The Bronze Horseman

Historical Context and Significance

The Bronze Horseman is a poem by Alexander Pushkin, written in 1833. It is one of the key works in Russian literature, having significantly influenced the development of Russian Romanticism. The poem tells the story of a young man named Eugene, who loses his fiancée during the 1824 flood in Saint Petersburg and curses the monument to Peter I. This work explores themes of power and personal freedom, the interaction between man and the urban environment, as well as the problem of authoritarianism. The poem is also noted for its unique attention to urban planning conflicts and their impact on citizens' lives, which was innovative for early 19th-century literature.