughter, Gagin's sister - Asya. Soon the father died, and the servant told Gagin that Asya was the daughter of Gagin's father and Tatyana's maid. Gagin's father became very attached to Tatyana and even wanted to marry her, but Tatyana did not consider herself a lady and lived with her sister with Asya.
When Asya was nine years old, she lost her mother. Her father took her into the house and raised her himself. She was ashamed of her origin and at first was afraid of Gagin, but then she fell in love with him. He, too, became attached to her, brought her to Petersburg and, no matter how bitter it was for him to do it, he sent her to a boarding school. There she had no friends, the young ladies did not like her, but now she is seventeen, she finished her studies, and they went abroad together. And so ... she is playing pranks and fooling around as before ...
After Gagin's story, NN became easy. Asya, who met them in the room, suddenly asked Gagin to play a waltz for them, and N.N. and Asya danced for a long time. Asya waltzed beautifully, and NN recalled this dance for a long time. The next day Gagin, N.N. and Asya were together and had fun like children, but the next day Asya was pale, she said that she was thinking about her death. Everyone except Gagin was sad. Once N. N. was brought a note from Asya, in which she asked him to come. Soon Gagin came to N.N. and said that Asya was in love with N.N. Yesterday she had a fever all evening, she didn’t eat anything, cried and confessed that she loved N.N. She wanted to leave ...
NN told a friend about the note that Asya had sent him. Gagin understood that his friend would not marry Asya, so they agreed that NN would honestly explain to her, and Gagin would sit at home and not pretend that he knew about the note. Gagin left, but N.N.'s head was spinning. Another note informed N.N. about the change of the place of their meeting with Asya. Arriving at the appointed place, he saw the hostess, Frau Louise, who led him into the room where Asya was waiting. Asya was trembling. NN hugged her, but immediately remembered Gagin and began to accuse Asya of telling her brother everything. Asya listened to his speeches and suddenly burst into tears. NN was confused, but she rushed to the door and disappeared.
NN rushed about the city in search of Asya. Self-annoyance gnawed at him. Thinking it over, he went to the Gagins' house. Gagin came out to meet him, worried that Asya was not there. N.N. looked for Asya all over the city, he repeated a hundred times that he loved her, but could not find her anywhere. However, approaching the Gagins' house, he saw a light in Ashina's room and calmed down. He made a firm decision - tomorrow to go and ask Ashina's hand. N. N. was happy again.
The next day, NN saw a servant at the house, who said that the owners had left, and gave him a note from Gagin, where he wrote that he was convinced of the need for separation. When N.N. walked past Frau Louise's house, she handed him a note from Asya, where she wrote that if N.N. had said one word, she would have stayed. But, apparently, this is better ... NN looked everywhere for the Gagins, but did not find them. He knew many women, but the feeling, awakened in him by Asya, was never repeated again. The longing for her remained with NN for the rest of her life.
Read also: The novel was written in 1860, following the onset of a new period in the state life of Russia. With his all-seeing creative gaze, Turgenev has already noticed the birth of a new Russian woman. The novel was written on the eve of the national liberation revolution of the Bulgarian people in the 19th century.
A 45-year-old socialite (Mr. N.N.) tells a story that happened 20 years ago. At that time he was “ healthy, young, cheerful, money has not been transferred, worries have not yet had time to start". The young man's first love turned out to be unrequited, the frivolous widow, who encouraged him in every possible way, went to another man, a Bavarian lieutenant.
In search of solitude, N.N. leaves the country and settles in the city of Z., where he reflects on the soulless widow. One evening, sitting on a bench and looking at the river, he hears from the opposite bank, where the city of L. is located, the sounds of a waltz. He learns from a passerby that it is “ students came to commerce". Intrigued, he melts to the other side.
In the crowd of spectators N.N. meets two Russians who introduce themselves as brother and sister. The good-natured Gagin immediately liked N.N. " There are such happy faces in the world: everyone likes to look at them, as if they are warming you or stroking". The girl Asya seemed pretty to the hero. In short, her portrait can be described as follows: gracefully folded, "with almost childish cheeks and black eyes." She didn't look like her brother. New acquaintances invited N.N. to your home with a picturesque view of the Rhine.
At supper Asya a little " shunned”, But after a while she herself turned to N.N. The whole evening the girl behaved at ease, "sang in an undertone, often laughed." Two hours later, Asya, referring to fatigue, went to bed.
On the way home, the hero felt that he was happy, and already at home, falling asleep, he noticed that all day he had never thought about his cruel lover.
N. N. visited Gagin. He told that he would like to devote his life to painting. In response, N.N. told the story of his unhappy love. After the conversation, the young people went to Gagin to watch sketches. From the hostess they learned that Asya had gone to the "ruins" and went in search of her.
« Ruins"The locals called the black quadrangular tower, which stood on top of a bare rock. On the pile of rubble, the heroes saw a female figure, in which they recognized Asya. " She wants to surprise us, - NN thought, - what is it for? What a childish trick?».
While walking, Asya accidentally found out about “ lady of the heart"Mr. N.N.
After the meal, Asya went to visit Frau Louise, and the young people were left alone. N.N. gradually became attached to the honest, truthful Gagin. " There was no way not to love him: the heart was drawn to him.».
Four hours later, the friends went to the house of old woman Louise, where N.N. said goodbye to Asya.
This time the hero returned home in a bad mood. He found one of the insidious widow's notes, but did not even open it. The young man thought about Asa, " a capricious girl with a strained laugh... ". And for the first time he doubted that she was Gagin's sister.
The next day, watching the girl, he saw "not a shadow of coquetry, not a sign of a deliberately accepted role." In the evening, returning home, the young man no longer dreamed of anything. However, preparing for bed, he thought: “ What a chameleon this girl is! ... And yet she is not his sister. "
Two weeks passed. N.N. visited the Gagins every day and always got to know Asya from a new perspective. She knew French and German, had a good upbringing, but it was obvious "that this wild animal had recently been vaccinated." Once, going up to the gate, N.N. heard voices coming from the gazebo - Asya confessed her love to Gagin. N.N. did not dare to approach them and hurried home. On the way, he wondered why they had been deceiving him for so long.
After a sleepless night N.N. went to the mountains to be alone with my thoughts. He was absent for three days, and upon returning, he finds a message from Gagin, in which it is written that he was very upset because N.N. did not invite him to the mountains with me.
The next day, at the Gagins' house, our hero told about his adventures, however, the conversation did not go well. Asya did not participate in the conversation, but only “ entered the room and ran away again". Seeing off the guest, Gagin told him the story of his family.
He lost his mother early. His father was engaged in his upbringing until the boy was 12 years old. Later, his father's brother persuaded to take his nephew with him to St. Petersburg, where Gagin entered the cadet school, then was transferred to the guards regiment. For the first time he saw Asya after 8 years in his father's house. She was agile and fearful. Four years later, on his next visit to his home, Gagin learned from Yakov's servant that Asya was the daughter of his parent and maid Tatiana. After the death of her father, he took her to education in St. Petersburg.
Asya was ashamed of her origin and in the first days she was even afraid of Gagin, but then, seeing that he accepted her and fell in love with her, she became attached to him. Since Gagin could not live with his sister, he sent her to a boarding school, where she studied until the age of 17. Then Gagin resigned and left his native country with his sister.
After the conversation, the young people returned to L.N. realized that in a girl he likes not only her unbridled disposition, but also her soul.
Chapters 9-10
N.N. goes for a walk with Asya. The girl quotes lines from Eugene Onegin and says that she would dream of being Tatiana. With her inherent openness, she asks N.N. what he likes about women, and then informs him that if they were birds, they would have drowned in the blue of the sky. N.N. notices that there are feelings that inspire and can take you off the ground, that's just “ it seems he hasn’t flown yet. ”
They are returning home. Friends have fun until the evening. During a waltz with Asya N.N. for the first time captures the features of femininity in her appearance. On the way back, the young man is overcome by feelings of incomprehensible anxiety and happiness at the same time.
Chapters 11-12
The next day, young N.N. I found Gagin, stained with paints, in front of the canvas. In a fit of inspiration, he actively brandished his brush. Asya's mood that day was changeable, she was sad and silent, then she talked at ease with N.N. and laughed merrily. She was disturbed by the thought that the young man might consider her frivolous, but she insisted that she was always frank with him. Returning home, the young man thought: “ Does she really love me?».
This question worried the man the next morning. He went to the city of L., stayed in the Gagins' house all day. Asya appeared for a minute, " pale, thin, with a tied forehead”And warned that she was not well, after which she went to her room.
The next day N.N. in a semi-conscious state he walked around the city, thoughts about the girl did not leave him. Suddenly a boy called out to him and handed a letter from Asya, in which the girl made an appointment for him at the stone chapel on the way to the ruins.
Returning home, the young man read the note several times. Suddenly the door opened and Gagin entered, from a conversation with whom N.N. learned that Asya was in love with him. She confessed this to her brother last night. The girl asked if he had told N.N. her story, she was afraid that after that he would despise her. The girl tearfully asked them to leave this city together. Gagin decided to talk with N.N. He was sure that our hero would not marry his sister. He, in turn, admitted - he likes Asya, and asked to give him time to think things over. After Gagin left, the man thought about how to proceed. " Marry a seventeen-year-old girl, with her temper, as you can! " He thought.
N.N. at the appointed hour went to the meeting. However, the boy who met him on the opposite bank reported that “ Fraulein Annette”Has changed the place of the meeting and is waiting for him at Frau Louise's house.
Feelings fought in him, happiness seemed to be very close, but he had to keep his word to his brother. " I cannot marry her, - he decided at last, - she will not know that I also fell in love with her.».
An old woman opened the door for him and led him up a steep staircase. On the third floor, she showed him a small door.
The girl was sitting on a chair near the window. She trembled and was afraid to look at the guest. There was something touching in the girl's timid movements. The determination to act according to the chosen plan of N.N. disappeared. He affectionately called her by name, Asya looked up uncertainly. " Oh, the look of a woman who has fallen in love - who will describe you? They prayed, these eyes, they trusted, inquired, surrendered... ". The man could not restrain his feelings, bent down and clung to her hand. "- Yours ... she whispered, barely audible." However, the thought of the promise given to Gagin sobered the young man. He confessed to Asya that her brother knows everything, " everything is lost", And they should part. The girl fell to her knees and sobbed, but suddenly “ jumped up, with the speed of lightning rushed to the door and disappeared ... "
Chapters 17-18
The man wandered around the city for a long time. " Did I really want such a denouement? Am I able to part with her? How can I lose her? Madman! Madman!"- he repeated. N.N. again went to the house where Asya lived. Gagin met him and said that she had not yet returned from Frau Louise. The young people went to look for her. To find it faster, they decided to split up.
N.N. I looked for her everywhere: walked around all the streets in the city, stood at Frau Louise's window, returned to the banks of the Rhine. He shouted her name, confessed that he loved and would never part with her. Asya was nowhere to be seen. Then he went to Gagin to find out if he had found her.
In Asya's room, he saw a light. Her brother assured her that she was back and that everything was in order. The young people said goodbye. Coming out, N.N. I was about to knock on her window, but decided to postpone what I wanted to say until tomorrow. He wanted to propose to her.
He did not remember how he got home. He was carried " some wide, strong wings". "Tomorrow I'll be happy!" he thought.
Chapters 21-22
The next day a maid met him and said that the Gagins had left. She handed him a letter in which “ there was not a single line from Asya". Gagin wrote to him and asked not to be offended for their sudden departure. " There are prejudices that I respect; I understand that you cannot marry Asya", - he wrote.
N.N. I learned from the hostess that they had boarded a steamer at six in the morning, and went to the office, where the Gagins took tickets to Cologne. One thought warmed N.N.'s heart, it was imperative to find them. Home he walked past Frau Louise's house. Suddenly an old woman called him and handed him a note from Asya. " Goodbye, we will not see you again. I'm not leaving because of pride, I can't do otherwise. Yesterday, when I cried in front of you, if you had told me one word, only one word, I would have stayed. You didn't say it. Apparently, it's better this way ... Goodbye forever!».
One word ... With tears in his eyes, he repeated it the day before, but he could not say it to her!
On the same day he sailed to Cologne, where he learned that they had left for London. N.N. went after them, but the search in London was in vain. He did not see them again, did not see Asya.
Concluding his story, N.N. admitted that he was young, and later he had women, but the feeling Asya awakened in him, "that burning, tender, deep feeling", did not repeat itself.
Conclusion
A short retelling of "Asya" reveals in detail the theme of love, which is pure, and prejudices are alien to it. Asya opened her feelings to N.N. From the happiness of the protagonist was separated by only one, never uttered by him word. Asya's quick departure did not give him a second chance to confess his love to her.
The author urges the reader to be happy right now. " Happiness has no tomorrow; he does not have yesterday's either; it does not remember the past, does not think about the future; he has a present - and that is not a day, but a moment».
This is interesting: Ivan Turgenev's novel "", which was written in 1861, was immediately destined to become a symbol of the era. The author especially clearly expressed the problem of the relationship between two generations.
N.N., a middle-aged socialite, recalls a story that happened when he was twenty-five years old. NN then traveled without a goal and without a plan, and on his way stopped in a quiet German town N. Once NN, having come to a student party, met two Russians in the crowd ...
I.S. Turgenev
Name: Asya
Genre: The story
Duration: 10min 06sec
Annotation:
The narrator, N.N., recalls the time when he was 25 years old. He went abroad to see the world. He settled in the town of Z. on the banks of the Rhine. Once, at a festival of students, he met the Russians: Gagin and his sister Asya.
They begin to communicate closely. Soon N. begins to suspect that Asya is not Gagin's sister. Once Gagin revealed to him the whole truth about their family. His mother died early. Gagin himself was raised in St. Petersburg by his uncle. And Gagin's father remained in the village. As an adult, Gagin learned from his father that he had a half-sister, Anna (Asya). This is his father's illegitimate child from a former maid.
Soon the father died, and Asya remained in the care of her brother. Gagin asks N. if he likes Asya. And he gets a positive answer. Asya is also in love with N. and is ready for deep feelings. However, N. is unlikely to decide to marry an emotional girl with such an unpredictable character, from whom one can expect anything. He does not feel capable of such a step. He honestly tells Gagin about this. And Gagin decides to take Asya away. When N. learns that the Gagins have left, he tries to find them. He finds traces of them now in Cologne, then in London. However, he did not manage to meet with them.
Over time, N. realizes that it is good that everything has turned out this way. He understands that with such a wife he would hardly be happy. However, he never married anyone. And for many years he continues to keep notes from Asya and a dried flower, once given by her.
Important! On the way, he was met by an acquaintance who handed over a letter from her beloved. In the letter, Asya says goodbye to Mr. N., and says that his word alone could stop her, but he did not say it.N.N. goes to Cologne to look for Asya, but does not find. For many years the narrator has been looking for his friends. And even now, after 20 years have passed, he does not give up hope to meet again that Asya, who awakened in him true feelings of love. The story "Asya" is a pearl of Russian literature. Turgenev managed to reflect the broad Russian soul in the person of Gagin, who wanted to help with all his might both his friend N.N. and his sister Asya. Gagin did not take offense at N.N. about comments about his work, on the contrary, he accepted them with humility. Asya is an example of how love can turn a girl from a little rebel into a real stately girl who knows her worth. Mr. N. appears before us in the form of an indecisive person who thinks about the opinion of society and forgets about his feelings. When he nevertheless allows the feeling of love to open up, it is already too late. Ivan Turgenev says that every word and every deed has a price, and they can forever change the fate of a person. Therefore, before you say or do a deed, you need to think about how this will affect not only yourself, but also what contribution it will bring to the fate of another person. An audio version of the story "Asya" in an abbreviation can be found in the video below.
Before you - a summary (a short retelling of the plot) of the story of I.S. Turgenev "Asya". I hope this summary of the story will help you prepare for your lesson in Russian literature.
Brief information about the story: Turgenev's story "Asya" was written in 1857, first published in 1858 in the first issue of the Sovremennik magazine.
The protagonist of the story is named N. N. He tells about what happened to him once. He was twenty-five at the time. In his own words, he “ just broke free and went abroad ". The young man really wanted " look at the world of god ", N. N. says about himself at that time:
“I was healthy, young, cheerful, my money was not transferred, my worries had not yet had time to start - I lived without looking back, did what I wanted, prospered, in a word. It did not even occur to me then that man is not a plant and that he cannot flourish for a long time. Youth eats gilded gingerbread, and even thinks that this is their daily bread; but the time will come - and you will ask for a loaf ”.
The young man traveled a lot, made new acquaintances. His life was easy and carefree. N. N. settled in a small German town Z., which was located on the left bank of the Rhine.
During this period, N.N. wanted to be left alone, he was burdened by gloomy thoughts. He recently met a young woman, a widow. " She was very pretty and smart, flirted with everyone ". But she chose another person. N.N. was not too upset, but for some time he wanted to be alone.
The town where the main character settled was very attractive:
"I liked this town for its location at the foot of two high hills, for its decrepit walls and towers, age-old linden trees, a steep bridge over a bright river that flows into the Rhine - and most importantly, for its good wine."
On the other bank of the Rhine there was a town L. Once N. N. was sitting on a bench and listening to music that came from the town L. N. N. asked a passer-by what was going on in another town. A passer-by replied that they were students " came to the commercial».
N. N. crossed to the other side.
Commerce is "a special kind of solemn feast attended by students from the same land or brotherhood." At the holiday, N.N. heard Russian speech. He met a young man Gagin and his sister Asya. New acquaintances invited N. N. to visit them.
NN and Gagin really liked the new acquaintances, and his sister Asya, or Anna (that was her full name), made the most favorable impression on the protagonist. N.N. also liked the house in which they lived.
Asya was very mobile.
“For a single moment she did not sit still; she got up, ran into the house, ran again, sang in an undertone, often laughed, and in a strange way: it seemed that she was laughing not at what she heard, but at various thoughts that crossed her mind. Her large eyes looked straight, bright, bold, but sometimes her eyelids slightly squinted, and then her gaze suddenly became deep and gentle. "
NN was visiting for two hours. Then he decided to go home. The young man was happy, a new acquaintance pleased him. That evening he no longer remembered the widow who had occupied his heart for so long.
The next day Gagin came to visit NN. During an ordinary, meaningless conversation, he talked about his plans for the future. N.N., in turn, told about unhappy love, which, however, had already ceased to interest him. Gagin invites N. N. to see the sketches.
Gagin's works seemed to N.N. careless, incorrect. He openly expressed his opinion. The author of the studies agreed:
« Yes, yes, ”he said with a sigh,“ you are right; all this is very bad and immature, what to do! I did not study properly, and the damned Slavic licentiousness is taking its toll. As long as you dream of work, you soar like an eagle: it seems, you would have moved the earth from its place - but in performance you immediately weaken and get tired. "
After the conversation, Gagin and N.N. left to look for Asya. They found the girl in the ruins. Asya was sitting right above the abyss. N.N. reproached the girl for negligence. But Gagin warned him, said that if Asya made comments, she could even climb the tower.
N.N. comes to the conclusion that Asa has « something tense, not quite natural». « She wants to surprise us "- so thought the main character. And he does not understand why such childish antics are needed. The girl seems to guess his thoughts. She behaves eccentrically.
For example, Asya bought a glass of water from an old woman who was selling nearby. And suddenly she announced that she did not want to drink, but was going to water the flowers growing around.
After that girl
"With a glass in her hand, she began to climb the ruins, occasionally stopping, bending over and dropping a few drops of water, shining brightly in the sun, with amusing importance."
NN cannot but admit that the girl's movements are nice. But he still cannot understand the meaning of her actions. She seems to be happy to scare those around, because she exposes herself to the danger of falling and breaking. Asya's whole appearance seemed to say: “ You find my behavior indecent; anyway, i know you admire me».
Gagin bought a mug of beer and offered a toast to the lady of the heart. N. N. Asya asked if she, that is, this lady, really existed. Gagin replied that everyone has such a lady. At first Asya was embarrassed, but then she began to look at everyone defiantly, almost insolently.
The girl is acting strange; even passers-by pay attention to her behavior. But after returning home, Asya changed.
"... She immediately went to her room and appeared only towards dinner, dressed in her best dress, carefully combed, pulled over and wearing gloves."
N.N. understood that the girl wanted "Play a new role - the role of a decent and well-bred young lady ».
N.N. noticed that Gagin indulged her in everything. After dinner Asya asked Gagin for permission to visit Frau Louise, an old woman, the widow of the former local mayor. Gagin allowed her to go.
N.N. stayed with Gagin. As the conversation progressed, Gagin got to know his new acquaintance better and better. And the more he got to know him, the more attached he became. N.N. understood that Gagin was a simple, honest, sincere person. N. N. drew attention to the fact that he is smart, sweet, but he does not have a special energy, strength that distinguishes an outstanding personality. N.N. thought that it was unlikely that Gagin would make a good artist, because he was not used to working. But, despite all this, the new acquaintance seemed to N. N. a wonderful person.
N.N. and Gagin talked for almost four hours. When the sun went down, Gagin invited N.N. to see him off. On the way, he decided to stop by Frau Louise to find out where Asya was.
When they approached the old woman's house, Asya looked out of the window, threw a sprig of geraniums to Gagin and offered: “… Imagine that I am the lady of your heart ».
Gagin gave the branch to N. N. He put it in his pocket. When NN walked home, he felt a strange heaviness on his heart. He yearned for Russia. At the same time, the young man realized that he no longer remembered that young widow who had broken his heart. All his thoughts were directed at Asya. He had thoughts that Asya was not Gagin's sister at all.
The next morning NN went to see Gagin again. He wanted to see Asya. When N. N. saw her, she seemed to him a simple Russian girl, " almost a maid". Asya was dressed in an old dress, her hair was also very simple. Asya sewed. Her whole appearance spoke of modesty and simplicity.
N.N. and Gagin went to paint sketches. Gagin suggested that N.N. accompany him, so that, if necessary, he would give good advice.
While working, the friends talked about art again. The conversation was empty and meaningless. After returning, N.N. saw that Asya was also engaged in sewing. She was modest, quiet, her behavior was not defiant. N.N. thought that this girl was a real chameleon. He also began to think again about who Asya is to Gagin.
For the next two weeks, NN visited the Gagins every day, but Asya seemed to avoid him. Now she was no longer naughty as before. It seemed to NN that Asya was embarrassed or upset about something. N.N. noticed that the girl knows both French and German well. Nevertheless, Asya's upbringing cannot be called good and correct. The girl spoke very little about her life, she was reluctant to answer questions. But N.N. learned that in Russia she had lived in the countryside for a long time.
NN watches Asya with interest. Her behavior seems strange to him, but this is precisely what causes the strongest curiosity. In addition, N.N. sees that Gagin treats Asya in a completely different way from how sisters are usually treated.
Once N.N. accidentally overheard a conversation between Gagin and Asya:
No, I don't want to love anyone but you, no, no, I want to love you alone - and forever.
Enough, Asya, calm down, - said Gagin, - you know, I believe you.
During the conversation, Asya kissed Gagin, clung to him very gently. N.N. thought that his new acquaintances were pretending to be brother and sister, but could not guess why they needed to stage this performance.
The next day NN went on foot to the mountains. Here he intended to stay for a while. The young man did not want to see the Gagins. He was somewhat offended by their deception, because no one forced them to call themselves relatives.
NN “wandered slowly through the mountains and valleys, sat up in the village taverns, peacefully talking with the owners and guests, or lay down on a flat warmed stone and watched the clouds float, since the weather was amazing”.
N. N. spent three days in the mountains. After his return, N.N. found a note from Gagin. He was surprised at his disappearance. He asked to come to them as soon as he returned.
N. N. accepted the invitation. Gagin greets him with joy. But Asya again behaves unnaturally, to which N.N. immediately draws attention. Gagin was embarrassed by the girl's behavior, called her crazy and asked N.N. to excuse her.
Despite the fact that N.N. is already accustomed to Asya's antics, her behavior cannot but jar him. However, the young man pretends not to pay attention to these oddities, and tells Gagin about his journey. During the conversation, Asya entered the room several times and ran away again, and after a while N.N. decided to return home. Gagin went to see him off. Before leaving, Asya went up to N.N. and held out her hand to him. He shook her fingers and bowed slightly.
On the way, Gagin asks N.N. what his opinion of Asya is and if he finds her strange. N.N. honestly replies that the girl's antics cannot but be striking. The conversation seems to N. N. completely unexpected. Gagin makes excuses that Asya has a good heart, but "a bad head", explains that the girl cannot be blamed for anything. Gagin offers to tell Asya's story. NN listens to him with interest.
Gagin says that Asya is his sister. Gagin's father was a kind, intelligent, but very unhappy person. He married for love. But his wife, Gagin's mother, died very early. The boy at that time was only six months old. Heartbroken, my father went to the village and stayed there for twelve years. The father raised his son himself. He had no intention of parting with him. However, my father’s brother came to the village, he was an important person in St. Petersburg. The uncle began to persuade his father to give the boy to him for upbringing. The uncle assured his father that the young man should move in society.
Father with difficulty, but agreed with his brother. After arriving in St. Petersburg, Gagin entered the cadet school, then transferred to the guards regiment. He went to the village for several weeks every year to see his father. He was always very sad and thoughtful. Once, during his arrival, Gagin saw a girl of about ten in his father's house. It was Asya. The father explained that he had taken the orphan into foster care. The girl was wild, silent. Gagin did not pay much attention to her.
It so happened that Gagin had not been with his father for three or four years. It was related to the service. Contact with my father was maintained only through letters.
One day Gagin received a letter from a sales clerk. He reported the fatal illness of his father. After his arrival, the father turned to his son with the last request. He ordered Asya to be brought and told Gagin that this was his sister.
After the death of his father, Gagin learned that Asya was the daughter of his father and the former maid of his mother. The father wanted to marry Asya's mother, but she was against it. Tatiana, Asya's mother, died a few years ago, after which her father took Asya into the house. He had intended to do this before, but Tatiana did not agree.
Father loved Asya very much.
“Asya soon realized that she was the main person in the house, she knew that the master was her father; but she realized her false position just as quickly; self-esteem developed in her strongly, mistrust too; bad habits took root, simplicity disappeared. She wanted to make the whole world forget her origins; she was ashamed of her mother, and ashamed of her shame, and was proud of her ».
Twenty-year-old Gagin ended up with his thirteen-year-old sister in his arms. He became very attached to the girl, and she answered him in kind. Gagin brought his sister to St. Petersburg. Since he was busy, he put the girl in one of the best boarding houses. Asya understood that it was necessary. But in the boarding house it was very difficult for her. There she fell ill and nearly died. However, the girl spent four years at the boarding house. Despite her strict upbringing, she hasn't changed a bit. The headmaster of the boarding house repeatedly complained to Gagin about Asya.
The girl's relationship at the boarding house did not work out, despite the fact that she was very smart and capable, she studied better than anyone else. Asya had no girlfriends.
When the girl was seventeen years old, Gagin decided to retire, take his sister and go abroad. This is exactly what he did.
After telling this story, Gagin asked N.N. not to judge Asya too harshly, because she "Although she pretends that she doesn't care about anything, she values everyone's opinion, yours in particular."
Gagin says that Asya certainly has her own oddities. For example, recently she began to assure him that she loved only him and would always love him, N. N. asked if Asya liked anyone in St. Petersburg. Gagin replied that "Asya needs a hero, an extraordinary person - or a picturesque shepherd in a mountain gorge." Since the girl has not met such people, she does not yet know love.
After Gagin's story, NN felt almost happy. Gagin and his interlocutor returned home. Asya was pale and agitated. N.N. realized that the girl was attracted to him, now he thinks only of her.
N.N. invited Asya to take a walk through the vineyard. The girl agreed. During the walk they talked. Asya asked NN what he liked about women. NN's question seemed strange. Asya was embarrassed.
N.N. understood how romantic Asya is. Everyday life, everyday life oppresses her.
N.N. understands that love is born in him. The next day N.N. again came to the Gagins. Asya was embarrassed when she saw him. N.N. noticed that the girl was dressed up. But she was sad. Gagin was busy with his drawings. Asya says that when she lived with her mother, she did not learn anything. And now he cannot draw, cannot play the piano, even sews poorly. NN calms her down, says that she is smart, educated, reads a lot. Asya says that she herself does not know what is in her head. She is afraid she will be bored with her.
Asya leaves, then comes back and asks:
Listen - if I died, would you feel sorry for me?
Her thoughts frighten N. N. The girl says that she often thinks about imminent death. Asya was “ sad and anxious". She expressed concern that N.N. considered her to be frivolous.
NN thinks on the way home that Asya, quite possibly, loves him. However, these thoughts seem implausible to him. The young man cannot help but think about the girl. The next day Asya felt bad, she had a headache. N. N. was forced to leave.
The next morning the young man walked around the city. A boy found him and handed him a note. The message was from Asya.
She invited him to the stone chapel at four o'clock. NN came home, "sat down and thought." He was thrilled by the note from the girl. Suddenly Gagin came. He said that Asya fell in love with N.N.
Gagin was very worried about the state of mind of his sister. After all, Asya, despite all her antics, was a very close person to him. Gagin said that Asya fell ill from love. The girl wanted to leave immediately so as not to subject herself to torture.
Gagin asked N. N. if he liked Asya. And NN was forced to admit that he liked it, but he could not marry her. During the conversation, Gagin and N.N. came to the conclusion that N.N. should immediately go on a date with the girl and talk to her. NN is very worried, but knowing Asya's character, he is not at all eager to marry her.
On the way, N.N. again meets a boy who gives him another note from Asya. In the note, the girl was informed about the change of the place of the meeting. The appointment was now made at Frau Louise's house.
When the young man met with Asya, a serious conversation took place between them. Asya is very charming, NN cannot but succumb to her charm. However, he reproaches the girl for telling her brother about her feelings. N. N. wants to do everything possible to make the girl forget about her love. He convinces her of that. that it is necessary to part. Asya is depressed, she is crying, it is very hard for her. In fact, N. N. seems to be playing a role.
After all, it depends on him whether the relationship will develop further. He is frightened by Asya's wild unbridled disposition, so he chose to leave. However, a young man cannot but be moved by the girl's sincere feeling.
After the conversation, NN "got out of the city and set off straight into the field." He reproached himself for his behavior. Now N. N. regretted that he had lost such an extraordinary girl. When night fell, the young man went to Asya's house.
However, Gagin says with dismay that Asya has disappeared. N.N. together with Gagin set off in search of the girl.
Alarmed, NN feels remorse and even love. He is sincerely concerned about Asya's fate.
After a long search, the young man, climbing the path, saw a light in Asya's room. He immediately went there and learned that the girl had returned.
Delighted, NN decided that tomorrow morning he would ask Asya's hand in marriage. The young man looks forward to his imminent happiness. “Tomorrow I'll be happy! Happiness has no tomorrow; he does not have yesterday's either; it does not remember the past, does not think about the future; he has a present - and that is not a day - but a moment. "
The next morning NN came to the Gagins. One circumstance struck him: all the windows in the house were open, and the door was also open. The maid informed him that everyone had left early in the morning. N.N. was given a letter from Gagin.
In the letter, he apologized and said goodbye.
“He began by asking not to be angry with him for his sudden departure; he was confident that, on a mature basis, I would approve of his decision. He did not find another way out of the situation, which could become difficult and dangerous. "
Gagin wrote:
“There are prejudices that I respect; I understand that you cannot marry Asya. She told me everything; for her peace of mind, I had to give in to her repeated, intensified requests. "
The letter made a painful impression on N.N. Gagin misunderstood him in terms of "prejudice." The origin of Asya did not matter at all to N.N. But Gagin interpreted everything in his own way.
N.N. went in search of the Gagins. He learned that they boarded a steamer and sailed down the Rhine. Before leaving, Frau Louise gave him a small note from Asya. The girl said goodbye to him. NN is depressed, he does not know what to do. He went after the Gagins. But, alas, all searches would be in vain. He could not find Gagin and Asya.
Only once, several years later, did N.N. catch a glimpse of a woman in the carriage who reminded him of Asya. However, he admits that this was an accidental similarity. NN learned nothing more about the fate of Asya. For him, she forever remained a young girl whom he recognized at the "best time" of his life.
However, it cannot be said that N.N. longed for Asya:
“I even found that fate disposed well not to unite me with Asya; I consoled myself with the thought that I probably would not be happy with such a wife. "
However, the feeling that NN Asya aroused in his soul was never repeated. N.N. never married, and remained forever alone. He always kept notes from the girl and the twig she threw from the window.
I hope this summary of the story of Turgenev ASYa helped you prepare for the lessons in Russian literature.
