"Garnet Bracelet": characteristics of the characters, their role in the work. History of the character What Vera Nikolaevna understood at the end of the work

Vera Nikolaevna was a slightly cold, beautiful young woman. She looked like her mother, a beautiful Englishwoman. She had a flexible figure and beautiful shoulders, and her face was proud and beautiful, everyone always admired her beauty and sophistication. She was married to Prince Shein, Vasily Lvovich. He was her childhood friend, and then they got married. Vera Nikolaevna was not only beautiful, but also kind and smart. Her love for her husband had long become a deep friendship, but she tried to help him cope with his affairs, she denied herself something to make things easier.

Vera Nikolaevna was a real woman, she wanted to have children very much, but she couldn’t, so they transferred all their care to her husband, and also to the children of her sister, Anna. In addition, Vera Nikolaevna was compassionate, because she felt sorry for the man who loved her, despite the fact that he sometimes caused her troubles. She felt sorry for him, and she felt that a tragedy of the soul was happening before her eyes, this shows. that she was very sensitive. She treats the situation with understanding, doesn’t make a problem out of it, it just makes her uncomfortable, because she doesn’t like Zheltkov, he has become just a permanent person who appears sometimes. Vera Nikolaevna is capable of love and compassion, which she shows in her attitude towards her admirer. She is the very embodiment of calm and dignity in any situation, very honest and generous towards the weak, but also a little arrogant, although she does not try to appear so. This is her innate quality.

Reflects the life of provincial nobles. They went to the dacha in the summer, and lived in cities during the cold season. The author paints the image of Princess Vera as a portrait of a sedate married woman leading a measured, carefree life, but everything changes when a suitor gives her a precious garnet bracelet as a gift for her name day.

Garnet bracelet: image of Vera

With her article, Vera Sheina resembles her English mother. She has “aristocratic beauty”: a tall and “flexible figure”, sloping beautiful shoulders and a gentle face. The hereditary princess communicates coldly with everyone, she is “...independent and royally calm...”, but at the same time courteous and amiable.

The image of the royal princess Vera Nikolaevna in “” leaves no doubt about her high origin. People who are not familiar with her understand that this is a true lady from her suit, hat and gloves, as well as her constant, somewhat authoritative tone.

Characteristics of Faith

Vera Nikolaevna is slowly fading from her measured life. She, describing the sea, talks about her faded feelings: what initially pleases and excites her, after a while depresses her “with its flat emptiness.” And she wants to go to the multifaceted forest with its mosses, fly agarics and coolness, which cannot bore her.

“Prudent Verenka,” according to the characterization given to her by the author in the novel “Garnet Bracelet,” is very gambling. Vera Nikolaevna in this description is similar to her sister, who took after her father, the Tatar prince Mirza-Bulat-Tuganovsky. When it comes to cards, they “…didn’t have any restraint in their excitement…”.

The princess helps her husband, whose financial affairs are not very good. A caring wife denies herself many things, does it unnoticed by her husband, so as not to offend him. Saves on household expenses. At the same time, the passionate love of this couple has long turned “... into a feeling<...>true friendship."

An unknown admirer, who began to pursue Vera before her marriage to Vasily Shein, gives her a garnet bracelet as a name day gift. This event bursts like a whirlwind into the calm and measured life of a noble family.

Vera Nikolaevna has an honest and open relationship with her husband. Therefore, not wanting to have any secrets from him, she informs her husband about this. Vera’s unmarried brother, fellow prosecutor Nikolai Nikolaevich, believes that it is necessary to put the insolent man in his place. And kind Vera says that she feels sorry for the “unhappy” lover. The husband, Vasily Shein, is less radical and goes to a meeting to talk with the madman who dared to do such a reckless act.

G.S. Zheltkov turns out to be a poor employee. Vasily sees that he loves his wife with true all-forgiving love. For this person, she is the only joy, the only consolation in life, the only thought.

Russian writer, translator.

Date and place of birth: September 7, 1870, Narovchatsky district, Penza province, Russian Empire.

Kuprin's first literary experience was poetry that remained unpublished. The first published work was the story “The Last Debut” (1889).

In 1910, Kuprin wrote the story “The Garnet Bracelet”. which was based on real events.

"Garnet bracelet"

Heroes

Prince Vasily Lvovich Shein

He is one of the main characters, the husband of Vera Nikolaevna Sheina, and the brother of Lyudmila Lvovna Durasova; prince and provincial leader of the nobility. Vasily Lvovich is highly respected in society. He has a well-established life and an outwardly prosperous family in all respects. In fact, his wife feels nothing but friendly feelings and respect for him. The prince's financial situation also leaves much to be desired. Princess Vera tried with all her might to help Vasily Lvovich avoid complete ruin.

Vera Nikolaevna Sheina

Georgy Stepanovich Zheltkov

Anna Nikolaevna Friesse

Nikolai Nikolaevich Mirza-Bulat-Tuganovsky

General Yakov Mikhailovich Anosov

Lyudmila Lvovna Durasova

Gustav Ivanovich Friesse

Ponamarev

Bakhtinsky

“Garnet Bracelet” summary

Source – I

In September, a small festive dinner was being prepared at the dacha in honor of the hostess’s name day. Vera Nikolaevna Sheina received earrings as a gift from her husband this morning. She was glad that the holiday was to be held at the dacha, since her husband’s financial affairs were not in the best way. Sister Anna came to help Vera Nikolaevna prepare dinner. Guests were arriving. The weather turned out to be good, and the evening passed with warm, sincere conversations. The guests sat down to play poker. At this time the messenger brought a package. It contained a gold bracelet with garnets and a small green stone in the middle. There was a note attached to the gift. It said that the bracelet was a family heirloom of the donor, and the green stone was a rare garnet that has the properties of a talisman.

The holiday was in full swing. The guests played cards, sang, joked, and looked at an album with satirical pictures and stories made by the owner. Among the stories was a story about a telegraph operator in love with Princess Vera, who pursued his beloved, despite her refusal. An unrequited feeling drove him to a madhouse.

Almost all the guests have left. Those who remained talked with General Anosov, whom the sisters called grandfather, about his military life and love adventures. Walking through the garden, the general tells Vera about the story of his unsuccessful marriage. The conversation turns to understanding true love. Anosov tells stories about men who valued love more than their own lives. He asks Vera about the story about the telegraph operator. It turned out that the princess had never seen him and did not know who he really was.

When Vera returned, she found her husband and brother Nikolai having an unpleasant conversation. All together they decided that these letters and gifts discredit the name of the princess and her husband, so this story must be put to an end. Not knowing anything about the princess’s admirer, Nikolai and Vasily Lvovich Shein found him. Vera’s brother attacked this pitiable man with threats. Vasily Lvovich showed generosity and listened to him. Zheltkov admitted that he loved Vera Nikolaevna hopelessly, but too much to be able to overcome this feeling. In addition, he said that he would no longer bother the princess, since he had squandered government money and was forced to leave. The next day, a newspaper article revealed the official's suicide. The postman brought a letter, from which Vera learned that love for her was Zheltkov’s greatest joy and grace. Standing at the coffin, Vera Nikolaevna understands that the wonderful deep feeling that Anosov spoke about has passed her by.

Source – II

en.wikipedia.org

On her name day, Princess Vera Nikolaevna Sheina received from her longtime anonymous admirer as a gift a gold bracelet with five large deep red cabochon garnets surrounding a green stone - a rare variety of garnet. Being a married woman, she considered herself not entitled to receive any gifts from strangers.

Her brother, Nikolai Nikolaevich, assistant prosecutor, together with her husband, Prince Vasily Lvovich, found the sender. He turned out to be a modest official Georgy Zheltkov. Many years ago, he accidentally saw Princess Vera in a box at a circus performance and fell in love with her with pure and unrequited love. Several times a year, on major holidays, he allowed himself to write letters to her.

When brother Nikolai Nikolaevich, having appeared at Zheltkov’s home with his husband, returned his garnet bracelet and in a conversation mentioned the possibility of turning to the authorities to stop the persecution, according to him, of Princess Vera Nikolaevna, Zheltkov asked permission from the princess’s husband and brother to call her. She told him that if he were not there, she would be calmer. Zheltkov asked to listen to Beethoven’s Sonata No. 2. Then he took the bracelet that had been returned to him to the landlady with a request to hang the decoration on the icon of the Mother of God (according to Catholic custom), locked himself in his room and shot himself so that Princess Vera could live in peace. He did all this out of love for Vera and for her good. Zheltkov left a suicide note in which he explained that he shot himself because of embezzlement of government money.

Vera Nikolaevna, having learned about Zheltkov’s death, asked her husband’s permission and went to the suicide’s apartment to look at least once at the man who had unrequitedly loved her for so many years. Returning home, she asked Jenny Reiter to play something, without doubting that she would play exactly the part of the sonata that Zheltkov wrote about. Sitting in a flower garden to the sounds of beautiful music, Vera Nikolaevna pressed herself against the trunk of an acacia tree and cried. She realized that the love that General Anosov spoke about, which every woman dreams of, passed her by. When the pianist finished playing and came out to the princess, she began to kiss her and said: “No, no,” he has forgiven me now. Everything is fine".

Source – III

The messenger handed over a package with a small jewelry case addressed to Princess Vera Nikolaevna Sheina through the maid. The princess reprimanded her, but Dasha said that the messenger immediately ran away, and she did not dare to tear the birthday girl away from the guests.

Inside the case was a gold, low-grade blown bracelet covered with garnets, among which was a small green stone. The letter enclosed in the case contained congratulations on Angel's Day and a request to accept the bracelet that belonged to his great-grandmother. The green pebble is a very rare green garnet that imparts the gift of providence and protects men from violent death. The letter ended with the words: “Your humble servant G.S.Zh. before death and after death.”

Vera took the bracelet in her hands - alarming, thick red living lights lit up inside the stones. “Definitely blood!” - she thought and returned to the living room.

Prince Vasily Lvovich was at that moment demonstrating his humorous home album, which had just been opened on the “story” “Princess Vera and the Telegraph Operator in Love.” “It’s better not to,” she asked. But the husband had already begun a commentary on his own drawings, full of brilliant humor. Here a girl named Vera receives a letter with kissing doves, signed by telegraph operator P.P.Zh. Here young Vasya Shein returns Vera’s wedding ring: “I don’t dare interfere with your happiness, and yet it’s my duty to warn you: telegraph operators are seductive, but treacherous." But Vera marries the handsome Vasya Shein, but the telegraph operator continues to persecute him. Here he is, disguised as a chimney sweep, entering Princess Vera’s boudoir. So, having changed clothes, he enters their kitchen as a dishwasher. Finally, he is in a madhouse, etc.

“Gentlemen, who wants some tea?” - Vera asked. After tea the guests began to leave. The old general Anosov, whom Vera and her sister Anna called grandfather, asked the princess to explain what was true in the prince’s story.

G.S.Zh. (and not P.P.Zh.) began to pursue her with letters two years before her marriage. Obviously, he constantly watched her, knew where she went at the evenings, how she was dressed. When Vera, also in writing, asked not to bother her with his persecutions, he fell silent about love and limited himself to congratulations on holidays, like today, on her name day.

The old man was silent. “Maybe this is a maniac? Or maybe, Verochka, your path in life was crossed by precisely the kind of love that women dream of and that men are no longer capable of.”

After the guests left, Vera’s husband and her brother Nikolai decided to find the admirer and return the bracelet. The next day they already knew the address of G.S.Zh. It turned out to be a man of about thirty to thirty-five. He did not deny anything and admitted the indecency of his behavior. Having discovered some understanding and even sympathy in the prince, he explained to him that, alas, he loved his wife and neither deportation nor prison would kill this feeling. Except death. He must admit that he has squandered government money and will be forced to flee the city, so that they will not hear from him again.

The next day, Vera read in the newspaper about the suicide of the control chamber official G.S. Zheltkov, and in the evening the postman brought his letter.

Zheltkov wrote that for him his whole life lies only in her, in Vera Nikolaevna. This is the love with which God rewarded him for something. As he leaves, he repeats in delight: “Hallowed be Thy name.” If she remembers him, then let her play the D major part of Beethoven’s “Appassionata”; he thanks her from the bottom of his heart for being his only joy in life.

Vera could not help but go to say goodbye to this man. Her husband completely understood her impulse.

The face of the man lying in the coffin was serene, as if he had learned a deep secret. Vera raised his head, placed a large red rose under his neck and kissed his forehead. She understood that the love that every woman dreams of passed her by.

Returning home, she found only her institute friend, the famous pianist Jenny Reiter. “Play something for me,” she asked.

And Jenny (lo and behold!) began to play the part of “Appassionata” that Zheltkov indicated in the letter. She listened, and words formed in her mind, like couplets, ending with the prayer: “Hallowed be Thy name.” "What happened to you?" - Jenny asked, seeing her tears. “...He has forgiven me now. “Everything is fine,” Vera answered.

Kuprin Alexander Ivanovich - “Garnet Bracelet” summary of the story updated: May 31, 2018 by: website

Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin is a Russian writer who, without a doubt, can be classified as a classic. His books are still recognizable and loved by the reader, not only under the compulsion of a school teacher, but at a conscious age. A distinctive feature of his work is documentary, his stories were based on real events or real events became the impetus for their creation - among them the story “Garnet Bracelet”.

“The Garnet Bracelet” is a true story that Kuprin heard from friends while looking through family albums. The governor's wife made sketches for letters sent to her by a certain telegraph official who was unrequitedly in love with her. One day she received a gift from him: a gold-plated chain with a pendant in the shape of an Easter egg. Alexander Ivanovich took this story as the basis for his work, turning these meager, uninteresting data into a touching story. The writer replaced the chain with the pendant with a bracelet with five garnets, which, according to what King Solomon said in one story, mean anger, passion and love.

Plot

“The Pomegranate Bracelet” begins with preparations for the celebration, when Vera Nikolaevna Sheina suddenly receives a gift from an unknown person: a bracelet with five garnets flecked in green. On the paper note that came with the gift, it is indicated that the gemstone is capable of endowing the owner with foresight. The princess shares the news with her husband and shows a bracelet from an unknown person. As the action progresses, it turns out that this person is a petty official named Zheltkov. He first saw Vera Nikolaevna at the circus many years ago, and since then the suddenly flared up feelings have not faded away: even her brother’s threats do not stop him. However, Zheltkov does not want to torment his beloved, and he decides to commit suicide so as not to bring shame on her.

The story ends with the realization of the strength of the stranger’s sincere feelings, which comes to Vera Nikolaevna.

Love theme

The main theme of the work “Garnet Bracelet” is undoubtedly the theme of unrequited love. Moreover, Zheltkov is a shining example of selfless, sincere, sacrificial feelings that he does not betray, even when his loyalty cost his life. Princess Sheina also fully feels the power of these emotions: years later she realizes that she wants to be loved and love again - and the jewelry donated by Zheltkov marks the imminent appearance of passion. Indeed, she soon falls in love with life again and feels it in a new way.

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The theme of love in the story is frontal and permeates the entire text: this love is high and pure, a manifestation of God. Vera Nikolaevna feels internal changes even after Zheltkov’s suicide - she learned the sincerity of a noble feeling and willingness to sacrifice herself for the sake of someone who will give nothing in return. Love changes the character of the entire story: the princess’s feelings die, fade, fall asleep, having once been passionate and ardent, and turned into a strong friendship with her husband. But Vera Nikolaevna still continues to strive for love in her soul, even if this has become dulled over time: she needed time to let passion and sensuality come out, but before that her calmness could seem indifferent and cold - this puts a high wall for Zheltkov.

1. Zheltkov worked as a minor official in the control chamber (the author placed him there to emphasize that the main character was a small man). Kuprin does not even indicate his name in the work: only the letters are signed with initials. Zheltkov is exactly how the reader imagines a man of low position: thin, pale-skinned, straightening his jacket with nervous fingers. He has delicate facial features and blue eyes. According to the story, Zheltkov is about thirty years old, he is not rich, modest, decent and noble - even Vera Nikolaevna’s husband notes this. The elderly owner of his room says that during the eight years that he lived with her, he became like family to her, and he was a very nice person to talk to. “...Eight years ago I saw you in a box at the circus, and then in the first second I said to myself: I love her because there is nothing like her in the world, there is nothing better...” - this is how the modern fairy tale about Zheltkov’s feelings for Vera Nikolaevna, although he never cherished hopes that they would be mutual: “...seven years of hopeless and polite love...”. He knows the address of his beloved, what she does, where she spends her time, what she wears - he admits that he is not interested in anything other than her and is not happy.
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3. Vera Nikolaevna Sheina inherited her mother's appearance: a tall, stately aristocrat with a proud face. Her character is strict, uncomplicated, calm, she is polite and courteous, kind to everyone. She has been married to Prince Vasily Shein for more than six years; together they are full members of high society, organizing balls and receptions, despite financial difficulties.
4. General Anosov is Anna’s godfather, his full name is Yakov Mikhailovich Anosov. He is fat and tall, good-natured, patient, hard of hearing, he has a large, red face with clear eyes, he is very respected for the years of his service, fair and courageous, has a clear conscience, always wears a frock coat and cap, uses a hearing horn and a stick.
5. Prince Vasily Lvovich Shein is the husband of Vera Nikolaevna. Little is said about his appearance, only that he has blond hair and a large head. He is very soft, compassionate, sensitive - he treats Zheltkov’s feelings with understanding, and is unshakably calm. He has a sister, a widow, whom he invites to the celebration.

Features of Kuprin's creativity

Kuprin was close to the theme of the character’s awareness of life’s truth. He saw the world around him in a special way and sought to learn something new; his works are characterized by drama, a certain anxiety, and excitement. “Educational pathos” is called the hallmark of his work.

In many ways, Kuprin’s work was influenced by Dostoevsky, especially in the early stages, when he writes about fatal and significant moments, the role of chance, the psychology of characters’ passions - often the writer makes it clear that not everything can be understood.

It can be said that one of the features of Kuprin’s work is a dialogue with readers, in which the plot is traced and reality is depicted - this is especially noticeable in his essays, which in turn were influenced by G. Uspensky.

Some of his works are famous for their lightness and spontaneity, poeticization of reality, naturalness and authenticity. Others are the theme of inhumanity and protest, the struggle for feelings. At some point, he begins to be interested in history, antiquity, legends, and thus fantastic stories are born with motives of the inevitability of chance and fate.

Genre and composition

Kuprin is characterized by a love of plots within plots. “The Garnet Bracelet” is further proof: Zheltkov’s note about the qualities of the jewelry is the plot within the plot.

The author shows love from different points of view - love in general terms and Zheltkov’s unrequited feelings. These feelings have no future: Vera Nikolaevna’s marital status, differences in social status, circumstances - everything is against them. This doom reveals the subtle romanticism invested by the writer in the text of the story.

The entire work is ringed by references to the same piece of music – a Beethoven sonata. Thus, the music that “sounds” throughout the story shows the power of love and is the key to understanding the text, heard in the final lines. Music communicates the unsaid. Moreover, it is Beethoven’s sonata at the climax that symbolizes the awakening of Vera Nikolaevna’s soul and the awareness that comes to her. Such attention to melody is also a manifestation of romanticism.

The composition of the story implies the presence of symbols and hidden meanings. So the fading garden implies the fading passion of Vera Nikolaevna. General Anosov tells short stories about love - these are also small plots within the main narrative.

It is difficult to determine the genre of “Garnet Bracelet”. In fact, the work is called a story largely due to its composition: it consists of thirteen short chapters. However, the writer himself called “The Garnet Bracelet” a story.

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Still from the film “Garnet Bracelet” (1964)

In August, a holiday at a suburban seaside resort was ruined by bad weather. The empty dachas were sadly wet in the rain. But in September the weather changed again and sunny days arrived. Princess Vera Nikolaevna Sheina did not leave her dacha - renovations were going on in her house - and now she is enjoying the warm days.

The princess's name day is coming. She is glad that it fell during the summer season - in the city they would have had to give a ceremonial dinner, and the Sheins “barely made ends meet.”

Princess Vera, whose former passionate love for her husband had long since turned into a feeling of strong, faithful, true friendship, tried with all her might to help the prince refrain from complete ruin.

Her younger sister Anna Nikolaevna Friesse, the wife of a very rich and very stupid man, and her brother Nikolai come to Vera’s name day. Towards evening, Prince Vasily Lvovich Shein brings the rest of the guests.

A package with a small jewelry case addressed to Princess Vera Nikolaevna is brought in the midst of simple country entertainment. Inside the case is a gold, low-grade blown bracelet, covered with garnets, which surround a small green stone.

When Vera... turned the bracelet in front of the light of an electric light bulb, then in them, deep under their smooth egg-shaped surface, lovely thick red living lights suddenly lit up.

In addition to the garnet bracelet, a letter is found in the case. An unknown donor congratulates Vera on Angel's Day and asks to accept a bracelet that belonged to his great-grandmother. The green pebble is a very rare green garnet that conveys the gift of providence and protects men from violent death. The author of the letter reminds the princess how seven years ago he wrote her “stupid and wild letters.” The letter ends with the words: “Your humble servant G.S.Zh. before death and after death.”

Prince Vasily Lvovich at this moment demonstrates his humorous home album, opened on the “story” “Princess Vera and the telegraph operator in love.” “It’s better not to,” Vera asks. But the husband still begins a commentary on his own drawings, full of brilliant humor. Here the girl Vera receives a letter with kissing doves, signed by telegraph operator P.P.Zh. Here young Vasya Shein returns Vera’s wedding ring: “I do not dare to interfere with your happiness, and yet it is my duty to warn you: telegraph operators are seductive, but insidious.” But Vera marries the handsome Vasya Shein, but the telegraph operator continues to persecute him. Here he is, disguised as a chimney sweep, entering Princess Vera’s boudoir. So, having changed clothes, he enters their kitchen as a dishwasher. Finally, he is in a madhouse.

After tea the guests leave. Whispering to her husband to look at the case with the bracelet and read the letter, Vera goes to see off General Yakov Mikhailovich Anosov. The old general, whom Vera and her sister Anna call grandfather, asks the princess to explain what is true in the prince’s story.

G.S.Zh. pursued her with letters two years before her marriage. Obviously, he constantly watched her, knew where she went at the evenings, how she was dressed. He did not serve at the telegraph office, but in “some government institution as a small official.” When Vera, also in writing, asked not to bother her with his persecutions, he fell silent about love and limited himself to congratulations on holidays, like today, on her name day. Inventing a funny story, the prince replaced the initials of the unknown admirer with his own.

The old man suggests that the unknown person may be a maniac.

Or maybe, Verochka, your path in life was crossed by exactly the kind of love that women dream of and that men are no longer capable of.

Vera finds her brother Nikolai very irritated - he also read the letter and believes that his sister will find herself in a “ridiculous position” if she accepts this ridiculous gift. Together with Vasily Lvovich, he is going to find the fan and return the bracelet.

The next day they find out the address of G.S.Zh. It turns out to be a blue-eyed man “with a gentle girlish face” of about thirty, thirty-five, named Zheltkov. Nikolai returns the bracelet to him. Zheltkov does not deny anything and admits the indecency of his behavior. Having discovered some understanding and even sympathy in the prince, he explains to him that he loves his wife, and this feeling will kill only death. Nikolai is indignant, but Vasily Lvovich treats him with pity.

Is he to blame for love and is it possible to control such a feeling as love - a feeling that has not yet found an interpreter.

Zheltkov admits that he squandered government money and is forced to flee the city, so that they will no longer hear about him. He asks Vasily Lvovich for permission to write his last letter to his wife. Having heard her husband’s story about Zheltkov, Vera felt “that this man would kill himself.”

In the morning, Vera learns from the newspaper about the suicide of the control chamber official G.S. Zheltkov, and in the evening the postman brings his letter.

Zheltkov writes that for him his whole life lies only in her, in Vera Nikolaevna. This is the love with which God rewarded him for something. As he leaves, he repeats in delight: “Hallowed be Thy name.” If she remembers him, then let her play the D major part of Beethoven’s “Sonata No. 2”, he thanks her from the bottom of his heart for being his only joy in life.

Vera is going to say goodbye to this man. The husband fully understands her impulse and lets his wife go.

Zheltkov’s coffin stands in the middle of his poor room. His lips smile blissfully and serenely, as if he had learned a deep secret. Vera lifts his head, places a large red rose under his neck and kisses his forehead. She understands that the love that every woman dreams of has passed her by. In the evening, Vera asks a pianist she knows to play Beethoven’s “Appassionata” for her, listens to the music and cries. When the music ends, Vera feels that Zheltkov has forgiven her.

Retold