10 interesting facts about Ivan Turgenev – a classic of Russian literature of the second half of the XNUMXth century

The name of Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev is familiar to all residents of Russia. There is no such person who would not hear about his works. They are included in the school curriculum. Of course, this is not his only merit.

The classic made a significant contribution to the development of Russian literature in the second half of the XNUMXth century. He actively promoted it in the West and had a great influence on the poetics of the Western European novel. His work is permeated with love for the Motherland and for the common people.

Of course, it is unlikely that schoolchildren will be able to appreciate the works of Turgenev, but if you return to them after 10-20 years, a completely different impression will be created.

If you are a fan of Russian literature and Ivan Sergeevich in particular, pay attention to our article. We present you a list of 10 interesting facts about Turgenev: biography and stories from the life of the writer, his famous friends and creativity.

10 As a child he traveled all over Western Europe

Turgenev was then still a little boy, 4 years old. Parents went on a trip to Western Europe and took their son with them.

Ivan Sergeevich did not remember anything, except for a few bright moments. One of them is a trouble that happened during a visit to the Berlin menagerie. The boy then almost fell into a pit with bears, he was saved.

Another memory is how they took measurements for the coffin. During the trip, Turgenev became very ill, and his parents did not even hope that he would survive.

9. Constantly maintained perfect cleanliness and hygiene

Ivan Sergeevich was very fond of cleanliness. He was prone to a manic passion for order, could change linen several times a day and tidy the room. Before sitting down to work, he cleaned up his desk. Any little thing could piss him off, in this state Turgenev could not create.

He also fought for the purity of the Russian language. He urged his compatriots not to use foreign words: “We have nothing to take from someone who is poorer than us.”. Perhaps modern Russians should listen to Turgenev’s advice and not use foreign words where it is completely unnecessary.

8. Close friends – Belinsky and Nekrasov

Turgenev’s closest friends were Belinsky Vissarion Grigoryevich and Nekrasov Nikolai Alekseevich.

Belinsky is a well-known literary critic. Ivan Sergeevich decided to show his first work to him. He did not hope for praise, but Vissarion Grigorievich highly appreciated Turgenev’s literary talent. He published his review of the poem in the journal Otechestvennye Zapiski.

Later, their acquaintance grew into a strong friendship. Ivan Sergeevich subsequently even became the godfather of Belinsky’s son.

Turgenev had a much more complicated relationship with Nekrasov, their friendship lasted 10 years, from 1840 to 1850, and then something happened. They became implacable enemies. Unfortunately, the reason for their quarrel is unknown, although there is more than one version of this, it is impossible to say for sure which one is true.

7. Was under house arrest

Turgenev was not a “law-abiding citizen”. Many were confused by his anti-serfdom sentiments. Ivan Sergeevich witnessed the events in France in 1848 (revolution), and also did not always follow his statements. In addition, Turgenev maintained friendly relations with the Russian revolutionaries Herzen and Bakunin.

After the death of Gogol, the writer sent an article to Moskovskie Vedomosti, where he had the imprudence to touch on the topic of the death of Pushkin and Lermontov. He called these three writers great, in those days it was the prerogative of the king. The censor informed Nicholas I that Turgenev was unreliable.

In 1852, the writer was imprisoned, a month later he was sent to his own estate. He was forbidden to leave the territory of the Oryol province. House arrest lasted 1,5 years.

6. Provoked Tolstoy to a duel

This story took place in 1861. Lev Nikolaevich and Ivan Sergeevich maintained friendly relations. Once they were visiting Fet, and there a major scandal erupted.

Turgenev talked about his daughter, who lived in France and did charity work. The girl darned the clothes of the poor. Tolstoy called such behavior false and insincere, “a theatrical stage”, to which Turgenev responded with rudeness. Lev Nikolaevich demanded an apology, and then sent a letter, he challenged Ivan Sergeevich to a duel with guns, “to be sure.” The duel did not take place.

Interesting fact: there is a version that the real reason for the quarrel is the relationship between Turgenev and Tolstoy’s sister Maria. It was not customary to talk about this, so the writers quarreled over a trifle. Maria was married and left her husband for Turgenev, but he did not dare to take a serious step. Tolstoy just wanted to punish her offender.

5. He wore bright ties and gold buttons.

Turgenev was a tall and handsome man. His height is 192 cm. The appearance of the writer has always been the subject of conversation. He loved bright colors. Ties in unusual colors, gold buttons – at that time it was not customary to wear such things. Turgenev did not pay attention to other people’s opinions, he liked to shine.

4. Loved Pauline Viardot

This love divided the writer’s life into “before” and “after”, it was fatal, painful. Pauline Viardot is an opera singer. Their acquaintance with Turgenev happened during a tour of the Italian opera.

Viardot cannot be called a typical “Turgenev girl.” This married woman was not distinguished by meekness and modesty. Polina had more than one lover, Ivan Sergeevich also fell into their number. Many believe that this love was platonic, but there is evidence that everything went much further than letters and innocent meetings. Turgenev was even credited with paternity of Polina’s son.

The writer was ready to give the whole world for her, he became friends with Viardot’s husband. He spent the last years of his life in France with Pauline’s family and his daughter.

3. played chess

Ivan Sergeevich was a versatile person, along with hunting, literature and music, he was fond of chess. By the way, he did well. He was even called the best chess player among writers.. Phenomenal memory, attentiveness, the desire to win – these qualities made Turgenev an unsurpassed player.

2. Fought for the abolition of serfdom

Already in his youth, Turgenev began to hate serfdom. He had one way to deal with this phenomenon – literature. His work “Notes of a Hunter” describes the real picture in the best possible way.

But Ivan Sergeevich did not confine himself to literature. He joined the Ministry, where he dealt with issues related to serfdom. There is a known case when a writer protected a serf girl from her owners, for which he was punished. A lawsuit was brought against him.

1. Was the most widely read and popular European writer

Turgenev is considered the first writer who gained popularity abroad. In 1863 he settled in Baden-Baden and became close friends with many Western writers.

Ivan Sergeevich was engaged in the promotion of Russian literature. He knew how to interest, actively promoted the work of the great writers of Russia. Thanks to Turgenev, they learned about Pushkin, Gogol, Lermontov abroad.

Turgenev himself achieved certain heights and bathed in the last years of his life in the rays of glory. His works were very popular at home, and abroad he was called almost the first writer of the century.