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I. S. Turgenev. «Русский язык» (a prose poem)
Textbook: pp. 144–145
ЦельUnderstand the theme, idea and artistic means (epithet, address) of Turgenev’s prose poem «Русский язык».
Новые слова
стихотворение в прозе (prose poem) · стихотворение в прозе (nasriy she’r)эпитет (epithet) · эпитет (epitet)обращение (address) · обращение (murojaat)опора (support) · опора (tayanch)
Объяснение
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.
Примеры
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.
Работа в классе
“One sentence about language”. Each student writes one sentence about Russian with an epithet: «Русский язык — ...».
Упражнения
1
In which year was the prose poem «Русский язык» written?
в 1882 году (июнь)
2
Which four epithets does Turgenev give to the language?
великий, могучий, правдивый, свободный
3
What is a prose poem? Explain in your own words.
Короткое произведение в прозе, полное поэтических чувств и образов.
4
Why does Turgenev say that such a language was given to a great people?
Because a rich, powerful language shows the spiritual strength of a people; so the author has hope.