The remarkable Russian writer Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev created a gallery of wonderful female images. They were later called "Turgenev girls". This expression is understood as educated, impressionable, but not too much focused on their inner experiences girls.
Who is she?
Turgenev in the 50-80s of the XIX century wrote several works, which show heroines that fit the definition of "Turgenev girl". They have a lot in common. These are girls whose childhood and adolescence were spent somewhere in remote estates, where the influence of the capital's secular society is not very felt. Turgenev's heroine grew up among forests and fields, she thinks and reads a lot, she has a rich inner world, into which she is in no hurry to let outsiders. She is not very attractive in appearance, and to a young man, accustomed to secular splendor, may seem completely ugly. Despite the fact that her circle of acquaintances is limited, she is good at understanding people and can distinguish the true from the ostentatious. Among the young people around her, she will unmistakably choose someone who is ready to serve a noble idea, while she is ready to follow him even to the ends of the world. Outwardly, she seems weak and gentle, but if necessary, she shows a very strong character, determination, purposefulness. The male hero is usually weaker than her.
Asya, Natalia, Elena
Asya from the story of the same name at first seems to the protagonist pretty, but somewhat unbalanced. Natalya Lasunskaya from the novel "Rudin" makes an unfavorable impression on those who see her for the first time, she seems angular, although she has a clean, regular and expressive face.
The heroine of the novel "Nov" Marianna seems generally ugly, with a round face, a large nose and too light eyes. Liza Kalitina from "Noble Nest" gives the impression of a serious, very tactful girl who tries not to offend anyone. The Turgenev girls are waiting for love, but for her sake they do not agree to sacrifice the idea.
Turgenev girl in the modern world
The image of the "Turgenev young lady" has been greatly transformed over a century and a half. Similar characters appeared in the books of other Russian writers - for example, in Chekhov or Bulgakov. They had quite a lot in common with Turgenev's heroines. Over time, this expression has become commonplace. Its meaning has changed significantly. Now this is the name for romantic, overly sensitive young ladies, about whom we can say that they are not of this world. This is not a completely correct understanding of Turgenev's work. His heroines, of course, are to some extent romantic, but far from naive. The ability to feel deeply is combined with the ability to walk on the intended road, to overcome obstacles. They feel great among books, but the book world does not overshadow reality for them.
