(351 words) N. S. Leskova with confidence can be called the greatest national writer in the history of Russia. Being a man of simple origin, Leskov in each of his works raises the theme of the Russian people, their aspirations, their strengths, their shortcomings and their tragedy. We can see the same thing in his most famous work - the tale "Left-Handed".
At the very beginning of the story, the reader will see the first incarnation of the Russian people - the old Cossack Platov. While Emperor Alexander thoughtlessly admires the creations of English masters, Platov defends the strength of the Russian people with all his strength, recalling how the Don Cossacks defeated Napoleon without English weapons. A remarkable episode is when Alexander admires foreign pistols. Platov proves that the Russian master made the pistol. However, in the end he is defeated, faced with a truly outstanding creation of English mechanics - a steel flea. In addition, Platov also expresses a great shortcoming of the Russian people. His inexperience in social life and lack of education from the very beginning repel the refined Alexander from him.
Already during the reign of Emperor Nicholas, new representatives of Russia, the Tula gunsmiths and the scythe Lefthander, entered the stage. Having received an impossible task, they prayed and began to work with enthusiasm. Faced with misunderstanding, and even with threats from Platov, honest hard workers only humbly waited for their work to be appreciated. The protagonist of the work, Lefty, was brutally beaten and thrown into prison, but he, without harboring any offense, was able to prove that the assignment was carried out in the best possible way. According to Leskov, the Russian people are always and in any conditions ready to fulfill their duty, without demanding either fame or awards, and only caring about the honor of their native country. In England, Lefty faces incredible prospects: he is offered money, work and recognition, but the main character only wants to return home. Love for the motherland is part of the Russian man, inseparable, sometimes unconscious and not amenable to earthly laws. But everything spoils the terrible feature of the Russian people - drunkenness. Drunk, Lefty ends up in prison, where he dies, forgotten by his own benefactors. With the last gasp, the hero gives invaluable advice to his country about weapons business, which no one has heard.
Leskov showed the tragic fate of the Russian people, who are forced to serve those who do not understand him, do not value his merits and see only his shortcomings.
