(Originally Written September 15, 2011 in The Journal)
An Amateur Peasant Girl - Alexander Pushkin
Ivan Petrovitch Berestaff was likable but proud and thrifty man.
Gregory Ivanovitch Mouromsky was an old stamp noble who had squandred his wealth on opulence.
Ivan mocked Gregory. Gregory looked down on Ivan as a peasant.
On differentiating country women who grow peculiar but charming and the city women who are better off Pushkin states that the ladies of the city, "women receive perhaps better instruction, but intercourse with the world soon levels the character and makes their souls as uniform as their head-dresses". This is an interesting take on what culture does to individuals.
Alexie, the son of Ivan has returned to the country from the city as a disenchanted and mysterious youth and has attracted the countrywomen to him.
Liza, the daughter of Gregory has the most interest in Alexei. Liza was spoiled rotten and raised to match the English ways her father so readily copied.
"But is not the fear which accompanies our youthful escapades that which constitutes their greatest charm?"
What an odd story. It's like a happy ending version of Romeo and Juliet. It was like a farce-spoof of Shakespeare.
Mais etes-vous fou? Are you mad?
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