"Asya" by Ivan Turgenev, summary Automatic translate

The story was written in 1857. This book is the source of an archetype in Russian literature: the image of a selfless, sincere, and impetuous young woman. She stands in stark contrast to the doubting, reflective protagonist. The text was translated into many European languages immediately after its publication.

In 1977, the story was adapted for the screen by director Iosif Kheifits at the Lenfilm studio. The film starred Elena Koreneva and Igor Kostolevsky.

Meeting someone in a German town

Mr. N. N., the narrator, recalls the events of his youth. About 20 years ago, as a carefree young man, he traveled across Europe. He rejected traditional tourist routes. He loathed architectural monuments and museums. He was interested exclusively in living human faces. At the time, the young man was trying to heal the wound of his heart following an unsuccessful affair with a young widow. The woman initially encouraged his advances, but then chose a Bavarian lieutenant over him. To indulge in solitude, N. N. settled in the small German town of Z. on the left bank of the Rhine.

The town enchanted the hero with its ancient walls, centuries-old linden trees, and narrow streets. In the evenings, N.N. often sat on a stone bench. This bench was located under a huge ash tree with a small statue of the Madonna in its branches. The young man gazed at the majestic river. One day, his solitude was interrupted by the sounds of music. They were coming from the opposite bank, from the town of L., a couple of kilometers away. A local resident explained the source of the noise. Students had come there for a kommersh — a traditional feast.

N. N. hired a boat and crossed the Rhine. Finding himself in front of the Solntse Hotel, he watched the students enjoying themselves. He heard Russian being spoken in the crowd. Turning around, he saw a handsome young man and a graceful girl in a straw hat. This is how he met Gagin and his sister Anna. Her brother called her Asya. Gagin turned out to have a very gentle and pleasant face. He quickly won N. N.’s favor.

The new acquaintances invited the hero to their home. It was a lonely cottage, perched high on a hill among vineyards. Dinner al fresco was held in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Asya was restless. The girl would run into the house and then return. She hummed softly and laughed to herself. N. N. was struck by her large eyes and the changeable expression of her round face with short curls. Walking home at night along the moonlit Rhine, N. N. felt an aimless happiness. He realized he was no longer thinking about the cruel widow.

The Rapprochement of the Heroes

In the morning, Gagin visited N.N. and shared his plans. With his own fortune, he wanted to devote his life to painting. However, the young man admitted his lack of discipline. Soon, the young people went to the ruins of the feudal castle. There, Asya again surprised N.N. with her extravagant behavior. The girl climbed onto a dangerous ledge of the wall directly above the abyss. She pretended to water flowers from a glass of water. N.N. dismissed this as childish behavior.

On the way back, Asya marched with a branch instead of a gun. At dinner, she suddenly transformed into a prim young lady. Later, the girl went to visit Frau Louise, the elderly widow of the mayor. Returning home that evening, N.N. smelled hemp. The aroma awakened a sharp longing for his homeland. At that moment, his first doubts arose. He wondered about the lack of blood relationship between Gagin and Asya.

In the following days, N.N. socialized daily with his new friends. Gagin showed off his sketches and discussed painting. But the artist quickly lost interest in his work. Asya continued to try on different personas. Sometimes she seemed like a modest Russian girl. At such moments, she would sit sewing in an old dress. Sometimes, she would try to resemble the sensible Dorothea from Goethe’s poem. N.N.’s doubts intensified after accidentally overhearing a conversation in the acacia arbor.

Asya, in tears, threw herself on Gagin’s neck. She begged her brother: "No, I don’t want to love anyone but you." Contemplating the deception, N.N. left. He packed his travel bag. The young man spent three days alone, walking through the mountains.

The origin story of Asya

Upon the hero’s return, Gagin ventured a frank conversation. He told Asya’s true story. The man confirmed his blood relationship with his sister. Gagin’s father had grieved over the death of his legal wife. The widower lived in voluntary seclusion in the village. Little Gagin was taken in by an uncle from St. Petersburg to be raised. During one of his visits, the young man noticed a wild-eyed 10-year-old girl in the house. Only just before his death did the father confess to his son. Asya was his daughter by his former maid, Tatyana.

After the death of her peasant mother, her father took the girl in. He raised her in an atmosphere of permissiveness, trying to atone for his guilt. Having become the guardian of his 13-year-old sister, Gagin took her to the best boarding school in St. Petersburg. Asya stayed there for four years. But the girl never fit in with her peers. Pride and shame over her origins gave rise to a painful sense of self-esteem and inner turmoil. Gagin was forced to resign and take his sister abroad.

Gagin’s story radically changed N.N.’s attitude toward the girl. During a subsequent walk through the vineyards, Asya behaved naturally with him for the first time. She complained about her lack of education. The girl asked for advice and asked N.N. to become her mentor. They danced a waltz together to the music of Lanner. For a long time afterward, the hero felt the touch of her soft waist.

Recognition and Doubts

Soon, Asya’s behavior became unsettling. She sat for long periods, lost in thought. The girl complained of malaise and a premonition of death. She made N.N. promise to always tell her the truth. The tension reached its breaking point. The hero received a note from her asking to meet at the stone chapel.

Before N.N. had time to consider the situation, a pale Gagin came to him. Details of the previous night emerged. Asya, in tears, confessed her love for N.N. to her brother. She asked Gagin to take her away immediately. The girl was certain the object of her affections would despise her because of his lowly origins. Gagin found himself in a difficult position. He asked N.N. point-blank if he was ready to marry. N.N. acknowledged his affection. But the prospect of marrying a 17-year-old girl with such a fiery disposition terrified him.

The men came to an agreement. N. N. would go on a date. There, he would have a calm and honest conversation with Asya. After the conversation, the Gagins would leave town. Meanwhile, Asya, through a messenger, changed the meeting place. She arranged for the rendezvous to take place at Frau Louise’s house. N. N. headed there, struggling with conflicting emotions. He realized his duty to reject the offered happiness. The young man intended to fulfill his promise to Gagin.

Fatal Date

The elderly widow led the hero to the third floor. In a dimly lit room, he found Asya, wrapped in a shawl. She was breathing with difficulty and could barely raise her eyes. The sight of her touching vulnerability made N.N.’s heart melt. He came closer, leaned over, and pressed his hand to her cold one. Asya was transformed. The fear vanished from her face. Her head rested softly on his chest, and she whispered, "Yours…"

However, at this critical moment, N.N. remembered Gagin. The hero abruptly pulled away and began to speak harshly. He reproached Asya for revealing their secret to her brother. This act deprived their relationship of the chance to develop naturally. N.N. insisted on the need to separate. Asya listened to his rebuke in horror. Suddenly, she fell to her knees and burst into tears. Then she ran out the door.

Realizing the magnitude of his mistake, N.N. ran out into the field. Annoyance and remorse burned his soul. He realized his inability to live without this girl. The hero hurried to the Gagins’ house. There, Asya’s disappearance was discovered. The men rushed into the nighttime city to search for her. In despair, N.N. called for the fugitive on the banks of the Rhine. He swore his love to her. The young man was ready to give everything in the world for the chance to see her face again.

Fortunately, the girl returned home on her own. Gagin informed N.N. of this through the unlit window. His brother asked them to postpone the conversation until the following day. N.N. returned to his room elated. He anticipated the coming of this happy day and intended to ask Asya’s hand in marriage immediately.

Separation and finale

The next morning, N. N. approached the Gagins’ house with the firm intention of proposing. But he was met with wide-open doors. The maid was sweeping the floor. The Gagins left at 6:00 a.m. The maid gave the hero a farewell letter from Asya’s brother. In the message, Gagin explained his sudden departure as a necessary separation. He gave in to prejudice and tried to preserve his sister’s peace.

Upon learning of the Gagins’ departure on a steamship, N. N. rushed to the river. Passing Frau Louise’s house, he heard the old woman call out. She handed him a short note from Asya. The message was hastily written in pencil. The text read: Asya would have stayed if the hero had said just one word of love to her. But now they say goodbye forever.

The hero packed his suitcase and followed the fugitives to Cologne. There, he learned of their departure for London. A lengthy search in the English capital yielded nothing. Asya had disappeared forever.

Concluding his story, the aged N.N. confesses his lifelong loneliness. Fate had brought him together with other women, but none of them could awaken that deep, burning feeling in him. He carefully preserves Asya’s notes and a withered geranium flower. She had once thrown the plant to him from the window. The flower outlived the hero’s youthful aspirations, and perhaps even Asya herself. N.N. bitterly reflects on the fragility of human happiness. Only barren memories remain of the best days.