Essays on literary works - 2024

When you need me but don't want me by your side, I will be there. But when you want me to be with you and need me, I will leave. (Based on the novels by A.S. Pushkin's “Eugene Onegin” and O. de Balzac's “Eugénie Grandet”)

World literature has given us remarkable female characters. Often, they embody the author’s ideal or at least a collection of traits and qualities the writer valued in a woman. Yet, in many cases, these heroines meet a sad fate—they are unhappy in love or in family life, and their beloveds do not always appreciate them.

In the novel "Eugene Onegin" by Russian writer A.S. Pushkin, such a heroine is Tatyana Larina. We can confidently say that this young woman represents the author’s ideal. Her main qualities, in my opinion, are sincerity, naturalness, and simplicity. It is no coincidence that Pushkin gives her a common name, highlighting Tatyana’s deep connection to the Russian land, to Russia itself.

The young heroine yearns for love. We understand that if this girl falls in love, it will be deeply, sincerely, and forever. Tatyana’s soul was long ready for such a feeling, but in the Larin family’s circle, there were no suitable candidates. After all, this girl’s chosen one had to be extraordinary—handsome, intelligent, interesting, noble, and so on. Let us remember that Tatyana, like her mother and sister, was raised on French romantic novels.

So when Eugene Onegin, a man of considerable intellect and potential, appeared in Tatyana’s life, she immediately fell in love with him. Even Onegin himself, spoiled by female attention, noticed Tatyana. At first, he tells Lensky that, of the two Larin sisters, he would have chosen the elder:

“I would have chosen the other
Had I been a poet like you.
There is no life in Olga’s features.”

When Tatyana writes a letter to Onegin, confessing her love first, she earns the respect even of this cynical and mocking hero. In his “rebuke” to the girl, he tells her that he sees no better wife for himself. But... he, alas, is not made for marriage. Onegin considers himself “a cripple in love,” and therefore cannot reciprocate Tatyana’s feelings.

Eugene’s rejection was a severe blow to the heroine. But gradually, she begins to understand that the man she fell in love with was nothing more than a fantasy. After Onegin leaves, Tatyana visits his home and enters his library, where she discovers the true nature of the hero:

“So what is he? Could it be imitation,
A trivial ghost…
Interpretation of another’s whims,
A lexicon full of fashionable words?
Is he not a parody?”

Soon after, Tatyana is taken to Moscow, where she participates in the “bride fair” and eventually marries.

I think it was difficult for the heroine to come to terms with her feelings. But as a strong person, she managed to do so, dedicating herself to another man, another life. Having taken an oath of fidelity before God and people, the heroine kept it sacredly, still loving Onegin. When he reappeared in her life, changed and renewed, perhaps Tatyana’s heart wavered for a moment. But the nature of the heroine—pure and morally upright—could not allow a married woman to betray her husband.

Tatyana clearly saw how Eugene had changed, recognized the sincerity and depth of his feelings for her. But it was too late—she had made her choice, which allowed her to maintain her self-respect.

The fate of the French writer Honoré de Balzac’s heroine, Eugénie Grandet, is somewhat similar to Tatyana’s. In her youth, she was in love with her cousin, Charles Grandet, who also swore his love to the girl. The young couple made plans for their future, wanting to be together for life. However, life had other plans.

In search of fortune, Charles left for the East Indies, while Eugénie stayed behind, waiting for him at home. The girl had to endure and suffer much (her father’s anger, her mother’s illness and death, loneliness, and longing for her beloved), but she remained true to her feelings. Unlike Charles, who changed significantly over the years. When he returned to France, he forgot about his cousin, dreaming of marrying a wealthy woman. The hero did not know that during his absence, Eugénie had also become a rich heiress.

In despair, the young woman marries a man she does not love. But before parting, the heroine helps Charles by paying off his debt so he could marry another. And she herself moves on with another man.

Did Charles ever love Eugénie? Or had his feelings long since faded? We know that Onegin truly loved Tatyana and regretted not having pursued a relationship with her when he had the chance. Did Charles have similar feelings? Hardly... In any case, this man, like Onegin, failed to recognize the priceless nature of Eugénie. He chose a different path and remained unhappy.

As did the heroine of the novel—this woman was meant “for the greatness of a wife and mother,” yet she had neither husband, nor children, nor family. Tatyana’s fate was more fortunate—she had a husband and likely children. However, she was just as unhappy in love as Eugénie Grandet.

The heroines of the Russian and French writers are very different. Yet, they share much in their natures—both are pure in heart and noble in spirit. Their fates also have something in common, which can be summed up with the formula: “When you need me but don't want me by your side, I will be there. But when you want me to be with you and need me, I will leave.”