Аннотация: The Fairy Tale of How Nikolai Gogol became the Great Dramaturge
The Fairy Tale of How Nikolai Gogol became the Great Dramaturge
Nikolai Gogol comes to Vasily Zhukovsky:
- Vasily Andreyevich, I want to serve the benefit. By my pen. All of us know that you are the talented poet, the patron, and the tutor of Crown Prince. Therefore I to you have come for council and support. I am going to devote the forces to collecting national legends and myths about "Тришкин кафтан" (a "Trishkin's Kaftan"). But will this be the right direction?
- The fatherland waits for talented people! - Vasily Andreyevich has answered. Also he have continued to write down the poem on the sheet of paper.
"It is necessary to wait", - Gogol has understood.
There has passed some time. Creative energy demands an exit. Again Nikolai Gogol to Vasily Andreyevich Zhukovsky comes. Vasily Andreyevich has smiled to Gogol and has continued to write on the sheet of paper.
"I'll wait," - thought Gogol. - "First of all, Vasily Andreyevich can recall my previous question. Secondly, the creative process comes first. Everything else is on the second place."
The room was entered by the footman and has reported that the horse carriage for Zhukovsky is arrived. The important visit is required to be made.
Vasily Andreyevich has smiled to Gogol, has postponed sheets of paper and has gone to an exit.
"He smiles!" - Gogol has thought. - "Means, it is possible to make a request!"
- Vasily Andreyevich! I would like to devote the creativity to a benefit, and I intend to go deep into folk art: to collect in different areas versions of a saying "In a kitchen garden - a plant with berries, and in the Kiev - an uncle". I plan to compare different options, to analyse, write the book. Naturally, it would be desirable to know the mood ...
Gogol slightly raised head and looked somewhere...
Vasily Andreyevich smiled again, jumped into the carriage and left.
Gogol feels, that as if would what the changes in the atmosphere occur. Again he comes to Vasily Andreyevich.
Vasily Andreyevich is a little busy, some important people, visitors, courtiers in beautiful uniforms.
The house owner has invited Gogol to sit down, has smiled friendly.
One of the guests dressed in a beautiful court uniform speaks to Zhukovsky:
- Important direction of activity! Audits are organized across all Russia!
Then he have turned the head to Gogol and have smiled.
Other guest in a beautiful uniform has joined a conversation:
- The people joke that some writers, - very famous, - write their works, after drinking a few glasses of a foreign rum!
He said, and politely looked on Gogol.
Gogol has got the manuscript from his pocket and something has added in the manuscript. Then he saw that all were silent and looking at him affectionately.
Then Gogol says:
- Vasily Andreyevich! I want to serve for a good future! By my pen. I wrote the Comedy, which aims to eradicate vices and show the benefits of audits, which were organized throughout all the Russia. Some of the writers, - very famous, - are mentioned.
- Thanks, Nikolai Vasilievich that have arrived on a visit! - Zhukovsky have politely told . - There is a big need now for a young, talented people! Several days will be required on reading, on formality. Then - the premiere of your comedy. And you are waited right now by the director of the central printing house, very much he wishes to get acquainted with you. My carriage will give a ride to you.
Gogol thanked him, gave Zhukovsky manuscript and leaved his house.
Then he have thought a little, he have taken away the fee, and he have gone to Rome.
And in St. Petersburg the theatrical performance of "The New Government Inspector" was already prepared. Who is the author of this "The New Government Inspector" - full clarity still isn't present.
Gogol those times began to write "Dead souls". In Rome.
May 25, 2018 06:55
Translation from Russian into English: May 25, 2018 09:05.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский "Сказка о том, как Николай Гоголь стал великим драматургом".