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"Undergrowth" - a play in five acts, feathered Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin. iconic dramatic work XVIII century and one of the most striking examples of classicism. It entered into school curriculum, was repeatedly staged on the stage, received a screen incarnation, and its lines were dismantled into quotes that today live autonomously from the original source, becoming aphorisms of the Russian language.
Plot: a summary of the play “Undergrowth”
The plot of “Undergrowth” is well known to everyone since school years, however, we still recall summary plays to recall the sequence of events.
The action takes place in the village of Prostakov. Its owners - Mrs. and Mr. Prostakov and their son Mitrofanushka - live a quiet life of provincial nobles. The orphan Sofyushka also lives on the estate, whom the lady sheltered in her house, but, as it turns out, not out of compassion, but because of the inheritance, which she freely disposes of as a self-proclaimed guardian. In the near future, they plan to give Sophia for Prostakova's brother Taras Skotinin.
The lady's plans are shattered when Sophia receives a letter from her uncle Starodum, who was still considered dead. Stradum is alive and well and goes on a date with his niece, and he also reports a fortune of 10 thousand income, which he inherits from his beloved relative. After such news, Prostakova begins to court Sophia, whom she still has little complained about, because now she wants to marry her to her beloved Mitrofan, and leave Skotinin with nothing.
Fortunately, Starodum turned out to be noble and honest man wishing the niece well. Moreover, Sophia already had a betrothed - officer Milon, who had just stopped with his regiment in the village of Prostakov. Starodub knew Milon and gave the young people his blessing.
In desperation, Prostakova tries to organize the abduction of Sophia and forcibly marry her to her son. However, even here the treacherous mistress fails - Milon saves her beloved on the night of the abduction.
Prostakov is generously forgiven and not put on trial, however, her estate, which has long aroused suspicion, is transferred to the state guardian. Everyone is leaving, and even Mitrofanushka leaves her mother, because he does not love her, as, in general, he does not love anyone in the world.
Characteristics of heroes: positive and negative characters
As in any classic work, the characters in "Undergrowth" are clearly divided into positive and negative.
Negative characters:
- Mrs. Prostakova - the mistress of the village;
- Mr. Prostakov - her husband;
- Mitrofanushka - the son of the Prostakovs, undersized;
- Taras Skotinin is the brother of the Prostakovs.
- Sophia is an orphan, lives with the Prostakovs;
- Starodum is her uncle;
- Milon - an officer, Sophia's lover;
- Pravdin is a state official who came to control the affairs in the Prostakov village.
Secondary characters:
- Tsyfirkin - teacher of arithmetic;
- Kuteikin - teacher, former seminarian;
- Vralman - a former coachman, pretends to be a teacher;
- Eremovna is Mitrofan's nanny.
Mrs. Prostakova
Prostakova is the most striking negative character, and indeed the most prominent character in the play. She is the mistress of the village of Prostakovs and it is the lady who, having completely suppressed her weak-willed spouse, establishes the lordly order and makes decisions.
However, she is completely ignorant, devoid of manners, often rude. Prostakova, like other members of the family, cannot read and despises science. Mitrofanushka's mother is engaged in the education only because it is supposed to be so in New World society, but true value does not understand knowledge.
In addition to ignorance, Prostakova is distinguished by cruelty, deceit, hypocrisy, and envy.
The only creature she loves is her son Mitrofanushka. However, the mother's blind, absurd love only spoils the child, turning him into a copy of himself in a man's dress.
Mr. Prostakov
The figurative owner of the Prostakovs' estate. In fact, everything is led by his imperious wife, whom he is madly afraid of and does not dare to say a word. Prostakov has long lost own opinion and dignity. He cannot even say whether the caftan sewn by the tailor Trishka for Mitrofan is good or bad, because he is afraid to say something different from what the lady expects.
Mitrofan
Son of the Prostakovs, undersized. In the family, he is affectionately called Mitrofanushka. And, meanwhile, it's time for this young man to go out into adulthood but he has absolutely no idea about it. Mitrofan is spoiled maternal love, he is capricious, cruel to servants and teachers, pompous, lazy. Despite many years of studying with teachers, the young gentleman is hopelessly stupid, he does not show the slightest desire for learning and knowledge.
And the worst thing is that Mitrofanushka is a terrible egoist, nothing matters to him except his own interests. At the end of the play, he easily leaves his mother, who loved him so unrequitedly. Even she is for him empty place.
Skotinin
Brother of Mrs. Prostakova. Narcissistic, limited, ignorant, cruel and greedy. Taras Skotinin has a great passion for pigs, the rest is of little interest to this narrow-minded person. He has no idea of family ties, cordial affection and love. Describing how well it will heal future wife, Skotinin only says that he will give her the best lighter. In his system of coordinates, this is where marital happiness lies.
Sofia
Positive female image works. A very well-mannered, kind, meek and compassionate girl. Sophia received a good education She has an inquisitive mind and a thirst for knowledge. Even in the poisonous atmosphere of the Prostakovs' house, the girl does not become like the owners, but continues to lead the lifestyle that she likes - she reads a lot, thinks, is friendly and polite with everyone.
Starodum
Sophia's uncle and guardian. Starodum is the voice of the author in the play. His speeches are very aphoristic, he talks a lot about life, virtues, mind, law, government, modern society, marriage, love and other pressing issues. Starodum is incredibly wise and noble. Despite the fact that he clearly has a negative attitude towards Prostakova and her ilk, Starodum does not allow himself to stoop to rudeness and overt criticism, and as for light sarcasm, his narrow-minded “relatives” cannot recognize him.
Milon
Sophia's beloved officer. The image of a hero-defender, an ideal young man, husband. He is very fair, does not put up with meanness and lies. Milo was brave, and not only in battle, but also in his speeches. He is devoid of vanity and base prudence. All the “suitors” of Sophia spoke only about her condition, but Milon never mentioned that his betrothed was rich. He sincerely loved Sophia even before she had an inheritance, and therefore, in his choice, the young man was by no means guided by the size of the annual income of the bride.
“I don’t want to study, but I want to get married”: the problem of education in the story
The key problem of the work is the theme of provincial noble upbringing and education. The protagonist Mitrofanushka gets an education only because it is fashionable and “so established”. In fact, neither he nor his ignorant mother understand the true purpose of knowledge. They should make a person smarter, better, serve him throughout his life and benefit society. Knowledge is hard-earned and can never be forced into someone's head.
home education Mitrofana is a dummy, a fiction, provincial theater. For several years, the unfortunate student did not master either reading or writing. The comic test that Pravdin arranges, Mitrofan fails with a roar, but because of his stupidity he cannot even understand this. He calls the word door an adjective, because they say it is attached to the opening, he confuses science with stories that Vralman tells him in abundance, and Mitrofanushka cannot even pronounce the word “geography” ... too tricky.
To show the grotesqueness of Mitrofan's education, Fonvizin introduces the image of Vralman, who teaches "in French and all the sciences." In fact, Vralman (a surname that speaks!) is not a teacher at all, but a former coachman of Starodum. He easily deceives the ignorant Prostakova and even becomes her favorite, because he professes his own teaching method - not to force the student to do anything by force. With such zeal, as in Mitrofan, the teacher and student are simply idle.
Hand in hand with the acquisition of knowledge and skills goes education. For the most part, Mrs. Prostakova is responsible for it. She methodically imposes her rotten morality on Mitrofan, who (here he is diligent!) perfectly absorbs mother's advice. So, while solving the problem of division, Prostakova advises her son not to share with anyone, but to take everything for himself. Speaking about marriage, mother speaks only of the bride's wealth, never mentioning emotional affection and love. Mitrofan is not familiar with such concepts as courage, courage, valor underage. Despite the fact that he is no longer a baby, he is still taken care of in everything. The boy cannot even stand up for himself during a skirmish with his uncle, he immediately starts calling for his mother, and rushes at the offender with his fists old nanny Eremeevna.
Name meaning: two sides of the coin
The title of the play has a direct and figurative meaning.
direct meaning titles
Undergrowth in the old days was called teenagers, young men who had not yet reached the age of majority and had not entered the public service.
Figurative meaning titles
Undergrowth was also called a fool, an ignoramus, a narrow-minded and uneducated person, regardless of his age. WITH light hand Fonvizin, it is precisely this negative connotation that has become attached to the word in modern Russian.
Every person is reborn from a minor youth into an adult man. This is growing up, the law of nature. However, not everyone turns from a dark undergrowth-half-educated into an educated self-sufficient person. Such transformation requires effort and perseverance.
Place in literature: Russian literature of the XVIII century → Russian dramaturgy XVIII century → Creativity of Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin → 1782 → The play “Undergrowth”.
“Undergrowth” - a play by D. I. Fonvizin. Analysis of the work, main characters
4.5 (90%) 2 votesFonvizin's contemporaries highly appreciated "Undergrowth", he admired them not only with his amazing language, clarity citizenship author, innovation of form and content.
Genre features
By genre, this work is a classic comedy, it complies with the requirements of the "three unities" inherent in classicism (place, time, action), the heroes are divided into positive and negative, each of the heroes has his own role ("resonator", "villain", etc.). however, it also contains deviations from the requirements of the classic aesthetics, and serious deviations.So, comedy was only supposed to amuse, it could not be interpreted ambiguously, there could not be ambiguity in it - and if we recall "Undergrowth", then we cannot but admit that, raising the most important social issues of his time in the work, the author resolves them by means, far from comical: for example, in the finale of the work, when, it would seem, “the vice is punished,” the viewer cannot but sympathize with Mrs. Prostakova, who is rudely and cruelly repelled by the ungrateful Mitrofanushka, preoccupied with her own fate: “Yes, get rid of it, mother, as imposed. .." - and the tragic element powerfully invades the comedy, which was unacceptable .. And with the "unity of action" everything is also not so simple in comedy, it has too much storylines which do not "work" in any way to resolve the main conflict, but create a broad social background that determines the characters of the characters. Finally, Fonvizin's innovation also affected the language of the comedy "Undergrowth", the speech of the characters is very individualized, it contains both folklorisms, and vernacular, and High style(Starodum, Pravdin), which also violates the classic canons of creation speech characteristics characters. It is possible, summing up, to conclude that Fonvizin's comedy "Undergrowth" became a truly innovative work for its time, the author pushed the boundaries of the aesthetics of classicism, subordinating it to the solution of the task set for him: to angrily ridicule the vices of his contemporary society, to rid him of "malice" capable of destroying both the human soul and public morality.
Image system
Let us analyze the system of images of the comedy "Undergrowth", which, as required by the aesthetics of classicism, represents two directly opposite "camps" - positive and negative characters. Here you can also notice a certain deviation from the canons, it manifests itself in the fact that it carries a duality, it is almost impossible to attribute them purely to positive or purely negative characters. Let's remember one of Mitrofanushka's teachers - Kuteikin. On the one hand, he suffers humiliation from Mrs. Prostakova and his student, on the other hand, he is not averse, if the opportunity arises, to "grab his piece", for which he is ridiculed. Or "Mitrofan's mother" Eremeevna: she is vilified and humiliated in every possible way by the hostess, she dutifully endures, but, forgetting herself, rushes to protect Mitrofanushka from her uncle, and does this not only out of fear of punishment ...
The image of Prostakova in the comedy "Undergrowth"
As already noted, Fonvizin innovatively portrays his main character, Mrs. Prostakova. Already from the very first scenes of the comedy, we have before us a despot who does not want to reckon with anyone or anything. She rudely imposes her will on everyone, suppresses and humiliates not only the serfs, but also her husband (how can one not recall Mitrofan's "dream in the hand" about how "mother" beats "father"? ..), she tyrannizes Sophia, she wants to force her to marry first his brother Taras Skotinin, and then, when it turns out that Sophia is now a rich bride, - for his son. Being herself an ignorant and uncultured person (with what pride she declares: “Read it yourself! No, madam, I, thanks to God, am not brought up like that. I can receive letters, but I always order another to read them!”), she despises education, although he is trying to teach his son, he does it only because he wants to ensure his future, and what is the cost of Mitrofan's "education" as it is presented in the comedy? True, his mother is convinced: "Believe me, father, that, of course, that is nonsense, which Mitrofanushka does not know" ...
Cunning and resourcefulness are inherent in Mrs. Prostakova, she stubbornly stands her ground and is convinced that "we will take ours" - and is ready to commit a crime, kidnap Sophia and, against her will, marry a man from the "Skotinin family". When she meets a rebuff, she simultaneously tries to beg for forgiveness and promises punishment to those of her people, due to whose mistake the "enterprise" fell through, in which Mitrofanushka is ready to actively support her: "To be taken for people?" Strikingly is the “transformation” of Mrs. Prostakova, who just on her knees humbly begged to forgive her, and, having received a petition, “jumping up from her knees”, promises with fervor: “Well! Now I will give dawn to the canals of my people. "I'll sort it out one by one. Now I'll try to find out who let her out of her hands. No, swindlers! No, thieves! I won't forgive a century, I won't forgive this mockery." How much voluptuousness is in this triple "now", and how truly scary it becomes from her request: "Give me a period of at least three days (Aside) I would let myself know ...".
However, as already noted, there is a certain duality in the image of Prostakova. She deeply and devotedly loves her son, is ready for anything for him. Is she guilty that she compares her love for him with the love of a dog for puppies "Have you heard that a bitch gave out her puppies?"? After all, we must not forget that she is from the Skotinin-Priplodin family, where such semi-animal love was the only possible one, how could she be otherwise? So she disfigures Mitrofan's soul with her blind love, her son pleases her in every possible way, and she is happy that he "loves" her ... Until he throws her away from him, because now he does not need her, and even those people who have just condemned Mrs. Prostakova sympathize with her in her maternal grief ...
The image of Mitrofan
The image of Mitrofan created by Fonvizin is also not quite traditional. "Undergrowth", who likes to be "small", who diligently enjoys his mother's attitude towards himself, is not so simple and stupid as it might seem at first glance. He has learned to use his parents' love for himself for his own benefit, he knows well how to achieve his goal, he is convinced that he has the right to everything he wants. Mitrofanushka's egoism is driving force of his actions, but in the hero there is cruelty (remember his remark about "people"), and resourcefulness (which is worth his reasoning about the "door"), and lordly contempt for people, including his mother, who has him on occasion looking for help and protection. And his attitude to education is so dismissive only because he does not see any real benefit from it. Probably, when he "serves", he - if it is profitable - will change his attitude towards education, potentially he is ready for anything: "According to me, where they are told." Consequently, the image of Mitrofan in the comedy "Undergrowth" also has a certain psychologism, as well as the image of Prostakova, which is Fonvizin's innovative approach to creating negative images who were only supposed to be "villains".
positive imagery
In creating positive images, the playwright is more traditional. Each of them is an expression of a certain idea, and as part of the approval of this idea, an image-character is created. Practically positive images devoid of individual features, these are images-ideas inherent in classicism; Sophia, Milon, Starodum, Pravdin are not living people, but spokesmen for a "certain type of consciousness", they represent an advanced system of views for their time on relations between spouses, social structure, essence human personality and human dignity.
The image of Starodum
At the time of Fonvizin, the image of Starodum in the comedy "Undergrowth" evoked special sympathy among the audience. Already in the very "talking" name of the character, the author emphasized the opposition of the "century this century past": in Starodum they saw a man of the era of Peter I, when "In that century, the courtiers were warriors, but the soldiers were not courtiers" Starodum's thoughts about education, about the ways in which a person can achieve glory and prosperity, about how a sovereign should be a warm response from a significant part of the audience, who shared the advanced convictions of the author of the comedy, while special sympathy for the image of the hero was caused by the fact that he did not just proclaim these advanced ideas - it turned out from the play that he own life proved the correctness and advantage for a person of such behavior. The image of Starodum was the ideological center around which the positive heroes of the comedy united, who opposed the dominance of morality by the Skotinins-Prostakovs.
The image of Pravdin
Pravdin, a state official, embodies the idea of statehood, which protects the interests of education, the people, which seeks to actively change life for the better. Guardianship of the Prostakova estate, which Pravdin appoints by the will of the Empress, inspires hope that the ruler of Russia is able to defend those of her subjects who need this protection most, and the decisiveness with which Pravdin carries out transformations should have convinced the viewer, that the supreme power is interested in improving the life of the people. But how then to understand the words of Starodum in response to Pravdin's call to serve at court: "It is in vain to call a doctor to the sick is incurable"? It is likely that the System was behind Pravdin, which confirmed its unwillingness and inability to carry out real transformations, and Starodum represented himself in the play, individual person, and explained why the image of Starodum was perceived by the audience with much more sympathy than the image of the "ideal official".
Milon and Sophia
The love story of Milon and Sophia is a typically classic love story of two noble heroes, each of whom is distinguished by high moral qualities, that's why their relationship looks so artificial, although, against the background of the "Skotininsky" attitude towards the same Sofya ("You are my dear friend! if I now, without seeing anything, have a special peck for each pig, then I will find a light for my wife") she and in fact is an example of a high sense of moral, educated, worthy young people, opposed to the "fertility" of negative heroes.
The meaning of the comedy "Undergrowth"
Pushkin called Fonvizin "satires bold ruler", and the comedy "Undergrowth", the analysis of which we conducted, fully confirms this assessment of the writer's work. In it, the author's position of Fonvizin is expressed quite unambiguously, the writer defends the ideas of enlightened absolutism, he does this in the highest degree talented, creating persuasive artistic images, significantly expanding the scope of the aesthetics of classicism, innovatively approaching the plot of the work, creating images-characters, some of which are not just an expression of certain socio-political ideas, but have a pronounced psychological individuality, expresses inconsistency human nature. All this explains the great importance of Fonvizin's work and the comedy "Undergrowth" for the Russian literature XVIII century, the success of the work among contemporaries and its significant influence on the subsequent development of Russian drama.
As was customary in classicism, the heroes of the comedy "Undergrowth" are clearly divided into negative and positive. However, the most memorable, vivid are still negative characters, despite her tyranny and ignorance: Mrs. Prostakova, her brother Taras Skotinin and Mitrofan himself. They are interesting and ambiguous. It is with them that comic situations are associated, full of humor, bright liveliness of dialogues.
Positive characters do not evoke such vivid emotions, although they are reasoners, reflecting the author's position. Educated, endowed only positive traits, they are ideal - they cannot do lawlessness, they are alien to lies and cruelty.
Heroes are negative
Mrs. Prostakova
History of upbringing and education Grew up in a family characterized by extreme ignorance. Didn't get any education. Have not learned any since childhood moral rules. There is nothing good in her soul. Serfdom has a strong influence: her position as the sovereign owner of the serfs.
Main character traits Rough, unbridled, ignorant. If it does not meet resistance, it becomes arrogant. But if she encounters force, she becomes cowardly.
Attitude towards other people In relation to people, she is guided by rough calculation, personal gain. Merciless to those who are in her power. She is ready to humiliate herself in front of those on whom she depends, who turns out to be stronger than her.
Attitude towards educationEducation is superfluous: "Without the sciences, people live and lived."
Prostakova, as a landowner, a convinced serf-owner, considers the serfs to be her full property. Always dissatisfied with her serfs. She is outraged even by the illness of a serf girl. She robbed the peasants: “Since we took away everything that the peasants had, we can’t tear anything off. Such a disaster!
Attitude towards relatives and close people Despotic and rude towards her husband, she pushes him around, does not put him in anything.
Attitude towards his son, Mitrofanushka Loves him, is tender to him. Caring for his happiness and well-being is the content of her life. Blind, unreasonable, ugly love for his son brings neither Mitrofan nor Prostakova herself anything good.
Peculiarities of speechAbout Trishka: "Swindler, thief, cattle, thieves' mug, blockhead"; turning to her husband: “Why are you so delusional today, my father?”, “All your life, sir, you walk with your ears hanging out”; addressing Mitrofanushka: “Mitrofanushka, my friend; my friend of the heart; son".
She has no moral concepts: she lacks a sense of duty, philanthropy, feelings human dignity.
Mitrofan
(translated from Greek "revealing his mother")
About upbringing and education Used to idleness, accustomed to hearty and plentiful food, free time spends on the dovecote.
The main character traitsSpoiled " Sissy”, who grew up and developed in the ignorant environment of the feudal local nobility. He is not devoid of cunning and ingenuity by nature, but at the same time rude and capricious.
Attitude towards other people Does not respect other people. Yeremeevna (nanny) calls her an “old bastard”, threatens her with severe reprisals; he does not talk to teachers, but “barks” (as Tsyfirkin puts it).
Attitude towards education Mental development is extremely low, experiencing an insurmountable aversion to work and learning.
Attitude towards relatives close peopleMitrofan does not know love for anyone, even for the closest - to his mother, father, nanny.
Speech features It is expressed in monosyllables, in its language there are many vernaculars, words and phrases borrowed from courtyards. The tone of his speech is capricious, dismissive, sometimes rude.
The name Mitrofanushka has become a household name. This is the name of young people who know nothing and do not want to know anything.
Skotinin - brother of Prostakova
On upbringing and education Grew up in a family that was extremely hostile to education: "Don't be that Skotinin, who wants to learn something."
Main character traits Ignorant, mentally undeveloped, greedy.
Attitude towards other people This is a ferocious feudal lord who knows how to “rip off” quitrent from his serfs, and there are no obstacles for him in this occupation.
The main interest in life is Animal Farm, breeding pigs. Only pigs evoke in him a disposition and warm feelings, only to them he shows warmth and care.
Attitude towards relatives and close people For the sake of the opportunity to marry profitably (he learns about Sophia's condition), he is ready to destroy his rival - his own nephew Mitrofan.
Peculiarities of speech The inexpressive speech of an uneducated person often uses rude expressions, in speech there are words borrowed from courtyards.
This typical representative small landowners-feudal lords with all their shortcomings.
Teacher of Russian and Church Slavonic. The half-educated seminarian "feared the abyss of wisdom." In his own way, cunning, greedy.
A history teacher. German, former coachman. He becomes a teacher, as he failed to find a place as a coachman. An ignorant person who cannot teach his student anything.
The teachers make no effort to teach Mitrofan anything. They more often indulge the laziness of their student. To some extent, they, using the ignorance and lack of education of Mrs. Prostakova, deceive her, realizing that she will not be able to verify the results of their work.
Eremeevna - Mitrofan's nanny
What place does she occupy in the house of Prostakov, her distinctive features She has been serving in the house of the Prostakov-Skotinins for more than 40 years. Selflessly devoted to her masters, slavishly attached to their home.
Attitude towards Mitrofan Protects Mitrofan without sparing himself: “I will die on the spot, but I will not give the child away. Sunsya, sir, just show yourself if you please. I'll scratch those walleyes."
What did Eremeevna become for long years serf service She has a highly developed sense of duty, but no sense of human dignity. There is not only no hatred for their inhuman oppressors, but even no protest. Lives in constant fear, trembles before his mistress.
For her loyalty and devotion, Yeremeevna receives only beatings and hears only such appeals as “a beast”, “a dog's daughter”, “ old witch”, “old bastard”. Eremeevna's fate is tragic, because she will never be appreciated by her masters, she will never receive gratitude for her loyalty.
Heroes are positive
Starodum
About the meaning of the name A person who thinks in the old way, giving preference to the priorities of the previous (Peter's) era, preserving traditions and wisdom, accumulated experience.
Education StarodumEnlightened and advanced man. Brought up in the spirit of Peter's time, the thoughts, customs and activities of the people of that time are closer and more acceptable to him.
The civil position of the hero This is a patriot: for him, an honest and useful service to the Fatherland is the first and sacred duty of a nobleman. Demands to limit the arbitrariness of the feudal landowners: "It is illegal to oppress your own kind by slavery."
Attitude towards other people He regards a person according to his service to the Fatherland, according to the benefits that a person brings in this service: “I calculate the degree of nobility by the number of deeds that the great lord did for the Fatherland ... without noble deeds, a noble state is nothing.”
What qualities are honored as human virtues An ardent defender of humanity and enlightenment.
The hero's reflections on education Moral education attaches more value than education: “The mind, if it is only the mind, is the most trifle ... Good manners gives the direct price to the mind. Without him clever man- monster. Science in a depraved person is a fierce weapon to do evil.
What traits in people cause the hero’s just indignation Inertia, savagery, malevolence, inhumanity.
"Having a heart, have a soul - and you will be a man at all times."
Pravdin, Milon, Sofia
Pravdin An honest, impeccable official. The auditor, endowed with the right to take custody of the cruel landlords of the estate.
Milon An officer loyal to his duty, patriotically disposed.
Sofia An educated, modest, prudent girl. Raised in a spirit of respect and respect for elders.
The purpose of these heroes in the comedy, on the one hand, is to prove the correctness of Starodum's views, and on the other hand, to set off the malevolence and ignorance of such landowners as the Prostakovs-Skotinins.
Fonvizin's comedy "Undergrowth" is written in the best traditions Russian classicism. In accordance with the classical canons, characters in the work are clearly divided into positive and negative, and their names and surnames concisely characterize and reveal the main features of the characters. However, unlike traditional classic plays, the characters of "Undergrowth" are devoid of stereotypes, which is what attracts modern readers and viewers.
The positive actors are Pravdin, Sofia, Starodum And Milon. Each of them supports the ideas of the Enlightenment, considering the main human values virtue, honesty, love for the motherland, high morality and education. Their complete opposite is depicted bad guys – Prostakovs, Skotinin And Mitrofan. They are representatives of the "old" nobility, which with all its might clings to the outdated ideas of serf and feudalism. Their core values are money, position in the social hierarchy, and physical strength.
In Fonvizin's play "Undergrowth", the main characters are divided into peculiar dual pairs, in which the author portrays people with similar social roles, but depicting them in mirror distortion. So, in addition to a couple of "children" - Sophia and Mitrofan, one can distinguish "educators" - Starodum and Prostakov, "grooms" - Milon and Skotinin, as well as "owners" - Prostakov and Pravdin.
Mitrofan- undersized and main character comedies - a spoiled stupid youth of sixteen years old, for whom everything was always done by his mother, nanny or servants. Having adopted from his mother love for money, rudeness and disrespect for relatives (Prostakova is ready to deceive her brother in order to settle a marriage that is beneficial for her), and from his father complete lack of will, he behaves like a small child - he does not want to study, while he finds marriage fun fun. The complete opposite of Mitrofan is Sophia. This is an educated, intelligent and serious girl with difficult fate. Bereft of early age parents and living in the care of the Prostakovs, Sophia does not adopt their values, but, in fact, becomes a "black sheep" in their society (Prostakova even resents that the girl can read).
Prostakov appears before readers, on the one hand, as an uneducated, cunning woman who is ready for almost anything for the sake of profit, and on the other, as a practical housewife and loving mother, for which the happiness and carefree future of her son is above all. Prostakova brought up Mitrofan the way she was brought up, and therefore she could convey and show own example obsolete, long-expired ideas and values.
At Starodum a completely different approach to education - he does not treat Sophia as little child talking with her on an equal footing, instructing her and advising her on the basis of own experience. In the matter of marriage, a man does not undertake to finally decide for a girl, because he does not know whether her heart is free. In the image of Starodum, Fonvizin portrays his ideal of a parent and educator - an authoritative strong personality who has come a long way on her own. However, analyzing the character system of "Undergrowth" from the point of view of modern reader, it is worth noting that the image of Starodum as an educator is also not ideal. All the time he was away, Sophia was deprived of parental care and left to herself. The fact that the girl learned to read, appreciates morality and virtue is rather the merit of her parents, who instilled this in her at a young age.
In general, the theme of kinship is important both for the positive characters of the play "Undergrowth" and the negative ones. Sofia- daughter worthy people, Milon- son good friend Starodum. Prostakova received this surname only after marriage, in fact she is Skotinina. Brother and sister are very similar, they are both driven by greed and cunning, they are not educated and cruel. Mitrofan is depicted as a real son of his parents and a pupil of his uncle, who inherited all of their negative traits, including love for pigs.
Characters whose relationship is not mentioned in the play - Prostakov and Pravdin. Prostakov is fundamentally different from his wife, compared to the active and active Prostakova, he looks weak-willed and passive. In a situation where he must show himself as the owner of the village, the man is lost in the background of his wife. This leads to the fact that the more active Pravdin, who was able to pacify Prostakova, becomes the owner of the lot. In addition, Prostakov and Pravdin act as some kind of "auditors" of what is happening. Pravdin is the voice of the law, while Prostakov is the opinion of a simple (remember the “speaking” names of the play) people who do not like how the “old” nobility in the person of his wife and brother-in-law behaves, but is afraid of their wrath, therefore he speaks only aside and not agreeing.
The last couple of characters are Skotinin and Milon. Men represent old and new ideas about marriage and family life. Milon has known Sophia since childhood, they love each other, and therefore their relationship is based on mutual respect and friendship. Skotinin does not even try to get to know the girl better, he is only concerned about his dowry, while he is not even going to equip her good conditions after marriage.
In addition to the main characters, there are secondary characters in the play - the teachers and educators of Mitrofan the underage. Characteristics of the heroes of the second plan - Eremeevna, Tsyfirkin, Kuteikina And Vralman- associated with them social role in the play. The nanny is an example of a serf who faithfully serves his mistress all his life, enduring beatings and injustice. On the example of the images of teachers, the author exposes all the problems of education in Russia in the 18th century, when children are taught by retired military men who did not graduate from the seminary or even grooms.
For the 18th century, Fonvizin's innovation consisted in the fact that the author portrayed the characters in The Undergrowth without excessive pathos and stereotypes inherent in many works of classicism. Each hero of a comedy is undoubtedly a composite image, but created not according to a ready-made “stencil”, but having its own individual traits. That is why the characters of the work "Undergrowth" even today remain brightest images Russian literature.
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/ / / What is the role positive characters in Fonvizin's comedy "Undergrowth"?
Denis Fonvizin's comedy has a vivid gallery of images, both negative and positive. The role of the first in exposing the vices of society in the 18th century. Mrs. Prostakova and Skotinin personify the ignorance and cruelty of the feudal lords, Mitrofanushka - laziness and unwillingness to learn. The author helps us judge the qualities of a character, starting with their names and surnames. If we read about Skotinin, then we understand that this hero behaves like an animal. Prostakova is a simple ignoramus whose intentions, though vile, are not far off. And Mitrofanushka - "manifested by his mother" - really looks like his mother, Prostakova.
The main idea of the comedy is in depicting far from comedic problems of society: inhuman serfdom, autocracy and malevolent upbringing. Negative characters help readers to understand these problems more deeply, while positive ones show that these problems can still be dealt with.
The fact that the hero is positive can also be learned already from his name. There are several such characters in the comedy: Starodum, Sofya, Pravdin, Milon. Each of them has its own important role.
- nobleman, uncle main character Sophia. He is the guardian of the girl, but leaves for Siberia for long time, leaving her in the care of the Prostakovs. The surname Starodum comes from the phrase "old thoughts". That is, the writer hints that this hero thinks in the old way. One would think that this is bad, because you need to live in step with the times. However, the time of action in the play was the time of the willfulness of cruel feudal lords, who worried only about their estates and did not think about the development of culture. Starodum was educated and brought up under Peter, the king, who was for enlightenment. And so the "old" time was just more progressive than the "new". The hero cannot accept that the nobles only care about their own benefit, and have forgotten about their duty to their homeland. Therefore, he leaves his villages and leaves for Siberia, where he can honestly earn a fortune.
- a wise girl, which is clear from the meaning of her name. She received a good education, so she looks at the Prostakovs with irony, seeing their ignorance and greed. The heroine is not a rebel, but she fights for her love. She does not agree to marry Mitrofan or Skotinin because she is in love with Milon.
- a nobleman, a member of the governorship, who is entitled to conduct an audit in the villages. For a couple of days he stops at the Prostakovs' estate and gradually realizes that they are cruel serfs. He is asked to read Starodum's letter, but he replies that he does not read letters intended for others. Pravdin lives up to his name because he always tells the truth and despises lies.
And after Prostakova acts badly towards Sophia, she decides to excommunicate her family from managing their villages. Pravdin is the embodiment of harsh justice in comedy.
Milon is a brave officer, Sophia's lover. He is a worthy person.
Positive characters fulfill the role of a noble force that opposes ignorance and cruelty in the guise of negative characters.
