Summary “The Journey of the Hegumen Daniel”


“Prayer”, like many other works of ancient Russian literature, is devoid of narrative about events. The whole text is the appeal of Daniel the Exile to the prince, asking him for mercy.

The main thing that Daniel is supposed to rely on in life is his own mind. “I have scant clothes, but I have a lot of reason.” Daniel asks the prince to save him from poverty and grief, to protect “with the fear of your storm.” The author contrasts the mind and wealth, pointing mainly to wealthy nobles and boyars.

On the one hand, much in the text goes back to folk jokes, jokes, proverbs. On the other hand, Daniel often refers to the Holy Scripture, quotes it. Arguing about his life, Daniel seems to lose some situations: what can be done to get rid of the need, and not steal me, and not go to a monastery, and not marry according to the calculation of a rich bride. None of the ways is suitable for Daniel, he laughs at everything. The most expressive is the argument about why one should not marry. Here the author follows the medieval tradition of describing “evil wives” (since the woman was originally a “vessel of sin”, then the image of “evil wife” was very popular in Old Russian bookishness). “A wicked wife is like an abrasion: it is hammering here, it hurts.” Daniel finishes his “Prayer”


1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Summary “The Journey of the Hegumen Daniel”