We continue to understand why the Russian classics disposed of the fate of the heroes of their works in this way and not otherwise. Next in line is A. S. Pushkin’s Dubrovsky, or rather, Masha, the daughter of the landowner Troekurov.
Why does Masha marry the unloved?
In the absence of Dubrovsky, who did not have time to free the captive bride, Masha, of course, does not have enough will of her own to say “no” at the altar. She marries the unloved prince. Unlike Dubrovsky, who was brought up in democratic traditions, Masha grew up with a psychopathic father. Prone to demonstrating power and humiliating others, the landowner forces everyone around him — first of all, his tender daughter — to obey his will.
So unquestioning submission, in which, however, many young ladies grew up in those days, kills the rudiments of the right to decide something in their lives and gives rise to passivity and sacrifice. Gender equality is still far away, and parental marriages are the norm rather than the exception. And Masha is not one of those who are able to challenge. The drama, played like clockwork, destroys fantasies about love, both about a possible marriage for love, and about the love of a father.
Almost every girl dreams of a savior whose appearance will solve many problems.
Deceived expectations, destroyed faith in Dubrovsky’s heroic abilities bordering on magic and fatherly love lead to despair and a willingness to submit to fate. And Pushkin is honest in his ending: no happy ending. Masha’s life was not ruined at the altar. Everything happened much earlier, and therefore her fate will not be love that happened, but an unlived life.
Almost every girl dreams of a savior whose appearance will solve many problems. Anyone would be captivated by a charismatic, young, courageous young man challenging the old way of life. Especially if the girl does not feel in herself either strength, or will, or the ability to resist. But no «Dubrovsky» will save any «Masha» from the cruel dictates of someone else’s will and will not grow in another what should have grown in an atmosphere of love and respect.
What if Masha ran away with Dubrovsky?
They have no reason to be happy. Youth, audacity and elusiveness of Dubrovsky evoke conflicting feelings in the women around him: fear, admiration and attraction. Dreaming of a noble robber is certainly very exciting. But what is it like to be the wife of someone who has broken all the laws? To be outlawed herself, to lose everything in which she grew up?
After all, Masha is not one of those who are able to enjoy protest and life outside of habits and rules. Left early without a parental home, deprived of his estate and good name, Dubrovsky also does not look like a potentially prosperous family man. So enthusiastic love-illusion is doomed to destruction: disappointment and pain of loss would not allow them to become a happy couple.