The character of the left-hander in the work of Leskov is left-handed. Left-hander, Leskov: analysis, characterization of heroes. The main idea of ​​the work

), three Russian craftsmen shod a flea.

One of these craftsmen is Lefty. This is a Tula craftsman who lives in poverty, wears bad clothes, but is a master of his craft. He is a religious and patriotic person. Despite the fact that he is left-handed, has no special education, and even oblique, he performs a very delicate, invisible to the human eye, incredible work.

By order of the king, he goes to England, where he presents a savvy flea and tells what Russian craftsmen are capable of. The British really like this simple talented person. They bombard him with lucrative offers of cooperation, but Lefty, being an honest, disinterested and devoted person to his country, does not agree to their tempting offers. He sees how masters are treated in England, he sees that they are well-fed and well-dressed, but he yearns for his homeland.

Upon returning to Russia, he falls ill, no one, except for his new English friend, takes care of him and does not want to treat him. But even abandoned by the ungrateful tsarist authorities, being dying, he cares and thinks about his country. He asks to convey to the king the cunning of the military affairs of the British.

This hardworking person does not forget about his country for a minute, he worries and cares about his Motherland until his last breath.

Essay Description Lefty

The plot of Leskov's story is revealed around the main character Levsha, who was a master from Tula. The description of the craftsman does not appear immediately, approximately in the middle of the story. The hero is a master blacksmith, he is left-handed, a patriot of his Motherland, very naive, devoted to Tsar Alexander I and Platov. There is a birthmark on his cheek, his eyes squint, but despite this, he does an excellent job with his job.

Left-hander, together with his comrades, Platonov instructed to make a masterpiece, but at the same time using a steel flea. Thus, he wanted to prove to others that not only the British are able to invent non-standard things. For a long time, three craftsmen “puzzled their brains” about what to do to surprise the people and decided to shoe a miniature flea. Without special equipment and proper knowledge, they still succeeded. This invention shocked everyone.

After inventing an ingenious product, Lefty goes to England without any documents. The British offered the young man both education and money, but he remained faithful to his homeland and refused everything. Lefty wanted to get home as soon as possible.

Excessive modesty and ruined Lefty. In winter, he refused a cozy cabin, because he considered himself unworthy of such honors. Therefore, he spent the whole journey on deck and fell ill.

Upon arrival in St. Petersburg, Lefty was robbed. Having neither money nor documents with him, not a single hospital wanted to accept him, only a hospital for the poor. No one even thought to save the great master, except for an Englishman who brought a good doctor. But, unfortunately, it was already too late. Modestly, unknown to anyone, Lefty died. Even in the last moments of his life, the master wants to convey a message to the king that one should not clean weapons with bricks.

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  In our world, each of us has periods when a black streak begins in life: everyone around seems angry, aggressive and unfriendly. Succumbing to the influence of others, a person himself can become irritable, nervous and react incorrectly.

Arms master Levsha is the main character of N. Leskov's story. An interesting tale, which has become the plot of animated and feature films, theatrical performances, conveys the essence of the life of Russian talent.

The image and characteristics of Lefty in the story "Lefty" help to feel the events of the history of Rus', to understand how and what a simple Tula gunsmith lived.

Lefty's appearance

The master gunsmith Lefty remained known to everyone only by his nickname. Nobody knows his real name. The nickname is given for the skillful use of the left hand. It is even more convenient for the master to be baptized with the left. This ability surprised the British. Overseas engineers did not even imagine that it was possible to become a skilled craftsman without owning the right hand.

The left-hander suffers from strabismus. This feature is even more amazing. How did the oblique man manage to forge the smallest details for a miniature flea? What is the acuity of his vision that he works without any microscopes and complex magnifying instruments? Moreover, it performs the thinnest part of the product.

Other special features:

• speck on the face;
• lack of "hair" on the temples.

"... one oblique Left-hander, a birthmark on the cheek, and the hairs on the temples were torn out during teaching ..."

The teacher fought for the boy's hair, which means that the guy managed to be not a particularly diligent and diligent student.

A peasant dresses modestly because of poverty:

• peasant's shoes (buttons) worn down;
• Cossack on hooks.

He wears what he was: in shawls, one leg is in a boot, the other is dangled, and the ozyamchik is old, the hooks do not fasten, they are lost, and the collar is torn; but nothing, do not be embarrassed.

The guy is not shy about his appearance. Get used to it. There is no feeling of discomfort in the story when the boy is being changed, that is, clothes mean nothing to him. It is terrible to read the pages where he is stripped in the hospital and left practically naked on the cold floor. Someone liked his new suit very much.

The image of talent from the outback

Lefty lives in the city of Tula in a small house. A close mansion - this is how the narrator characterizes it. The couriers who arrived with Platov tried to get into the hut, but failed. The doors were so strong that they remained standing, having withstood numerous blows of the heroic force. The roof of the house was removed quickly, on a log. The tightness is proved by the stuffiness of the air, which, when the roof was removed, rose so high above the house that there was not enough air for everyone around. The poor peasant loves his parents. When he is asked to stay in England, the first reason why he refuses new living conditions is his old parents. He affectionately calls his father "Attenka", his mother - "Old Lady". Lefty does not yet have his own family, he is not married.

I'm still single.

The character of a hero from the people

Lefty is one of the three most skilled craftsmen in the city of Tula gunsmiths. This means that among all the gunsmiths of the ancient city, only those who are very talented were chosen. It is even difficult to imagine how many real artisans live in the city of arms production. According to the narrator, the whole Russian nation hopes for Lefty and his friends. The task that the masters face is to prove that Russian craftsmen can do everything better than others, in this story, better than the British.

Masters are hardworking and persistent. They did not give up the work before completion, not fearing the anger of the chieftain, they brought everything to the end.

Special personality traits

The main character has many of his individual characteristics, but at the same time, his personality traits make Lefty a symbol of the entire Russian people, kind and talented.

Education. The gunsmith is not literate, not educated, like almost all the peasantry in Rus' in those years. His school consisted of two textbooks: "Psalter" and "Dream Book". Talent lives in the master by nature. He managed to open it.

Cunning. A simple craftsman does not betray the ideas that three gunsmiths had about an English craft. He is silent in England, not trusting his thoughts to overseas engineers. Cunning in a kind way, without evil and intent.

Faith in God. The masters did not start the work without the blessing of the higher divine powers. They went to the icon of Nicholas the Wonderworker. Gunsmiths hope for themselves and for help from above.

Decisiveness and courage. The master is not afraid to meet with the Russian emperor. Do not be embarrassed by torn clothes. He knows that, together with his friends, he fulfilled his order, he is ready to answer for the work. He boldly tells the king that they engraved their names on the horseshoes, what his work was.

It is necessary to take thought and with God's blessing.

Loyal to the Russian people, the oblique craftsman Lefty did not stay abroad, did not seek benefits for himself, even dying, he thought about how to help the Motherland. The patriotism of a simple peasant is amazing.

The action of the story "Lefty" takes place in the Russian Empire during the reign of the tsars Alexander the First and Nikolai Pavlovich. The work contrasts the attitude of the emperors towards the Motherland and the achievements of the Russian people. In the story, the author noticeably sympathizes with Tsar Nikolai Pavlovich, as well as the main character, the Tula master Levsha, whose views are akin to the imperial ones. They are united by the belief that nothing is impossible for a Russian. The characteristic of Lefty from Leskov's story "Lefty" is an opportunity to understand the essence of a real simple Russian person.

Proximity to the people

With the main character of the work N.S. Leskov does not introduce us right away. For several chapters, it seems that the main character of the story is the Cossack Platov. The true protagonist appears as if by chance. Perhaps the author did so intentionally in order to emphasize the essence of the character of Lefty from the story "Lefty" - he comes from the people and himself is his personification, with all his simplicity, naivety, indifference to wealth, great faith in Orthodoxy and devotion to the Fatherland. For the same purpose, the author does not give the hero a name. Lefty is one of the three Tula masters who were honored to make something of this kind in order to prove to Emperor Nikolai Pavlovich and self-confident English what the Russian people are capable of.

The generalization of the image of Lefty emphasizes not only his namelessness, but also a little information about him. Reading, we do not know anything about his age or family. Before us is only a laconic portrait of him: “a slanting left-hander, a birthmark on his cheek, and the hair on his temples was torn out during teaching.”

The great talent of a simple master

Despite his outward ugliness, Lefty has a great talent that amazed not only the king himself, but also English craftsmen. The left-hander, together with two other Tula masters, managed to shoe a miniature flea, without having any special knowledge and devices. In this case, Lefty got the most difficult job - to forge miniature carnations for horseshoes.

The quality without which the characterization of Lefty from the story "Lefty" would be incomplete is the modesty of a brilliant master. The folk craftsman did not boast of his achievement and did not consider himself a hero, but simply conscientiously carried out the orders of the sovereign, and also tried with all his heart to show what a Russian person was capable of. When Emperor Nicholas realized what the work of the masters was, which at first he could not see even through his small scope, he was surprised how they could do it without equipment. To which Lefty modestly replied: “We are poor people and because of our poverty we don’t have a small scope, but we have shot our eyes like that.”

Indifference to wealth and comfort

Lefty also showed modesty and indifference to wealth during his trip to England. He did not agree to study abroad; neither money nor fame convinced him. Lefty asked for one thing - to go home as soon as possible. This simplicity and modesty became the reason for the inglorious death of the hero, which no one knew about. He was embarrassed by a comfortable cabin and high society, so he spent the entire journey across the winter sea on deck, which is why he fell ill.

Arriving in St. Petersburg, he could not introduce himself and say that he was carrying out the order of the tsar. Therefore, he was robbed and was not accepted in any hospital, except for the simplest for the poor, where he died. The author contrasted the image of Lefty with an Englishman who sailed with him, who was settled in a good hotel and cured. And Lefty, because of his modesty and simplicity, tragically died.

Lefty traits

Love for the Motherland and a sense of responsibility to one's state are the main traits of Lefty's character. The last thought of the master Lefty was the desire to convey to the king at all costs that it was not necessary to clean the guns with bricks. If he could convey this, Russian military affairs would be even more successful, but his request never reached the sovereign. Even dying, this simple Tula master remained true to his character, the main feature of which was to think about the Fatherland, and not about himself.

In the image of Lefty N.S. Leskov showed the full depth of the Russian person: naive, simple and even funny, but for whom there is nothing sweeter than the Orthodox faith and native side. Devotion to the Motherland, responsibility for its future and great natural skill - these are the qualities that underlie the characteristics of the hero of the tale "Lefty".

Artwork test

Nikolai Leskov sought to comprehend and reflect in his work the life of different classes, groups and estates. And he managed to create a complex and multicolored, not fully studied image of Russia in one of the most difficult periods for her - in the second half of the 19th century. An excellent example of this is the story "Lefty".

Briefly about the plot

Before proceeding to the analysis of "Lefty" by N. Leskov, let's recall the story itself. The events of the Tale take place at the beginning of the 19th century. During one of his trips to England, Emperor Alexander was shown a tiny flea that could dance. He brought her to Russia. After the death of the emperor, this curiosity was found in his things, and the Cossack Platov explained that the sovereign brought this flea as an example of the skill of English mechanics, and noted that the Russians could do just as well. Emperor Nicholas, who believed in the superiority of the Russians, instructed Platov to go to the Don and visit the Tula factories, to look for a craftsman who would answer the challenge of the British.

Platov summoned three well-known gunsmiths, including Levsha, showed them an outlandish flea and asked them to come up with something that would surpass the English work. The artisans answered the call - they shod the flea on all paws. Everyone was delighted and sent the shod flea back to England to demonstrate the skill of Russian craftsmen. In England, Lefty was shown factories and offered to stay. The craftsman refused, and on the way back he started a dispute with the half-skipper over who would outdrink whom. Upon arrival in St. Petersburg, half the skipper was brought back to life in a rich hospital, and Lefty died without medical care in a hospital for the poor.

The story of Nikolai Leskov "Lefty" ends with the fact that even on his deathbed, Lefty thinks about his homeland. Before his death, he reveals the secret of cleaning guns, but nothing was given to the sovereign and they continued to clean guns with crushed bricks. If they listened then to the advice of Lefty, in the Crimean War the outcome would have been completely different.

Main character

The protagonist of the story is a talented Russian craftsman Levsha. He and other craftsmen were commissioned to create a masterpiece to surprise the English. They decided that the horseshoe studs were created by Lefty. The author does not attach much importance to the description of appearance, indicating that he had a birthmark on his cheek, he was slanting in one eye and had a bald patch. The skill and ability of Lefty were more important - this is what the author paid attention to. He does not feel like someone significant, when the British offer to stay with them, he refuses. This is caused not so much by love for the motherland, but by disbelief in a better life.

An analysis of the story "Lefty" by N. S. Leskov would not be complete without the image of the protagonist, so let's consider his description in more detail. So downtrodden a person that the thought of somehow resisting circumstances does not occur to him, Lefty dies an absurd death. Here the author contrasts Lefty with the English skipper. He was immediately taken to the British Embassy, ​​surrounded by care. The author emphasizes how indifferent to human life is in the country to which Lefty returned. In fact, a rare craftsman died, and no one cares about that. Much in the description of this character is comical. For example, the master used his strabismus and left-handedness to good use - he could do the finest work that could not be seen with the naked eye.

Other heroes

Let's continue the analysis of Leskov's "Lefty" with an acquaintance with other heroes of the work. The main characters of Lefty are the emperors Alexander and Nikolai, the Cossack ataman Platov and the Russian craftsman Lefty. Alexander Pavlovich is a big fan of Western culture and technology. He admired the work of Western craftsmen, and they invariably pleased him. Having visited England and saw a miracle flea there, he immediately bought it and brought it to St. Petersburg. Patriot Platov said that our people can do just as well. But Alexander, being a shrewd politician, nevertheless refrains from showing the works of Russian artisans in England.

Nikolai Pavlovich is the brother of Emperor Alexander and his complete opposite. He is inquisitive and patriotic. If Alexander was sure that Western craftsmen were the best, then Nikolai had no doubt that no one would surpass Russian masters. Seeing the flea and listening to Platov's explanations, he was not slow to find masters who could surpass the British. Soon the craftsmen showed their work, the emperor was very upset when he did not see anything unusual. But, looking through the microscope, I saw that the flea was shod. And immediately sent Lefty with a curiosity to England to demonstrate Russian skill.

Accompanied the emperor during a trip to England. Platov was distinguished by his love for everything Russian, he did not understand Alexander's enthusiasm and exposed the deceit of foreigners. When the British boasted of the weapon, he unscrewed the lock and showed them the inscription that it was made by Russian craftsmen, and sincerely rejoiced at the frustration of the British. But not everything was smooth in Platov's character - he was cruel to those who depended on him, and treated them with contempt.

History of writing

If we analyze the work of Leskov "Lefty" according to the plan, then we should start with the date and history of writing. The tale of Lefty was first published in 1881 in the Rus magazine. In a separate edition, the author made amendments that increase the sharpness of the story, emphasizing the arbitrariness of the authorities and the ignorance of the common people. Leskov initially excluded the preface from the collected works, for the first time the introduction to the story will appear in the 1894 edition. And until that time, the reader was given the opportunity to taste the beauty of the story told by a fictional character. Removing the preface, the author wants to puzzle the reader and becomes the sly companion of the narrator, and in the last chapter replaces him.

In "Lefty" Leskov's innovation once again manifested itself: he does not use the word "fairy tale", since it does not correspond to the writer's intentions. After all, there are no fantastic characters here, real historical figures are mentioned here - the emperors Alexander and Nikolai, the Empress Elizabeth, the Cossack ataman Platov. The clarification "legend" allows us to better understand the author's intention - to look at history through the eyes of a person from the people, in this case, a gunsmith. Leskov once again emphasizes the ability of the people to compose legends and myths, which are based on real events.

means of expression

Continuing the analysis of "Lefty" by Leskov, let us dwell on the artistic means that the author used in his work. According to Leskov's story, a play was shot, there is a ballet version of "Lefty". But there is no tragic component of the tale. The narrator in "Lefty" uses his imagination and wordplay to further provoke his listeners. As one of the techniques for conveying the comic component, hyperbole is used - the colorful ataman Platov snores so that not one Englishman in the house can fall asleep. An English flea made of pure steel dances a country dance and cannot be seen with the naked eye.

At literature lessons in the 6th grade, enough time is given to the analysis of Leskov's work "Lefty". They study in detail the character and actions of the characters, the author's intention, the means of expression used by the author. Let's dwell on them in more detail. An example of the use of hyperbole is the return of Platov from the Don to Tula: a description of the impatience of the Cossack ataman and the work of the Tula masters who shod a flea and wrote their name on the horseshoe. The play of the writer with language in this story goes much further than in other works - it is a celebration of neologisms and baroque turns. As A. Volynsky noted: "The whole tale seems to be a set of clownish expressions."

Leskov uses many tricks here, including combinations of two words that sound the same but have different meanings. This technique is based on the tendency of the common people to remake unfamiliar or foreign words so that it is understandable. In addition, in "Lefty" there are verbal absurdities: "legs" - socks, "wind hood" - a hood from the wind. The story is dominated by colloquial expressions, strange phrases, dialectisms.

The main idea of ​​the work

Critics after this story attacked Leskov, he supposedly, in the person of the Tula gunsmith, belittled the Russian people. And only "Bulletin of Europe" understood the main theme and conflict in the tale "Lefty", as well as the writer's intention. Leskov portrayed the Russian people, who reject European recipes, and at the same time look limited and dependent on social conditions. It must be admitted that "Lefty" is replete with ironic remarks worthy of attention. When the tsar is traveling with the ataman across Europe, Platov diverts his attention in every possible way - we are no worse off. The ataman does not want to speak French: "He considered all French conversations to be trifles." While the British are demonstrating weapons, he says that his fellows won without it.

"Lefty" through the eyes of the author

Of course, the ataman is a comedic character, and his common sense smacks of limitation. He treats his messengers cruelly. Acts inhumanly with Lefty in the episode with the "nymphosoria" and the royal daughter. When the half-skipper asks for his help, he refuses to do anything for the English master. Without a doubt, the story "Lefty" proves Russian superiority. Lefty says that the Orthodox faith is the most correct, because "our books are thicker than yours." Through the whole work, the author's mockery of nationalism is visible, people obsessed with it are unable to see the true value of things. But Leskov wanted to good-naturedly ridicule the bragging of the Russian people, the inability to recognize the value of what was done on a foreign side.

Continuing the analysis of "Lefty" by Leskov, it is impossible not to dwell on the opinion of critics. During the years of Soviet power, critics did not fail to emphasize the bitter satire in the story of Lefty. Its end is tragic - in Russia the flourishing of folk talent is impossible. The author depicts both kings as comedic characters. Alexander tries to please the British in everything, superficially looks at Russian life. Nicholas does not trust foreigners, but succumbs to the flattery and cunning of the courtiers, who hide Lefty's death from him. The dying left-hander asked the tsar to tell them not to clean their guns with crushed bricks, but no one listened to him. The tsar did not find out about anything, and the Crimean campaign was lost.

true reality

People's life, too, can not be called encouraging. Platov treats the Cossacks cruelly and commits arbitrariness with impunity. He beats Lefty and gets off with an apology. Lefty was thrown in front of the police station, he lay in the cold for a long time, then he was taken half-dressed from hospital to hospital and finally brought to the hospital for the poor. The author shows in what ignorance the people vegetate, is in captivity of their prejudices and customs. Leskov wrote that at first he wanted to portray Lefty as a symbol of the Russian people with all its shortcomings and virtues: quick wits and ingenuity.

Concluding the analysis of Leskov's "Lefty", let's summarize - did the author succeed in fulfilling his plan? Could the reader understand it? Probably yes. Many amazing things were created by illiterate people, not knowing arithmetic, only the Psalter and the dream book. Lefty is like a bird that flew too close to the sun and singed its wings. And the Russian people are unable to use their talents, not only because of ignorance, but also because they are possessed by a sense of superiority. And common sense and prudence are Western concepts. In "Lefty", the author says that a Russian person has two tenacious habits, ingrained in the blood: drunkenness and fanfare.

The Tale of the Left-hander cannot be called either a pamphlet against the Russian people, or an openly nationalist work. Leskov skillfully presented here a living and truthful image of reality.

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The image of Lefty in Leskov's work is quite interesting and unusual. There are very few people like him, and even more so in our time. He goes with the flow, practically does not change anything, fate develops tragically, but he still enjoys life.

Lefty - a talented Tula gunsmith

When Nikolai Pavlovich, the Russian emperor, ordered to improve a flea brought from England by the previous emperor Alexander Pavlovich, Lefty did the hardest work.

He forged the smallest detail that even the human eye cannot see. Of the three masters who performed the operation to improve the flea, he was the most assiduous, resourceful, and talented.

Modest, inconspicuous and ugly

Despite all the work of Lefty, many underestimated him. Usually this was due to appearance.

He was inconspicuous, ugly face, oblique, and even left-handed. Almost no one guessed what a huge potential is hidden in this seemingly most ordinary peasant.

But, as I said, people like our hero are not often met.

Dear readers! We bring to your attention which was written by N. Leskov.

In his place, many would certainly have demanded monetary compensation for moral damage, or a personal workshop, or some other reward for the great quality work done.

But Lefty was not like that. He floated calmly with the flow. Didn't go anywhere. Perhaps even underestimated himself. He did not demand anything at all, although he lived not so luxuriously.

Even on the paws of a flea, he did not sign, but simply made the work twice as difficult as the other masters who forged the flea with him. So none of the Russian and English masters who saw the creation of the joint activity knew that not two masters, but three worked on a work of art. And the name of the third remained unknown to the world.

Special Patriotism Lefty

Despite all the difficulties that Lefty went through, he never betrayed his homeland. No matter how much he was underestimated, he always remained true to his beloved country. When he went to England, it can be assumed that he really liked it there. He was offered to stay, promising all the vital and comfortable conditions.

He knew that his work would be appreciated there. But Lefty remembered that there is practically nothing for him closer than his native land, and it doesn’t matter what kind of people there will be. The main thing is that at home. I had to refuse. For some, this may be routine, but for Lefty, it was a huge choice.

Dear readers! We offer in the story of Nikolai Leskov “The Old Genius”

Just imagine: a homeland where no one needs you, and then you are invited to another, more progressive country, where you will be appreciated ...

Lefty dies

Upon arrival in Russia, a terrible thing happens. Our hero is very ill. Dat is so strong that you have to go to the hospital. His name has already been forgotten. What he did is also forgotten. Yes, who he is, everyone has already forgotten. Lefty was taken to a hospital for the poor. In the meantime, they carried it on a stretcher, dropped it, and the guy broke his head. So he died in the hospital. None of those who saw him, none of those who surrounded him, or carried him in a stretcher, suspected that a great master gunsmith was dying before their eyes, with whom practically no one can compare. But he is still happy with what he has. This is how the life of Lefty ends tragically.