“Autumn” by Alexander Pushkin — One of the most famous Russian poems about autumn is “Осень” (Autumn) by Alexander Pushkin, written in 1833. This poem expresses the charm and melancholic beauty of autumn nature, as well as Pushkin's deeply personal connection to this season. Like many Romantic poets, Pushkin found inspiration in autumn and saw it as a time of reflection and renewal of his creativity.
Summary and Analysis of “Autumn” by Alexander Pushkin
Pushkin captures the essence of the Russian autumn with remarkable precision and poetic grace, making it relatable even to foreign readers. Through vivid imagery of the autumn landscape—forests dressed in golden-red hues, undulating mist covering the sky, the first cold breaths of air, and the distant omens of winter—Pushkin skilfully brings to life the experience of the Russian autumn.
Here is a characteristic excerpt from the poem:
Melancholy time! Enchantment of the eyes!
I am pleased by your farewell beauty —
I love the luxurious fading of nature,
The forests dressed in crimson and gold,
In their halls, the rustle of winds and fresh breath,
And the skies covered with undulating mist,
And the rare ray of the sun, and the first frosts,
And the distant threats of gray winter.
VII
Унылая пора! очей очарованье!
Приятна мне твоя прощальная краса —
Люблю я пышное природы увяданье,
В багрец и в золото одетые леса,
В их сенях ветра шум и свежее дыханье,
И мглой волнистою покрыты небеса,
И редкий солнца луч, и первые морозы,
И отдаленные седой зимы угрозы.
The Golden Age
The Russians refer to autumn as “золотая осень” (pronounced “zolotaya osen”) or “golden autumn.” This term specifically refers to the early period of autumn, in September and October, when forests and parks are bathed in golden, orange, and red hues. “Golden autumn” is more than just a seasonal description in Russia; it is a significant cultural and aesthetic symbol that appears in Russian literature, art, and poetry, representing admiration for the enchanting yet melancholic beauty of Russian nature before the arrival of winter.
Autumn’s Influence on Russian Art and Literature
Autumn has served as an important source of inspiration for many Russian creators, who have captured its beauty and melancholy in literature, painting, and music.
Poetry: In addition to Pushkin, poets like Fyodor Tyutchev and Sergei Yesenin also wrote beautiful autumn-themed poems.
Painting: The painter Isaac Levitan, in his famous painting “Golden Autumn,” portrays the golden-red landscapes of the season.
Music: In his collection “The Seasons,” composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky evokes each month of the year, with October: The Song of Autumn conveying the sweet melancholy and tranquillity of the season, featuring a nostalgic melody that reminds one of nature's silence and its inevitable decline.
Fun Fact:
The term “Golden Autumn” has become an iconic cultural image in Russia, celebrating the seasonal transition while capturing both beauty and the bittersweet reminder of life's impermanence.
"Golden Autumn" by Isaac Levitan
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