The Queen of Spades is a short story written by Alexander Pushkin, widely regarded as one of Russia's greatest writers. The story was first published in 1833, and has since become one of Pushkin's most famous works, widely read and studied both in Russia and around the world.
The Queen of Spades tells the tale of Hermann, a young man who becomes obsessed with winning at cards and making a fortune. Hermann becomes convinced that the key to his success lies in learning the secret of the winning hand known as the "three queens," which is said to be held by an elderly countess known as the "Queen of Spades." Hermann becomes obsessed with the countess and plots to extract the secret from her, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.
Pushkin's writing is characterized by its wit, humor, and insight into human nature, and The Queen of Spades is no exception. The character of Hermann is a complex and compelling one, driven by his own greed and ambition, but also haunted by his own sense of inadequacy and insecurity. Through his portrayal of Hermann's descent into madness and obsession, Pushkin explores themes of greed, guilt, and the destructive power of desire.
The Queen of Spades has been adapted into numerous films, plays, and operas, and continues to be a popular and enduring work of literature. Its themes of obsession and the destructive power of desire continue to resonate with readers and audiences today, making it a timeless and enduring classic of Russian literature.
What is the story behind the queen of spades?
Hermann started; instead of an ace, there lay before him the queen of spades! Other critics with rational explanations, such as Nathan Rosen and Viktor Vonogradov, claim that Hermann may have simply seen a likeness between the Countess who gave him the secret and the Queen card, leading him to make a mistake. Her numerous domestics, growing fat and old in her ante-chamber and servants' hall, did just as they liked, and vied with each other in robbing the aged Countess in the most bare-faced manner. What sort of weather is it? She shook her head and raised her hands as if to protect herself from the shot. She participated in all the vanities of the great world, went to balls, where she sat in a corner, painted and dressed in old-fashioned style, like a deformed but indispensable ornament of the ball-room; all the guests on entering approached her and made a profound bow, as if in accordance with a set ceremony, but after that nobody took any further notice of her. The late Chaplitzky--the same who died in poverty after having squandered millions--once lost, in his youth, about three hundred thousand roubles--to Zorich, if I remember rightly.
The Queen of Spades Character Analysis
Lizaveta, we won't go out--there was no need for you to deck yourself like that. . . She longed to renew the interrupted conversation, but the mazurka came to an end, and shortly afterwards the old Countess took her departure. . He remained standing under the lamp, his eyes fixed upon the watch, impatiently waiting for the remaining minutes to pass.
The Queen of Spades Themes
Hermann, an The countess who is now 87 years old has a young ward, Lizavyeta Ivanovna. He had expected this, and he returned home, his mind deeply occupied with his intrigue. Generals and Privy Counsellors were playing at whist; young men were lolling carelessly upon the velvet-covered sofas, eating ices and smoking pipes. The clock in the drawing-room struck twelve; the strokes echoed through the room one after the other, and everything was quiet again. Lizanka, where is my snuff-box? The old Countess A---- was seated in her dressing-room in front of her looking--glass. At last she succeeded in writing a few lines with which she felt satisfied.
The Queen of Spades (story)
Three antiquated chamber-maids entered the bedroom, and they were shortly afterwards followed by the Countess who, more dead than alive, sank into a Voltaire armchair. Around the catafalque stood the members of her household: the servants in black caftans, with armorial ribbons upon their shoulders, and candles in their hands; the relatives--children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren--in deep mourning. . When Tomsky asked permission of his grandmother the Countess to present one of his friends to her, the young girl's heart beat violently. He draws a pistol and threatens her, and the old lady dies of fright.
