Alexander Kuprin, "Sulamith": a summary of the chapters and a description

Above the narrative of "Sulamith" AI Kuprin worked from the autumn of 1907 and published it in 1908 with dedication to IA Bunin. Starting this year, AI Kuprin creates three novels about love, the first of which became "Sulamith". Exotic, with the aroma of antiquity and spices, presents Kuprin "Sulamith", a brief summary of which you can learn from the article.

Chapter one - rich and magnificent Solomon

Far beyond the borders of Palestine, where Solomon wisely and peacefully rule, glory flew about him. In all the big and small countries, they were amazed about him, because they were not of any beauty, wisdom, wealth. And the king built in seven years the great temple of the Lord and in thirteen the palace in Jerusalem. On their construction worked countless porters, woodcutters, carpenters, masters of casting and minting and workers. Perhaps, only fewer people worked for pharaohs when building pyramids. The most valuable tree species, the finest fabrics-linen, silk, and woolen, all decorated with gold, marble, precious stones, purple and other countless jewels went to the building of the temple and the palace of Solomon and the palace for his beloved wife Astis. And around the palace the king ordered to break up gardens and groves and plant a vineyard. Trade increased the wealth of Solomon, and his country, and his subjects. His ships went around the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. From all countries merchants flocked to Jerusalem and carried unprecedented and unprecedented treasures. So describes the construction of Kuprin ("Sulamith"). The summary does not give a full impression of the scope of construction.

Chapter Two - a life full of contentment

From no merriment the king did not refuse, and all that he wanted was executed at once. He had a huge harem, and besides, also concubines brought from all the sublunary countries, who knew how to please the king with music, dancing, singing, conversation and other arts. Indescribably beautiful was Solomon with his fair skin and black agate eyes and with long thick lashes framing them, and scarlet lips. And his hands were beautiful - both white and strong. But when he imposed them on the patient's head, he was healed. The king wore, without taking off, the ancient ring with the inscription in Hebrew. The king obeyed and creeped around him wild animals. He quietly stroked lions and tigers, panthers and leopards. Kuprin ("Sulamith") speaks of the enjoyment of every moment of being. The brief content of the second chapter is a description of pleasures.

Chapter Three - Wisdom Great

God rewarded Solomon with great wisdom, but he became burdened by it. The king studied the knowledge of magicians and prophets and realized that this is not divine knowledge. He also learned pagan rituals, but apart from wild drunkenness and revelry he found nothing in them. But Solomon did not forbid anybody's faith in himself - let everyone, as he knows, praise his gods. And the king realized that wisdom and knowledge do not give a person peace and happiness. And bothers him. And all will die the same, that man, that wordless animal. The frailty of everything that Solomon knew, tells Kuprin ("Sulamith"). The summary of his searches confirms this.

Chapter Four - Meeting in the Garden

After a long feast with cunning ambassadors, Solomon could not fall asleep and arrived in a wonderful, full of scents of needles and residy garden. He sat in a simple cloak, deeply thinking about how to preserve peace between the powers. And the king hears the clean and gentle female singing that flows from the mouth of the red-haired girl in a simple blue dress. And the king asks her to show him her face and continue her song. She turns around, the wind blows her, and the king sees her, in the prime of youth with scarlet flowers in heavy hair. And all she shines in the dawn rays of the sun. "Yes you are the most beautiful of those whom I knew," the king assures her, to whom she looks with admiration. He learns that her name is Sulamith, and she was guilty before her brothers. The king, attracting the girl to her, asks about her family and asks to tell where she lives. He promises her that he will visit her at night, and says that his name is Solomon. This is the beginning of a mutual feeling - this is how it is summarized. Sulamith Kuprin will have to wait with joy and impatience for his king.

Chapter Five - Righteous Judgment

On this day Solomon created a court. He was surrounded by courtiers in rich clothes, and guarded by soldiers in gold armor. Wisely, he figured out a lawsuit about the stolen gem and punished the guilty. He understood how to properly share the inheritance that the father left to the three brothers, and dismissed them in peace. And the king decided the second thing about the inheritance fairly. Solomon solved the case of the theft of money from three traders. He identified the thief, and the crook after himself confessed to the theft. He sorted things out and wanted everyone to see that day happy. And only one person he refused - the priest-seer. What this will turn out, everyone will know when he reads a brief summary of Kuldin's "Sulamith".

Chapter Six - waiting and the first meeting

Sulamith was preparing for a meeting with Solomon, whom she took not for a man, but for a pagan god - so beautiful he was. The girl sold her earrings and bought fragrant oils and pampered her body. But when Solomon came to her window, she did not have the strength and courage to let him. Sulamith heard the beloved's departure, and rushed to look for him. She was looking for him almost until dawn and found in a fragrant vineyard. Their mutual happiness from the meeting there was no end. The walls for them were cedars and cypresses, a bed - grass, a tent and a banner - love. This is how the sudden feeling of Kuprin ("Sulamith") glorifies. Summary of Heads does not convey the beauty studio of its description.

Chapter Seven - in the Palace of Solomon

Solomon did not hide from Sulamith that he was a king, and brought her to his palace. There, in a luxurious marble basin, she was washed by slaves in fragrant waters. Then she was dressed in such outfits, in which her beauty shone even brighter. The king wanted to make her a queen, and Sulamith wanted to be his slave. And the king decorated her with precious earrings and led to friends at the feast.

Chapter Eight - Short Happiness

Only a week beloved loved. The king gave Sulamith jewels, told her about the properties of stones that had never been seen before. But no necklace made Sulamith more beautiful than she was. No stone could compare to either Solomon or Sulamith, illuminated by his love. Their love was so great that it could not be forgotten in the depths of time. There were great wars and generals who conquered kingdoms and lands, but they can be forgotten, but a simple girl from a vineyard and a wise king will be remembered forever. This is the short meaning and short content of Kuprin's story "Sulamith".

Chapter Nine - happiness continues

The whole week they did not get tired of both being amazed at how instantly their love subdued. And why it happened - there is no explanation. This is a miracle that happens rarely. And every day they became better and better. And more and more learned the life of King Sulamith. He did not hide anything from her. Solomon also told about the queen Balkis, who liked to ask riddles and check the wisdom of Solomon. But she hid her feet from all. And the king decided to play a joke with her - with all the royal court he found a way to lift her dresses, and everyone saw that her legs were hairy and crooked. And much more was told by the king, for he knew much and was wise, and all this took Sulamith with him when she died.

Chapter Ten is a cunning plan

In the ancient temple of Isis there was a service dedicated to the great goddess, who was killed and cut into parts of her husband and whose remains she collected. The first part of the service passed, and only dedicated people remained on the second. The temple was magnificent, since Solomon did not forbid his worship of other gods. His formerly most beloved wife Astis was in one of the secret rooms of the temple. From there, she could observe everything that was happening. Since Solomon neglected her, she desired to take revenge on him. To this end, Astis decided to seduce one of the chiefs of the tsarist guard, Eliab. So dramatically develops the short content of the story "Sulamith".

Chapter eleven - terrible contract

And in the temple itself they were preparing for the sacrifice. There was a smoky aroma, causing smoke to be forgotten, and hymns began to mourn for the unfortunate Isis. Astis called Eliwa drugged and began to question him about Solomon and the girl. She promised the deceived young man that he would always belong to him if Eliab killed Solomon and Sulamith. He obediently agreed.

Chapter twelve - the inevitable end

On the last, seventh night, Solomon and Sulamith talked about the great mystery of death. And Sulamith heard a rustling at the door. She rushed to the open door and fell, slain by Eliw. He was drugged and obediently told Solomon that Astis had ordered him to do this. Sulamith was still alive and thanked Solomon for the fact that she happened to recognize him. In the morning she died. There was a Saturday - a holy day, when you can not bury. The corpse can eat dogs. The high priest asked the king what to do with the body. The king said nothing. He retired to the trial, sat on the throne and told the scribes a few words. Then he sent everyone and was left alone.

Such a beautiful and sad novel was written Kuprin is "Sulamith". The very brief content on the chapters does not reveal all the charm of this touching poetic work.