☰ Contents · Russian language

I. S. Turgenev

Lessons 39–40 · 2 lessons · S. Yu. Islambekova, Yu. Yu. Musurmanova, Z. Kh. Abduraimova, L. N. Tagieva. Russian Language, Grade 10 (textbook for secondary, specialised secondary and vocational institutions with Uzbek and other languages of instruction), 1st edition. DAVR NASHRIYOTI, Tashkent, 2017
39

I. S. Turgenev. «Русский язык» (a prose poem)

Textbook: pp. 144–145
GoalUnderstand the theme, idea and artistic means (epithet, address) of Turgenev’s prose poem «Русский язык».
New words
стихотворение в прозе (prose poem) · стихотворение в прозе (nasriy she’r)эпитет (epithet) · эпитет (epitet)обращение (address) · обращение (murojaat)опора (support) · опора (tayanch)
Explanation

I. S. Turgenev (1818–1883) is the author of «Записки охотника». The prose poem «Русский язык», written in June 1882, is very short, only a few dozen words. The author says that in days of doubt and heavy thoughts about the fate of his homeland the Russian language is his only support. He addresses the language as “great, mighty, truthful and free”: these four epithets stress its power and beauty. He explains that such a language must have been given to a great people, so he does not give way to despair. A prose poem is as rich in feeling as verse but is written in the form of prose.

Worked examples
Mini-text: «Тургенев обращается к языку как к другу. Когда ему тяжело, язык даёт ему силу и надежду». (Turgenev addresses the language as a friend.)
Epithets: «великий, могучий, правдивый, свободный», four qualities of the language.
Class activity

“One sentence about language”. Each student writes one sentence about Russian with an epithet: «Русский язык — ...».

Practice
1
In which year was the prose poem «Русский язык» written?
2
Which four epithets does Turgenev give to the language?
3
What is a prose poem? Explain in your own words.
4
Why does Turgenev say that such a language was given to a great people?