Who Can Be Happy and Free in Russia

Book Review

Nikolai Alekseevich Nekrasov's poem «Who Can Be Happy and Free in Russia» is one of the most significant works of 19th-century Russian literature. Critics note that the author masterfully conveys the spirit of the time, depicting the life of peasants after the abolition of serfdom. Nekrasov uses the vernacular and folkloric motifs, which lend the work a special authenticity and vibrancy. The poem consists of several parts, each dedicated to the search for an answer to the main question: who indeed lives happily in Russia? The characters of the work—seven men representing different layers of peasantry—set out on a journey across Russia to find a happy person. Critics emphasize that Nekrasov does not provide a definitive answer to this question, but through the fates of his characters, he shows that happiness in Russia at that time was unattainable for most people. An important theme of the poem is social injustice and the difficult situation of the peasantry, making the work relevant even today. Literary scholars also highlight the deep psychological insight and realism of the characters created by Nekrasov, as well as his ability to combine lyrical and epic elements. Overall, «Who Can Be Happy and Free in Russia» is a powerful social and philosophical work that continues to provoke interest and discussion among readers and critics.