The story of Alexander Pushkin's “The Bronze Horseman: A History of Petersburg” illustrates the power of Tsar Peter the Great, who brings his glorious city in full fruition. The city continues to prosper, however, not without clear mistreatment of its citizens. Soon St. Petersburg begins to eclipse its older sister, Moscow. Seemingly untouchable, greater St. Petersburg and its citizens are thrown into chaos by a flash flood. This brings to light that although the Tsar is considered "omnipotent" in Russia, "The Bronze Horseman" explores how nature is what truly exists. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Nature's generosity was what gave Peter the Great the canvas on which to create his whimsical city in Russia. The landscape he thought was so grand that he built his city on it and where “Here we, by Nature's will, will break a window to the West.” That is, he saw the construction of his city as a will of nature; that nature agreed with his real plans. After the war with the Finns and Swedes, Peter decides to build a city that will be the “jewel in the crown and wonder of the North”. The city becomes a thriving city of its time. One with “bustling banks” and “well-ordered ranks, Of palaces and towers;”. Pushkin continues to describe how St. Petersburg grows to eclipse old Moscow. The city apparently shone so brightly that the narrator can “read and write without a lamp” in his room at dusk. He goes on to tell St. Petersburg to prosper and “show off its beauty.” Despite being sent into exile by Alexander I, even Pushkin can appreciate how glorious the city has become. However, he warns the city to "Stay...until the floods and storms of troublesome duty, may at last return to peace with you." That is, the city should continue to thrive until nature sees fit to demolish both the city and its untouchable legacy. This is seen as foreshadowing of later events in the story. Despite the magnificence of the city, Yevgeny, in his destroyed state, chastises Peter the Great because, by his will, “the city was founded by the sea.” As picturesque as this site might be for a powerful city, its dangers were very clear; just like the unpredictability of nature's will. Likewise, there is a clear inequality of power between the Russian people and the nobility, just like Peter the Great and nature. The lifestyles of those living in St. Petersburg contrast shockingly. Although not a serf, Yevgeny is still a member of the emerging humble class of civil servants who have yet to find their place in the Russian hierarchy. In the phrase “I am young and strong, happy to work hard and long” we see that Yevgeny recognizes and is satisfied with his place in Russian society. The tsars and the ruling class lead completely different, more privileged and comfortable lives. This can be seen in the simple fact that Peter the Great simply chose a place to build the city of his dreams and continues to live there to this day. In particular, Pushkin uses Yevgeny and the Bronze Horseman statue not only as class symbols for the people who populate the city, but also for the city itself. Imposing public spaces, such as palaces and statues, also shared the city with numerous overcrowded and poor cottages. Furthermore, Pushkin's method of introduction for both characters adds emphasis to the power that each man and, by extension, each class holds. Peter comes.