Short description on novel "Peter the Great's Arap", Alexander Pushkin

The main characters:

Ibrahim - Peter the Great's Arap

Peter the Great - The Emperor

French Countess D. (Leonora) - Ibrahim`s love affair and mother of his child

Gavrila Rzhevskii - the boyar

Natalia - Gavrila Rzhevskii`s daughter

Ivan Korsakov

Action takes place in 18th century. Arap Ibrahim is a Godson of Peter the Great. Ibrahim was sent to foreign lands, then he was wounded in the Spanish war, finally he settled in France.

He becomes poplular in French society thankfully to his appearance, good education and natural intelligence. He enjoys all kinds of entertainment and social events.

Peter the Great invites him to Saint-Petersburg, but Ibrahim prefers his current life to strict and simple life in Russia. Ibrahim has one more reason to stay in France: although he had never expected to find a couple, he suddenly falls in love with one married Countess D. (Leonora).

"The thought that, by nature, he was destined not to have his affections reciprocated saved him from presumptuousness and vanity, and this lent a rare charm to his conduct with women."

It`s not a secret in society and Countess D. suffers a lot because of varos talks.

She gives birth to a child with dark complexion, but the couple change their child for one with a fair complexion to cause less gossips.

Ibrahim is deeply in love with the Countess but he is too much afraid to lose her. He scared either her husband gets to know or she finds a new lover. He writes a farewell letter to his beloved Leonora and goes to Saint-Petersburg.

"Ibrahim looked with curiosity at the newborn capital that had risen from the swamp at the bidding of autocracy. Open dikes, canals without embankments, and wooden bridges testified everywhere to the recent victory of human will over the resistance of the elements. The houses, it seemed, had been erected hastily. There was nothing impressive in the whole city except for the Neva, not yet adorned by a granite frame but already strewn with warships and merchantmen."

"Ibrahim's days were unvaried but busy; consequently, he felt no boredom. With every day he became more and more attached to the Emperor, more able to comprehend his lofty mind. To follow the thoughts of a great man is a most engrossing intellectual occupation."

A young Ivan Korsakov comes to Saint-Petersburg and gives to Ibrahim a letter from Leonora. Korsakov says the Countess has found a new lover, but in her letter she regrets about Ibrahim`s departure and swears in her love to Ibrahim.

Ibrahim and Korsakov come to the assembly. Korsakov is surprised by the amazingly decorated place and by the beauty of Russian girls. He also is not able to fit into society. For example, he wants to dance with a young lady, but he doesn`t know about current rules how to invite her. In the end his punishment is to drink a big cup of alcohol. The name of the young girl is Natalia, she is the daughter of the boyar Gavrila Rzhevskii. She invites Ibrahim for a dance and Peter the Great sees the dancing couple.

Later the boyar Rzhevskii has dinner with invited to his house guests. They discuss the Assembly. Men criticize current behaviour of young people. Unformal atmosphere is interrupted by an unexpected arrival of Peter the Great. He joins the dinner and guests shows they respect and can`t eat. After dinner, Peter the Great calls Rzhevskii for a duscussion and guests leave.

Natalia overhears them. Peter the Great offers to marry the girl with Ibrahim. Natalia loses consciousness in a deep shoke and strongly breaks her head. During 2 weeks she is unconscious. She says aloud one name: "Valerian". Valerian is orphan who was raised in Rzhevskii`s house, he left the house two years ago. Up to this date Natalia carefully didn`t mention her affection for the young man. Rzhevskii is angry on his daughter when he get to know about it.

The whole family feels sorry for the girl, but they can`t disobey the Peter the Great`s wish. Family is looking for positive aspects in the sutiation: the groom is the godson of Peter the Great and for sure The Emperor himself is going to support the couple.

Ibrahim is also surprised by the idea of marriage, but he agrees with the Peter the Great.

"The Emperor is right: I must ensure my future. Marriage with the young Rzhevskaia will affiliate me with the proud Russian gentry, and I will no longer be a newcomer in my adopted fatherland. I will not demand love from my wife: I shall be content with her fidelity. As for her friendship, I will win it by unfailing tenderness, trust, and indulgence"

Ibrahim goes to Rzhevskii`s house to see the bride, but in those moments she is still sick and it`s not possible to talk with her. Korsakov advices to Ibrahim not to marry a girl with such a bad health plus it`s obvios she doesn`t like the groom. Ibrahim answers to Korsakov that it`s not his business.

Suddently a tall young man comes to Rzhevskii`s house one day. No one recognizes him but he says he was taught in this house.

This is the end of unfinished novel.

#Shortdescription #Pushkin