Written in 1830. Below is the original Russian text, as well as an English translation, and a link to an audio file of the poem adapted to song by Alexander Dargomyzhsky.
И скучно и грустно, и некому руку подать В минуту душевной невзгоды... Желанья!.. что пользы напрасно и вечно желать?.. А годы проходят - все лучшие годы! Любить... но кого же?.. на время - не стоит труда, А вечно любить невозможно. В себя ли заглянешь? - там прошлого нет и следа: И радость, и муки, и всё там ничтожно... Что страсти? - ведь рано иль поздно их сладкий недуг Исчезнет при слове рассудка; И жизнь, как посмотришь с холодным вниманьем вокруг - Такая пустая и глупая шутка...
It's boring and sad, and there's no one around In times of my spirit's travail... Desires!...What use is our vain and eternal desire?.. While years pass on by - all the best years! To love...but love whom?.. a short love is vexing, And permanent love's just a myth. Perhaps look within? - The past's left no trace: All trivial, joys and distress... What good are the passions? For sooner or later Their sweet sickness ends when reason speaks up; And life, if surveyed with cold-blooded regard,- Is stupid and empty - a joke...
Before Lermontov was even born, Russia had a history of oppressing serfs and peasants. The stories that arose from these oppressed peoples would later inspire Lermontov in his career as a poet. However, Lermontov was not apart of these oppressed peoples. In Moscow, he attended a boarding school for children of the nobility as his father was a retired army captain. As his education progressed, he began to write more poetry. In 1830, he enrolled in Moscow University where students "ardently discussed political and philosophical problems, the hard fate of serf peasantry." (Britannica) This climate, and his resentment for how the lower class was treated, prompted him to write this poem. "Bored and Sad (И скучно и грустно)" is a representation of how the lower class of society felt about their lives. Many of the people in the peasant class felt as if their lives were truly "boring and sad". They went about their lives aimlessly, trying to survive, and frequently drank their pains and sorrows away.
Just as Lermontov disliked the way the lower class was treated, many people in our society feel the same way. Unfortunately, there are not many people that are doing anything to fix the issue. While many politicians may claim that they are devising plans to help those that are less fortunate, there are barely any politicians that are actually going into those communities trying to make a change. However, the issue is not just with politicians, but with almost everyone in society. Recently every state in the United States has enacted stay at home orders because of the coronavirus. Journalists reported increases in the stock market, yet at the same time, at least 30 million people filed for unemployment. These reports display a disconnect between the fortunate, and the less fortunate. Instead of focusing on how to help support those in need, the wealthy remain focused on how to generate more revenue. This is the kind of disconnect that must be breached to create a better life for everyone.
However, there is another aspect to this poem worthy of discussion. While at the time it may not have been referred to as mental health issues, it is apparent that Lermontov is commenting on mental health. It is also interesting to see that even after almost 200 years, some aspects of life and society remain the same. Poor mental health is one of the biggest issues plaguing society today. It is the leading cause of suicide. The depressing feelings akin to the emotions expressed in the poem are felt by many, and can easily become dangerous if professional help is not sought after.
As more people are forced to stay at home during the pandemic, mental health issues grow at an exponential rate. The pandemic has drastically worsened the condition of many who struggle with mental illness. The unemployment rate increased to 23%, which is more than 33 million people. As people lose their jobs, they are overwhelmed with anxiety and stress over how they will support themselves and their families. Some people are not even fortunate enough to spend the quarantine with their loved ones and are forced to stay at their homes alone. A 65-year-old Indian woman, Santosh Kaur, committed suicide as a result of being overwhelmed by fear of the virus and did not have anyone to console her. Somehow after 200 years, this poem by Lermontov may be more relevant than when he wrote it.
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