Summary of "The Chorus and Kalinych" in the Context of his Understanding by Turgenev

The essay "The Chorus and Kalinych" is a real decoration of Turgenev's collection of short stories and essays "Notes of a Hunter". He absorbed both the personal observations of the writer and his views on the social structure of the Russian "backwoods." This narrative is deeply true, as evidenced by its concise content. "The Chorus and Kalinych" - a real image of the people's life for a wide readership.

The problem of the work

This essay was relevant and timely. The fact is that in Turgenev's time in society there was no unity in understanding the problem of "proximity to the people". It was interpreted differently by the Slavophils (claiming that the peasants are committed to "antiquity" and are in opposition to reforms) and bourgeois ideologists (who maintain that the relations between fathers-landowners and peasant children are harmonious). Characteristics of Horia and Kalinich, these views clearly refute.

Prototypes of the heroes of the essay

As is known from the plot of the narrative, a landowner of the Kaluga province, Mr. Polutykin met on the basis of mutual predilection for hunting with the author of the narrative. The heroes of the story "The Chorus and Kalinych" are real. In fact, the hospitable host of hunting grounds was called Nikolai Aleksandrovich Golofeev. Ivan really did meet him on the hunt and stayed with him for several days. Moreover, after reading Turgenev's story and recognizing himself in it, Mr. Golofeev disagreed with Ivan Sergeyevich.

The image of the well-to-do serf Horia, a strong master, an educated man, is real to the smallest detail. The present village of Khorevka of the Ulyanovsk district of the Kaluga region has grown from the former Khorya farmstead. Years later, Khorya was visited by Afanasy Afanasyevich Fet, noting the cordiality and the "oats of the 80-year-old owner", to whom "the years are nothing." Guests of the owner of the farm always proudly showed Turgenev's composition. He, of course, knew by heart his summary. "The Chorus and Kalinych", thus, reflects real people and real facts.

The friendship of Horia and Kalinych

The chorus is a calm, reasonable family man. But he does not have a servant. A large friendly family of Khorya: six sons, as powerful as their father, build tall spacious log huts, keep housekeeping, help each other. Once the landowner Polutykin allowed him to leave the rural community, having established a rent of 50 rubles. The Chor founded his farm so unfolded economic activity that he considered it fair to pay the landowner 100 rubles. If desired, he could pay off and become free, but he does not want it. For what? His element - earth and work and so always with him. He is by nature a rationalist, an economic manager. The chorus is well-oriented in society and legally.

This strong master, ironically, has a real friend, Kalinich, oddly enough, quite the opposite of him. The last lives a man. Kalynych does not know how to farm, earn and save money. However, he has other advantages. He understands animals, knows how to handle bees, has extrasensory abilities, which he uses for treatment. Quite different people, Chor and Kalinych. The summary of the story, however, testifies to their close friendship. Practical and sensible Choir thanks to Kalinych receives assistance in the treatment of domestic animals, treatment of folk medicine if necessary, and Kalynych - support from Khor on everyday issues, where he is a layman. In addition, they are both interesting interlocutors. Turgenev wrote in the story that he left their company with great reluctance.

Khorya's views on Russian society

The educated worker Horus refutes the views of the "experts of the people" of the Slavophiles, who praise pre-Petrine Rus, who are discussing the patriarchy of the Russian peasantry. A competent owner of the farm enters into polemics with them. He believes that Peter I in his reforms did exactly as a real Russian peasant had to do. The sketch included this lively folk outlook, as evidenced by a brief summary. "The Chorus and Kalinych" by the mouths of this real "master of the land" says that if a man needs to change something, he, having perceived practical benefit from this, is not afraid to make changes.

On the other hand, the philosopher Horus, according to his development, views and spiritual world, has long felt superior to the landowner Polutykin. He feels that he is thinking deeper, and the economy is more confident. However, thanks to the natural mind, he is always respectful with his "master", although at leisure he is not averse to infringing on him. Comprehending the relations between Polutykin and Khor, we must admit that this state of affairs, to put it mildly, does not correlate with bourgeois views on the landowners-fathers.

Conclusion

What should I note after reading this summary? "The Chorus and Kalinych" is a story written on time and to the point. He caused a great public outcry, polemic. In delight with the work were Belinsky, Herzen, Annenkov. However, the story was not accepted by the Slavophils, the Aksakov brothers. But the reaction of the censor E. Volkov, who saw "a harmful thought for the peasantry", is particularly revealing, that he can be better at liberty than even the landlord.