Summary of “Singers” Turgenev
Story Turgenev’s “Singers” begins with a description of the village Kolotovka Orel province, nicknamed in the people Stryganikha in memory of the former landowner, who was famous for its “dashing temper.” The author compares the difficult terrain with a gaping abyss. At the very edge of the ravine is the “Sly” house, in which the local people like to gather.
The special disposition of Nikolai Ivanovich, the tselovalnik “Pritynnoy”, gives this institution a cozy and democratic atmosphere. On one of the hot summer days, accompanied by his dog, the master, the author-narrator of the “Hunter’s Notes”, comes here to rest and drink a mug of kvass or beer. With joy and curiosity he learns the news: a well-known peasant in the county, nicknamed Turk-Yashka and a rower from Zhizdra, instigated by Dikim-Barin, converged at this moment in a tavern in order to compete in singing skills. At stake is the “octopus
Obalduy suddenly ordered that the rivals begin to sing. Jacob became agitated. We decided to cast lots. At that moment the master was sitting on the side with a mug of beer and was pleased to observe what was happening. Jacob threw in the cap of Obalduy, who was summoned to judge the contest, his own penny, the rowman did the same. Morgach several times shook the pittance and pulled out the lot of the rower. The rowman does not immediately decide to sing. He is advised to choose a song “according to conscience” – what kind of soul he will ask. When he finally decides to speak, Jacob glares at him.
At this point, the author-narrator transmits his observations to the audience. Before the reader appears a whole gallery of various types of people whose nicknames very accurately express their characters, habits and manners. Twit. His real name is Evgraf Ivanov much less than a nickname, expresses
Yakov is described briefly by the author, noting that his nickname is directly related to his mother – a captive Turkish woman. Wild-Barin figure resembles a bear and the same confidence in his power in him. He lives by himself and for himself. It happens most often morose and used to subordinate people.
Next, the author describes the performance of the singers. The sergeant sang a sweet dancing song in a high voice – falsetto. Sang hard, gulp, nice, although a bit hoarse. At some point the audience admired his passages and picked up the song. Jacob could not resist admiration. Only Wild-Barin remained as if indifferent to this universal jubilation. At the end of the song, Obladuy rushed to hug the rower like a winner. But Nikolai Ivanovich reminded that it was Yasha’s turn to show his skills.
From the song of Jacob all became “sweet” and “creepy.” There was something painful and deeply passionate in his voice. Jacob sang with ecstasy, forgetting that he was competing with someone. And the sweep of his voice reminded the master of the seagull, once seen on the seashore. Almost without movement, she slowly waved her wings and folded again. The voice of Jacob completely shook all those present, even the Wild-Barin, who involuntarily dropped his tear. The rowman himself aloud acknowledged the victory of Yakov. The “sweetheart” was filled with a good atmosphere. And the narrator hurried to leave this place, so as not to spoil the impression of what he saw. Later, passing again past the drinking house, he involuntarily looked in through the window and saw that everyone was drunk. The people were added, but the Wild-Barin was no more.
Descending the slope of the ravine, the master suddenly heard the voice of the boy calling out in a lingering manner: “Antropka-ah! …” They answered the voice, but when the same boy, delighted, shouted that Antropka wanted to be cut by the lady, the voice died down. Long then this cry in the night: “Antropka-ah! …” – was heard by the narrator.
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