45 pages 1 hour read

Alexander Pushkin

Eugene Onegin

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Adult | Published in 1832

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Background

Historical Context: Pushkin and Russia in the 1820s

The 1820s marked a significant period in the history of Russia, as it was a time of reforms, cultural advancements, and political unrest. During this decade, Russia was under the rule of Tsar Alexander I, who came to the throne in 1801 following the assassination of his father, Tsar Paul I. At the start of the 1820s, Russia was still reeling from the effects of the Napoleonic Wars, which ended in 1815 with Russia playing a key role in the defeat of Napoleon. The war drained the country’s resources and left it in a state of economic and social turmoil. To stabilize the situation, Tsar Alexander I introduced a series of reforms aimed at modernizing the country and improving the lives of its citizens.

One of the most significant reforms introduced in the 1820s was the abolition of serfdom, which was in place since the 16th century. However, the abolition was not immediate and took several years to implement fully. The tsar initially introduced the policy in the Baltic provinces, where serfdom was less prevalent, and gradually expanded it to other parts of the country. The reform faced strong opposition from the nobility, who owned the serfs and feared losing their source of labor.

Related Titles

By Alexander Pushkin

Plot Summary

logo

Boris Godunov

Alexander Pushkin

Boris Godunov

Alexander Pushkin

Study Guide

logo

The Bronze Horseman

Alexander Pushkin

The Bronze Horseman

Alexander Pushkin

Plot Summary

logo

The Captain's Daughter

Alexander Pushkin

The Captain's Daughter

Alexander Pushkin

Study Guide

logo

The Queen Of Spades

Alexander Pushkin

The Queen Of Spades

Alexander Pushkin