An analysis of Gumilev's poem "Memory", a short summary, an extract

This article will be devoted to one of the most famous poets of the Silver Age. More precisely, we will analyze Gumilyov's poem "Memory".

About the poem

Poems were written in 1920. In it, the writer refers to the theme of memory and the change of the human soul. For greater clarity Gumilev compares a person to a snake. And his conclusion is disappointing - the snake, having the opportunity to dump the skin, retains its young soul, and man is not given such luxury, his soul changes, not the body: "Only the snakes shed their skin ... We change souls, not bodies."

In reflections, the poet returns to his past and understands that in his life he has "changed his soul" four times. In accordance with these hypostases, the poem can also be divided into four parts for the convenience of analysis.

First part

Let's begin the analysis of Gumilev's poem "Memory" from the description of the first "soul" of the poet. In this hypostasis, he is still an "ugly and delicate" child, who only has "a tree and a red dog" from friends. Before the reader appears a lonely ugly duckling, who, however, is destined to change, "becoming a swan arrogant."

According to Gumilev's contemporaries, in childhood he was really a very unattractive child, do not forget about his congenital squint.

The second part

We continue the analysis of Gumilev's poem "Memory", referring to the second part of the work. Now the reader is presented with the following "soul" of the lyric hero. He is a poet who "wanted to become both a god and a king". The author himself after many years admits that he did not like this hero at all.

Critics correlate this hypostasis of the poet with the first publication of the collection of poems Gumilev in 1905, which was called "The Way of the Conquistadors." This book was very romantic and sensual. Later Gumilev repeatedly said that he would at all forget about its existence.

Indeed, it turns out that in his youth he was a completely different person, unlike himself now. These past "souls" absolutely do not cause the lyrical hero to yearn for the deceased or sentimental. On the contrary, he describes them with a coldness and even a certain disgust, completely not understanding them.

The third part

So we brought an analysis of Gumilyov's poem "Memory" to the third "soul" of the lyrical hero, which is embodied in the shooter and navigator. To this his past hypostasis, the lyrical hero is far more favorable: "I love the chosen one of freedom."

Dreams of distant countries and cities attracted Gumilev from childhood. During his life the poet visited Africa, Abyssinia, Egypt, Italy. And judging by the glorified courage, courage and description of the beautiful life of the traveler, the passion for adventure did not leave the lyric hero after a lapse of years. He dreams of the freedom that he once had, despite all the dangers that he faced. But then to him "the water was ringing and the clouds were envious."

Alas, but this stage of life has sunk into oblivion. There is no longer that fearless and free traveler. Once again the soul had to be reborn.

Fourth part

Gumilev Nikolai Stepanovich tells about his life in this poem. And here we come to the moment when the poet fell out to take part in the First World War. Then Gumilev went to the front among the volunteers, believing that he was doing his duty to the Motherland: "He exchanged gay freedom / At the sacred long-awaited battle."

In the war, the poet rose to the rank of ensign of the hussar regiment and was distinguished by unprecedented courage in battle. For this he was twice awarded the St. George Cross: "Saint George touched twice."

Despite all the awards, Gumilev Nikolai Stepanovich was never a supporter of the war and did not accept it, as also mentioned in the poem. The battle for him is only flour, but not a place where you can show your valor.

It was during the war that the fourth "soul" was born who loves the motherland, believes in the best and people, empathizes with their suffering and torment. The homeland becomes the key to this part of the poem.

However, despite the fact that at the time of writing in Russia, a revolution took place, the writer does not mention it at all. As if for him it was not.

The last stanzas

The last stanzas especially strong came out from under the pen, which Nikolai Gumilev held in his hand. "Memory" ends with the image of a traveler with a hidden face, ahead of which the eagle flies, and behind it there is a lion. These characters symbolize Christ and his companions - Mark, associated with the symbolism of the lion, and John, embodied in the eagle.

Thus, Gumilev compares the immortality of God, bequeathed his teachings to followers, and the immortality of the poet, who retained his thoughts in verse. The author, of course, doubts his immortality, talking about the birth of new souls, and hence the death of the old, but he has the only hope for eternal life - creativity. Only it can help a man to become an equal to God.

So, we ended up outlining the summary of the verse and its analysis. In fact, the poem became an autobiography of Gumilyov, in which he reflected all the spiritual changes that ever occurred in him.