Aleksandr Ivanovich Polezhaev
Aleksandr Ivanovich Polezhaev was a Russian poet born in 1804, known for his tumultuous life and impactful poetry. The illegitimate son of a wealthy nobleman and a serf, he graduated from the University of Moscow in 1826, where he exhibited rebellious behavior, notably captured in his poem "Sashka." His defiant writings, which included atheistic themes and bold expressions, led to his sentencing by Czar Nicholas I to forced military service. Despite escaping initially, he was ultimately captured and sent to the Caucasus, where he displayed both bravery in military campaigns and struggles with alcoholism.
Polezhaev's poetic voice was influenced by prominent figures like Lord Byron and Victor Hugo, and he produced work that conveyed deep emotions of despair, rebellion, and defiance. His poetry often featured characters confronting death with an unwavering spirit. Although his expressive style and themes resonated with readers, particularly the youth during the Soviet era, only a few of his poems remain recognized today. Tragically, he passed away from tuberculosis in 1838, shortly after receiving a posthumous promotion to officer. Polezhaev's legacy continues to evoke interest for its reflection of the struggles against oppression in his time.
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Subject Terms
Aleksandr Ivanovich Polezhaev
Writer
- Born: August 30, 1804
- Died: January 16, 1838
Biography
Aleksandr Ivanovich Polezhaev was born in 1804. An illegitimate son of a wealthy nobleman and a serf woman, he graduated from the University of Moscow in 1826. He had a stormy experience as a student at the university, displaying a rebellious behavior, which he depicted in his poem Sashka (1825). The poem presents a Moscow libertarian who expresses himself with abandon, but also with utter disrespect, liberties, obscenities, and even with atheistic statements. As a result of his writing, Czar Nicholas I sentenced Polezhaev to a forced military service. Polezhaev escaped but was caught and sent to the Caucasuses, where he continued with his dissolute behavior, becoming a heavy alcoholic. At the same time, he participated in the Caucasus campaigns with remarkable bravery, almost abandonment. However, he could also be unreasonably defiant, and after he left his post without authorization he was mercilessly flogged and barely survived. He died a few months later, on January 16, 1838, of tuberculosis. Ironically, a few days after his death he received a promotion to the rank of an officer.
Polezhaev started to write and publish poetry as a student. He attracted the attention of both critics and readers, no doubt partly because of his behavior but also because of the originality and freshness he brought to Russian poetry. He translated perfectly poems of Lord Byron, Alphonse de Lamartine, Victor Hugo, and other poets. His own poetry revealed the influence of these poets, especially of Byron and Hugo The circumstances of his life experiences also influenced his poetic expression. In short, staccato verses he spoke like the revolutionary he wanted to be and often was. Through his expressive power he left a legacy of despair and suffering, but also of rebellion and defiance, as the very titles of some of his poems reflect. In some of his best poems, the characters are faced with death but remain defiant to the end. In one of his poems, the waterfall symbolizes freedom, and it is clear that Polezhaev versifies what is pressing foremost on his heart and mind.
Despite his frequent verbosity and lack of control, Polezhaev was popular, especially among young readers. His defiance of czarist rule was appreciated during the Soviet period. In reality, only a few of his poems are remembered today.