Russian writer Nikolai Semenovich Leskov was born in the village of Gorohovo, Oryol province in 1831. His father was an official and the son of a priest. His mother came from a noble family, and his childhood was an ordinary noble childhood. He was greatly influenced by his aunt Paula, who married an English Quaker and joined this sect. At the age of sixteen, Leskov lost his parents and was left alone in the world, forced to earn his own bread. I had to leave school and enter the service. He served in various government provincial institutions. Then they opened up to him real pictures Russian reality. But he truly discovered life when he left public service and began to serve the Englishman Shcott, like Aunt Polya, a sectarian who managed the huge estates of a wealthy landowner. In this service, Leskov acquired extensive knowledge about Russian life, very different from the typical ideas of young educated people of that time. Thanks to his everyday training, Leskov became one of those Russian writers who know life not as the owners of serf souls, whose views changed under the influence of French or German university theories, like Turgenev and Tolstoy, but know it from direct practice, regardless of theories. That is why his view of Russian life is so unusual, so free from the condescending sentimental pity for the Russian peasant, so characteristic of the liberal and educated serf owner.

Leskov: the path to and from literature. Lecture by Maya Kucherskaya

His literary work began with the writing of business reports for Mr. Schcott, who was not slow to pay attention to the common sense, observation, and knowledge of the people contained therein. Nikolai Leskov began writing for newspapers and magazines in 1860, when he was 29 years old. The first articles dealt only with practical everyday issues. But soon - in 1862 - Leskov quit his service, moved to St. Petersburg and became a professional journalist.

It was a time of great social upsurge. Public interests also captured Leskov, but in highest degree practical intelligence and everyday experience did not allow him to unconditionally join any of the then parties of hotheads who were not adapted to practical activities. Hence the isolation in which he found himself when an incident occurred that left an indelible mark on him. literary fate. He wrote an article about the big fires that destroyed part of St. Petersburg that year, the culprits of which were rumored to be " nihilists"and radical students. Leskov did not support this rumor, but mentioned it in his article and demanded that the police conduct a thorough investigation to confirm or refute the city rumors. This demand hit the radical press like a bomb exploding. Leskov was accused of inciting the mob against students and “informing” the police. He was boycotted and expelled from progressive magazines.

Portrait of Nikolai Semenovich Leskov. Artist V. Serov, 1894

At this time he began to write fiction. First story ( Muskox) appeared in 1863. A great romance followed Nowhere(1864). This novel caused new misunderstandings with radicals, who managed to discern in some characters slanderous caricatures of their friends; this was enough to brand Leskov as a vile slanderer-reactionary, although the main socialists in the novel are depicted as almost saints. In his next novel, On knives(1870–1871), Leskov went much further in his depiction of nihilists: they are presented as a bunch of scoundrels and scoundrels. It was not “political” novels that created Leskov’s real fame. This fame is based on his stories. But the novels made Leskov the bogeyman of all radical literature and deprived the most influential critics of the opportunity to treat him with at least some degree of objectivity. The only one who welcomed, appreciated and encouraged Leskov was the famous Slavophil critic Apollo Grigoriev, a man of genius, albeit extravagant. But in 1864, Grigoriev died, and Leskov owes all his later popularity only to the unguided good taste of the public.

The popularity began after the publication of the “chronicle” Soboryans in 1872 and a number of stories, mainly from the life of the clergy, which followed the chronicle and were published until the very end of the 1870s. In them, Leskov is a defender of conservative and Orthodox ideals, which attracted the favorable attention of high-ranking persons, including the wife of Alexander II, Empress Maria Alexandrovna. Thanks to the attention of the Empress, Leskov received a place on the committee of the Ministry of Education, practically a sinecure. At the end of the 70s. he joined the campaign for the defense of Orthodoxy against the Pietist propaganda of Lord Radstock. However, Leskov was never a consistent conservative, and even his support for Orthodoxy against Protestantism relied, as its main argument, on democratic humility, which distinguishes it from the aristocratic individualism of the “high society schism,” as he called the Radstock sect. His attitude towards church institutions was never entirely submissive, and his Christianity gradually became less traditional and more critical. The stories of the life of the clergy, written in the early 1880s, were largely satirical, and because of one such story he lost his place on the committee.

Leskov fell more and more under the influence of Tolstoy, and towards the end of his life he became a devout Tolstoyan. Betrayal of conservative principles again pushed him towards the left wing of journalism, and in recent years he collaborated mainly in moderate-radical journals. However, those who dictated literary opinions, they did not speak out about Leskov and treated him very coldly. When he died in 1895, he had many readers throughout Russia, but few friends in literary circles. They say that shortly before his death he said: “Now I am read for the beauty of my inventions, but in fifty years the beauty will fade, and my books will be read only for the ideas that are contained therein.” This was an amazingly bad prophecy. Now, more than ever, Leskov is read for his incomparable form, for his style and manner of storytelling - least of all for his ideas. In fact, few of his fans understand what his ideas were. Not because these ideas are incomprehensible, but because attention is now absorbed in something completely different.

Compatriots recognize Leskov as the most Russian of Russian writers, who knew his people more deeply and widely than anyone else as they are.

Russian literature XIX century

Nikolay Semyonovich Leskov

Biography

1831 - 1895 Prose writer.

Born on February 4 (16 NS) in the village of Gorokhov, Oryol province, in the family of an official of the criminal chamber, who came from the clergy. His childhood years were spent on the estate of the Strakhov relatives, then in Orel. After retiring, Leskov's father took up agriculture in the farmstead Panin, Kromsky district, which he acquired. In the Oryol wilderness, the future writer was able to see and learn a lot, which later gave him the right to say: “I did not study the people from conversations with St. Petersburg cab drivers... I grew up among the people... I was one of the people with the people... I was closer to these people than all the priests...” In 1841 - 1846 Leskov studied at the Oryol gymnasium, which he failed to graduate from: in his sixteenth year he lost his father, and the family’s property was destroyed in a fire. Leskov entered the service of the Oryol Criminal Chamber of the Court, which gave him good material for future works. In 1849, with the support of his uncle, Kyiv professor S. Alferyev, Leskov was transferred to Kyiv as an official of the treasury chamber. In the house of his uncle, his mother’s brother, a professor of medicine, under the influence of progressive university professors, Leskov’s ardent interest in Herzen, in the great poet of Ukraine Taras Shevchenko, in Ukrainian culture was awakened; he became interested in ancient painting and architecture of Kyiv, later becoming an outstanding connoisseur of ancient Russian art. In 1857, Leskov retired and entered private service in a large trading company, which was engaged in the resettlement of peasants to new lands and on whose business he traveled almost the entire European part of Russia. Start literary activity Leskova dates back to 1860, when he first appeared as a progressive publicist. In January 1861 Leskov settled in St. Petersburg with the desire to devote himself to literary and journalistic activity. He began publishing in Otechestvennye zapiski. Leskov came to Russian literature with a large stock of observations on Russian life, with sincere sympathy for the needs of the people, which was reflected in his stories “The Extinguished Cause” (1862), “The Robber”; in the stories “The Life of a Woman” (1863), “Lady Macbeth Mtsensk district"(1865). In 1862, as a correspondent for the newspaper “Northern Bee”, he visited Poland, Western Ukraine, and the Czech Republic. He wanted to get acquainted with everyday life, art and poetry Western Slavs, with whom he was very sympathetic. The trip ended with a visit to Paris. In the spring of 1863 Leskov returned to Russia. Knowing well the province, its needs, human characters, details of everyday life and deep ideological trends, Leskov did not accept the calculations of “theorists” divorced from Russian roots. He speaks about this in the story “Musk Ox” (1863), in the novels “Nowhere” (1864), “Bypassed” (1865), “On Knives” (1870). They outline the theme of Russia’s unpreparedness for the revolution and tragic fate people who have connected their lives with the hope of its speedy fulfillment. Hence the disagreements with the revolutionary democrats. In 1870 - 1880 Leskov overestimated a lot; acquaintance with Tolstoy has a great influence on him. National-historical issues appeared in his work: the novel “The Cathedral People” (1872), “A Seedy Family” (1874). During these years, he wrote several stories about artists: “The Islanders”, “The Captured Angel”. The talent of the Russian person, the kindness and generosity of his soul always admired Leskov, and this theme found its expression in the stories “Lefty (The Tale of the Tula Oblique Lefty and steel flea)" (1881), "The Stupid Artist" (1883), "The Man on the Clock" (1887). In Leskov's legacy great place occupied by satire, humor and irony: “Selected Grain”, “Shameless”, “Idle Dancers”, etc. The story “Hare Remise” was the last major work of the writer. Leskov died in St. Petersburg.

In the village of Gorokhov, Oryol province, Nikolai Leskov was born on February 4 (16 NS), 1831. He was the son of an official of the criminal chamber. Nikolai grew up on the Strakhov estates, and then in Orel. The father resigns from the chambers and buys the Panin farm in Kromsky district, where he begins to engage in agriculture. In 1841 - 1846, the young man studied at the Oryol gymnasium, but due to the death of his father and a fire on the farm, Nikolai was unable to graduate. The young man goes to serve in the Oryol criminal chamber of the court. In 1849 he was transferred to Kyiv as an official of the treasury chamber at the request of his uncle S. Alferyev. At his uncle's house, the writer's interest in Taras Shevchenko flares up and Ukrainian literature. In 1857, Leskov, having retired, got a job in a large trading company that was engaged in the resettlement of peasants.

In 1860, Leskov acted as a progressive publicist, which gave rise to his activities. In January 1861, Nikolai moved to St. Petersburg and began publishing in Otechestvennye Zapiski. Watching hard life people, the author gave birth to the stories “The Extinguished Cause” (1862), “The Robber”, the story “The Life of a Woman” (1863), “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk District” (1865). In 1862 he visited Poland, western Ukraine, and the Czech Republic, working as a correspondent for the newspaper “Northern Bee”. At the end of the trip I visited Paris. In the spring of 1863 Leskov returned to Russia. Nikolai diligently took up writing and after a while the world saw the story “Musk Ox” (1863), the novels “Nowhere to Go” (1864), “Bypassed” (1865), “On Knives” (1870). In 1870 - 1880 Leskov rethinks everything; communication with Tolstoy greatly influences him, as a result of which national-historical issues emerge: the novel “The Soborians” (1872), “A Seedy Family” (1874). Over the years, stories about artists have also been written: “The Islanders”, “The Captured Angel”. Admiration for the Russian man, his qualities (kindness, generosity) and soul, inspired the poet to write the stories “Lefty (The Tale of the Tula Sideways Lefty and the Steel Flea)” (1881), “The Stupid Artist” (1883), “The Man on the Clock” ( 1887). Leskov left behind a lot satirical works, humor and irony: “Selected Grain”, “Shameless”, “Idle Dancers”, etc. The author’s final major masterpiece was the story “The Hare Remise”.

You can shoe a flea, you can meet an enchanted wanderer only when you plunge into art world famous writer Nikolai Semenovich. Brief biography Nikolai Leskov allows you to understand what he talks about in his works.

In the Oryol province, in the small village of Gorokhovo, Nikolai was born in February 1831. His mother came to this area to visit relatives, and it turned out that this visit also served as the birth of the future writer. The relatives were rich and prosperous people. It is worth noting that the Leskov family belongs to the clergy in its origin. So, all men on the paternal side were priests in the village of Leska, which belongs to the Oryol region. This is where the surname of the writer Nikolai Semenovich came from - Leskovy.

Leskov's parents are pious people, but have a noble title. Thus, the father of the future writer Leskov Semyon Dmitrievich was a servant of the chamber of the criminal court, for such service he was awarded the title of nobleman. Nikolai Semenovich’s mother, Marya Mikhailovna, bore the surname Alferyeva as a girl, and belonged to a family where noble family was passed down from generation to generation.

Born in the village of Gorokhov, in the house of a close relative, Nikolai spent the first years of his life with the Strakhovs. Until the age of 8, he lived and was raised with his cousins ​​and brothers, of whom he had 6 people. To teach the children in this family, teachers were hired, both Russian and German, as well as a French woman.

But soon Nikolai showed his talents and began to do much better in his studies than him. cousins and brothers. Of course, the children’s parents did not like this state of affairs, so very soon the future writer was disliked. Grandmother, the mother of Nikolai’s father, wrote a letter to her son asking him to take the boy home. So, at the age of 8, the future writer finally ended up in the house of his parents, who at that time lived in Orel. But Nikolai Semenovich did not have to live long in this city, because the family soon moved to the Pagnino estate. So, his father was engaged in housekeeping and farming, and Nikolai was sent to study at the Oryol gymnasium. The future writer was 10 years old at that time.

Nikolai Semenovich studied at the gymnasium for five years and proved himself to be a talented and gifted student who found it very easy to study. But in the 4th grade he did poorly on the exam and suddenly, unexpectedly for the teachers, he refused to retake it. As a result of this situation, he was issued a certificate instead of a certificate. There was no way to continue his studies without a certificate, so he was forced to go to work.

His father helped Nikolai Semenovich find a position as a scribe in the Oryol Criminal Chamber. At the age of 17, he held the position of assistant to the head of the same chamber. But in 1848, Nikolai’s father unexpectedly dies and help in future fate young man wants another relative of Alferyev. The professor at Kyiv University was the husband of his mother’s sister, and he invites Nikolai Semenovich to move to Kyiv with him.

Nikolai Semenovich accepted the invitation of a relative and already in 1849 he moved to Kyiv, where already in the Kyiv chamber he occupied the position of assistant to the chief clerk, but already at the recruiting table. And here, completely unexpectedly for all relatives, Leskov decides to get married. His parents try to dissuade him, but everything is useless. His bride was the daughter of a well-known businessman in Kyiv, and besides, he was also a rich man. But the interests of the spouses, as it turned out later, turned out to be completely different, and the death of their first child only widened the gap between them. And already in 1860 this marriage practically did not exist.

But at the same time, his career advancement began: 1853 - collegiate registrar, then chief of staff. In 1856 - provincial secretary. 1857 - agent of the company "Schcott and Wilkins", which was headed by the husband of Leskov's aunt, an Englishman who came to Russia. On the business of this company, Nikolai Semenovich had to travel a lot, so he managed to visit many cities. He spent three years on this service and decided to try his hand at literary creativity. He really liked writing. But he did not want to publish his works under his real name, so he used the pseudonym M. Stebnitsky. But then he came up with other pseudonyms: Nikolai Gorokhov, V., Peresvetov, Freishits and others. For example, there were such interesting ones as the Watch Lover, or the Man from the Crowd.

In 1861, Nikolai Semenovich moved to St. Petersburg. He published his articles in the most popular magazines of the time. But only after leaving his homeland did Leskov begin to write novels.

Nikolai Semenovich died in early March 1895 in St. Petersburg. His death was not unexpected, because he had already suffered from asthma attacks for 5 years and from its next attack he died.

“Lefty” summary, chapter-by-chapter retelling.
The work of Nikolai Semenovich Leskov “Lefty” also has a second name, which you should still know about in order to understand what the content of the whole tale is. So, the second title of the work is: “The Tale of the Tula Oblique Left-Hander and the Steel Flea.” Now let's look at each chapter in more detail, retelling them. There are 20 chapters in the text; they have no title.

Chapter one

Begins with a description of the emperor.
In those times that Nikolai Semenovich Leskov describes, Alexander Pavlovich still ruled. It is known from history that it was this emperor who participated in Congress of Vienna, representing Russia. He was also called Alexander the First and it was he who was on the throne at the time when Russia won the war with Napoleon. But let's return to the plot of the tale.

So, Emperor Alexander Pavlovich ended his participation in the Vienna Council, and he really wanted to travel. Travel around Europe, see what kind of miracles there are in the world, and in which countries they are found.

Alexander I went to travel, traveled around many countries and states, and on the road he communicated with people a lot, as he was very friendly and talkative, and besides, he wanted to know about everything, and people really liked this. Those who tried to surprise the sovereign, seeing the genuineness of his feelings, tried to surprise him even more, trying their best.

But he did not travel alone, but with his faithful servant and assistant Matvey Ivanovich Platov. He was a Don Cossack, had the rank of general and himself took part in battles with Napoleon, where he showed himself heroically. During the trip, nothing could surprise Count Platov, and he tried to influence the emperor. But all the time Platov was drawn to his homeland, where he tried to lure the sovereign Alexander I. And every time, seeing how the sovereign began to be surprised and amazed at everything he saw, Platov replied that at home it was no worse, there were miracles, and the craftsmen are more experienced and skilled. And again I remembered about the house. The English also found out about this, and they decided to invent so many outlandish things that the sovereign would completely distance himself from his state, admiring their foreign deeds and craftsmen. They prepared for a long time, they came up with miracles. And I must say, they succeeded a lot and even some of their tricks were successful. The emperor was sometimes unable to utter a word from admiration. Platov could not do anything, because where there were a lot of people, they spoke mainly in a foreign and unfamiliar language, French, and Matvey Ivanovich could not understand what they were saying. And this didn’t bother him, because he was married, and such events, such as salons and balls, somehow interested him little. I didn’t pay attention to conversations, especially those that were conducted on French, but considered them unnecessary and trivial.

The Don Cossack Platov was calm only until the moment when they suddenly began calling the emperor to look at the wonderful buildings that the British had. For example, factories that were considered soap-saw factories, unusual lockups, or they wanted to show him their amazing weapons factories.

And here Platov decided for himself that it was enough for him to remain silent and agree completely, but he should fight back with the British, stand up for a skilled Russian peasant. As soon as the Cossack thought about this, as soon as he made this correct decision, Emperor Alexander Pavlovich turned to him and said that a trip to one of the armories was planned for tomorrow. And it’s not just the Armory Chamber that the British are going to show the Emperor and surprise, but they have prepared an Armory Chamber of Curiosities for this purpose.

The sovereign also added that the British themselves boasted to him that this museum contained not only the rarest things, but the best exhibits - perfections that nature gave them. And when the sovereign sees all this, the British promised, he will understand that the Russian people are not at all equal to them and are not even a match for them. Platov did not like this, but he did not become insolent and answer his sovereign. But instead, he pulled his hat so low over his forehead that even his hooked nose simply sank into its rags. So, with his cloak lowered, Platov went home, gloomy and gloomy.

When Count Platov, puzzled, returned to his apartment where he lived, he immediately came to life and even demanded that the orderly bring him immediately from the cellar a tincture, not a simple one, but vodka-kislarka, which was made in the Caucasus from grapes and had its own name: because it was produced from the city of Kizlyar. When this drink was served to Platov, he immediately drank it and fell asleep, covering himself as usual with his cloak.

In the second chapter

Platov went with the emperor to see these weapons miracles. This Kunstkamera was located in large room, where the corridors were long, and the halls were large, and in one of them there was even a bust of Abolon of Polveder.

And if the sovereign is surprised by all this, then Platov did not even look at all this, he was just twirling his mustache. And what kind of miracles did the British show the emperor: storm gauges for the sea, resin waterproofs, merblue mantons and much more. The Emperor tried to stir up Platov, but he only said that in Russia it was possible to see other miracles of no less significance. When they began to show the pistol to the sovereign, and he began to admire it, belittling Russian skill, Platov could not stand it and from his wide trousers he took out a screwdriver, special for weapons. He began to disassemble the pistol, although the British were against it. And when he took the dog out of the pistol, everyone saw the inscription in Russian that it was made by Ivan Moskvin from the Russian city of Tula.

So Platov embarrassed the British and immediately perked up. And the British decided to surprise the sovereign again, and while they were dancing at the ball, they came up with new miracles.

In the third chapter

The Emperor and Platov decided to visit the Kunstkamera again. Platov, of course, wanted to object to such a trip, but the emperor really wanted to see more miracles. At first they looked in the halls different varieties sugar, But then Platov asked to bring “rumour” along with the sugar. But the British did not have this, and they heard this word for the first time.

The British were embarrassed, and then they called the emperor and Platov into the last chamber. There they were met by workers holding a tray. No matter how the sovereign and Platov looked at him, the tray was empty. The British showed them a tiny speck, only when they picked it up on their finger, it turned out that it was not a speck at all, but a nymphosoria, which was made of steel and looked like a flea.

But this flea is unusual: in the middle of it there is a winder and a spring. All you have to do is turn the little key and she will immediately start dancing. There is a hole in the flea's belly, you need to insert a key there and then turn it seven times.

Seeing the flea dance, the sovereign demanded that the British be given a million in silver for such an invention. And then they decided to give this flea to the emperor, but they didn’t bring the case. They explained this by saying that the case was official, expensive, and made of extraordinary diamond walnut.

Platov tried to object, but the sovereign stopped him. They got the nut by paying another five thousand. The emperor put a flea in a nut, then he placed this nut in his snuff box made of gold, and the snuff box itself was then placed in a travel box. The sovereign praised the British, but Platov remained silent all this time, and took a small scope with him.

The sovereign decided that there was no equal in English art in the world. And they returned home with different thoughts, and Platov also with resentment for the Russian people.

The most important thing from chapter 4 “Lefty's Tale”

In the fourth chapter

It is told how, after the death of Emperor Alexander Pavlovich, the flea fell into the hands of Empress Elisaveta Alekseevna, but she, having watched her dances, did not pay any attention to it. And then she completely handed it over as an inheritance for the new emperor.

But the new emperor, Nikolai Pavlovich, also did not pay any attention to the flea at first. One day, while rearranging things, he wanted to throw it away, but then he first decided to consult a chemist. Having learned that the thing was not simple, and that it was not made by Russian people, he decided to find out everything about it. Nobody knew what it was or where it came from.

It was here that they remembered Platov. The Don Cossack told the whole story and added that it should not be so that some Englishmen had superiority over Russian masters.

And the new emperor did not want to give up the Russian master to anyone, so he sent Platov to the Tula masters to show these outlandish things.

In the fifth chapter

Platov set off on his journey across Russia and soon he arrived in Tula, where Tula gunsmiths lived. They asked to leave the flea and give them time to think about how to surprise the sovereign.

Platov gave them two weeks and went on with his business.

In the sixth chapter

It tells how Platov left Tula, and the gunsmiths left the city. Among them was a left-handed man who had a braid, and had a birthmark on his face, and whole strands of his hair had been torn out. There were many assumptions and rumors about where the masters went. So, some thought that the masters had gone to Moscow, others believed that they had gone to Kyiv, and still others decided that they simply ran away with the emperor’s valuable item.

In the seventh chapter

It tells how the craftsmen went to the Oryol province to venerate the icon of St. Nicholas, and only then begin work. At night, having returned home, we locked ourselves in and got to work. They did not leave the house for several days, so they attracted the attention of everyone living in the area. And no matter what reasons they came up with to lure them out, nothing helped. In the eighth chapter Platov returns to see the work of the masters. He even grinds his teeth with impatience. But Tula masters are in no hurry. And all those sent back do not return, but Platov is already impatient ordinary people sends from the crowd.

In the ninth chapter tells how Tula craftsmen finished their work. This happened at the very moment when Platov had already galloped up to them. No one could reach the craftsmen; they pulled the shutters and doors so that they cracked and bolts flew out. And when the doors opened, such stuffiness blew in on everyone that many simply could not stand it and fainted.

Meanwhile, the Tula craftsmen slowly put on their caftans, and in a green case they carried the emperor’s Platov box, where there was an English flea made of steel.

In the tenth chapter The craftsmen removed the flea, but kept silent about their work. Platov tried to see something, but could not. Therefore, he accused the masters of deception. They demanded that they be taken to the emperor, where they would show what they had been doing these two weeks and what delicate work they had done. But Platov had already become angry, grabbing the extreme master, a left-hander, by the caftan, throwing him into his carriage and rushing off. A day later, a carriage drove up to the emperor’s court in St. Petersburg, and in it, in addition to Platov, there was also a left-handed man holding a flea.

In the eleventh chapter it tells how Platov, having returned to the emperor’s palace, quietly hid the box, threw the left-handed man into the fortress casemate, and himself came to report to the emperor, hoping that he would not ask about the flea.

But the emperor does not forget anything, and at the end of the conversation about how the internecine conversations went, he asked what his Russian masters did with the flea. Plakhov was forced to admit what happened, but the emperor said that the Russian people could not deceive him.

In chapter twelve They took out the emperor's flea from behind the stove and Platov began to examine it. Finding nothing, the emperor called his daughter Alexandra Nikolaevna, hoping that she could find something unusual; she also looked at the flea. But Alexandra finds nothing.

We decided to get a flea: the music plays, but the flea cannot lift its legs. Plakhov got angry and ran to the left-handed man, took him out of prison, and began to beat him for the damaged thing. And when he calmed down, the left-handed man began to tell him that they should take the smallest microscope and look carefully. They took out a microscope, but Platov sees nothing. And the left-hander tells him to look at the flea’s heel. And then everyone noticed the work of Tula craftsmen. In chapter fourteen Everyone began to examine the flea and saw that it was really savvy. And the left-hander began to say that they had not yet seen everything amazing. It soon became clear that on each horseshoe the name of the master was also displayed. But the name of the left-hander was not there, since he did even finer work, forging nails.

The sovereign decided to send this flea back to England and the left-handed man had to accompany her, following with a courier. They washed the Tula master, dressed him, gave him tea and sent him to London.

In the fifteenth chapter The left-hander reached London, but was very hungry. But then the British did not immediately begin to feed him, and the left-handed man, when he was called to the food reception ward, did not eat all the dishes, saying that they were completely different from Russian dishes.

Seeing the savvy flea, the British began to solder the left-hander. The British began to offer the left-hander to stay with them, promising him many things: they would make him educated and he would be an amazing master. The British barely persuaded the left-hander to stay for a while to stay, and then on the condition that they would then take him to St. Petersburg itself.

In chapter sixteen Lefty visits factories and tries to notice everything, so that later in Russia he can recreate what he saw.

In chapter seventeen Lefty returns home, and on the way he gets very drunk.

In chapter eighteen the Englishman with whom the left-hander had been drinking was taken for treatment. But the left-hander was taken to the police station in his homeland and they began to demand documents. And then they began to look for a hospital that could admit him without documents.

In chapter nineteen Lefty died in the hospital, but before that he asked that guns not be cleaned with bricks. But no one listened to his advice.

In chapter twenty it is said that no one remembers the name of the left-hander, but there are no more such masters left in Tula.

Topic of the section: “Lefty” brief summary, retelling chapter by chapter by Nikolai Semenovich Leskov, read the most important thing.

In 1881, in the 19th century, an almanac called “The Righteous” was published in Russia. Some of its pages are reprinted in a magazine called “Rus”. This edition also published Nikolai Leskov’s tale “Lefty”. We present a summary of the story “Lefty” and an analysis of its main character.

The story is about the Russian Emperor Alexander 1 visiting England.

During the visit, the Russian Tsar is presented with many different strange things, but the most remarkable is a flea that dances.

The emperor really liked this kind of fun. He buys it and brings it to Russia...

Time passes, and now Nicholas 1 rules Russia.

To strengthen his belief in the superiority of Russian craftsmen over others, he finds a flea that was once brought by his predecessor. And then a search was launched across the country for a craftsman who could shoe the insect - a miracle of engineering.

They search for such a person for quite a long time, but still in Tula they find a master nicknamed Lefty, who fulfills the king’s demand, and then, on his orders, goes to England to demonstrate his skills to foreign jewelers.

After a successful trip, he arrives safely in Russia, but upon his return he begins to abuse alcohol heavily and eventually dies.

Content

The essence of the story is that Russia has always been famous for its talented people. In addition, they have always been patriots of their homeland.

The main character from Leskov's story "Lefty" refuses an offer to marry English girl and returns home.

Currently name literary character has become aphoristic. A talented person who creates amazing things is called Lefty.

Chapters 1-5

Alexander 1, after summing up the results of the war with Napoleon, goes on a tour of European countries. In all cities, the king is shown various amazing things created by the hands of local craftsmen.

The Russian Tsar admires everything he sees. Next to him is Ataman Platov, who believes that in Russia you can find craftsmen no worse. At the end of the first chapter, the king comes to England.

In England, Alexander 1 was shown many amazing things, the sight of which delighted him. Platov, on the contrary, is trying to belittle the dignity of the British. The most striking episode is when the Russian Tsar is shown a “pistol” and is told that it was made by “English” jewelers.

And Platov opens the lock on this item and shows the Tsar an inscription that says that the item was made in Russia, namely in Tula. The British remain confused.

And the emperor and his subordinates see her as a metal flea.

You can wind it with a key, and it will move and even dance. The Russian Tsar buys a product for a million. He carefully packs it in a case. And then he goes to Russia.

Upon arrival at his property, Alexander goes about his business and does not remember the purchase, and all this time it is in the case. Then the emperor died and the case was given to his wife. And the widow handed it over, along with the flea, to the new sovereign Nicholas 1.

For a long time he tries to understand why his brother kept the curiosity for so long. Epiphany came only when the old ataman Platov came to the royal chambers. He explains to Nikolai what's what and demonstrates the insect's skills.

Nicholas 1 then tells Platov to go to Russian craftsmen and ask them to create something more perfect.

Platov thinks that no one will implement the ruler’s plans better than the Tula craftsmen. That's why he goes to Tula.

Local jewelers agree to help, but on the condition that the flea remains with them for some time.

Platov unsuccessfully tries to find out why they need this, but never receives an answer. The insect remains in Tula...

Chapters 6-10

Ataman Platov leaves Tula, and the three most skilled craftsmen, among whom was Lefty, leave the city. The locals think that they are leaving because they haven’t come up with anything, but in fact they are trying to retire so that no one will disturb them.

Craftsmen go to Mtsensk, where in the temple there is an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. They prayed before miraculous icon and returned back to Tula. There they retired to the house.

The locals were very curious about what was happening there, beyond closed doors? They lured the craftsmen out into the street in every possible way, but they worked enthusiastically and did not listen to anyone.

At the time that the Russian masters were playing tricks with the flea, Platov was on the Don. There he conducted business negotiations.

After they finished, I came back to Tula, but did not go to the gunsmiths personally, but sent messengers.

The messengers arrive at the house of the Tula masters. They knock on their door and also on their windows. But the masters work enthusiastically and do not open things up.

As a result, the messengers remove the roof from the house and tell the gunsmiths to go to the chieftain. At this time the work was successfully completed.

Platov's flea was returned. He began to ask what the craftsmen did with the flea, because he did not see their achievements. They replied that only the emperor could appreciate their efforts.

The chieftain became angry at such speeches, out of anger he threw the hero into a tarantass and took him with him to the emperor. When they arrived, the ataman went to the king, and Lefty remained at the entrance to the royal chambers.

Chapters 11-15

The chieftain talks about everything and nothing, thinking that the king has forgotten about the flea. But Nikolai remembers his order and orders the work of the gunsmiths to be presented. The chieftain explains that it seems like the master didn’t do anything new with the flea. And then the emperor decides to personally examine the flea.

The Emperor examines the flea, starts its mechanism, but the insect does not move. Platov sees all this and becomes furious: he runs to the master, beats him and accuses him of breaking the flea.

The left-hander does not give in to provocations and stubbornly insists that the work can only be seen by looking into a special device.

Lefty appears before the eyes of the Tsar-Father and explains the meaning of the work done. It turns out that the flea is now savvy. The Tsar was very happy, because now Russian masters had become a position higher than foreign ones.

The Russian Tsar decides to send the hero to England to demonstrate his skills to the “there” craftsmen. The hero agrees, receives new clothes from the emperor and goes.

Arriving in England, the master remains at the hotel for now, and the courier goes to the local craftsmen with the flea. The British saw the work of the Russians and asked to meet the master. We met. It turned out that Lefty's studies consisted of reading church books. The hero knows absolutely no mathematics.

Chapters 16-20

The left-handed British show their plants and factories to persuade the talented Russian man to stay.

But how true patriot, the hero did not give in to provocations and asked to go home.

In the end, he was put on a ship sailing to Russia, given money and an English watch made of pure gold as a souvenir.

It is very sad for the hero to sail on the sea. To cheer himself up, he argues with the polyskipper about who will outdrink whom.

At the end of the voyage, both of them feel sick, so no one wins the bet.

The ship arrived in Russia. The hero feels very bad. They decide to take him to the clinic. But he does not have an identity document and is not accepted anywhere. Meanwhile, Lefty only gets worse and is placed in a hospital for commoners.

The polyskipper is looking for Lefty, and when he finds him, he discovers that the hero is very ill and is on the verge of death. The dying master asks his friend to inform the king that in England they don’t clean guns with bricks... But this request remains unfulfilled. Main character dying...

At the end of the story, Leskov talks about Russian nuggets and the fact that people remember them...

Attention! Summary a story or its retelling cannot give a complete picture of the work.

Main character

Who is Lefty, the hero from Leskov’s story. The author shows the reader that the hero of the story lives in the city of Tula, is very poor, and poorly dressed. Appearance is also unpresentable. On top of everything else, the hero squints in one eye. Despite everything, this man is an excellent master.

The essence of the story can be summed up in an aphorism: “Let the Russian land not be depleted of talents.”

In the image of the main character, the author wants to convey the idea that such talent is not in demand.

After all, the hero has no financial opportunity develop your skill. And the sovereign is amazed only at foreign wonders.

Wikipedia provides all the necessary information if you read as carefully as possible. There is both a title and a story behind the creation of the work.

The plot is presented in detail. The main ones are listed characters story. Described artistic features text.

The prototype of Lefty is named and described in as much detail as possible. At the end of the article there are links to the film adaptation of the work. These are feature and animated films.

Annotation

After Alexander's death, the item passed into the hands of his brother Nicholas 1, who was confident that Russian craftsmen could do better. To find such a craftsman in Rus', they sent in search of the old Don atman...

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Let's sum it up

Today the work is relevant. This is the phenomenon of the classical text. Nikolai Leskov tries to awaken in the reader kindness towards people and everything around him.

The idea can be expressed by the proverb: “He has a sheep’s fur coat, but a man’s soul” or “They greet you by their clothes, but they see you off by their mind.”