General biology 

A summary of the undergrowth on the actions in the reduction. D

The poem Dead Souls is one of the most famous works of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol. The key character in it is the adventurer Chichikov. The image of the protagonist, masterfully drawn by the author, often becomes the subject of discussion by both professional critics and ordinary readers. To understand why this character deserved such attention, you need to turn to the plot of the work.

The work tells about a certain official by the name of Chichikov. This man really wanted to get rich and gain weight in society. He decided to achieve his goal by buying up the so-called dead souls, that is, serfs who are in the property of the landowner according to the papers, although in fact they are no longer alive. Both the seller and the buyer benefited from this. Chichikov thus acquired fictitious property, on the security of which he could take out a bank loan, and the landowner was freed from the obligation to pay taxes for the dead peasant.

The work is compulsorily studied at school. In literature lessons, students are often asked to write an essay on the topic: Dead Souls. The image of Chichikov. Of course, in order to write a competent work, you need to carefully read the original source and get your own idea of ​​its main character. But if for some reason this is not possible, you can read the detailed information about the character. This information will come in handy when writing an essay, compiling comparison tables for different characters, or preparing a presentation.

Analysis of the text allows you to reveal all the main features image Chichikova in the poem Dead Souls. Summary actions and deeds of the character, revealing his nature, begins with an acquaintance with Chichikov.

Briefly, the author described the appearance of the hero already at the beginning of the work. Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov is in some way an ordinary character who can meet in any historical era and in any geographic location. There is nothing remarkable in his portrait:

  • his appearance is not beautiful, but not ugly either;
  • the physique is neither full nor thin;
  • he is no longer young, but not yet old.

Thus, in all respects, this venerable collegiate adviser maintains a "golden mean".

Arrival of the character in the "city N"

Chichikov begins your adventure from arrival in a city not named by the author. An intelligent person who, moreover, is characterized by hypocrisy, he begins his activity by making visits to the following officials:

  • the prosecutor;
  • the governor with his family;
  • the vice-governor;
  • the chief of police;
  • to the chairman of the chamber.

Of course, under such behavior of Peter Ivanovich, a delicate calculation was visible. The hero's intentions are well revealed by his own quote: “Do not have money, have good people for treatment ".

Get the favor of those who had the rank and influence in the city, it was very useful for the implementation of the plan. And he succeeded perfectly. Chichikov knew how to impress the people he needed. Diminishing his dignity and in every possible way showing his insignificance, he demonstrated impeccable speech manners, made skillful compliments to the rulers: he admired the success of their activities and called such unjustifiably high titles like "Your Excellency." He spoke little about himself, but from his story one could conclude that he had to go through an extremely difficult life path and experience a lot for his own honesty and justice.

They began to call him to receptions, where he maintained a favorable first impression of himself with the ability to take part in a conversation on any topic. At the same time, he behaved very decently and showed extensive knowledge of the subject of the conversation. His speech was meaningful, his voice was neither low nor loud.

In this moment, you can already catch a hint that this decency is only a mask under which it hides true character and the aspirations of the hero. Chichikov divides all people into fat and thin. At the same time, the fat ones have a strong position in this world, while the thin ones only serve as executors of other people's orders. The main character himself, of course, belongs to the first category, since he intends to firmly take his place in life. The author himself speaks about this, and this information begins to reveal another, the true face of the character.

Start of activity

Chichikov begins his scam with an offer to buy non-existent peasants from the landowner Manilov. The master, burdened by the need to pay taxes for the dead servants, gave them away for nothing, although he was surprised at the unusual deal. In this episode, the main character is revealed as an easily addicted person, whose success can quickly turn his head.

Deciding that the activity he invented is safe, he heads for a new deal. His path leads to a certain Sobakevich, but long road forces the hero to stop at the landowner Korobochka. As a grasping person, he does not waste time there, acquiring almost two dozen more desired dead souls.

Only having escaped from Korobochka, he gets on a visit to Nozdrev. The main feature of this man was the desire to spoil the life of everyone around him. But Chichikov did not immediately understand this and inadvertently decided to try his luck in a deal with this landowner. Nozdryov took the swindler by the nose for a long time. He agreed to sell souls only together with real goods, for example, a horse, or offered to win them at dominoes, but in the end Pyotr Ivanovich was left with nothing. This meeting showed that the hero of the poem is a frivolous person unable to calculate their own actions.

Chichikov finally got to Sobakevich and presented him with his proposal. However, the landlord turned out to be no less cunning than the buyer. His benefits he did not want to miss. Guessing that the actions of Pyotr Ivanovich were not entirely legal in nature, he skillfully played on this, filling the price for non-existent peasants. This very tired Chichikov, but he showed determination. Ultimately, the buyer and seller found a compromise and the deal was done.

While Sobakevich was bargaining, he said a few words about a certain Plyushkin, and the hero went to visit this landowner. The master's farm did not call positive emotions at the arrived. Everything there was desolate, and the owner himself looked dirty and unkempt. The landowner was not poor, but he turned out to be a real curmudgeon. All money and things that had at least some value, he kept hidden in chests. The painful stinginess of this character, whose name has become a household name, helped Chichikov to conclude a good deal. Plyushkin was afraid of this sale, but he was pleased with the opportunity to get rid of the need to pay taxes on dead peasants.

At first glance, Plyushkin did not play a big role in the plot of the work, but if we compare this character with the main character, there is something in common between them. As a landowner and a nobleman, they were supposed to be a support for the state and an example to follow, while in fact both turned out to be useless for society as people trying to fill their pockets.

Trying to leave town

Be that as it may, but after the deal with Plyushkin Chichikov has reached his goal and no longer saw the need to stay in the city. In an effort to leave him as soon as possible, he went to court to certify the authenticity of the documents. But this procedure required time, which he happily spent at receptions and surrounded by women interested in him.

However, the triumph turned into collapse. Nozdryov hastened to expose Chichikov's scam. This message caused a whole commotion in the city. The guest, received everywhere, suddenly became unwelcome.

Throughout history, the reader, although he understands the dubious well-intentioned actions of the protagonist, still does not know his full story, according to which the final opinion about Chichikov could be formed. The author talks about the origin and upbringing of the hero, as well as the events preceding his arrival in the "city N" in Chapter 11.

The hero grew up in a poor family. Although they belonged to the high class of nobles, they had very few serfs at their disposal. Pavel Ivanovich's childhood was overshadowed by the absence of friends and acquaintances. When the child grew up a little, his father sent him to school. Parting with his son did not upset Ivan, but at parting he gave Pavel one order. The instruction spoke of the need to learn and gain the favor of those above him in rank. The most valuable and reliable thing that should be protected, the head of the family called money.

Chichikov followed this advice all his life. He did not have good academic abilities, but he quickly figured out how to earn the love of teachers. Quiet and peaceful demeanor allowed him to get a good certificate, but after graduating from school he showed his unsightly quality. His face was revealed when one of his mentors who loved him fell into an extremely difficult financial situation. For the teacher, who was almost dying of hunger, money was collected by classmates-hooligans, while the diligent Chichikov sparingly allocated a small amount.

Meanwhile, the father of the protagonist died, leaving behind a miserable legacy. Chichikov, who is not stingy by nature, is forced to starve and look for ways to earn money. He is hired and tries to work honestly, but soon realizes that such work will not bring him the desired wealth with a luxurious house, a carriage with a coachman and expensive entertainment.

Wanting to get a promotion, he achieves the location of the boss by marrying his daughter. But as soon as the goal was achieved, he no longer needed the family. While Chichikov was advancing in the service, there was a change of leadership. Despite all his efforts, the hero could not find mutual language with a new leader and was forced to look for other ways to obtain material wealth.

The luck of becoming a customs official smiled at the hero in the next city. But he decided to improve his financial situation with bribes, for which he was soon brought to trial. Always striving to please those in power, Chichikov had some connections that allowed him to escape punishment for a crime.

His nature was such that this episode of his life that discredited him, he turned into a story about how he innocently suffered in the service.

Unfortunately, one can only judge such a curious character as Chichikov by the first volume. The second part of the work was burned by the author himself, and he never started the third. From the surviving sketches and drafts, it is known that the hero tried to continue his fraudulent activities. It is not known how the poem would end, but the talentedly created image is still relevant. After all, to this day on life path there may be a person like Chichikov.

Description of the hero by critics

Most critics deservedly those who appreciated the poem noted this tenacity and deceitful nature of the character. Experts expressed the following judgments about the hero:

  1. V.G.Belinsky called him a real hero modern era, seeking to acquire wealth, without which it was impossible to achieve success in the nascent capitalist society. People like him bought up shares or collected donations for charity, but they were all united by this desire.
  2. KS Aksakov ignored the moral qualities of the hero, only noted his roguishness. For this critic, the main thing was that Chichikov is a truly Russian person.
  3. A.I. Herzen characterized the hero as the only active person, whose efforts in the end still cost little, since they were limited to fraud.
  4. VG Marantzman saw in the hero himself a "dead soul", full of negative qualities and devoid of morality.
  5. P. L. Weil and A. A. Genis saw in Chichikov “ little man”, That is, an innocent rogue, whose activities were neither smart nor large-scale.

The final image of Chichikov is ambiguous. This clearly not stupid person sets himself goals to arrange his own life, but each time he chooses the wrong means for this. His ebullient activity and determination could have brought him prosperity for a long time, but the thirst for wealth and luxury, inaccessible to him in childhood, pushes him to commit crimes and fraud.

Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov is the protagonist of the poem "Dead Souls" by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol.

Chichikov in a middle-aged poem. Born into a poor family. Parents did not want such a life for their son, so they raised him, instilling the ability to make money. When sending his son to study, his father told Paul to please the teachers, take care of every penny and deny himself in many ways. Don't make friends like that. as there is no use from them, but to be friends only with the rich, from whom there will be benefit.

Pavel Ivanovich did so and finished his studies with good recommendations from the teachers. He cheated with his classmates: he did it in such a way that they shared with him, and then he sold these things to them. Chichikov was a very capable young man, intelligent. Once I made a figurine from wax and sold it, got a mouse, started training it and also sold it for good money. He knew how to quickly count arithmetic in his head, had a penchant for mathematical sciences.

Outwardly, Chichikov was attractive. A bit complete, but in moderation. He really liked his face, especially his chin.

Pavel Ivanovich really wanted to get rich. But he didn’t want wealth just for it to be. He wanted to enjoy these benefits with all his heart and live a luxurious life. I wanted to provide for my future children and leave them an inheritance. After graduation, he entered the service. In every way he pleased the authorities, which disposed them to him. Having mastered, he began to take bribes, about which they learned, and Chichikov had to leave the service. I managed to save up a lot of money, but nothing came of it either.

But even after that, Chichikov did not give up and decided on a new adventure: to buy up dead souls, and then sell them for good money, as if they were alive. He had well-developed psychological qualities. Due to the ability to please people, Pavel Ivanovich learned the psychology of people and was able to find an approach to everyone. He carefully studied the habits of gentlemen from high society and learned to apply them to himself. He also knew how to masterfully hypocrite in order to achieve his own benefits, posing as an honest and noble person. The fact that Chichikov was from the common people was betrayed only by his ignorance of French.

Despite his qualities, inherent only to vile people, Pavel Ivanovich also had ordinary ones. He was a compassionate person, always giving coins to the poor. He did not get along with women, because he knew that this would not lead to good. Chichikov had no romantic inclinations at all. The thought, except as a woman is beautiful, did not develop further.

If you look closely at the poem, you will notice that Chichikov has the same qualities as the people from whom he bought souls. This explains the fact that he quickly found a common language with them.

Essay about Chichikov

The famous poem of the writer belongs to those unforgettable things of art, which are a generalization in the form of an artistic scale, aimed at solving the problems of human life. The emptiness in the spiritual worldview of people is hidden not only in the conditions of society, but also in the peculiarities of the personality structure.

In a special way, the author of one of such representatives, Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov, vividly showed. The lack of interest in the life of this character is emphasized by the fact that there are no changes in his spiritual actions, he is all in some kind of fuss. His chaise does not leave some vicious circle for a long time. All life is subordinated to one goal - enrichment for the sake of achieving good conditions. It's this simple dream that fuels his energy. The main character does not forget his father's advice that you need to take care of every coin. Chichikov ceases to sympathize with people. This can be seen from his life. He abandons the teacher, who is completely drunk, commits treason against the head of the service, indulges in the joy of the high mortality rate of the peasants, but he can please everyone, especially high-ranking officials.

Studying at the school, Chichikov, thanks to his neatness and diligence, becomes one of his favorite students. In the service, he also achieves recognition from his superiors. Arriving in the city of NN, he also continues to speak flattering words to local officials. Pavel Ivanovich takes some benefit for himself from each conversation. Even Gogol, depicting his image, emphasizes some uncertainty in his form. So, talking with Manilov, he appears before us as a young man, infinitely delighted with everything, and in a conversation with Plyushkin there is an important gentleman who has seen a lot in life. Straightforwardness is alien to Chichikov. He is happy only from the fact that he makes a good deal. Chichikov even hums after he successfully acquired dead souls from Plyushkin. We see that even the speech is filled with vulgar words, this is especially presented in a conversation with Nozdryov about a beautiful blonde. Chichikov is forced to flee the city, but this time he reached his goal, came one step closer to his happy moments, and everything else is not important to him.

Detailed analysis of the hero

Chichikov is considered mainly around which the plot of the poem is put. This can be understood from the first pages when the author begins to describe the character of the hero and his environment. Gogol himself was not sure that the readers would like Chichikov. Such a statement seems absurd only until Pavel Ivanovich shows his true nature.

Initially, Gogol shows positive sides Chichikov: his ability to conduct a conversation, direct it in the right direction, the ability to stop in time, or, conversely, to notice a lot of details with just one apt word. This all shows the experience, good breeding, noble behavior and mind of the character. Everyone with whom the hero communicated notes different positive traits This suggests that Pavel Ivanovich skillfully knew how to select the keys to communicating with completely different people, both by age and status.

Gogol considers it important to show a biography in the character of the hero, in the course of the narrative of which he notes why the character became what he is now. The construction of the existing appearance of Chichikov began in childhood, when his father explained to a little boy simple truths, such as that any penny should be protected. As a result, this led to the fact that Pavel Ivanovich learned to find benefits in many ways. There are even words that Chichikov traded in the creation and sale of wax and beautifully painted bullfinches.

As they get older, the character learns to understand people. Having learned his institute bosses well, he can easily find ways to communicate. As a result, he was given a good certificate with a mark of proper behavior. Thinking about what would happen to him next, it was easiest for Chichikov to imagine himself in the role of a rich and successful person.

The bad character of the hero is especially evident during the moments of his service in various organizations. Through bribery and cheating, the character quickly becomes rich. But the wrong behavior is noticed, it is exposed quickly and the result of all cases is a complete failure. After several failures, Chichikov decides: he needs to acquire dead souls.

Chichikov knew that the audit and taxes that landlords pay during it hurt the owners of the souls in the wallet. Much cheaper if you count those who died during the break between revisions, alive.

That is why the hero is in the provincial town. His target is dead souls. As soon as he was in the city, he had to act. He strenuously attended city events, visited officials, got to know them and flattered them. Chichikov tried to find out who could provide him with dead souls. This suggests that there is a place for cold-blooded prudence in the image.

It was not difficult for Chichikov to find friends here. He skillfully built the connections he needed, even with such personalities, with whose quirks it is not easy to come to terms and understand them. Showing his qualities of a dreamer, Pavel Ivanovich received dead souls from Manilov free of charge, he also received them from Sobakevich and from Korobochka.
"Scoundrel" - that's what its author says about Chichikov.

And indeed, no matter how lively and interesting is added to the image of Pavel Ivanovich, his negative qualities do not stand aside. This "bad" side of him completely overlaps all the good that could only be observed. Selfishness, unwillingness to take the other side, the desire to get a high income and non-participation in public affairs - this is what Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov, the hero of Gogol, mainly combines in himself. And the available manifestations of an indulgent attitude and understanding in rare cases, the ability to have fun are just qualities that show a living person.

Gogol very skillfully emphasized the uncertainty in the image of Chichikov, outwardly his character is neither fat nor thin, not handsome or ugly. The character of the character is not quite simple, it is sometimes difficult to understand him. Gogol carefully examines the actions and thoughts of the hero, prompts the reader to think that there is some justice in Chichikov's reasoning, but at the same time calls him a scoundrel.

The main subject of attention in Dead Souls was a new type of “owner, purchaser” in Russian literature. The purpose of the image of this hero is "by looking at him with a searching gaze, to taste him to the original reasons" and to remove a touch of external decency:

Everything showed in him, what is needed for this world: both pleasantness in turns and actions, and agility in business affairs ...

The newcomer somehow knew how to find himself in everything and showed himself an experienced socialite. Whatever the conversation was about, he always knew how to support him ... He argued, but somehow extremely skillfully, so that everyone saw that he was arguing, and meanwhile he argued pleasantly. He never said: “you went,” but “you deigned to go,” “I had the honor to cover your deuce,” and the like. He spoke neither loudly nor softly, but exactly as he should. In short, wherever you turn, he was a very decent person.

But it is not only the ability to hide his vices under the guise of virtue that Chichikov differs from other heroes. "We must give justice force majeure his character, ”writes Gogol. Energy, entrepreneurship, business acumen, as it were, lift Chichikov above the frozen world of "dead souls". It was with the image of Chichikov that Gogol's plans for the spiritual resurrection and rebirth of man were connected. Echoes of these ideas are already heard in the first volume, although Gogol wrote it on the model of Dante's Divine Comedy, and Chichikov plays the role of Virgil, the guide to the “hell” of “dead souls”.

"Living" and "dead" are closely intertwined in Chichikov. The hero needs money not as an end, but as a means. And although Gogol sneers at Chichikov's concern for non-existent descendants, dreams of a home and a family are deeply significant for the author as well. And if Plyushkin destroys the family with his stinginess, then Chichikov, as soon as he has funds, starts a house and begins to look after the hostess. The desire for family happiness is also due to the attention to the governor's daughter. Chichikov's reflections on the girl's fate echo the author's thoughts on the "initial reasons", on the conditions for the formation of characters:

She is now like a child, everything in her is simple, she will say what she pleases, laughs where she wants to laugh. Everything can be done out of it, it can be a miracle, or it can come out with rubbish and give out rubbish1 .. Where does the puffiness and stiffness come from? you need to say how to look at whom, at any moment she will be afraid not to say more than necessary, she will finally get confused herself, and end with the fact that she will finally begin to lie all her life, and it will be just the devil knows what!

Chichikov is the only hero whose life appears not in isolated episodes, but consistently, step by step. True, in the poem itself Chichikov appears and acts as an already established character, but the exposition (chapter 11) shows his formation.

Analyzing chapter 11, pay attention to how Chichikov mastered the "science of life", highlight the main stages of character development:

Origin ("Dark and modest origin of our hero. His parents were noblemen, but pole or personal - God knows");

Childhood ("Life at the beginning looked at him somehow sourly uncomfortable., Neither a friend, nor a comrade in childhood!");

Father's instructions (“Look, Pavlusha, study, do not be foolish and do not hang around, but most of all please the teachers and bosses .. Do not be with your comrades, they will not teach you good; so that on occasion they can be useful to you ... and most of all, take care and save a penny, this thing is the safest thing in the world ... a penny will not give out, no matter what kind of trouble you are ");

Studying at the school (“He suddenly realized and understood the matter and behaved in relation to his comrades in exactly such a way that they treated him, and he not only never, but even sometimes, hiding the received treats, then sold them to them”);

Service in the treasury chamber;

Work at customs;

The idea of ​​buying up “dead souls” (“Yes, buy me all those that have died out before new revision tales have been submitted, get them, let's say, a thousand, yes, let's say, the board of trustees will give two hundred rubles per capita: that's two hundred thousand capital1 ")

Complete the suggested examples with an analysis of Chapter 11.

Is it typical of the psychology of Chichikov - the "acquirer"? Compare his statements with the reasoning of officials in The Inspector General:

Who is now yawning at positions? - everyone gets. I didn’t make anyone unhappy: I didn’t rob a widow, I didn’t let anyone in the world, I used from excess, I took where everyone would take; if I hadn't used it, others would have.

What side of Chichikov's character is revealed in the episode with the governor's daughter? Refer to the text of chapter 8, consider the behavior of the hero at the ball. Why does Chichikov retreat from his role "to please all people without exception", because he "very skillfully knew how to flatter everyone"?

Pay attention to the details (speech, forms of behavior), which not only prove Chichikov's ability to “flatter everyone,” but show the reincarnation of the hero, the ability to speak with everyone in his language:

Farewell to Manilov:

“Here, - here he put his hand on his heart, - yes, here will be the pleasantness of the time spent with you. And believe me, there would be no greater bliss for me how to live with you, if not in the same house, then at least in the immediate neighborhood ... Oh, it would be a heavenly life! Goodbye dear friend! "

Conversation with Sobakevich:

Please only give me a receipt.

Okay, give me some money!

What is the money for? I have them in my hand! As soon as you write the receipt, take them right away.

Yes, excuse me, how can I write a receipt? First you need to see the money!

About conversation with Korobochka:

Here Chichikov went completely beyond the bounds of all patience, grabbed a chair on the floor in his hearts and promised her the devil.

What episodes of the poem does Gogol refer the reader to in explaining the character of the hero? Does Chichikov have anything in common with such “acquirers” as Korobochka and Sobakevich? Is it only on "Wednesday" that the author places the blame for the hero - the "scoundrel"? Compare reflections on human passions with reflections on the path of man, on youth and old age, remember what Gogol urges young people to do. What features of Chichikov can be a guarantee of a possible resurrection? How the environment, man, "heaven" are related in the Gogol world) Answer the questions, based on the analysis of the image of Chichikov:

It is most fair to call him: owner, purchaser. Acquisition is the fault of everything; because of him, deeds were born to which the light gives the name of not very pure ... Human passions are countless, like the sands of the sea, and all of them are not alike, and all of them, low and beautiful, are all submissive to man at first, and then become terrible masters of him ... And, perhaps, in this very Chichikov passion, which attracts him, is no longer from him, and in his cold existence lies what will then plunge man into dust and kneel before the wisdom of heaven.

“What a huge, what an original plot! What a diverse bunch! All Russia will appear in it! " - Gogol wrote to Zhukovsky. How much did the writer manage to accomplish the task) How fully “all of Russia” appeared in “Dead Souls”) Compare the image of Russia in the epic narrative and lyrical digressions.

And nameless suffering ..

Mayakovsky's work cannot be called unambiguous. Rather conditionally, creativity can be divided before the revolution and after the revolution. After moving to Moscow from Georgia, he falls under the influence of members of the RSDLP

  • The image and characteristics of Mikhei Tarantiev in Oblomov Goncharov's novel composition

    Mikhei Andreevich Tarantiev first appears in Oblomov's house at the very beginning of the novel. Almost nothing is known about its background. The reader only knows that the village of Tarantieva

  • Analysis of Garshin's fairy tale Toad and the Rose

    This work was created by V.M. Garshin in 1884. Literary critics believe that the impetus for writing history was an incident that happened during a concert by A.G. Rubinstein.

    • Starodum arrives at the Prostakovs' estate. The first to meet him is Pravdin, who is familiar with him. In dialogue with Pravdin, Starodum briefly tells the story of his life. His father, who served Peter the Great, raised him according to the customs of the Peter the Great age, when "the courtiers were warriors." He taught Starodum to be truthful and honestly serve the fatherland, to have a straight soul, without which "the most enlightened clever girl is a pitiful creature."

    Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin

    In his youth, Starodum entered military service, participated in a military campaign, was wounded, but retired when he learned that one of his acquaintances, a noble but cowardly count, was honored with a higher rank, although he was hiding from battles. Leaving the army, Starodum came to Petersburg and accidentally ended up at the court, but he did not get along there either, for the big road almost no one drives straight, and everyone is twisted with a hook, and if they meet on the way, they can't get out of their way, one dumps the other. " At court “they are concerned about themselves alone; they are fussing about one real hour. " Starodum hastened to "get out of there without hassle," otherwise he would have survived anyway. “I reasoned that it was better to lead life at home than in someone else's hall. I departed from the courtyard without villages, without ribbons, without ranks, but brought home intact my soul, my honor, my rules. "

    Having earned wealth in Siberia by honest labor, Starodum recently heard that rude relatives were harassing his niece Sophia, and came to help her. But he is in no hurry to act at once and at random, but wants to first find out everything, look around. "I have a rule: in the first movement, do not start anything."

    Fonvizin. Undergrowth. Maly Theater performance

    Phenomenon II

    Sophia appears and joyfully rushes to Starodum. He hugs his niece and says that he came to her rescue: "I have never been so pleased with myself, as if it happened to snatch prey from a vice from my hands."

    Starodum tells Sophia about his life in Siberia, the land, "where they get money, without exchanging it for conscience, without mean service, without robbing the fatherland." He says that he made so much there, "so that at your marriage the poverty of a worthy groom would not stop us." Starodum, however, is not a slave to his wealth. He speaks of money with disdain: “One respect should be flattering to a person - spiritual; and only those who are in ranks not for money, and in nobility not according to ranks, are worthy of spiritual respect.

    Phenomenon III

    Characters

    Prostakov
    Mrs. Prostakova, his wife
    Mitrofan, their son, an ignoramus
    Eremeevna, mother of Mitrofan

    Starodum
    Sophia, Starodum's niece
    Milon
    Skotinin, brother of Mrs. Prostakova

    Kuteikin, seminarian
    Tsyfirkin, retired sergeant
    Vralman, teacher
    Trishka, tailor

    The action takes place in the village of Prostakovs.

    Action one

    Trishka, a self-taught tailor, made a too narrow caftan for Mitrofan. Prostakova scolds Trishka, and at the same time her henpecked husband, who does not understand anything, does not want to answer for anything, but indulges Prostakova in everything. Trishka tries to justify himself by the fact that he did not learn to sew specially, but for Prostakova this is not an argument. She points Trishka to the very first tailor in the world who had no one to learn sewing from. Skotinin appears in a cheerful mood: for the evening there is a conspiracy between him and Sophia, who, after the death of her mother, lives in the house of the Prostakovs, her distant relatives. She does not yet know that they are going to marry her; however, Prostakova was not used to reckoning with anyone's opinion except her own. Skotinin is interested in marriage with Sophia not because the bride is rich or he likes it, but because there are many pigs in her villages, for which Skotinin has a weakness. Sophia enters with a letter from her uncle Starodum, whom the Prostakovs have long considered dead. He lived and worked in Siberia for several years and, as follows from the letter, made a fortune, the heiress of which is Sophia. Prostakova's plans change, she decides to marry her Mitrofan to the unexpectedly rich Sophia. Ho and Skotinin are not going to back down in the light of recent changes.

    Second action

    Milo, an officer, places his soldiers in the village. He meets Pravdin, who is sent to the district to prevent the atrocities committed by the landowners against the peasants. Milon tells a friend that for six months he has not seen his beloved (Sophia), whom, according to his information, relatives have taken away from Moscow and are treating the girl cruelly. Sophia appears, rushes to Milon, complains to him about the hard life in the Prostakovs' house, says that she is being wooed for Mitrofan. Skotinin, who entered, also claims his "rights" to Sophia, but Pravdin mentions Mitrofan's intentions in time, and Skotinin's anger turns not against his true rival (Milo), but against his nephew. He pounces on Mitrofan with his fists, even Eremeevna, who arrives in time, does not have time to do anything. Pravdin drags Skotinin away. Prostakova abruptly changes her attitude towards Sophia, becomes affectionate, offers to inspect the room prepared for Starodum. Prostakova introduces Milon and Pravdin to Mitrofan's "teachers" - Tsyfirkin and Kuteikin. Both complain about the impenetrable stupidity of Mitrofan, the ignorance of Prostakova herself (who teaches her son for the sake of appearance and because it is so fashionable), the German Vralman, who himself does not teach Mitrofan anything, and does not allow Russian teachers to teach a single lesson properly. Mitrofan hints to his mother that he will drown himself as soon as she asks to read something. The reason for Mitrofan's anger is Skotinin. Prostakova, having learned that her brother had raised his hand against the “child,” first attacks Eremeevna (who failed to protect the sixteen-year-old Mitrofan, entrusted to her care), and then attacks the true offender. Kuteikin, Tsyfirkin and Eremeevna, having counted all the profits in the service of the Prostakovs (“five rubles a year and five slaps a day”), set off to “drink a glass”.

    Act three

    Pravdin is the first to meet Starodum and express his respect. Starodum says that he left the court because he could not put up with the hypocrisy, baseness, cowardice, and selfishness of the courtiers. "I left the yard without villages, without a ribbon, without ranks, but I brought mine home intact, my soul, my honor, my rules." Having acquired a certain fortune, Starodum determines the structure of happiness for his niece Sophia as the goal of his life. He is glad to see her again after a long separation. Sophia shows her uncle in every possible way loyalty, respect and willingly listens to his philosophical conversations and instructions. Starodum is delighted that Sophia fully shares his views on life. Sophia is somewhat perplexed by Starodum's remark about his intention to marry his niece for a well-known and worthy young man recommended to him. However, Starodum is not going to captivate his niece and asks before her consent. The people around them take on a cheerful look and vied with each other to convince Sophia of the profitability of marriage for her - now with Mitrofanushka, now with Skotinin. Prostakova wants to make her son "show off" his knowledge in front of Starodum in order to make a favorable impression on him. “I don’t want to study, I want to get married,” Mitrofan categorically declares. Teachers take turns trying to teach their lessons, but this does not lead to anything: Mitrofan refuses to solve the problems proposed by Tsyfirkin, since there is no point in them (the tasks relate to the alleged increase in Tsyfirkin's salary and the division of money found on the road). As soon as Kuteikin embarks on his part of the "educational process", Vralman appears, who is loudly horrified by the abundance of sciences studied by the "exhausted" Mitrofanushka. Prostakova immediately agrees that Mitrofan has nothing to do with clever people, but rather to revolve in his circle. She feels sorry for the "overworked" son, she takes Mitrofan away. Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin attack Vralman, almost begin to beat him for the fact that he himself does not work, and does not allow them to teach anything to the idiot Mitrofan. Vralman flees.

    Act four

    Starodum talks with Sophia about good manners and virtue, gives instructions to his obedient niece: “Be able to discern, be able to stop with those whose friendship with you would be a reliable guarantee for your mind and heart ... is he happy who has nothing to wish for, but only there is something to be afraid of ... Good manners give a direct price to the mind. Without him, an intelligent person is a monster ... An honest person cannot be forgiven in any way, if he lacks some quality of heart ”. Starodum turns to family and marriage issues, complains that many marriages are concluded by calculation, and not at the behest of the heart, hopes that Sophia will choose a man as her husband, to whom she will have "a friendship that would resemble love." Starodum is brought a letter from Moscow from his friend, where he recommends Milon to Starodum as a wonderful groom for Sophia. Starodum asks if his niece's heart is occupied. As soon as she is going to confess everything to him, Pravdin appears and introduces Milon to Starodum. He asks Milo a question about his origin and rejoices that Milo is the same young man about whom his friend from Moscow writes to him. When it turns out that Milon is also the one to whom Sophia's heart has long been given, that her deceased mother did not cherish his soul in him, Starodum comes into a cheerful mood, blesses his niece, praises her for her worthy choice. In the midst of the explanation, Skotinin enters, begins to rant about his love for pigs. On the marriage proposal, Sophia Starodum gives him a decisive refusal, arguing that it is indecent for a noblewoman to marry Skotinin and live like a pig. Prostakov appears with his family, begins to praise Mitrofan, to demonstrate his "deep" knowledge in all sciences. Mitrofan qualifies "door" as an adjective because it is "attached to the wall"; however, the door to the closet, which has not yet been hung, bears the name "noun." At the request of the amused witnesses of this scene to tell something from the story, Mitrofan confesses how he learns this science: he and Vralman call the cowgirl Khavronya, and she tells them "stories". Mitrofan does not understand the name “geography” at all. When Pravdin explains to Prostakova that knowledge of geography is necessary when, for example, when you go on a trip, Prostakova sincerely dismisses the need for geography for the nobles, since the nobleman is carried by cabs. Starodum and Prostakova refuses her matchmaking. Pravdin is brought a package from the governor, which contains an order to take away the estate of the Prostakovs if illegal actions are noticed behind them. Prostakova is beside herself with anger. Having learned that in the morning Sophia and her uncle are leaving for Moscow, she decides to forcibly marry the girl with Mitrofanushka.

    Fifth action

    Sophia is forcibly dragged into a carriage to be taken to church. Milo frees his bride. Eremeevna tells everything to Starodum and Pravdin, who decides to put an end to the lawlessness in Prostakova's house. Learning that her plan has failed, Prostakova falls to her knees, begins humiliatingly pleading with Starodum and Pravdin to forgive her sin. Sophia and Starodum ask Pravdin not to punish anyone because of them. As soon as Pravdin lets her go, Prostakova begins to rip off evil on her servants, who "did not guard" Sophia. This is how she interprets the decree on the liberty of the nobility. Pravdin, in the name of the government, announces that he is taking the house and villages of the Prostakovs into custody "for inhumanity." Skotinin hastily retreats, promising not to beat his serfs in the future and advise his acquaintances the same. Prostakov begs Pravdin to somehow cancel the decree, but he is adamant. He calls on the teachers of Mitrofan. Starodum recognizes Vralman as his former coachman. Tsyfirkin refuses to pay, since he was unable to teach Mitrofan, and Kuteikin demands money. Everyone approves of Tsyfirkin's act, praises him for his honesty, gives money, and Kyteikin is ashamed and chased away. Vralman asks Starodum to take him to him, swears that he has not forgotten how to handle horses, since communication with the Skotinins seemed to him like a horse. Prostakova exclaims that she has only one joy left - Mitrofanushka, but he pushes her away. Prostakova faints from chagrin. Pravdin calls Mitrofan a rude person, shames him for the fact that his mother's insane love for him has brought her to the position in which she is now. Pravdin decides to appoint Mitrofan to serve. Prostakova comes to her senses, screams in despair that she has lost everything - both power and her son. Starodum says: "Here are evil worthy fruits."

    Step 1

    Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin

    Step 2

    The officer of the unit that came to the village turns out to be none other than Milon. Having met Sophia here, he is overjoyed.

    Milo is also familiar with Pravdin. It turns out that he is a government official sent to detour the province in order to curb the tyranny of the nobles. Pravdin has already decided to inform the authorities about the tyranny of the Prostakovs. Sophia complains that the Prostakovs are rude to her and is looking forward to her uncle's arrival. Pravdin, who knew Starodum before, praises his direct and honest character.

    Skotinin comes to persuade Sophia to marry herself. He promises that for ten thousand of her income "he will redeem pigs from the world." Hearing from Pravdin that Prostakova now wants to marry Sophia for Mitrofan, Skotinin becomes enraged. Mitrofan and his nanny Eremeevna are just passing by. Skotinin throws his fists at his nephew. Mitrofan is hiding behind Eremeevna. She fights with Skotinin and chases him away with the threat of "scratching out his thorns."

    Mr. and Mrs. Prostakovs appear. Learning that Skotinin rushed at Mitrofan, Mrs. Prostakova scolds Yeremeyevna: why did she not "bite into her brother's mug and tore his snouts over the ears"? Prostakova promises to "transfer" personally with Skotinin.

    Mitrofan's teachers of "arichmetic" and grammar arrive: a retired soldier Tsyfirkin and a deacon Kuteikin. The lazy little guy refuses to go to class with them, saying that he cannot recover from his uncle's attack. Mitrofan also has a third teacher - the German Vralman, who teaches him “ French and all other sciences. " Vralman receives a large salary from the Prostakovs, but there is little benefit from him: he only connives at the idleness of an ignoramus.

    Fonvizin. Undergrowth. Maly Theater performance

    Step 3

    Starodum, a man brought up by his father in the customs of the courageous era of Peter the Great, comes to the estate of the Prostakovs. In his youth, he managed to serve both in the army and at court, but, despite his talents, he never won honors and ranks, since he was always guided not by greed, but by conscience. Leaving the bustling courtyard, Starodum went to Siberia and by honest labor became rich in this harsh land.

    Sophia and Pravdin meet Starodum with great joy. He says that he has come to snatch his niece from the hands of unworthy relatives.

    A scream rises up close. It was Mrs. Prostakova who started a fight with her brother for insulting Mitrofan. Prostakova clings with her nails to Skotinin's “neck” and strives to “get to his face,” but Pravdin, who represents Starodum who has arrived, separates the fighting. Seeing a rich guest, Prostakova immediately changes her tone and invites the girls to cook a treat. Mr. Prostakov and Skotinin climb to embrace Starodum, and Mitrofanushka even kisses his hand and calls him "the second father."

    Starodum announces that he is going to marry Sophia. Skotinin begins to propose himself as a husband, boasting: "what I am, right there are few of them, and my pig factory is not bad either." But Prostakova describes the merits of Mitrofan, especially insisting that he is being educated by specially hired teachers.

    Starodum leaves to rest, and Prostakova orders to hastily call Tsyfirkin and Kuteikin and begin classes with Mitrofan. She advises her son to answer the teachers as loudly as possible so that Starodum would hear the lesson and be convinced of his diligence. Mitrofan fights back, shouting: “I don’t want to study, I want to get married!”, But he is nevertheless seated in front of the teachers.

    However, during the lesson, Mitrofanushka cannot divide three hundred by three, add ten and ten. A third teacher, the German Vralman, comes and begins to say that the "villains" Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin want to completely "kill the child" with their studies, without which it is quite possible to do without in St. Petersburg. Prostakova takes his son away to rest, and Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin rush to beat the stupid German they hate.

    Heroes of the "Minor" Fonvizin

    Step 4

    After resting from the road, Starodum talks with Sophia, advising her to adhere to hard work and good manners in life, to always observe family virtues. Sophia accepts her uncle's teachings with gratitude.

    Starodum receives a letter from Moscow from Count Chestan. He renews the proposal made by him even earlier about the marriage of Sophia with his nephew Milon, a young man who, despite his youth, has already shown great courage in battles. Starodum unexpectedly learns that Milon is an officer whom he has already seen in the Prostakovs' estate. Milon really likes Starodum. Sophia says that she has long been associated with this young man with a deep mutual feeling. Starodum joins the hands of Sophia and Milo, giving consent to their marriage.

    But the matchmaking to Sophia is resumed by Skotinin and Mitrofan. The simpletons assure that their son is "trained in all sciences." Pravdin and Starodum give Mitrofanushka a small exam. When asked about grammar, he shamefully replies that the word "door" is an adjective, for "it is attached to the place." It turns out that Mitrofan had never even heard of the science of geography. Answering the explanation: geography is a description of the land, “it would do if it happened to go somewhere,” Prostakova remarks: “And the cabbies for what? They themselves will take you where you need to! "

    Starodum says that Sophia has already been conspired to marry and tomorrow morning he will take her away from the estate. The Skotinin and the Prostakovs are annoyed with thinking unkind things.

    Step 5

    Pravdin receives a package with a decree from the governor to take under government tutelage the house and villages of the unworthy noblemen Prostakovs. Starodum warmly approves of this order, rejoicing that the current Russian Empress Catherine realizes: "It is illegal to oppress your own kind with slavery."

    Meanwhile, the people of the Prostakovs, on the orders of their masters, are trying to force Sophia into a carriage and take her to the wedding with Mitrofan. Milo, having drawn his sword, protects his bride, and Pravdin, who has run up, threatens to present the Prostakov family "before the court, as violators of civil peace." Sophia and Starodum, taking pity on their offenders, ask not to bring the case to court, but Mrs. Prostakova immediately rushes to punish the servants who missed Sophia. Pravdin then announces that at the direction of the supreme power, the Prostakovs are being deprived of their estates.

    Skotinin is in a hurry to quickly leave for his own estate. Pravdin orders Mitrofan's teachers to be brought in to pay them their back salary. Starodum, seeing Vralman, recognizes him as a German, who had previously served as his coachman. When asked how he undertook to teach, Vralman replies: for three months he could not find a coachman's place in Moscow, and “it came to me to die of lipo, lipo slugger”.

    Crying Mrs. Prostakova seeks consolation from her son, but Mitrofan rudely pushes her away: "Yes, get off, mother, how imposed." Pravdin orders Mitrofan to go to work immediately. Prostakova is crying: she has lost both her estates and her son. Starodum, pointing to her, sums up the moral conclusion of the play with the words: "Here are worthy fruits of evil!"