Author: Ivan Goncharov
Year of publication of the book: 1869
Goncharov’s novel “The Cliff” first saw the light in 1869, although the idea for the book originated twenty years earlier. The work quickly gained popularity, and after some time they began to stage performances based on it. The plot of the work also formed the basis for several film adaptations of the same name. The last feature film was released in 1983. Today, Goncharov’s book “The Precipice” can be read as part of the school curriculum, and the author himself is deservedly included in the ranking of the best Russian classics.
Part one
Boris Pavlovich Raisky, 35 years old, talks in his St. Petersburg apartment with Ivan Ivanovich Ayanov, a 40-year-old official. Friends are going to visit Sofya Nikolaevna Belovodova, Raisky’s second cousin.
Belovodova is a 24-year-old widow. Her mother died before her daughter’s marriage, and her father spent his fortune on women. Sophia lives with two rich aunts who love to play cards with Ayanov while Raisky talks with his cousin.
Raisky is bored. He observes the deep calm of his cousin, like a painting or a statue, and wants to understand whether she has feelings and passions. Boris persuades Sophia to live not according to the rules of her ancestors, but to live her own life, to love, to suffer. Raisky wants to paint a portrait of Sophia, and he is also planning a serious matter - writing a novel.
Raisky has been living in St. Petersburg for about 10 years. He is a retired college secretary. Raisky left his service as soon as he entered it. He was raised by a guardian. At school he loved to read and draw, he loved music, but he played it not from notebooks, but by ear. A German teacher characterizes him this way: “his abilities are amazing, but his laziness is even more amazing.”
After entering the university, Raisky went on vacation to his great-aunt Tatyana Markovna Berezhkova. The grandmother managed the estate of Raisky’s parents in the village of Malinovka near the Volga and raised her orphaned cousins, 6 and 5 years old, Verochka and Marfinka. Next to her parents’ old house, her grandmother ordered a new one to be built, in which she and Marfinka lived. Vera lived alone in an old house.
Raisky is hospitably greeted and treated like a host. Boris seemed to have a mother, sisters, and a kind uncle. This uncle is grandmother’s friend Vatutin Tit Nilych. He is a retired military man who bought a house in the city. There was a rumor that in their youth, grandmother and Vatutin loved each other, but they wanted to marry her off to someone else, which is why she remained an old girl.
Boris is attracted by the cliff above the Volga, from which a beautiful view opens. During the life of his parents, the jealous man killed his wife and lover on this cliff, and then stabbed himself to death and was buried right there. There is a gazebo below, now abandoned.
After staying there, Raisky returned to the university. It was difficult for him to study because he could not reason about anything, but saw images. He became close to the poor man Leonty Kozlov, the son of a deacon, who knew Greek and Latin and introduced Raisky to ancient authors. Raisky began writing poetry and prose.
After graduating from the university, Raisky entered the ranks of a cadet. He lived like all the “golden youth”. Then he applied for a transfer to the civil service, but did not stay there long either and began going to the art academy, but rarely attended classes. Six months later he painted “Hector’s Farewell to Andromache.” The professors appreciated the artist’s talent, but advised him to study for another 3 years, and Raisky wanted immediate fame.
Raisky switched to the novel. He rereads and edits several autobiographical chapters of his future novel. It describes how Natasha, who fell in love with Raisky two years ago, dies. He became bored with her devotion and did not marry. Raisky began to sketch out the beginning of a new novel.
Raisky decided to complete the portrait of Sophia. Ayanov thought the portrait was too revealing, and the artist Kirilov didn’t like the portrait either: one arm was shorter than the other. Kirilov proposes to draw a praying figure and turn the portrait into a harlot.
Boris brings the portrait to Sophia and declares his love to her. Sophia believes that the portrait embellishes the original and offers friendship. Raisky suspects that she is in love with the Italian Count Milari. As soon as Sophia rejects Raisky, his passion fades away.
Analysis of the work
Introduction. General characteristics of the novel, main idea.
Goncharov’s idea is based on the deepest conflict between the old and new ways of life in society. A person’s personality is hostage to public opinion and imposed stereotypes, but at the same time desperately strives to violate the boundaries of what is permitted, since it is incredibly close for a truly great personality and a deeply thinking person to be within these boundaries. Each hero has his own truth and his own boundaries of what is permitted, so Goncharov shows the hero’s internal level of development, the degree of his spiritual maturity and readiness to move forward, keeping up with the changing times.
The policy of double standards in society terribly irritated Goncharov all his life, and in this novel, more acutely than ever, he expressed his deepest sense of contempt for this cowardly phenomenon. Almost all the characters in the novel, whom those around me consider to be respectable and sinless people, in fact turn out to be much worse than those whom they themselves constantly condemn. So Tychkov, known to everyone for his thoughtful sayings and constant reading of morality, locked his niece in a madhouse and deceived her property.
History of the creation of the work
The idea of creating a novel first came to Goncharov in 1849, but only 20 years later he was able to bring it to life. He could not decide what the name of his new creation would be: “Artist”, “Artist of Paradise”, “Paradise”, “Faith”, but in the end he refused every option. At the same time, he is working on “Oblomov,” constantly interrupting and then starting to write again. So in 1869, the novel was published in the pages of the Vestnik magazine under the title “Cliff.”
Images of the main characters
Raisky is an exalted person, with a fine mental organization, endowed with various kinds of talents and no less laziness. His favorite pastime is to pass the time by observing; he loves to contemplate everything that surrounds him, especially admiring the beauty of the female body and face. He loves to act and strives much less than to think about lofty matters. He cannot complete anything; he achieves no success anywhere. In general, it is worth noting that Raisky is a direct development of the images of Oblomov and Aduev Jr., who appeared in the rest of Goncharov’s trilogy. Raisky is another typical representative of the superfluous person in Russian literature.
His prototype is Mark Volokhov, a young man full of revolutionary ideas with sparkling eyes. Despite many positive human qualities, Goncharov condemns Mark and people like him. He feared such nihilists, selflessly devoted to their ideas, who did not respect the traditions and boundaries of other people's opinions and personal space. Volokhov is a united image of all youth of the 60s, as the author saw them.
Grandmother, as everyone calls Berezhkov’s heroine, is a typical representative of the old class, conservative and patriarchal Russia. She is a surprisingly harmonious person who knows exactly what she wants from life. She combines the noble pride inherent in her family, some despotism, and a sense of deep respect for the opinions of other people. While she is overly strict with those around her, demanding unquestioning compliance with all rules and regulations, she literally idolizes her granddaughters, loving them reverently and tenderly. Goncharov clearly identifies the image of the grandmother with the image of the old patriarchal Russia, which has already outlived its usefulness.
Vera has a rather complex personality type; Raisky says about her that she is a “mystery.” She does not share the views of her grandmother, having her own opinion on everything around her. She is passionate about reading, over time developing for herself an ideal of life that is unattainable and not fully understandable to her. It is not surprising that she is so quickly captivated by Mark’s bold ideas, his contempt for ideals and his violation of all the values of the existing way of life. It is a pity that Mark cannot appreciate her love and does not meet her high moral standards. Vera can only endure bitter disappointment. She is also disappointed in her previous views, and in the end she even seems to resign herself to the existing system and the reality surrounding her, recognizing it, although not ideal, but true.
Features of the plot and composition
The plot is based on the search for materials for the novel that Raisky is writing. It is dedicated to women, whom he glorifies like an artist, admiring their unearthly beauty. However, he fails to complete any of the plots to the end, the women reject him one after another and he switches his attention to a new object. The narration is constantly interrupted in the middle and a complete work does not work out that way. In this regard, the reader begins to understand the meaning inherent in the title of the novel “The Cliff”.
The novel is divided into 5 parts, starting from part 3, we can see the emerging conflict, while the first two are an epilogue, anticipating the main events. The fourth part is the apotheosis and culmination, we see the fall of Faith. The fifth part symbolizes her spiritual rebirth and the denouement of the plot. Goncharov creates the ending as artificial; it is not closed from an ideological point of view. The fate of Raisky and Vera remains uncertain.
Conclusion
The novel is part of a trilogy that reveals the single problem of the unsettled way of life in Russia, the collapse of old ideals and the absence of new ones, undecided youth and unsettled youth in life. “The Cliff” is a major work that Goncharov pondered for 20 years. He very clearly managed to show the socio-political situation of that time and identify the acute social problems facing society. He appeals to the consciousness and feelings of the reader, helping to rethink his life.
Boris Pavlovich Raisky takes the main role in the novel by Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov. He lives a calm and trouble-free life. On the one hand, he does everything and then nothing. He tries to find himself in art, wanting to be an artist, a poet, and a sculptor. But due to his intolerance and lack of desire to work and work, he fails to succeed in more than one area.
Then Boris decides to take a breath and relax at his country estate in Malinovka, which is looked after by his relative Tatyana Markovna. She lives there with her two great-nieces Vera and Marfenka, who were left without parents.
Boris immediately begins to take an interest in Marfenka, tells her about art, trying to instill beauty in her. But Vera, who was visiting her friend, returns to the estate and immediately turns Raisky’s attention to herself. But unfortunately for Boris, he finds out that the girl is attracted to a very difficult guy, who is also under police control. Raisky catches the lovers; a strong disgust for Vera immediately awakens in him. And the girl herself is very worried and very sick because of what happened.
After Tatyana Markovna finds out what happened to Vera, she gets very upset and blames herself for it. Tatyana Markovna says that in her youth she also committed a very deplorable offense, thanks to which she still has to repent.
Boris is overcome by the feeling that he has finally found his path and he decides to go to Europe to pursue his dream. Marfenka marries her neighbor Vikenty and lives a calm and carefree life. Vera remains with Tatyana Markovna, and they both try together to atone for their sins. As a result, the essence of the novel remains that you should not look for your break in life, but it is better to follow the right and conscientious path, working on yourself and your ideals.
Part two
At the request of his grandmother, Raisky comes to his Malinovka estate for the summer. He is not interested in accounts and management reports; he admits that he tore them up in St. Petersburg. Boris wants to give the estate to his sisters Marfinka and Verochka. The grandmother does not agree, the girls have their own dowry, but, in the end, she undertakes to manage the estate further, fearing that Raisky will pawn it or sell it. Under her management, the estate is in complete order.
Raisky meets with Marfinka, a blond, plump, cheerful girl of about 20. Vera is with a priest friend across the Volga.
Raisky examines the city, which seems to him like a cemetery or desert. The city is a good setting for his future novel. Marfinka may become the center of the novel, but there is not enough passion: Marfinka is obedient to her grandmother and fearful, she did not go to the cliff with Raisky.
In the city, Raisky finds a student friend, Leonty Kozlov, a gymnasium teacher. Leonty is immersed in ancient books. Raisky helped him settle in a city near his estate and transferred books from his library to his care. In the letter, Kozlov wrote that several books were damaged by Mark Volokhov. Leonty compiled a catalog of library books from the Raisky estate. Later it turns out that Vera helped him. Raisky gives Kozlov his library and reproaches him for being out of touch with life.
Ugly Kozlov is married to Ulinka, the daughter of the steward of a government institution, where the students dined. Ulinka is still very good, her head reminds Kozlov of an antique statue. 5 years after graduation, Leonty took her from Moscow from her aunt, where she ended up after the death of her father and was seriously ill. Later, Ulyana admits to Raisky that she does not love Kozlov, she got married only because he called.
The grandmother believes that her grandson got away with it and that fate will punish him. Boris and Tatyana Markovna reach a truce and decide that everyone will live as they please. From Raisky’s point of view, the grandmother is torn between common sense and legends.
Marfinka is a happy child under her grandmother’s protection. Raisky wants to awaken passion in her, but he fails. Marfinka does not understand his hints, but she is excited and embarrassed by his conversations, and does not even say anything to her grandmother. Raisky draws a portrait of Marfinka and corrects the essay about Natasha in order to insert it into the novel.
On the estate, Raisky observes a drama: the peasant Savely punishes his wife Marina for fornication. The grandmother admits that the servants are all sinners, but Marina is especially promiscuous in her relationships. Passion for love adventures also happens among landowners. Grandmother's guest Polina Karpovna Kritskaya, a widow, likes someone to be in love with her, she flirts with all the young people, with Raisky, but she doesn't go beyond words.
Raisky meets Mark Volokhov, whom he found climbing into the window of Leonty Kozlov. Mark is inclined to break traditions and even the law. Boris invites Mark to have dinner at his grandmother's. In the conversation, Mark calls Raisky a loser.
Raisky is overcome by boredom. Vera comes from the priest. The sisters are as different as day and night. Raisky leaves Marfinka, who has shown no hope of transforming from a child into a woman, and watches the dark-haired beauty Vera. He is indifferent to everything except beauty.
The landowner Vikentyev, 23 years old, Marfinka’s friend, comes to visit. They suit each other very well: lively and cheerful. Other guests arrive, each with their own character and story.
Raisky is bored. He draws the servants, goes to the city, visits Kozlov, but finds his wife with her lover. From there he goes to Mark Volokhov. Mark makes a bet with Paradise that in 2 weeks Boris will fall in love.
Vera avoids Raisky. He can't stop thinking about her. They explain themselves. Vera says that if she doesn’t feel free, she will leave. Raisky wonders who emancipated her. Raisky and Vera agree on friendship.
Part three
In order not to think about Vera, Raisky is engaged in imaginary activities: he goes to the fields, promises to go with his grandmother on visits. Guests arrive on Sunday. Nil Andreevich Tychkov (a well-known person in the city, chairman of the chamber, an example of morality) laughed rudely at Kritskaya. Raisky accuses him of insulting a woman and recalls the old story of how Tychkov once robbed his own niece and locked him in an insane asylum. Tatyana Markovna kicked out Nil Andreevich. Raisky, delighted with her act, kisses her.
Tychkov's authority has been undermined. His grandmother respected him for 40 years and kicked him out one day. Raisky draws a portrait of his grandmother. His relationship with Vera is improving. She is calmly indifferent to him, but allows him to talk to her.
A month has passed since the bet was made. Raisky is eager to leave. When he comes to say goodbye to Leonty, he finds Mark with him. Mark teases him that he won't finish the novel because he's a loser, and that he's in love.
Raisky asks Vera to show the letter she is reading. Boris suspects that Vera hid the letter on blue paper. Raisky, who thought that his feelings for Vera had subsided, is jealous of Vera for the author of the letter.
Raisky is forced to paint a portrait of Kritskaya and drives her to exhaustion. He wants to find out from Vera who the letter is from. Vera announces that she loves someone else.
Raisky, at the request of Mark, who, living in the city under police surveillance, gave him forbidden books to read, takes the blame upon himself and goes to explain himself to the governor.
Vera leaves again for the priest. Paradise is lonely. He asks his grandmother who Vera might be in love with. Grandmother assumes that he is a forester. This is the nickname of the landowner Ivan Ivanovich Tushin, with whom Vera is friends. Tushin has a steam saw factory, he sells timber and lives in its thicket with his sister.
Raisky spends a lot of time with Kritskaya, there is even a rumor in the city that he is in love. Boris comes to Kozlov to reason with his wife, who is constantly cheating on her husband. His persuasion ends in a love scene. Raisky is amazed by his own lack of will.
Vera admits to Raisky that her hero is not Tushin. To protect her, her grandmother orders a moral novel to be read aloud. After reading it, Vikentyev makes an offer to Marfinka, which she tells her grandmother about. The next day, Vikentyev’s mother arrived and the matchmaking ceremony took place.
Preparations for the wedding are underway in the house. Raisky talks to Vera. She believes that he does not love her, but is carried away by her, as he was carried away by other women.
Raisky, walking in the garden, is mistaken by Vera for someone else. This is how he finds out about Vera’s upcoming date. But he doesn’t know that this is a date with Mark, whom Vera met last summer when he was stealing apples from her garden.
Genre and stylistic features of the novel “The Cliff”
The genre of psychological realism in which the novel is written suggests that external events around the characters only frame the internal personal changes of the characters. The novel “Oblomov”, which is one of Goncharov’s most famous works, was written in the same genre. Literary scholars and critics, when analyzing the novel, note a sharp change in the rhythm of the narrative in its parts, as well as some Baroque features in style. Goncharov himself also admitted that he had problems combining the disparate parts of the novel and many characters into one coherent work. In addition, it is worth noting Goncharov’s skillful use of portrait characteristics of characters to create a psychological image of the heroes and accurately convey their characters.
Part four
Vera met Mark in the old gazebo. They have very different views on life, although they love each other. Vera asks not to give prohibited books to young people, to be quiet. Mark accuses her of wanting to get married, and he is looking for a comrade in her. They decide to break up.
Vera was unable to break off her relationship with Mark. She again leaves for the Volga to the priest. From there, Raisky receives friendly or mocking letters. As it turned out later, Vera and the priest wrote them one by one as a joke. One of the notes called on Raisky to help someone in need. Raisky sent him 220 rubles. Subsequently, it turned out that Vera did not know anything about this note; it was written by Mark, who already owed Raisky 80 rubles and threatened that he would not give them back.
Kozlov fell ill, and his wife and Frenchman Charles left him. The grandmother offers to take Leonty to her place.
Raisky receives a letter from Ayanov, from which he learns that Sophia was compromised by a note to Count Milari, and the Count himself emigrated to Paris, where he, it turns out, has a fiancee-cousin.
Raisky is saddened by Vera's departure, but suddenly she appears when he is pining over a cliff. She doesn't look like herself. She says passion changed her. When asked who she loves, Vera replies that Raisky. He doesn't believe her, he thinks she's crazy. Vera asks Raisky to help her: to hold her by force, not to let her go onto the cliff.
Vera, hearing the shot (conventional signal), ran to the cliff. Raisky detained her, but she begged “for Christ’s sake” for 5 minutes.
Vera and Mark in the gazebo decide to part forever. Vera insists that love is not an animal attraction, but a duty; Mark does not promise eternal love and is not going to get married. All year Vera wanted to influence Mark, but did not achieve her goal. Mark, although he overcame Vera’s heart, did not overpower his mind and will. When parting, Mark warns that if Vera turns around, she will be his. Vera turned around and shouted: “Mark, goodbye!”
Raisky waited for Vera until 11. He is in despair: for 5 months their relationship has not been defined. Raisky decides to spy on who Vera’s chosen one is. When Raisky found out everything, he was furious. He rudely pushes Kritskaya away in the garden, who was looking for a date with him, and waits until the morning for Vera to look into her eyes. Arriving home, Vera collapses.
The plot and meaning of the novel “The Cliff”
The main character of the novel is Raisky, who is looking for material to write his novel. But this novel is not only a literary work, but also a love story, and each time the heroines of his novel become new women who capture his attention and imagination. And each time his novel remains unfinished: he grows cold towards every woman when she refuses him.
The most important symbol of the novel is the cliff. This is the break of the old, which needs to be discarded and begin to live in a new way, and the break of Raisky’s love affairs, which always do not come to a happy ending, and the constantly unfinished, torn storyline of his novel... The break in Oblomov’s work is multifaceted and has many shades of meaning .
The image of a cliff is also especially suitable for describing the moral regeneration of all heroes. They all stand before a cliff, beyond which there is uncertainty, and they are given a choice: to live as before in changed conditions, or to choose something new for themselves and be reborn. For some heroes, accepting something new means accepting themselves, psychological growth and admitting their mistakes; for others, this new thing is associated with severe moral turmoil.
The ending of the novel remains open. Goncharov in “The Precipice” allows the reader to imagine what the fate of the heroes will be after their decisions and changes described in the novel. And at the same time, by the end of “The Precipice,” although the fate of the heroes is not always clearly clear, further milestones of what is happening to them are outlined. Thus, the reader can almost definitely understand that Raisky is not changing, and his decision to “sculpt” and move to Italy will also not bring him success and will end, like his previous attempts to become a writer and artist.
