Kuprin affirmation of the high moral ideals of the Russian people. “The embodiment of the writer’s moral ideal in the story “Olesya

Composition

Having become acquainted with the work of A. I. Kuprin, I noted for myself the main theme of his works - this is the glorification of pure, immaculate, generous love. Love different people: Olesya is “an integral, original, free nature, her mind, at the same time clear and shrouded in unshakable mediocre superstition, childishly innocent, but not without sly coquetry beautiful woman“, and Ivan Timofeevich - “although a good man, he is only weak.” They belong to different social strata: Ivan Timofeevich - educated person, a writer who came to Polesie to “observe morals,” and Olesya is a “witch,” an uneducated girl who grew up in the forest.

But despite these differences, they fell in love with each other. However, their love was different: Ivan Timofeevich was attracted by Olesya’s beauty, tenderness, femininity, naivety, and she, on the contrary, was aware of all his shortcomings and knew that their love was doomed, but despite this, she loved him with all her ardent soul. After all, for the sake of Ivan Timofeevich, she went to church, although she knew that it would end tragically for her,

But I don’t consider the main character’s love to be as pure and generous. He knew that disaster might happen if Olesya went to church, but did nothing to stop her: “Suddenly, a sudden horror of foreboding gripped me. I uncontrollably wanted to run after Olesya, catch up with her and ask, beg, even demand, if necessary, that she not go to church. But I restrained my unexpected impulse...” Ivan Timofeevich, although he loved Olesya, was at the same time afraid of this love. It was this fear that prevented him from marrying her: “Only one circumstance frightened and stopped me: “I did not even dare to imagine what Olesya would be like, dressed in a human dress, talking in the living room with the wives of my colleagues, torn from this charming frame of the old forest "

The love of Olesya and Ivan Timofeevich is a tragedy, as is the fate of Olesya herself, because she was sharply different from the Perbrod peasants, first of all, with her pure, open soul, wealth inner world. Olesya is the complete opposite of Ivan Timofeevich. In her image, Kuprin embodies his ideas about the ideal woman. She has absorbed the laws by which nature lives, her soul is not spoiled by civilization. The writer creates exclusively romantic image"daughters of the forests" Olesya’s life passes in isolation from people, and therefore she does not care about what many devote their lives to modern people: fame, wealth, power, rumor. Emotions become the main motives for her actions. Moreover, Olesya is a witch, she knows secrets human subconscious. This is what gave rise to the hatred of the callous people towards her, limited people. And, as you know, people always strive to destroy someone they do not understand, someone who is different from them. Therefore, the heroine is forced to part with her beloved and flee from her native forest. Olesya's love becomes the greatest gift that can give life to the hero of the story. In this love there is dedication and courage, on the one hand, and contradiction, on the other.

The writer sees the true meaning of love in the desire to selflessly give to his chosen one all the fullness of feelings that he is capable of. loving person. Man is imperfect, but the power of love can, at least for a short time, return to him the sharpness of sensations and naturalness that only people like Olesya have retained.

Other works on this work

“Love must be a tragedy. The greatest secret in the world" (based on the story "Olesya" by A.I. Kuprin) Pure light of high moral ideas in Russian literature Hymn to the sublime, primordial feeling of love (Based on the story “Olesya” by A. I. Kuprin) Hymn to the sublime, primordial feeling of love (based on A. Kuprin’s story “Olesya”) The female image in A. Kuprin’s story “Olesya” Lobov in Russian literature (based on the story “Olesya”) My favorite story by A. I. Kuprin “Olesya” The image of the hero-storyteller and ways of creating it in the story “Olesya” Based on the story “Olesya” by A. I. Kuprin Why did the love of Ivan Timofeevich and Olesya become a tragedy? Can the hero’s “lazy heart” be considered to blame for this? (based on the work of A. I. Kuprin “Olesya”) Essay based on Kuprin’s story “Olesya” The theme of “natural man” in A. I. Kuprin’s story “Olesya” The theme of tragic love in Kuprin’s works (“Olesya”, “Garnet Bracelet”) A lesson in moral beauty and nobility in A. I. Kuprin’s story “Olesya” (the image of Olesya) The artistic originality of one of the works of A.I. Kuprin (“Olesya”) Man and nature in the works of Kuprin The theme of love in A. I. Kuprin’s story “Olesya” He and She in the story “Olesya” by A. I. Kuprin The world of nature and human feelings in A. I. Kuprin’s story “Olesya” Analysis of the story "Olesya" by A.I. Kuprin Essay based on the story by A.I. Kuprin "Olesya" Essay based on the story "Olesya" by A. I. Kuprin The image of Olesya in the story of the same name by Kuprin "The Forest Witch" Olesya in the story of the same name by A. I. Kuprin

Heroic epics, myths and epics are often focused on depicting events historical life certain people. The heroic epic is characteristic, as it was for the times Kievan Rus, as for the 17th-18th centuries, because in the works heroic epic moral ideals of different peoples were embodied.

The heroic epic as an expression of the consciousness of the people

Heroic songs, myths and epics act as an expression of the historical consciousness of the people. First of all, works of this genre embody the ideals of social justice and glorify true heroes, defenders of the people and their native land.

But the heroic epic combines historical reality in images, and fiction. Often such works have a solemn and pathetic tone, and this is justified by the fact that they glorify great pages of history and great people - honest, brave and free.

Thus, it is the heroic epic that reveals social moral and aesthetic ideals. The very emergence of such a genre is due to the fact that the people needed a certain creative form in order to express their impressions of what was happening and create ideals that were close to them.

Therefore the famous epic works, myths and epics are a reflection of the faith and ideals that were closer specifically to the people of a certain country and a certain historical period. In the works of the epic, the main characters are heroes who embody the ideal of masculinity; they are an example of a defender of the people and a defender of their freedom.

If speak about ancient epic, then in it the main characters were endowed with some kind of superpowers, which suggests that the peoples of those times mystified their folk heroes. The Russian heroic epic includes such brave and courageous characters as Ilya Muromets and Dobrynya Nikitich.

They defend their land and go alone against an entire army of opponents. Therefore, we can talk about such characters as personifications people's power, which is capable of resisting any enemy.

The embodiment of moral ideals

The main characters of epics and myths are the fruits of artistic generalization, since the strength of the people and their faith in victory are embodied in one person. Basically, the motives and images of the works of the heroic epic are the same, only different ones are displayed historical events different peoples.

Also, the heroic epic shows that the people believed in the truth of miracles, as they created heroes with superhuman capabilities. But the most important thing that is worth noting in epics is the people’s idea of justice, duty and honor. Thanks to many works of the heroic epic, we see not only the popular understanding of history, but also understand what the moral ideals of a particular time were.

The heroes of the epic are noble and honest people, and this is their power for the people. They give up wealth for the sake of their freedom and their native land, they are not afraid of enemies and are always ready to defend those who are weak.

In the epic, the motive of supreme justice always occupies a special place, and the position of the people can be traced in this. Good always triumphs, no matter how powerful and influential evil was, justice is always restored.

Subject: A. I. Kuprin. Life and art. Embodiment moral ideal in the story "Olesya".

Goals:

give an overview creative path Kuprin, compare with the work of Bunin;
reveal the idea and artistic features the story “Olesya”, show the writer’s skill in depicting the world human feelings;
deepen the skills of commentary and artistic reading, consolidate the ability to fully perceive a work of art;
to form a reader capable of understanding the depth of human feelings and the beauty of nature.

Lesson type: combined.

Methods: heuristic, research, creative reading.

Types of student activities:student messages, recording of lectures, answers to questions, expressive reading, image analysis, selection of quotes.

Equipment: portrait of Kuprin, presentation, illustrations by I. Glazunov, P. Pinkisevich.

Lesson plan:

Organizational stage (3 min.)
Assimilation of new knowledge and improvement (34 min.):

creativity of Bunin and Kuprin (comparison);
message about the biography of Kuprin;
a message about the history of the story “Olesya”;
conversation on the story "Olesya".

Summing up (5 min.)
Homework (3 min.)

During the classes

1. Organizational stage.

U.: Hello, sit down!

You and I have finished studying Gorky’s work and written an essay on his work. A little earlier we studied Bunin’s work. Today's lesson will be connected precisely with it. The topic of our lesson is A.I. Kuprin. Life and art. The embodiment of the moral ideal in the story “Olesya” (slide 1). Let's write it down in a notebook. We will get acquainted with the writer’s biography (tell us about it yourself), his work, compare it with the work of Bunin and look at the story “Olesya”.

2. Assimilation of new knowledge and improvement.

U.: The work of Bunin's peer, Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin (1870 - 1938) (slide 2), was more widely known to the Soviet reader because, unlike Bunin, Kuprin returned from emigration to his homeland a year before his death. These writers have a lot in common. First of all, following the traditions of Russian classical literature, commitment to realism in depicting life, attitude to the work of L. N. Tolstoy as a model, lessons from Chekhov’s mastery. Kuprin is also interested in the relationship between man and nature, love as an element of living life. Kuprin develops the theme “ little man", emphasizing the "need of everyone." But if for Bunin the main thing is a contemplative, analytical principle, then for Kuprin brightness, strength, and integrity of character are important.

Let's listen to Kuprin's biography and write down the main points from his life (student message).

Kuprin spent thirteen years of his childhood and youth in closed educational institutions: Alexander Orphan School, Second Moscow Military Gymnasium, soon transformed into a cadet corps, Third Alexander Junker School. After hard years of barracks life, Kuprin wandered around provincial Russia, was a reporter, a loader in the Odessa port, a construction manager, a land surveyor, worked at a foundry, performed on stage, studied dentistry, was a journalist...

“He was always tormented by a thirst to explore, understand, study how people of all kinds of professions live and work... His insatiable, greedy vision gave him festive joy!” - K.I. Chukovsky wrote about Kuprin. A wealth of life observations, impressions, and experiences became the basis of his work.

“You are a reporter of life... Poke yourself absolutely everywhere... get into the very thick of life” - this is how Kuprin defined his calling. Kuprin is a temperamental, broad-minded person, a man of the elements and intuition. His favorite heroes have the same traits. The language of his prose is colorful and rich(he didn’t write any lyrics).

The first book, published in 1896, was called “Kyiv Types”. Two years later, the story “Olesya” was published, which posed the problem folk character and which was the embodiment of the writer’s dream about wonderful person, about freestyle, healthy life, about merging with nature.

Let's listen to a message about the history of the creation of the story (student message).

Now let's talk about the story itself. You should have read it at home. Let's see how you understand the author's idea and main intention.

1. For what purpose does the young “gentleman” Ivan Timofeevich come to a remote village in the Volyn province?

The hero, as a writer, is attracted by everything! “Polesie...the wilderness...the bosom of nature...simple morals...primitive natures,” the hero reflects, “a people completely unfamiliar to me, with strange customs, a unique language... and, probably, what a multitude of poetic legends, traditions and songs!”

2. What breaks the usual boredom of the city “gentleman”?

- Ivan Timofeevich learns about the existence of a witch. And he decides to find this mysterious house.

3. How does Kuprin draw the images of the main characters?

Olesya herself describes Ivan Timofeevich: “although you are a kind person, you are weak... your kindness is not good, not heartfelt. You are not the master of your word... You will not love anyone with your heart, because your heart is cold, lazy, and you will bring a lot of grief to those who love you.”

And Ivan Timofeevich sees Olesya like this: “My stranger, a tall brunette about 20-25 years old, behaved easily and slenderly. A spacious white shirt hung freely and beautifully around her young, healthy breasts. The original beauty of her face, once seen, could not be forgotten, but it was difficult. Even after getting used to it, I can’t describe it. His charm lay in those large, shiny, dark eyes, to which his thin eyebrows, broken in the middle, gave an elusive shade of slyness, power and naivety; in the dark-pink tone of the skin, in the willful curve of the lips, of which the lower, somewhat fuller, protruded forward with a decisive and capricious look.”

4. How simple people refer to Olesya and her grandmother?

They don't oppress. But the bosses constantly humiliate and rob.

5. What fairy tale elements are used in the description of Manuilikha?

- Her house is located behind the swamp. In appearance he resembles Baba Yaga: thin cheeks, long chin, toothless mouth.

6. What gift does Olesya have?

The face can determine a person’s fate, speak to a wound, instill fear, treat the most serious illnesses and knock you off your feet with one glance. But doesn't use it for evil.

7. How does Ivan Timofeevich describe the time of love?

“For almost a whole month, the naive, charming fairy tale of our love continued, and to this day, together with the beautiful appearance of Olesya, these flaming evening dawns, these dewy, fragrant lilies of the valley and honey mornings, full of cheerful freshness and ringing bird noise, live with unfading force in my soul , these hot, languid lazy June days..."

8. What do the heroes experience during this time of love?

- Olesya is the first to pour out her feelings. But Olesya is afraid that one day she will tire of her beloved. And Ivan Timofeevich is afraid that Olesya will be expelled from her native environment.

9. How does the story end?

Ivan Timofeevich is leaving. Olesya and her grandmother are forced to flee. Olesya went to church before this. But she was driven out of there. And Olesya threatened her fellow villagers. On the same day there was a hailstorm. And he destroyed the harvest. They blamed everything on Olesya.

10. Why is the development of love shown in close connection with pictures of nature?

The main idea of the story is that only far from civilization can you find a person capable of loving unselfishly and devotedly. Only in unity with nature can a person achieve moral purity and nobility. The landscape changes sensitively with the change state of mind Olesya.

11. How is the plot of the story structured?

Pictures of life and pictures of nature are connected into a single flow: for example, after the hero’s meeting with Olesya - a picture of a stormy spring, a declaration of love is accompanied by a description moonlit night. The plot is based on the contrast between the world of Olesya and the world of Ivan Timofeevich.

12. What color accompanies the image of Olesya?

Red. A red skirt, a red scarf, a string of cheap red beads. It is the color of love, but at the same time the color of anxiety.

3. Summing up.

U.: Let's turn to the textbook (reading the analysis of the story and answering questions 3-5).

U.: Kuprin in his story showed the ideal moral person- an ideal inextricably linked with nature. Only in nature can true and bright feelings - love - be born. That's why big role in the story it is devoted specifically to nature. It is she who helps to form pure person.
What are your thoughts on the story?

4. Homework.

Literature:

V. A. Chalmaev, S. A. Zinin. Literature 11th grade. M., " Russian word", 2008.
G. S. Merkin, S. A. Zinin, V. A. Chalmaev. Literature program for grades 5 - 11. M., “Russian Word”, 2010.
G. Kh. Abkharova, T. O. Skirgailo. Literature. Thematic planning. M., “Russian Word”, 2012.
N. V. Egorova, I. V. Zolotareva. Lesson-based developments on Russian literature. Grade 11. M., "Wako", 2004.

Preview:

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Slide captions:

A. I. Kuprin. Life and art. The embodiment of the moral ideal in the story “Olesya”.

Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin 1870 -1938

August 26, 1870 - born in the town of Narovchat, Penza province; 1873 - move to Moscow; Creativity: 1896 - "Kyiv Types" 1896 - the story "Moloch" 1898 - the story "Olesya" 1905 - "Black Fog" 1906 - "Staff Captain Rybnikov"

1908 – “Sulamith” 1911 – “ Garnet bracelet» 1919 – forced to emigrate to Paris. 1937 – return to the USSR. August 25, 1938 - died in Moscow

“He was always tormented by a thirst to explore, understand, study how people of all kinds of professions live and work. His insatiable, greedy vision brought him festive joy! K. I. Chukovsky

“You are a reporter of life... poke your nose in absolutely everywhere... get into the very thick of life” (Kuprin’s calling)

1. For what purpose does the young “gentleman” Ivan Timofeevich come to a remote village in the Volyn province?

2. What breaks the usual boredom of the city “gentleman”? 3. How does Kuprin draw the images of the main characters? (quotes from the text)

4. How do ordinary people feel about Olesya and her grandmother? 5. What fairy tale elements are used in the description of Manuilikha? 6. What gift does Olesya have?

7. How does Ivan Timofeevich describe the time of love? 8. What do the heroes experience during this time of love? 9. How does the story end?

10. Why is the development of love shown in close connection with pictures of nature? 11. How is the plot of the story structured? 12. What color accompanies the image of Olesya?

Homework Article in the textbook (pp. 88 – 94). Read the story “Garnet Bracelet”

Creativity of A. I. Kuprin

A. I. Kuprin. Life and art.

The embodiment of the moral ideal in the story “Olesya”.

Lesson objectives: give an overview of Kuprin’s creative path in comparison with the work of Bunin; reveal the idea and artistic features of the story “Olesya”.

The work of the same age as I. A. Bunin, Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin (1870-1938), was known to the Soviet reader more widely because, unlike Bunin, Kuprin returned from emigration to his homeland a year before his death, in 1937. Therefore, Kuprin’s works were published in the Soviet Union, but the emigrant Bunin was not published until the end of the fifties of the twentieth century.

These writers have a lot in common. First of all, following the traditions of Russian classical literature, commitment

realism in

picture of life,

attitude to

creativity

L. N. Tolstoy

as for example,

craft lessons

Kuprin is also interested in the relationship between man and nature, love as an element of living life. Kuprin develops the theme of the “little man”, emphasizing the “extraordinariness of everyone.” But if for Bunin the main thing is a contemplative, analytical beginning, then for Kuprin brightness, strength, and integrity of character are important.

Biography of A. I. Kuprin

Kuprin spent thirteen years of his childhood and youth in closed educational institutions: the Alexander Orphan School, the Second Moscow Military Gymnasium, which was soon transformed into a cadet corps, and the Third Alexander Junker School. After hard years of barracks life, Kuprin wandered around provincial Russia, was a reporter, a loader in the port of Odessa, a construction manager, a land surveyor, worked at a foundry, performed on stage, studied dentistry, and was a journalist...

“He was always tormented by a thirst to explore, understand, study how people of all kinds of professions live and work... His insatiable, greedy vision gave him festive joy!” - K.I. Chukovsky wrote about Kuprin.

A wealth of life observations, impressions, and experiences became the basis of his work.

“You are a reporter of life... Poke yourself absolutely everywhere... get into the very thick of life,” - this is how Kuprin defined his confession. Kuprin is a temperamental, broad-minded person, a man of the elements and intuition. His favorite heroes have the same traits. The language of his prose is colorful and rich (he did not write lyrics).

The first book, published in 1896, was called “Kyiv Types”. Two years later, the story “Olesya” comes out, staged a problem of a national nature and which was the embodiment of the writer’s dream about a wonderful person, about a free, healthy life, about merging with nature.

Conversation on the story "Olesya".

- What is the significance of the setting of the story?

The action of the story takes place in the lap of nature, in the remote places of Polesie, where fate threw the hero, a city man, “for six whole months.” The hero expects new impressions, acquaintance with strange customs, a unique language with poetic legends and traditions. And his expectations are justified. The location of the action is also important for clarifying the author's idea.

- What role does landscape play in the story? Give examples.

Winter forest landscape promotes special condition spirit, solemn silence emphasizes detachment from the civilized world, the howl of the wind enhances melancholy and boredom. Nature is not just a backdrop to the story. Gradually she becomes a participant in the events.

First, the forces of nature are personified: “The wind outside the walls of the house raged like an old, cold, naked devil. In its roar one could hear groans, squeals and wild laughter... Outside, someone was furiously throwing handfuls of fine dry snow at the glass windows. The nearby forest murmured and hummed with a continuous, hidden, dull threat.”

Gradually, the sounds of the wind almost materialize, and the hero imagines some kind of “ scary guest" burst into him an old house. Yarmol’s servant adds to the alarm by mysteriously reporting: "The witcher's spirit is born, the witcher's joy is having fun."

Descriptions of the landscape are often imbued with a lyrical, warm mood: “The snow turned pink in the sun and turned blue in the shade. I was overcome by the quiet charm of this solemn, cold silence, and it seemed to me that I felt time slowly and silently passing by me.” Finally, nature, its strength, mystery, and charm are embodied in the “witch” Olesya. The characters meet in the spring: nature awakens and feelings awaken.

IN last chapter- a sudden whirlwind, an unbearably stuffy day, a thunderstorm, hail - nature foreshadows a break, separation, the collapse of love. Stands out symbolic image mulberry tree, which “it stood completely naked, all the leaves were knocked off it by terrible blows of hail.” The hero’s melancholy anxiety is justified - the “unexpected grief” that he foresaw happened: Olesya is lost to him forever.

- How does Kuprin draw the image of the main character?

The appearance of Olesya is heralded by nature itself, Yarmola mentions the “witcher”, the hero hears a fresh, ringing and powerful voice Olesya, and finally she herself appears - “a tall brunette of about twenty to twenty-five years old” with a face that “could not be forgotten... but it was difficult to describe it”: slyness, authority and naivety” in the gaze of “large, brilliant, dark eyes" Her face easily changes expression from severity to childish shyness (Chapter III).

Olesya is compared to young fir trees that grew in the open air of an old forest (Chapter IV).

The hero is attracted and “the aura of mystery that surrounded her, the superstitious reputation of a witch, life in the thicket of a forest among a swamp, and especially this proud confidence in her own strength.”

- What is special about the image of the hero-storyteller?

Olesya herself describes the hero: although you are a kind person, you are only weak... your kindness is not good, not heartfelt. You are not the master of your word... You will not love anyone with your heart, because your heart is cold, lazy, and you will bring a lot of grief to those who love you.”

- How is the plot of the story structured?

Pictures of life and pictures of nature are connected into a single flow: for example, after the hero’s meeting with Olesya, there is a picture of a stormy spring, a declaration of love is accompanied by a description of a moonlit night. The plot is based on the contrast between the world of Olesya and the world of Ivan Timofeevich.

- What color accompanies Olesya's image?

This is red, the color of love and the color of anxiety: “Olesya’s red skirt stood out as a bright spot against the dazzling white, smooth background of snow (first meeting); a red cashmere scarf (first date, in the same scene Olesya speaks blood), a string of cheap red beads, corals - the only thing that remains “in memory of Olesya and her tender, generous love (last episode).

- Why did the heroes' happiness turn out to be so short?

Olesya, who has the gift of foresight, feels and realizes the inevitability of the tragic end of short happiness. The continuation of this happiness in a stuffy, cramped city is impossible. They are too different people. All the more valuable is her self-denial, her attempt to reconcile her independent lifestyle with what is deeply alien to her. The theme of “magical” love is replaced by another, constantly heard in Kuprin’s work - the theme of the unattainability of happiness.

- What do you think is the idea of the story?

Kuprin shows that only in unity with nature, in preserving naturalness, can a person achieve spiritual purity and nobility.

Homework:

2. Answer the questions:

- What is the meaning of the title of the story?

- What topics does the writer cover?

Choose the most important thing in your opinion)))

The life path of St. Sergius is described in the Life, which he compiled in 1406–1419. his student Epiphanius the Wise, and in the second quarter of the 15th century revised it by Pachomius Logothet. "The Life of Sergius of Radonezh" is one of the best ancient Russian monuments hagiographic literature.
The Monk Sergius of Radonezh did not leave a single line behind him. Moreover, he always avoided overt teaching. Therefore, we can say that the teaching of St. Sergius of Radonezh is his life.
The asceticism of St. Sergius of Radonezh significantly influenced the entire Russian spirituality, since he introduced into it the most important religious and philosophical ideas for the entire Russian national consciousness.
First of all, Sergius of Radonezh, striving for “life in Christ,” introduced the idea and practice of “high living,” as real example moral perfection, as a kind of universal ideal. Shortly before his death, Sergius of Radonezh bequeathed to his monks “to have spiritual and physical purity and unfeigned love”, “to adorn themselves with humility”, “to maintain like-mindedness with each other”, “to place nothing on the honor and glory of this life, but instead from God expect reward, heavenly eternal blessings of pleasure.” In fact, in this will, in short form, all the main components of the idea of “high living” are expressed.
Preaching “high living,” Sergius of Radonezh called on the monastic brethren, first of all, to completely renounce the worldly temptations of wealth, power, hatred, and violence. He believed that all these worldly worries burden the soul and prevent the monk from concentrating on prayer. “And we should not worry about anything useless, but we should trust and look to God, who can feed us, and clothe us, and take care of all our affairs: and from him we should expect everything that is good and useful for our souls and bodies.” , said Sergius.
Therefore, in the Trinity Monastery itself, love of poverty, renunciation of private property, humility and love were practiced. But, at the same time, Sergius did not welcome complete poverty or begging, which was what the monks of other monasteries did. Trinity Abbot valued very highly human dignity which is given from God and which man is obliged to observe. Therefore, the Trinity monks practiced daily joint work for earning a living. Moreover, if the residents of the surrounding villages brought provisions to the monks, then, at the behest of the abbot, they first prayed for the glory of God, then fed the guests, and last of all, they themselves began to eat.
At the Trinity Monastery, the ascetic feat was viewed as, firstly, suffering in the name of Christ, and, secondly, as a means of “brightening the soul,” for suffering should precisely brighten the soul, and not “torment” the body. Thus, acting as the spiritual heir of Anthony and Theodosius of Pechersk, Sergius of Radonezh shifted his emphasis towards spiritual and moral self-improvement, abandoning the physical “torture of the flesh.” And it is not without reason that the Life itself repeatedly emphasizes that it is precisely because of the “purity of life” Venerable Sergius was awarded God's grace.