Untitled
Speechand personalcharacteristics of heroescomedy
DI. Fonvizin "Minor"
Recently read comedy by D.I. Fonvizin’s “Minor” made me think about the question: “Is it possible to recognize a person’s character, his moral principles just by name and speech; and whether the name and the words spoken by her are connected at all in her personality.” Let's conduct research on this topic.
First of all, we note that a The second quite aptly selects the names of the main characters. Hardly this fact can be attributed solely to the author’s desire to give a “challenge” V catchy and memorable names for the heroes. Rather, it should be assumed that Fonvizin is trying in this way to enhance the impression he receives from the play.Deep connoisseur human souls, Fonvizin understands that the names of the heroes are exactly what the common man most often pays attention to. Thus, being an excellent satirist, the author initially sets the reader in a comical mood.Now let's come closer to the comedy itself.
So, the names of the heroes:
Mitrofan. According to the directory of male names - name of Greek origin, translated from Latin stands for “revealed by the mother.” It should be assumed that the name can be deciphered, How "mama's boy" those. Human, everything is possible warded by mother, loving and respectful her more than her father. This name couldn't be betterconveys the whole nature hero.
What about speech features, then in words Mitrofan is clearly visible exactly love for your mother.He tries in every possible way to highlight his mother inthe society in which it is located, And it doesn’t matter if the people are close he is surrounded or strangers. Undoubtedly One should also highlight such a characteristic of the hero as a complete inability to various kinds of sciences and learning in general. Maybe that’s why after the comedy was published, the name Mitrofan became a common noun, denoting people who are narrow-minded and simple in their inner world.Let's look from the text:
Mitrofan. This? Adjective.
Pravdin. Why?
Mitrofan. Because it is attached to its place. Over there by the pole closet
week the door has not been hung yet: so for now that is a noun.
Or here, again:
Mitrofan (softened up). So I felt sorry.
Mrs. Prostakova (with annoyance). Who, Mitrofanushka?
Mitrofan. You, mother: you are so tired, beating your father.
Mrs. Prostakova. Surround me, my dear friend! Here's my son, one of mine
comfort.
Sophia. Just like Mitrofan, the name has ancient Greek roots. Means "wisdom". We can also assume that the author gives this name to his heroine, in connection with short form name - Sonya. The name Sonya is popularly associated with the quality of sleepiness. In the comedy, Sophia is a young girl who has not yet shown her nature, her character, who has not fully “awakened” after childhood. We don't know what it will be like in the future. Will she accept the qualities of Starodum, her uncle, or will she be the exact opposite, like Mrs. Prostakova.
Sophia's speech shows that the heroine is polite, loves and is grateful to her uncle. She never allows herself to scold a person, take offense at him or hate him. Sophia is quite sweet; her speech reveals the tenderness characteristic of every well-bred girl. Just one phrase:
« I have now received good news. Uncle, about whom so much for a long time we knew nothing, whom I love and honor as my father, I came to Moscow these days » ,
reveals to us the whole essence of this charming girl.
Milo. The name comes from Western languages. Denotes dear, beloved. It can be argued that Fonvizin gave the name to the hero not by chance, since Sophia loves Milon, hence the “beloved”. One should also not discount the possibility, although not great, that the author had some kind of association between Milo and melon (Melon (English) - melon), since his speeches are very sweet.
Based on Milo’s speech style, it is noticeable that the hero is a kind, sympathetic, brave person.
“I will tell you the secret of my heart, dear friend! I am in love and have the happiness of being loved. For more than six months I have been separated from the one who is dearer to me than anything else in the world, and what is even sadder is that I have not heard anything about her during all this time... Maybe she is now in the hands of some self-interested people who, taking advantage of her orphanhood, her, they keep her in tyranny. From this one thought I'm beside myself »
ABOUT the bottom is just a phrase, but how it reveals all Milon's feelings for Sophia.
Mrs. Prostakova and Mr. Prostakov are Mitrofan's parents. Their surname speaks volumes important quality- simplicity. As for the type of this simplicity, it is obvious that first of all one should assume spiritual simplicity. Which also implies poor spiritual world heroes. Is it possible to find confirmation of these thoughts? Undoubtedly, but first let’s say a few words about Mitrofan’s mother. Prostakova comes from a family of nobles named Skotinin. Her father was ignorant, which is why she and her brother (Skotinin) are ignoramuses. Prostakova is a very wayward person, looking for benefit everywhere. Her whole essence is reflected in her last name. It can be assumed that her father or grandfather got the title of nobleman not by inheritance, but by length of service or in some other way. The validity of this assumption is confirmed by complete absence manners, instilled from childhood, she was probably raised by people who were not accustomed to the nobility, who could not give her the proper noble education and upbringing.
Prostakova's speech is very original and interesting. She never allows herself to address her husband kindly and with respect, but she treats her son so reverently and with such love that everyone can only silently envy. She often calls the servants brutes, apparently because she herself was once Skotinina.
Mrs. Prostakova (Trishke). And you, brute, come closer. Didn't you say
I tell you, you thieving mug, to make your caftan wider. Child, first,
growing up, another, a child without a narrow caftan of delicate build.
Tell me, idiot, what is your excuse?
Prostakov is the complete opposite of his wife. Simpletons pleases his wife in everything, has no own word. It is very difficult to call him a person, rather an individual.
Prostakov. Yes, I thought, mother, that it seemed so to you.
Mrs. Prostakova. Are you blind yourself?
Prostakov. With your eyes, mine see nothing.
Mrs. Prostakova. This is the kind of hubby God gave me: he doesn’t understand
figure out for yourself what is wide and what is narrow.
The following characters: Starodum, Pravdin, Skotinin, Kuteikin, Tsyfirkin and Vralman have corresponding “speaking” surnames that characterize the characters even more than their speech patterns.
Starodum is Sophia's uncle. He always speaks in aphorisms. For example:
“Ranks begin, Sincerity ceases”
or
“Without a soul, the most enlightened, clever woman is a pitiful creature.”
This characterizes him as a wise man, knowledgeable about life, and has seen a lot in his lifetime.
Pravdin is an official. An old friend of Starodum, maybe that’s why he’s trying to get the truth everywhere, speaks only the truthand at the same time believes that everyone also acts in the truth.
Pravdin. But those worthy people who serve the state at the court...
Skotinin. Isn't a nobleman free to beat a servant whenever he wants?
Kuteikin, Tsyfirkin, Vralman - the so-called teachers of Mitrofan. TO Uteikin is a seminarian. Teaches vocabulary for my son Simplicity and the kovs . Tsyfirkin is a retired sergeant.Without proper education, he teaches Mitrofan mathematics. Vralman - German, sand that they actually hire him as a teacher Mitrofanushka. In fact, it turns out that Vralman is a simple coachman, but a German for that!
Kuteikin. What a devilry! You won't achieve much in the morning. Here
every morning will flourish and perish.
Tsyfirkin. And our brother lives like this forever. Don't do things, don't run away from things.
That's the trouble for our brother, how bad the food is, like today for lunch here
there were no provisions...
At the same time, the whole trio(Kuteikin, Tsyfirkin, Vralman) She has settled quite tightly in the Prostakovs’ house, although occasionally disagreements and squabbles arise between them.
Tsyfirkin. And we will give them the honor. I'll finish the board...
Kuteikin. And I am a book of hours.
Vralman. I'm going to play pranks on my mistress.
Eremeevna - Mitrofan's nanny, a simple Russian woman, lovinghis pupillike her own son and always ready to defend him.
Mitrofan. Mommy! shield me.
Eremeevna (shielding Mitrofan, becoming furious and raising her fists). I'll die
on the spot, but I won’t give up the child. Show up, sir, just kindly show up. I
I’ll scratch out those thorns.
Total, 13 heroes, 13 different names, 13 different images . But what they all have in common is that DI. Fonvizin gave them names similar to their characters, which once again emphasizes author's skill. The names of the characters become the highlight of the work. And now we come to the conclusion that name and characterheroes in the work inalienably connected to each other.How reasonable was it (to give such names to the characters)? I think that this is the right step of the author, since I personally remembered these names, and perhaps for the rest of my life, even before finishing reading the play.
Untitled Speech and personal characteristics heroes of the comedy D.I. Fonvizin “Undergrown” A recently read comedy by D.I. Fonvizin’s “Minor” made me think about the question: “Is it possible to recognize the character just by name and speech?", is one of the first-class works of Russian literature. The playwright depicted in it, firstly, the ignorant ancient education of noble children; secondly, the gross arbitrariness of the landowners, their inhumane treatment of the serfs.
About the main characters of the play, Mrs. Prostakova , and her son, Mitrofanushka , you can read in the articles especially dedicated to them on our website: Characteristics of Mrs. Prostakova in “The Minor” by Fonvizin and Characteristics of Mitrofan in “The Minor” by Fonvizin. Next we will outline the other characters in the play.
Heroes of Fonvizin's "Undergrowth"
Prostakova's husband , Mitrofan's father, is a timid and weak-willed man, so downtrodden and intimidated by his wife that he has neither his own desires nor his own opinions. “Before your eyes,” he says to his wife, “mine see nothing.”
Skotinin, Prostakova's brother , is a comic face. He is depicted a little caricaturedly with his exaggerated passion for pigs, which he himself innocently explains as follows: “People in front of me are smart, but among the pigs I myself am smarter than everyone else.” He received the same upbringing as his sister, and is just as rude as she: he treats pigs “infinitely better than people”; but in his whole figure there is some kind of comic good nature, which, however, stems from extraordinary stupidity. His name, as well as the names of other characters, were selected by Fonvizin in accordance with the properties of their characters or occupations.
Fonvizin. Minor. Maly Theater performance
In a few strokes, but very vividly, Mitrofan’s teachers, retired sergeant Tsyfirkin and seminarian Kuteikin are depicted. Tsyfirkin teaches Mitrofan arithmetic, as his name hints at; this is an honest old soldier. Kuteikin says that he left the seminary without completing the course: “fearing the abyss of wisdom.” He is a completely ignorant person; the only thing that remained with him from his time in the seminary was his manner of often using Church Slavonic expressions; Moreover, Kuteikin is greedy and selfish, an “insatiable soul,” as Prostakova characterizes him.
The name of another teacher is German Vralman– very successfully composed of the Russian word “liar” and the German “mann” (man). In the person of Vralman, Fonvizin shows what kind of foreign teachers in those days taught noble children “all sciences.” Vralman was a coachman for a long time: having lost his job, he became a teacher, only in order not to die of hunger. In the Prostakovs' house, he, as a foreigner, is given special honor and preference over other teachers. He receives a salary of three hundred rubles a year, while honest Tsyfirkin should receive only ten. Prostakova lists all the benefits that Vralman receives in their house: “we seat you at the table with us; Our women wash his linen; where needed - a horse; at the table - a glass of wine; at night - a tallow candle." Prostakova is happy with the German: “he doesn’t force the child.” The cunning Vralman found a wonderful way to please his mistress, while at the same time hiding his ignorance: not only does he not teach Mitrofanushka anything, but he also prevents other teachers from studying with him, indulging Mitrofan’s laziness, praising him in every possible way before his adoring mother.
In the face Eremeevna, “mother” of Mitrofan, Fonvizin for the first time depicted the type of infinitely devoted, selfless serf servant, which in Russian literature was reflected in several images, male and female. Savelich, in “The Captain’s Daughter” by Pushkin, Evseich, in “Childhood of Bagrov the Grandson” by Aksakov, Natalya Savishna - in “Childhood and Adolescence” by Leo Tolstoy. In life, this type is known to everyone in the person of Pushkin’s nanny, Arina Rodionovna. Yes, how many of us have a dear, beloved face associated with the name “nanny”... It’s amazing that this very type is found only in Russian literature, among the Russian people!
But unlike other heroes and heroines of Russian writers similar to her, Eremeevna is a completely unhappy creature, not appreciated by anyone: it’s not for nothing that she serves in the Prostakovs’ house! For her faithful forty years of service and love, she receives only insults, abuse and beatings. “Am I not zealous for you, mother?” in tears she says to Prostakova, “you don’t know how to serve anymore... I would be glad not only that... you don’t regret your stomach... but everything is undesirable.” Tsyfirkin and Kuteikin ask her how much she receives for her service? “Five rubles a year, and five slaps a day,” Eremeevna answers sadly. Even her pet, Mitrofanushka, is rude to her and insults her.
Fonvizin tried to depict vicious morals in his work provincial nobility of that time. A separate topic on which the author tried to focus the reader’s attention is the problem of education younger generation. The image and characteristics of the main characters of the comedy “Minor” will help you understand who is positive and who negative character. Each of them is individual in its own way. Much can be understood by reading their first and last names. Looking at them, you see what character indicators they are endowed with and what they represent.
Prostakova
Noblewoman by birth. Mitrofanushka's mother. Doesn't like people and his spouse. At every opportunity, she makes it clear to her husband that he is nobody in the house. Woman commander. Uneducated. Ill-mannered. Characterized by particular cruelty towards serfs. Evil, rude woman. Dotes on his only son. Has a passion for money. For the sake of profit and profit, he will go over his head. Cunning and insidious. It was she who came up with a plan to trick the orphan and marry her son. Mitrofan’s future comes first for Prostakova. Everything is beloved to him, but the son himself is hardly able to appreciate the all-consuming mother's love and care.Prostakov
Prostakova's husband. Fully matches the surname. Such a simpleton. Henpecked. Passive, weak-willed man. I’m used to the fact that my wife rules everything in the house. He always tries to please her, otherwise you can fall under the hot hand of your wife, and she has a hard hand. I myself had to receive slaps in the face from my wife more than once. Loves his son. In his heart he is proud of his only heir. True, it is unclear what reasons there could be for pride if the son cannot cause anything but contempt.Mitrofan
The main character of the comedy. Son of the Prostakovs. Minor. A teenager of sixteen years old. Mama's boy. Accustomed to the fact that the mother and her entourage fulfill any desire at the click of a finger, and God forbid who disobeys the young master. A spoiled, selfish young man. Loves money. Doesn't respect elders. A worthless young man. Studying is hard work for him. The granite of science is too much for him. Lazy. But the proposal to marry aroused genuine interest in the guy. If only such zeal would go in the right direction. Ignorant and stupid.Skotinin
Prostakova's brother. Nobleman. Loves pigs and money. Ignorant. Rough Uneducated. Because of the dowry, he was ready to marry Sophia, without having feelings for her. An ill-mannered, uncouth man. A copy of your sister.Sophia
Orphan. Noblewoman by birth. Starodum's niece, whom the Prostakovs took under their wing. Young, pure creation. A rich heiress, which was the reason for a clash between the owner’s son and Skotinin. Received a good education. Honest, decent. Good soul Human. It is responsive. Faithful. She loves her fiancé Milo. Ready to fight for my love to the last.Starodum
Sophia's uncle. The girl's guardian was forced to leave his niece for a long time in order to improve the situation and get back on her feet for her benefit. A good mentor. Gives good advice. Strong, authoritative personality. Wise, reasonable. Kind. He earned everything he acquired through honest labor. Straightforward.Milo
Sophia's fiance. Honest, decent guy. Military. Sincerely loves Sophia. Highly moral. Educated. Modest. Honor and courage are not empty words for him. A worthy match for any girl.Pravdin
Civil servant. Official. Honest, decent person. He is engaged in punishing landowners who are cruel to serfs.Tsyfirkin, Kuteikin, Vralman
Woe to the teachers of the master's son. None received proper education. All of them are former ordinary workers.Vralman worked as a coachman. German. Teaches Mitrofan foreign language. Cunning, flattering. Capable of meanness and deception.
Kuteikin teaches minors to read and write. Sexton. He's not much of a teacher. Calculating. Cowardly.
Tsyfirkin. From the former military. Teaches arithmetic. A kind, honest man. He's nothing like a teacher.
Eremeevna
Mitrofan's nanny. An ordinary peasant woman. A woman faithfully and devotedly, like a dog, serves her mistress throughout her life. Patiently endures insults and assault without expressing dissatisfaction. She receives a meager salary, but she doesn’t have the courage to ask for a raise, it’s not in her character. Accepts life as it is.Trishka
Serf peasant. Tailor at court. Has no professional sewing education. Not stupid. She can stand up for herself and snap back in response to the owner’s comments. Differs in prudence.Denis Fonvizin's immortal comedy "The Minor" is an outstanding work of Russian literature XVIII century. Bold satire and truthfully described reality are the main components of this writer’s skill. Centuries later, every now and then modern society heated debates emerge about the main character of the play, Mitrofanushka. Who is he: a victim of improper upbringing or shining example moral decay of society?
The comedy “Brigadier” written by Fonvizin, which had a stunning success in St. Petersburg, became the basis of one of the world’s greatest literary monuments. After its publication, the writer did not return to drama for more than ten years, devoting himself more and more to state issues and tasks. However, the thought of creating a new book excited the author’s imagination. Let’s not hide the fact that, according to scientists, the first note related to “The Minor” was started back in the 1770s, long before its publication.
After a trip to France in 1778. The playwright had an exact plan for writing the future work. Interesting fact— initially Mitrofanushka was Ivanushka, which naturally spoke of the similarity of the two comedies (Ivan was a character in “The Brigadier”). In 1781 the play was completed. Of course, a production of this type meant covering one of the most problematic issues noble society of that time. However, despite the risk, Fonvizin became the direct “instigator” of the literary revolution. The premiere was postponed due to the empress's hostility to any kind of satire, but it still took place on September 24, 1782.
Genre of the work
COMEDY is a type of drama in which the moment of effective conflict is specifically resolved. It has a number of signs:
- does not entail the death of one representative of the warring parties;
- aimed at “nothing” goals;
- the narrative is lively and vivid.
Also in Fonvizin’s work, a satirical orientation is obvious. This means that the author set himself the task of ridiculing social vices. This is an attempt to veil life's problems under the guise of a smile.
“Minor” is a work built according to the laws of classicism. One storyline, one location, and all events take place within 24 hours. However, this concept is also consistent with realism, as evidenced by individual objects and places of action. Besides, characters They are very reminiscent of real landowners from the outback, ridiculed and condemned by the playwright. Fonvizin added something new to classicism - merciless and sharp humor.
What is the work about?
The plot of Denis Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor” revolves around a family of landowners who are completely mired in immorality and tyranny. Children became like their rude and narrow-minded parents, and their sense of morality suffered as a result. Sixteen-year-old Mitrofanushka is trying his best to finish his studies, but he lacks the desire and ability. The mother looks at this carelessly, she does not care whether her son will develop. She prefers that everything remain as it is; any progress is alien to her.
The Prostakovs “sheltered” distant relative- orphan Sophia, who differs from the whole family not only in her outlook on life, but also in her good manners. Sophia is the heiress of a large estate, which Mitrofanushka’s uncle, Skotinin, who is a great hunter, “looks” at. Marriage is the only one affordable way to take over Sophia's household, so the relatives around her are trying to persuade her into an advantageous marriage.
Starodum, Sophia’s uncle, sends his niece a letter. Prostakova is terribly dissatisfied with this “trick” of her relative, who was considered dead in Siberia. The deceit and arrogance inherent in her nature is manifested in the accusation of a “deceptive” letter, supposedly “amorous”. Illiterate landowners will soon learn the true content of the message, resorting to the help of the guest Pravdin. He reveals to the whole family the truth about the Siberian inheritance he left, which gives him as much as ten thousand in annual income.
It was then that Prostakova came up with an idea - to marry Sophia to Mitrofanushka in order to appropriate the inheritance for herself. However, officer Milon, walking through the village with soldiers, “bursts” into her plans. He met with his old friend Pravdin, who, as it turned out, is a member of the vicegerental board. His plans include observing landowners mistreating their people.
Milon speaks of his long-standing love for a sweet person who was transported to an unknown place due to the death of a relative. Suddenly he meets Sophia - she is that same girl. The heroine talks about her future marriage to the undersized Mitrofanushka, from which the groom “flashes up” like a spark, but then gradually “weaken” with a detailed story about his “betrothed.”
Sophia's uncle has arrived. Having met Milon, he accepts Sophia’s choice, while inquiring about the “correctness” of her decision. At the same time, the Prostakovs' estate was transferred to state custody due to cruel treatment of the peasants. Looking for support, the mother hugs Mitrofanushka. But the Son did not intend to be polite and polite, he was rude, causing the venerable matron to faint. Waking up, she laments: “I am completely lost.” And Starodum, pointing at her, says, “These are the fruits worthy of evil!”
The main characters and their characteristics
Pravdin, Sophia, Starodum and Milon are representatives of the so-called “new” time, the Age of Enlightenment. The moral components of their souls are nothing more than goodness, love, thirst for knowledge and compassion. The Prostakovs, Skotinin and Mitrofan are representatives of the “old” nobility, where the cult flourishes material well-being, rudeness and ignorance.
- The minor Mitrofan is a young man whose ignorance, stupidity and inability to adequately analyze the situation do not allow him to become an active and reasonable representative of the noble community. “I don’t want to study, but I want to get married” is a life motto that fully reflects the character young man, not taking anything seriously.
- Sophia is an educated, kind girl who becomes a black sheep in a society of envious and greedy people.
- Prostakova is a cunning, careless, rude woman with many shortcomings and a lack of love and respect for all living things, except for her beloved son Mitrofanushka. Prostakova’s upbringing is only a confirmation of the persistence of conservatism, which does not allow the Russian nobility to develop.
- Starodum raises “his little blood” in a different way - Sophia is no longer for him small child, but a formed member of society. He gives the girl freedom of choice, thereby teaching her the correct fundamentals of life. In it, Fonvizin portrays the type of personality that has gone through all the “ups” and downs,” becoming not only a “worthy parent,” but also an undoubted example for the future generation.
- Skotinin, just like everyone else, is an example of a “talking surname.” A person whose inner essence is more similar to some kind of rude, uncouth cattle than to a well-bred person.
Theme of the work
- The education of the “new” nobility is the main theme of the comedy. “Undergrowth” is a kind of allusion to the “disappearing” moral principles in people who are afraid of transformations. Landowners raise their offspring the old fashioned way, without paying due attention to their education. But those who were not taught, but were only spoiled or intimidated, will not be able to take care of either their family or Russia.
- Family theme. The family is a social institution on which the development of the individual depends. Despite Prostakova’s rudeness and disrespect towards all residents, she cherishes her beloved son, who does not at all appreciate her care or her love. This behavior is a typical example of ingratitude, which is a consequence of spoiling and parental adoration. The landowner does not understand that her son sees her treatment of other people and repeats it. Thus, the weather in the house determines the character of the young man and his shortcomings. Fonvizin emphasizes the importance of maintaining warmth, tenderness and respect in the family towards all its members. Only then will children be respectful and parents worthy of respect.
- The theme of freedom of choice. The “new” stage is Starodum’s relationship with Sophia. Starodum gives her freedom of choice, without limiting her with his beliefs, which can affect her worldview, thereby cultivating in her the ideal of a noble future.
Main problems
- The main problem of the work is the consequences of improper upbringing. The Prostakov family is a family tree that has its roots in the distant past of the nobility. This is what the landowners boast about, not realizing that the glory of their ancestors does not add to their dignity. But class pride has clouded their minds, they do not want to move forward and achieve new achievements, they think that everything will always be as before. That’s why they don’t realize the need for education; in their world, enslaved by stereotypes, it really isn’t needed. Mitrofanushka will also sit in the village all her life and live off the labor of her serfs.
- The problem of serfdom. The moral and intellectual decay of the nobility under serfdom is an absolutely logical result of the tsar’s unjust policies. The landowners have become completely lazy; they don’t need to work to support themselves. The managers and peasants will do everything for them. With this social order The nobles have no incentive to work and get an education.
- The problem of greed. The thirst for material well-being blocks access to morality. Prostakovs are fixated on money and power, they don’t care whether their child is happy, for them happiness is synonymous with wealth.
- The problem of ignorance. Stupidity deprives the heroes of spirituality; their world is too limited and tied to the material side of life. They are not interested in anything other than primitive physical pleasures, because they don’t know anything else at all. Fonvizin saw the true “human appearance” only in that person who was raised by literate people, and not by half-educated sextons.
Comedy idea
Fonvizin was a person, so he did not accept rudeness, ignorance and cruelty. He professed the belief that a person is born a “blank slate”, therefore only upbringing and education can make him a moral, virtuous and intelligent citizen who will benefit the fatherland. Thus, chanting the ideals of humanism - main idea"Undergrown." A young man who obeys the call of goodness, intelligence and justice is a true nobleman! If he is brought up in the spirit of Prostakova, then he will never go beyond the narrow confines of his limitations and will not understand the beauty and versatility of the world in which he lives. He will not be able to work for the good of society and will not leave anything significant behind.
At the end of the comedy, the author speaks of the triumph of “retribution”: Prostakova loses the estate and the respect of her own son, raised in accordance with her spiritual and physical ideals. This is the price to pay for miseducation and ignorance.
What does it teach?
Denis Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor,” first of all, teaches respect for one’s neighbors. The sixteen-year-old young man Mitrofanushka did not perceive the care of either his mother or his uncle at all; he took it for granted as a fact: “Why, uncle, have you eaten too much henbane? Yes, I don’t know why you deigned to attack me.” The natural result of rough treatment in the home is the ending where the son pushes away his loving mother.
The lessons of the comedy “Minor” do not end there. It is not so much respect as ignorance that shows people in the position they are carefully trying to hide. Stupidity and ignorance hover in the comedy like a bird over a nest, they envelop the village, thereby not letting the inhabitants out of their own shackles. The author cruelly punishes the Prostakovs for their narrow-mindedness, depriving them of their property and the very opportunity to continue their idle lifestyle. Thus, everyone needs to learn, because even the most stable position in society can easily be lost if you are an uneducated person.
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Let's look at the features of the comedy created by Fonvizin ("The Minor"). Analysis of this work is the topic of this article. This play is a masterpiece Russian literature 18th century. This work is now included in the Russian fund classical literature. It affects a whole range of eternal problems". And the beauty of the high style still attracts many readers today. The name of this play is associated with the decree issued by Peter I, according to which “minors” (young nobles) are prohibited from entering the service and getting married without education.
History of the play
Back in 1778, the idea of this comedy arose from its author, who was Fonvizin. “The Minor,” the analysis of which interests us, was written in 1782 and presented to the public in the same year. We should briefly highlight the time of creation of the play that interests us.
During the reign of Catherine II, Fonvizin wrote "The Minor". The analysis of the heroes presented below proves that they were heroes of their time. The period in the development of our country is associated with the dominance of ideas. They were borrowed by the Russians from the French enlighteners. The dissemination of these ideas and their great popularity among the educated philistines and nobility was largely facilitated by the empress herself. She is known to have corresponded with Diderot, Voltaire, and d’Alembert. In addition, Catherine II opened libraries and schools, and supported the development of art and culture in Russia through various means.
Continuing to describe the comedy that D.I. Fonvizin created (“The Minor”), analyzing its features, it should be noted that, as a representative of his era, the author certainly shared the ideas that dominated at that time in noble society. He tried to reflect them in his work, exposing not only the positive aspects to readers and viewers, but also pointing out misconceptions and shortcomings.
"Minor" - an example of classicism
Analysis of the comedy "Minor" by Fonvizin requires considering this play as part of a cultural era and literary tradition. This work is considered one of the best examples of classicism. There is unity of action in the play (there are no secondary plot lines in it, only the struggle for Sophia’s hand and her property is described), place (the characters do not move long distances, all events take place either near the Prostakovs’ house or inside it), and time ( All events take no more than a day). In addition, he used “speaking” surnames, which are traditional for the classic play, Fonvizin (“The Minor”). Analysis shows that, following tradition, he divided his characters into positive and negative. The positive ones are Pravdin, Starodum, Milon, Sophia. They are contrasted with Prostakov, Mitrofan, Skotinin by D.I. Fonvizin (play “The Minor”). An analysis of their names shows that they make it clear to the reader which features in the image of a particular character are prevalent. For example, Pravdin is the personification of morality and truth in the work.
A new genre of comedy, its features
“Minor” at the time of its creation became an important step forward in the development of literature in our country, in particular drama. Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin created a new socio-political. It harmoniously combines a number of realistic scenes depicted with sarcasm, irony, and laughter from the life of some ordinary representatives of high society (nobility) with sermons about morality, virtue, and the need for education human qualities, which were characteristic of the Enlightenment. Instructive monologues do not burden the perception of the play. They complement this work, as a result of which it becomes deeper.
First action
The play, the author of which is Fonvizin (“Minor”), is divided into 5 acts. Analysis of a work involves a description of the organization of the text. In the first act we meet the Prostakovs, Pravdin, Sophia, Mitrofan, Skotinin. The characters' personalities emerge immediately, and the reader understands that Skotinin and the Prostakovs - and Sophia and Pravdin - are positive. In the first act there is an exposition and plot of this work. In the exhibition we get to know the characters, we learn that Sophia lives in the care of the Prostakovs, who is going to be married off to Skotinin. Reading the letter from Starodum is the beginning of the play. Sophia now turns out to be a rich heiress. Any day now, her uncle is returning to take the girl to his place.
Development of events in the play created by Fonvizin (“Minor”)
We will continue the analysis of the work with a description of how events developed. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th acts are their development. We meet Starodum and Milon. Prostakova and Skotinin are trying to please Starodum, but their flattery, falsity, lack of education and enormous thirst for profit only repels them. They look stupid and funny. The funniest scene of this work is the questioning of Mitrofan, during which the stupidity of not only this young man, but also his mother is revealed.
Climax and denouement
Act 5 - climax and denouement. It should be noted that researchers have different opinions about what moment should be considered the climax. There are 3 most popular versions. According to the first, this is the kidnapping of Sophia Prostakova, according to the second, Pravdin’s reading of a letter, which says that Prostakova’s estate is coming under his care, and, finally, the third version is Prostakova’s rage after she realizes her own powerlessness and tries to “get back "on his servants. Each of these versions is fair, since it examines the work of interest to us from different points of view. The first, for example, highlights storyline, dedicated to Sophia’s marriage. An analysis of the episode of Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor,” connected with marriage, indeed allows us to consider it key in the work. The second version examines the play from a socio-political point of view, highlighting the moment when justice prevails on the estate. The third focuses on the historical one, according to which Prostakova is the personification of the weakened principles and ideals of the old nobility that have become a thing of the past, who, however, still do not believe in their own defeat. This nobility, according to the author, is based on lack of enlightenment, lack of education, as well as low moral principles. During the denouement, everyone leaves Prostakova. She had nothing left. Pointing to it, Starodum says that these are “worthy fruits” of “evil morality.”
Negative characters
As we have already noted, the main characters are clearly divided into negative and positive. Mitrofan, Skotinin and Prostakovs - negative heroes. Prostakova is a woman seeking profit, uneducated, rude, and domineering. She knows how to flatter to gain benefits. However, Prostakova loves her son. Prostakov appears as the “shadow” of his wife. This is a weak-willed character. His word means little. Skotinin is the brother of Mrs. Prostakova. This is an equally uneducated and stupid person, quite cruel, like his sister, greedy for money. For him, going to the pigs in the barnyard is the best thing to do. Mitrofan is a typical son of his mother. This is a spoiled young man of 16 who inherited a love of pigs from his uncle.
Issues and heredity
In the play, it should be noted that Fonvizin (“The Minor”) devotes an important place to the issue of family ties and heredity. Analyzing this question, let's say, for example, that Prostakova is only married to her husband (a “simple” man who does not want much). However, she is actually Skotinina, akin to her brother. Her son absorbed the qualities of both his parents - “animal” qualities and stupidity from his mother and weak-willedness from his father.
Similar family ties can be traced between Sophia and Starodum. Both of them are honest, virtuous, educated. The girl listens to her uncle attentively, respects him, and “absorbs” science. Pairs of opposites create negative and goodies. Children - spoiled, stupid Mitrofan and meek smart Sophia. Parents love their children, but they approach their upbringing in different ways - Starodub talks about truth, honor, morality, and Prostakova only pampers Mitrofan and says that he will not need education. A pair of suitors - Milon, who sees an ideal and his friend in Sophia, who loves her, and Skotinin, who calculates the fortune that he will receive after marrying this girl. At the same time, he is not interested in Sophia as a person. Skotinin does not even try to provide his bride with comfortable housing. Prostakov and Pravdin are in fact the “voice of truth”, a kind of “auditors”. But in the person of the official we find active strength, help and real action, while Prostakov is a passive character. The only thing this hero could say was to reproach Mitrofan at the end of the play.
Issues raised by the author
Analyzing, it becomes clear that each of the above-described pairs of characters reflects a separate problem that is revealed in the work. This is a problem of education (which is complemented by the example of half-educated teachers like Kuteikin, as well as impostors such as Vralman), upbringing, fathers and children, family life, relationships between spouses, relations of nobles to servants. Each of these problems is examined through the prism of educational ideas. Fonvizin, sharpening his attention to the shortcomings of the era by using comic techniques, the emphasis is on the need to change outdated, traditional foundations that have become irrelevant. They drag people into the swamp of stupidity and evil, and liken people to animals.
As our analysis of Fonvizin’s play “The Minor” showed, the main idea and theme of the work is the need to educate the nobility in accordance with educational ideals, the foundations of which are still relevant today.
