Contents
What is the meaning of the Kalmyk tale told by Pugachev in the Captain’s Daughter
Circumstances brought the protagonist of the novel “The Captain’s Daughter” Grinev to the robber Pugachev. Together they went to the Belogorsk fortress to free the orphan who was languishing there, and on the way they frankly started talking. What is the meaning of the Kalmyk tale, told by Pugachev in response to Grinev’s offer to surrender at the mercy of the empress, will remain a mystery to those who are unfamiliar with Russian history.
Who is Pugachev, described by Pushkin in “The Captain’s Daughter”
The sinister and mysterious character Emelyan Pugachev is a real historical figure. This Don Cossack became the leader of the Peasant War in the 70s of the XNUMXth century. He declared himself Peter III and, with the support of the Cossacks, dissatisfied with the existing government, raised an uprising. Some cities received the rebels with bread and salt, others defended themselves with the last of their strength from the invasion of the rebels. Thus, the city of Orenburg survived a grueling siege that lasted six months.
What is the meaning of Pugachev’s Kalmyk tale is clear to those who know about the Pugachev revolt
In October 1773, the Pugachev army, which was joined by the Tatars, Bashkirs and Kalmyks, approached Orenburg. The 11th chapter of the story “The Captain’s Daughter”, which describes the conversation between Guriev and Pugachev, unfolds in that terrible winter of the Orenburg siege.
What is said in the tale told by Pugachev
In the wagon on the winter road leading to the Belogorsk fortress, a conversation takes place in which the future fate and true thoughts of the leader of the Peasant War are revealed. When asked by Grinev about the meaning and purpose of the uprising, Pugachev admits that it is doomed to defeat. He does not believe in the loyalty of his people, he knows that they will betray him at a convenient moment to save their lives.
When asked to surrender to the authorities, the robber, like a small child, tells Grinev a tale about a raven and an eagle. Its meaning is that the eagle, wishing to live for 300 years, asks the crow for advice. The raven invites the eagle not to kill, but to eat carrion, as he does.
In the form of an eagle, a bird of prey and a free bird – Pugachev himself, this is also evidenced by the eagle’s life of 33 years, as long as the robber lived. In the form of a raven eating carrion, a man who serves the royal government.
In nature, crows live half as many as eagles, therefore, the tale has no hint of a successful outcome for the main character – an eagle. Rather, one can notice contempt and disgust for the alien way of thinking, which his interlocutor is trying to impose on Pugachev.