How did Russian folktales and songs affect Pushkin’s poetry at Mikhaylovskoye?

During his exile at Mikhaylovskoye (1824–1826), Aleksandr Pushkin’s poetry underwent a significant transformation as he became increasingly immersed in the lives of the local peasants and began documenting Russian folktales and songs. This period of isolation fostered a shift toward more distinctly Russian features in his work, moving away from the brilliant extravagance of his earlier narrative poems and the romantic, melodious style of his "southern" period.1

His engagement with folklore directly influenced the style and themes of his writing. For example, his ballad "Zhenikh" ("The Bridegroom") is explicitly based on motifs from Russian folklore and utilizes a simple, swift-moving style that emphasizes its stark tragedy. Furthermore, his interest in the "folk-principles" of storytelling and history informed his major tragedy, Boris Godunov, which prioritized the "judgment of the people" and sought a naturalness of dialogue and simplicity that reflected his deeper connection to the Russian national character.1