What work was Chatsky in? The image and characterization of Chatsky in Griboyedov's comedy "Woe from Wit" essay. The main character. Love conflict

Alexander Chatsky is the first character in Russian literature who dared to openly conflict with high society. It is noteworthy that this is the only goodie play "Woe from Wit". To create the image, the author borrowed the role of the “evil wise guy” from his literary idol.

History of creation

In addition, the author mercilessly got rid of the idea of ​​three unities, leaving only the unity of place and time, endowing the creation with two plots: the line of love is adjacent to the conflict with society. Plus, an unprecedented thing happened - at the end of the work moral values do not overcome vices.

Work on the play began when the writer lived in Tiflis - the year was 1820. The first two acts were born here, based on the memories of Zhenya Grekhova, Griboyedov’s childhood friend. And as an example, the author took Moliere’s comedy “The Misanthrope”, in which the main character, like Chatsky, exposes the imperfections of society. Three years later, the writer plunged headlong into social life Moscow, in order to better know and feel modern customs from the inside noble society.

The work was renamed three times. At first, Alexander Sergeevich called it “Woe to Wit,” then “Woe is Not from Wit,” and only just before the end of the work the play acquired the name “Woe from Wit.” In 1825, the comedy was ready, but the censorship did not spare it, tearing out some of the episodes. However, before the theater literary work didn't arrive either.

Griboedov's play had sold out in copies among the reading public a year earlier; it was enthusiastically received “uncut” in Decembrist circles. It was officially published for the first time after the death of the writer, and Woe from Wit was allowed to be published without censorship only in 1862.

Biography and plot

Alexander Chatsky, who was orphaned early, was brought up in the family of Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov, a friend of his father. The guardian gave the boy an excellent education, but failed to instill his own views on life. The matured young man settled separately, however, continuing to often visit the Famusovs - ardent feelings flared up between Chatsky and Pavel Afanasyevich’s daughter Sophia as a child.

Main character dreamed of offering his hand and heart to his beloved, but one day he suddenly got bored metropolitan life, and he went on a trip around the world. Moreover, he did not bother to inform his beloved girl about his plans, disappearing for three years. Upon returning to his homeland, Chatsky was disappointed - Sophia took on a new lover in the person of her father’s secretary Molchalin. The young man didn’t even know about it at first, but at the very first social meeting in the Famusov mansion he learned the truth and considered the act a betrayal.

The character pronounces lengthy monologues in which he exposes the vices of Moscow society, offending almost everyone characters plays. The caustic criticism of the behavior of the owners of the house and guests from the lips of Chatsky irritates Sophia, and the girl started a rumor that he is out of his mind. The entire action of the work takes one evening, during which Sophia also finds out that Molchalin is simply taking advantage of her attention in order to stay in the house and get a ticket to rich life- there is no talk of love.

Alexander laughed bitterly at his beloved, at his blindness, at those who are united with Famus’s worldview. And, recognizing that in this society it is difficult not to lose one’s mind, he left his guardian’s house.

Image

Noble, proud, true to his opinion and word - these are the characteristics of the main character of Griboyedov’s play. Alexander Chatsky amazes with his straightforwardness, and at the same time captivates with his contempt for the cruelty of the nobles and serfdom. Armed with intelligence and knowledge that allows him to see problems in governing the country, as well as in Russian culture, because inculcating the values ​​of other states will lead to disaster. The young man selflessly fights injustice and outdated orders that reign in society. The character is an extra person in life high society, where lies and meanness flourish.

The author of the comedy "Woe from Wit" retained the principles of classicism in it - he used speaking names. The meaning of the main character's name eloquently conveys his character and role in the play. Alexander means protector of people, and the young man became Chatsky from the word “fumes” - he scares those around him with incomprehensible glances, disrupts the usual way of life, and at the same time remains in the fume of his own disappointments and emotions.

For students studying “Woe from Wit” on school lessons literature, you definitely have to look for an answer to the topic: who is Chatsky - the winner or the loser? The question is not easy, because the hero refused to prove that he was right and left the front stage. Griboyedov made the character, of course, a winner who managed to resist the temptation to become like greedy, arrogant, envious people. The hero remained himself.

The play “Woe from Wit” debuted at the St. Petersburg Theater in early 1831. IN further work has undergone many productions both at home and abroad. In Russian cinema, Alexander Chatsky was played by such famous actors, How , .

The archives of Moscow contain about 300 copies (copies) of the play by Alexander Griboedov. And until now, researchers are collecting them in order to completely restore the picture of the imperishable work, because the copies were not the originals of the creation - the writer distributed duplicate manuscripts as he worked on the work.

The first person to become acquainted with the play was. Griboyedov personally read the work to the fabulist, and at the end he said:

"No. The censors won't let this pass. They make fun of my fables. And this is much worse! In our time, the empress would have sent this play along the first route to Siberia.”

The young aspiring poet Sasha Vasev is hiding under the pseudonym Alexander Chatsky. The recently written poem “Successful Hunting” is floating around the Internet and collecting a lot of positive reviews.

Quotes

“Woe from Wit” is included in the list of the most cited Russian works. Having read the play, he predicted:

“Half the verses should become proverbs.”

Like looking into the water. For example, a quote from Chatsky:

“A carriage for me, a carriage!”

every Russian knows. And even more so the phrase:

“The smoke of the Fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us!”

However, Griboedov’s character gave the country many more catchphrases.

“Blessed is he who believes, he is warm in the world!”

“I would be glad to serve, but being served is sickening.”

“The legend is fresh, but hard to believe.”

“And yet I love you without memory.”

“Tell me to the fire: I’ll go as if for dinner.”

“The houses are new, but the prejudices are old.”

“It’s barely light and you’re already on your feet!” And I am at your feet."

Characteristics of Chatsky based on the work "Woe from Wit"

The comedy was written in the 20s of the 19th century. After the victorious war with Napoleon in 1812, when the Russian people dealt a mortal blow to the Napoleonic army, which had gained the glory of invincibility in Europe, the contradiction between the greatest capabilities of ordinary Russian people and the plight in which they found themselves at the will of the powers that be, in The Arakcheev reaction was rampant in the country. Honest people of that time could not put up with this. Among the progressive-minded nobility, protest and dissatisfaction with the existing order were brewing, and secret societies were created. And it was A.S. Griboyedov who embodied the emergence of these germs of protest in his comedy, bringing “the present century and the past century” face to face.

The first pages of the comedy were read... It became clear: everyone in Famusov’s house was waiting for the person who interested me so much. Who is he? Why is he the only one they talk about in this house? Why does Liza, the maid, remember him as a cheerful, witty person, but Sophia, Famusov’s daughter, doesn’t want to hear about Chatsky? And later I am convinced that Famusov is also irritated and alarmed. Why? I need to resolve all these questions. The comedy interested me from the very first pages.

The plot of the work is based on conflict young nobleman Chatsky with the society from which he himself came. The events of the comedy take place in one Moscow aristocratic house over the course of one day. But Griboyedov managed to expand the temporal and spatial framework of the work, giving a complete picture of the life of the noble society of that time and showing the new, living, advanced that was emerging in its depths.

So, it turns out that Chatsky, who was left an orphan at an early age, lived in the house of his guardian Famusov, a friend of his father, and was brought up with his daughter, having received an excellent education at home from foreign tutors. “The habit of being together every day inseparably” connected them with childhood friendship. But soon the young man Chatsky became “bored” in Famusov’s house, where there were no serious intellectual interests, and he “moved out,” that is, he began to live separately, independently, made good friends, and became seriously involved in science. During these years, his friendly disposition towards Sophia becomes a serious feeling. But his love for a girl did not distract him from the pursuit of knowledge, the study of life. He goes "to wander". Three years have passed...And now our hero is again in Moscow, in Famusov’s house. He rushes to see Sophia, whom he loves passionately. And such sincerity, such love and joy from meeting his beloved girl can be heard in his voice! He is lively, cheerful, witty, handsome! Chatsky is completely overwhelmed with the joy of life and does not know that trouble awaits him: after all, Sophia loves not him, but her father’s secretary, the cunning liar Molchalin.

Chatsky does not even suspect how Sophia has changed during his absence; he trusts her, as in the days of his early youth. And Sophia not only does not love him, but is even ready to hate him for his caustic words addressed to Molchalin. She is capable of lies, pretense, gossip, just to hurt, to take revenge on Chatsky. In Chatsky’s playful, sarcastic remarks, she cannot feel the pain of a man who truly loves his Motherland. Chatsky and Famusov meet as close people. But we soon become convinced that there are constant clashes between them.

In Famusov's house, Chatsky meets Skalozub, a possible contender for Sophia's hand. It is here that an intense ideological struggle arises and flares up between Famusov, a defender of autocratic serfdom, and Chatsky, a patriot, defender of “free life,” an exponent of the ideas of the Decembrists, new ideas about man and his place in society. The dispute between them is about the dignity of a person, his value, about honor and honesty, about the attitude towards service, about the place of a person in society.

Chatsky sarcastically criticizes feudal tyranny, cynicism and soullessness of the “fathers of the fatherland”, their pathetic admiration for everything foreign, their careerism, fierce resistance to moving forward to a better life.

Famusov is afraid of people like Chatsky, since they encroach on the order of life that is the basis of well-being for the Famusovs. The smug serf owner teaches the “today’s proud people” how to live, setting up sycophants and careerists like Maxim Petrovich as an example.

Could, say, Belinsky, Ryleev, Griboyedov remain silent in such a case? Hardly! This is why we so naturally perceive Chatsky’s accusatory monologues and remarks. The hero is indignant, despises, mocks, accuses, while thinking out loud, not paying attention to how others will react to his thoughts.

Chatsky has the seething passion of a fighter for a fair society. He wants to bring his enemies to “white heat” and express his truth.

A citizen's anger and resentment give him energy.

Reading the comedy, I admire more and more how expressively Griboyedov compared Chatsky and his rivals. Chatsky evokes my sympathy and respect, recognition of his noble deeds. His statements about the world of feudal owners are near and dear to me.

The secular crowd, skillfully depicted by Griboyedov’s pen, is the personification of meanness, ignorance, and inertia. In my opinion, Sophia, whom our hero loves so much, can also be included in this crowd. After all, it is she who deals him a treacherous blow: by writing gossip about Chatsky’s madness. I understand that she wanted to take revenge for his ridicule towards Molchalin. But you can’t be so cruel and inhumane! After all, she is a representative of the fair sex and suddenly such meanness! The fiction about Chatsky's madness spreads with lightning speed. Nobody believes, but everyone repeats it. Finally, this gossip reaches Famusov. When the guests begin to list the reason for Chatsky’s madness, another meaning of this phrase is revealed: in their opinion, crazy means “freethinker.” Everyone is trying to determine the cause of the madness. Khlestova says: “I drank tea beyond my years,” but Famusov is firmly convinced:

Learning is a plague

Learning is the reason...

Various measures to combat the “madness” are then proposed. Colonel Skalozub, a narcissistic, stupid colonel of stick drill, an enemy of freedom and enlightenment, dreaming of the rank of general, says:

I will make you happy: universal rumor,

That there is a project for lyceums, schools, gymnasiums;

There they will only teach in our way: one, two;

And schools will be kept like this: for big occasions.

And Famusov, as if summarizing the opinions expressed about enlightenment, says:

Once evil is stopped:

Take all the books and burn them.

Thus, Chatsky is declared crazy for his freethinking. He is hated by reactionary society as an ideological enemy, as a progressive freedom-loving person. And society takes measures to neutralize him - he erects vile slander against him. Soon Chatsky heard gossip about his madness. He is hurt, bitter, but this does not concern him as deeply as who Sophia loves, why she is so cold towards him.

And suddenly an unexpected resolution of these issues occurs. Chatsky witnessed an accidentally overheard conversation between Molchalin and the maid Liza. Molchalin confesses his love to the girl, but the maid boldly hints at his wedding with the young lady, Sophia, and shames Molchalin. And then Molchalin “takes off his mask”: he admits to Liza that “there is nothing enviable in Sofya Pavlovna,” that he is in love with her “by position,” “who feeds and waters, and sometimes gives her rank.” Anger and shame torment Chatsky: “Here I am sacrificed to whom!” How he was deceived in Sophia! His happy rival is Molchalin, a low hypocrite and deceiver, a “fool,” a “famous servant,” convinced that “at his age,” in his rank, “he should not dare to have his own judgment,” but must, “pleasing everyone, and take awards and have fun."

And Sophia, on her way to a date with Molchalin, accidentally heard his frank confession to Lisa. She is surprised, offended, humiliated! After all, she loved him so much, idealized this insignificant person! What a pitiful role Sophia played in his life! But the girl finds the strength in herself to renounce her delusions forever, to push away Molchalin, who is crawling at her feet, but she cannot defend and justify herself before Chatsky. Chatsky is dealt another wound: he learns that the absurd gossip about his madness belongs to Sophia. No, he will never be able to forgive her for this, since he also considers her a representative of the Famus society, which is hostile to him. Chatsky decided to leave Moscow forever. Why? Leaving “the tormentors of the crowd, traitors in love, tireless enmity,” he intends to “search the world where there is a corner for the offended feeling.”

And Sophia? After all, reconciliation with her was so possible! But Chatsky, having ranked her among the world of his enemies, is convinced that “there will be another well-behaved sycophant and businessman.” Maybe our hero is right. After all, Sophia, brought up in the spirit of hatred of everything progressive and new, would not bring happiness to a person who has a definite opinion about serfdom, education, and service. It was not for nothing that the Decembrists saw Chatsky as their like-minded person.

I admit, I feel sorry for Sophia, because she is not a bad girl, not immoral, but, unfortunately, she turned out to be a victim of the lies that are characteristic of Famusov society who killed her. Chatsky is a representative of that part of the noble youth who are already aware of all the inertia of the surrounding reality, all the insignificance and emptiness of the people who surround him. There are still a few such people, they are not yet able to fight the existing system, but they appear - this is the spirit of the times. That is why Chatsky can rightfully be called a hero of his time. It was these people who came to Senate Square on December 14, 1825. Chatsky is a man of extraordinary intelligence, brave, honest, sincere. In his disputes with Famusov, in his critical judgments, the appearance of a man emerges who sees the vices and contradictions of his society and wants to fight them (with words for now).

Griboedov shows these qualities especially clearly, contrasting Chatsky with the low sycophant and hypocrite Molchalin. This vile man, who has nothing sacred, regularly fulfills his father’s behest “to please all people without exception,” even “to the janitor’s dog, so that it is affectionate.” Molchalin is “a sycophant and a businessman,” as Chatsky characterizes him.

Famusov is a high-ranking official, a conservative to the core, a stupid martinet and obscurantist Skalozub - these are the people Chatsky meets. In these characters, Griboyedov gave an accurate and vivid description of the noble society of that time.

In the musty world of Famus, Chatsky appears like a cleansing thunderstorm. He is in every way the opposite of typical representatives of Famus society. If Molchalin, Famusov, Skalozub see the meaning of life in their well-being (“bureaucratic towns, small towns”), then Chatsky dreams of disinterested service to his homeland, of bringing benefit to the people, whom he respects and considers “smart and cheerful.” At the same time, he despises blind veneration, servility, and careerism. He “would be glad to serve”, but he “sickens being served.” Chatsky sharply criticizes this society, mired in hypocrisy, hypocrisy, and debauchery. He says bitterly:

Where, show us, are the fathers of the fatherland,

Which ones should we take as models?

Aren't these the ones who are rich in robbery?

We found protection from fate in friends, in kinship,

Magnificent building chambers,

Where they indulge in feasts and extravagance...

These people are deeply indifferent to the fate of their homeland and people. Their cultural and moral level can be judged by the following remarks by Famusov: “They would take all the books and burn them,” because “learning is the reason” that “there are crazy people, and deeds, and opinions.” Chatsky has a different opinion; he values ​​people who are ready to “put their minds hungry for knowledge into science” or engage in “creative, high and beautiful” art.

Chatsky rebels against the society of the Famusovs, Skalozubovs, and Mollins. But his protest is too weak to shake the foundations of this society. The conflict is tragic young hero with an environment where love, friendship, everything is doomed to persecution strong feeling, every living thought. They declare him crazy and turn away from him. "Who was I with! Where did fate throw me! Everyone is chasing me! Everyone is cursing me!" “Get out of Moscow! I don’t go here anymore,” Chatsky exclaims sadly.

In the comedy, Chatsky is alone, but there are more and more people like him (remember Skalozub’s cousin, who “followed the rank,” and he suddenly left his service and began reading books in the village, or Princess Tugoukhovskaya’s nephew, “a chemist and a botanist”). It was they who were to carry out the first stage of the revolutionary liberation movement, to shake up the country, to bring closer the moment when the people would free themselves from the chains of slavery, when those principles of fair social relations that Chatsky, Griboyedov himself, and the Decembrists dreamed of would triumph.

The comedy "Woe from Wit" has entered the treasury of our national culture. Even now she has not lost her moral and artistic strength. We, people of the new generation, understand and are close to Griboedov’s angry, irreconcilable attitude towards injustice, meanness, hypocrisy, which are so often encountered in our lives. Grief from crazy (1)Essay >> Literature and Russian language

... « Grief from mind" from crazy” - one of the brightest works...characters of accusatory monologues Chatsky: “Nestor... about their arbitrariness By towards the peasants... characteristic off-stage characters in the comedy by A. S. Griboyedov “ Grief from crazy”.

Chatsky's description briefly with examples from the text

Plan

1.Introduction

2. Chatsky's mind

3.Honesty and justice of Chatsky

4. Woe from mind

5.Conclusion

1. Introduction. Chatsky is a real positive hero of the comedy "Woe from Wit". The author embodied all the best in this character human qualities. The most important of them are honesty and integrity. In Chatsky, Griboedov portrays the ideal that every decent and self-respecting person should strive for. Positive qualities Chatsky is very clearly expressed through his speech and behavior. They are immediately noticeable compared to the rest of the characters in the comedy.

2. Chatsky's mind. The title of the work contains the main tragedy of the main character. Chatsky is very smart and educated. Having visited abroad, he further expanded his horizons. The main character does not want to offend or humiliate anyone, but he rises too much above society in Famusov’s house. In his conversation, mockery of the stupidity reigning around him involuntarily breaks through.

In the era of Griboedov, it was customary to hire teachers for children mainly from foreigners. The education of such mentors was not even checked, since the prevailing belief was that a Frenchman or a German was naturally smarter than a Russian teacher. Chatsky is ironic about this: “... there are regiments of teachers: more in number, cheaper in price.” Another problem of that era was the dominance French to the detriment of the family. Moreover, few could boast of actual knowledge, but simply distorted foreign words and used them inappropriately and inappropriately.

Chatsky speaks about it this way: “... a mixture of languages: French with Nizhny Novgorod.” In one of his eloquent monologues, Chatsky expresses his views on what a contemporary young man should strive for: “he will focus his mind on science.” The main character himself did just that, and now he is forced to suffer because he hears in response: “robbery! fire!”

3. Chatsky’s honesty and justice. The main character physically cannot stand any lies and deception. He is confident that a person should always speak only the truth and openly express his views. If a person is silenced, this is a crime, and if he himself hides his true face, this is meanness and baseness. In his first conversation with Sophia, Chatsky, with open mockery, lists all his “old acquaintances” (“the little black one,” “our sunshine,” “that consumptive one”), directly pointing out their obvious shortcomings.

It was not customary in the world to talk about this openly. An offended person could refuse patronage or interfere with career advancement. Chatsky is not shackled by these slave chains, he is not afraid to say everything he thinks. Chatsky talks even more mercilessly with Famusov about the servility reigning in Russia: “the world has begun to grow stupid,” “there are hunters to be mean everywhere,” “the patrons are yawning at the ceiling.” Chatsky's open and bold judgments cause horror in Famusov. When Skalozub joins them, Chatsky bursts out into a long-suffering monologue (“Who are the judges?”), which has become textbook.

With justified anger, he lists the authorities recognized by society, who in essence were stupid and merciless despots for their serfs (“Nestor of the noble scoundrels”). Chatsky becomes truly sorry when he openly admits to Sophia his old love. Unable to use secular cunning techniques, he speaks passionately about his feelings (“I have to get into a noose”). The main character realizes too late that his beloved also accepted all the rules of high society, among which there is no place for honesty.

4. Woe from mind. In the finale, during the ball, it comes tragic ending. Each of the assembled society secretly hates each other, but all this is hidden behind a mask of social courtesy. Chatsky’s honest soul is infinitely disgusted by this constant deception. Several times he bursts out with caustic remarks (“You won’t get well from such praise,” “famous servant”).

For his directness, Chatsky receives a “blow” from his beloved. Sophia spreads the rumor: “He’s out of his mind.” This idea instantly spreads among all those gathered. Against the backdrop of all the stated reasons for Chatsky’s madness, the words of Famusov are most characteristic: “Learning is a plague.” This phrase perfectly demonstrates the sharp contrast between Chatsky and the stupid high society.

5. Conclusion. Chatsky is not only smart, but also simply very good man. Such people are not needed in the society of the Famusovs and Molchalins. In a broad sense, Chatsky can be called a prophet who has no place in his fatherland.

), belongs to the best part of the then Russian younger generation. Many literary critics claimed that Chatsky is a reasoner. This is completely false! One can call him a reasoner only insofar as the author expresses his thoughts and experiences through his lips; but Chatsky is a living, real face; he, like every person, has his own qualities and shortcomings. (See also Image of Chatsky.)

We know that Chatsky in his youth often visited Famusov’s house and, together with Sophia, studied with foreign teachers. But such an education could not satisfy him, and he went abroad to travel. His journey lasted 3 years, and now we see Chatsky again in his homeland, Moscow, where he spent his childhood. Like any person who has returned home after a long absence, everything here is sweet to him, everything evokes pleasant memories associated with childhood; He takes pleasure in going over the memories of acquaintances in whom, by the nature of his sharp mind, he certainly sees funny, caricatured features, but he does this at first without any malice or bile, and so, for laughter, to embellish his memories: “a Frenchman, knocked down by the wind ...”, and “this... little black one, on crane legs...”

Woe from the mind. Maly Theater performance, 1977

Going through the typical, sometimes caricatured aspects of Moscow life, Chatsky passionately says that when

“...you wander, you return home,
And the smoke of the fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us!”

In this, Chatsky is completely different from those young people who, returning from abroad to Russia, treated everything Russian with contempt and praised only everything that they saw in foreign countries. It was precisely thanks to this external comparison of native Russian with foreign language that the language developed in that era to a very strong extent. gallomania, which so outrages Chatsky. His separation from his homeland, the comparison of Russian life with European life, only caused him to become even stronger, more deep love to Russia, to the Russian people. That is why, having found himself again after a three-year absence among Moscow society, under a fresh impression he sees all the exaggeration, all the funny sides of this gallomania.

But Chatsky, who is hot by nature, no longer laughs, he is deeply indignant at the sight of how the “Frenchman from Bordeaux” reigns among Moscow society only because he is a foreigner; is indignant at the fact that everything Russian and national causes ridicule in society:

“How to put the European in parallel
Something strange about the national one!” –

someone says, causing general laughter of approval. Reaching the point of exaggeration, Chatsky, in contrast to the general opinion, says with indignation:

“At least we could borrow a few from the Chinese
Their ignorance of foreigners is wise.”
………………………
“Will we ever be resurrected from the foreign power of fashion,
So that our smart, kind people
Although he didn’t consider us Germans based on our language?” –

meaning by “Germans” foreigners and hinting that in society in that era everyone spoke to each other in foreign languages; Chatsky suffers, realizing what an abyss separates millions of the Russian people from ruling class nobles

WITH early years children were given a foreign upbringing, which gradually alienated secular youth from everything native and national. Chatsky casually sneers at these “regiments” of foreign teachers, “more in number, at a cheaper price,” who were entrusted with the education of noble youth. Hence the ignorance of their people, hence the lack of understanding of the difficult situation in which the Russian people found themselves, thanks serfdom. Through the mouth of Chatsky, Griboedov expresses the thoughts and feelings of the best part of the nobility of that time, who were indignant at the injustices that entailed serfdom, who fought against the tyranny of avid serf owners. Chatsky (monologue “Who are the judges?..”) bright colors depicts pictures of such tyranny, recalling one master, “Nestor of the noble scoundrels,” who exchanged several of his faithful servants for three greyhounds; another, a theater lover, who

“I drove to the serf ballet on many wagons
From mothers and fathers of rejected children"; –

he made “all of Moscow marvel at their beauty.” But then, in order to pay off creditors, he sold off these children, who portrayed “cupids and zephyrs” on stage, one by one, separating them forever from their parents...

Chatsky cannot calmly talk about this, his soul is indignant, his heart aches for the Russian people, for Russia, which he loves dearly, which he would like to serve. But how to serve?

“I would be glad to serve, but being served is sickening,”

he says, hinting that among the many government officials he sees only the Molchalins or such nobles as Famusov’s uncle Maxim Petrovich.

I don't go here anymore.
I’m running, I won’t look back, I’ll go looking around the world,
Where is there a corner for an offended feeling!
Give me a carriage, a carriage!”

In this stormy outburst of despair, Chatsky’s entire ardent, unbalanced, noble soul is visible.

Comedy “Woe from Wit” by A.S. Griboyedov occupies a special place in the history of Russian literature. It combines the features of outgoing classicism with new ones artistic methods: realism and romanticism. In this regard, literary scholars note the features of the portrayal of the characters in the play. If in the comedy of classicism before all the characters were clearly divided into bad and good, then in “Woe from Wit” Griboyedov, bringing the characters closer to real life, endows them with both positive and negative qualities. This is the image of Chatsky as the main character of the play “Woe from Wit”.

The background of the main character of the play "Woe from Wit"

In the first act, Alexander Andreevich Chatsky returns from a long trip around the world, where he went to “search for his mind.” He, without stopping home, arrives at Famusov’s house, because he is driven by sincere love to the daughter of the owner of the house. They were once brought up together. But now they haven’t seen each other for three long years. Chatsky does not yet know that Sophia’s feelings for him have cooled down, and her heart is occupied with something else. The love affair subsequently gives rise to a social clash between Chatsky, a nobleman of progressive views, and the Famus society of serf-owners and rank-worshippers.

Even before Chatsky appears on stage, we learn from Sophia’s conversation with the maid Lisa that he is “sensitive, and cheerful, and sharp.” It is noteworthy that Lisa remembered this hero when the conversation turned to intelligence. It is intelligence that is the trait that sets Chatsky apart from other characters.

Contradictions in Chatsky's character

If you trace the development of the conflict between the main character of the play “Woe from Wit” and the people with whom he is forced to interact, you can understand that Chatsky’s character is ambiguous. Arriving at Famusov’s house, he began a conversation with Sophia by asking about her relatives, using a sarcastic tone and sarcasm: “Has your uncle jumped off his life?”
Indeed, in the play “Woe from Wit” the image of Chatsky represents a rather hot-tempered, in some moments tactless young nobleman. Throughout the entire play, Sophia reproaches Chatsky for his habit of ridiculing the vices of other people: “The slightest oddity in someone is barely visible, your wit is immediately ready.”

His harsh tone can only be justified by the fact that the hero is sincerely outraged by the immorality of the society in which he finds himself. Fighting her is a matter of honor for Chatsky. It is not his goal to prick his interlocutor. He asks Sophia in surprise: “...Are my words really all caustic words? And tend to harm someone?” The fact is that all the issues raised resonate in the soul of the hero; he cannot cope with his emotions, with his indignation. His “mind and heart are not in harmony.”

Therefore, the hero lavishes his eloquence even on those who are clearly not ready to accept his arguments. A.S. After reading the comedy, Pushkin spoke about this: “The first sign smart person“Know at first glance who you are dealing with and don’t throw pearls in front of the Repetilovs...” And I.A. Goncharov, on the contrary, believed that Chatsky’s speech was “boiling with wit.”

The uniqueness of the hero's worldview

The image of Chatsky in the comedy “Woe from Wit” largely reflects the worldview of the author himself. Chatsky, like Griboyedov, does not understand and does not accept the slavish admiration of the Russian people for everything foreign. In the play, the main character repeatedly ridicules the tradition of inviting foreign teachers into the house to educate children: “...Nowadays, just like in ancient times, regiments are busy recruiting teachers, more in number, at a cheaper price.”

Chatsky also has a special attitude towards service. For Famusov, Chatsky’s opponent in Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit,” his attitude towards the hero is determined by the fact that he “does not serve, that is, he does not find any benefit in that.” Chatsky clearly outlines his position on this issue: “I would be glad to serve, but it’s sickening to be served.”

That is why Chatsky speaks with such anger about the habit of Famus society to treat disadvantaged people with contempt and curry favor with influential people. If for Famusov his uncle Maxim Petrovich, who fell on purpose at a reception with the empress in order to please her and the court, is a role model, then for Chatsky he is just a buffoon. He does not see among the conservative nobility those from whom it would be worth following an example. Enemies of a free life, “passionate for rank,” prone to extravagance and idleness - this is what the old aristocrats are for the main character of the comedy “Woe from Wit” by Chatsky.

Chatsky is also irritated by the desire of the Old Moscow nobles to make useful acquaintances everywhere. And they attend balls for this purpose. Chatsky prefers not to mix business with fun. He believes that everything should have its place and time.

In one of his monologues, Chatsky expresses dissatisfaction with the fact that as soon as a young man appears among the nobles who wants to devote himself to the sciences or arts, and not to the pursuit of rank, everyone begins to fear him. And they are afraid of people like Chatsky himself, because they threaten the well-being and comfort of the nobles. They introduce new ideas into the structure of society, but the aristocrats are not ready to part with the old way of life. Therefore, the gossip about Chatsky’s madness, started by Sophia, turned out to be very opportune. This made it possible to make his monologues safe and disarm the enemy of the conservative views of the nobles.

Feelings and characteristics of the hero’s internal experiences

When characterizing Chatsky in the comedy “Woe from Wit,” you can pay attention to his last name. She's talking. Initially, this hero bore the surname Chadsky, from the word “chad”. This is due to the fact that the main character is, as it were, in the clouds of his own hopes and shocks. Chatsky in the comedy “Woe from Wit” experiences a personal drama. He came to Sophia with certain hopes that did not come true. Moreover, his beloved preferred Molchalin to him, who is clearly inferior to Chatsky in intelligence. Chatsky is also burdened by being in a society whose views he does not share and which he is forced to resist. The hero is in constant tension. By the end of the day, he finally understands that his paths have diverged both from Sophia and from the Russian conservative nobility. There is only one thing the hero cannot accept: why is fate favorable to cynical people who seek personal gain in everything, and so merciless to those who are guided by the dictates of the soul, and not by calculation? If at the beginning of the play Chatsky is in the midst of his dreams, now the true state of affairs has been revealed to him, and he has “sobered up.”

The meaning of Chatsky's image

Griboyedov was led to create the image of Chatsky by the desire to show the brewing split in the nobility. Chatsky's role in the comedy "Woe from Wit" is quite dramatic, because he remains in the minority and is forced to retreat and leave Moscow, but he does not give up his views. So Griboyedov shows that Chatsky’s time has not yet come. It is no coincidence that such heroes are classified as extra people in Russian literature. However, the conflict has already been identified, so the replacement of the old with the new is ultimately inevitable.

The given description of the image of the main character is recommended for reading by 9th grade students before writing an essay on the topic “The image of Chatsky in the comedy “Woe from Wit””

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