A. S. Pushkin’s Work on the Intonation System in The Bronze Horseman

The article analyzes the intonation system in the draft versions and the final text of Pushkin’s The Bronze Horseman. In an effort to purge the Introduction of the lowly prosaic intonation, Pushkin had cleared the final text of the respective elements (extra enjambements, matter-of-fact wording, prosaisms) that did occur in the draft, and made ample use of the negative techniques (lack of spectacular assonances and odic cliches). In the first part of the poem, Eugene’s intonation theme is introduced, with its rhythmic and intonational leitmotif, the enjambements. In the drafts, Eugene is deliberately shown as lowly (through careful wording and increased number of enjambements); in the draft, the description of the «raging elements» is more detailed than in the final text. The evolution of the image of Eugene in Pushkin’s mind is traceable in the drafts of the second part.