Comedy in five acts
Characters
Prostakov. Ms. Prostakova, his wife. Mitrofan, their son, is undersized. Eremeevna, Mitrofanov's mother. Pravdin. Starodum. Sophia, Starodum's niece. Milon. Skotinin, brother of Mrs. Prostakova. Kuteikin, seminarian. Tsyfirkin, retired sergeant. Vralman, teacher. Trishka, tailor. Servant of Prostakov. Starodum's valet.
Action in the village of Prostakov.
Act one
Phenomenon I
Ms. Prostakova, Mitrofan, Eremeevna.
Ms. Prostakova (examining the caftan on Mitrofan). The coat is all ruined. Eremeevna, bring in the swindler Trishka here. (Yeremeevna leaves.) He, the thief, has restrained him everywhere. Mitrofanushka, my friend! I have tea, you are pressed to death. Call your father here.Mitrofan leaves.
Phenomenon II
Mrs. Prostakova, Eremeevna, Trishka.
Mrs. Prostakova (Trishke). And you, cattle, come closer. Didn't I tell you, thieves' mug, that you let your caftan go wider. The child, the first, grows; another, a child and without a narrow caftan of delicate build. Tell me, idiot, what's your excuse? Trishka. Why, madame, I was self-taught. I then reported to you: well, if you please, give it to the tailor. Ms. Prostakova. So is it really necessary to be a tailor in order to be able to sew a caftan well. What a beastly argument! Trishka. Yes, a tailor learned to knit, madam, but I didn’t. Ms. Prostakova. He is also seeking and arguing. A tailor learned from another, another from a third, but who did the first tailor learn from? Speak, cattle. Trishka. Yes, the first tailor, perhaps, sewed worse than mine. Mitrofan (runs in). Called my father. I dared to say: immediately. Ms. Prostakova. So go and get him out, if you don’t call for good. Mitrofan. Yes, here is the father.Phenomenon III
The same and Prostakov.
Ms. Prostakova. What, what are you trying to hide from me? Here, sir, what I have lived with your indulgence. What is the son's new thing to his uncle's conspiracy? What caftan Trishka deigned to sew? Prostakov (stammering from timidity). Me...a little baggy. Ms. Prostakova. You yourself are baggy, smart head. Prostakov. Yes, I thought, mother, that you think so. Ms. Prostakova. Are you blind yourself? Prostakov. With your eyes mine see nothing. Ms. Prostakova. That's the kind of hubby the Lord has given me: he doesn't know how to make out what is wide and what is narrow. Prostakov. In this I believe in you, mother, and believe. Ms. Prostakova. So believe the same and the fact that I do not intend to indulge the lackeys. Go, sir, and now punish...Event IV
The same and Skotinin.
Skotinin. Whom? For what? On the day of my collusion! I will forgive you, sister, for such a holiday to postpone the punishment until tomorrow; and tomorrow, if you please, I myself will gladly help. If it wasn't for me Taras Skotinin, if the shadow is not to blame for everything. In this, sister, I have the same custom with you. Why are you so angry? Ms. Prostakova. Yes, brother, I will send to your eyes. Mitrofanushka, come here. Is this coat baggy? Skotinin. No. Prostakov. Yes, I myself can already see, mother, that it is narrow. Skotinin. I don't see that either. The caftan, brother, is quite well made. Mrs. Prostakova (Trishke). Get out, cattle. (Eremeevna.) Come on, Eremeevna, let the baby boy have breakfast. Vit, I have tea, soon the teachers will come. Eremeevna. He already, mother, deigned to eat five buns. Ms. Prostakova. So you're sorry for the sixth, you bastard? What zeal! Feel free to watch. Eremeevna. Hello, mother. I said this for Mitrofan Terentyevich. Protoskoval until morning. Ms. Prostakova. Ah, mother of God! What happened to you, Mitrofanushka? Mitrofan. Yes, mother. Yesterday, after dinner, I had a seizure. Skotinin. Yes, it can be seen, brother, you dined tightly. Mitrofan. And I, uncle, hardly ate supper at all. Prostakov. I remember, my friend, you deigned to eat something. Mitrofan. What! Three slices of corned beef, yes hearth, I don’t remember, five, I don’t remember, six. Eremeevna. At night every now and then he asked for a drink. The whole jug deigned to eat kvass. Mitrofan. And now I'm walking like crazy. All night long such rubbish climbed into the eyes. Ms. Prostakova. What kind of rubbish, Mitrofanushka? Mitrofan. Yes, then you, mother, then father. Ms. Prostakova. How is it? Mitrofan. As soon as I begin to fall asleep, then I see that you, mother, deign to beat the father. Prostakov (aside). Well, my trouble! Dream in hand! Mitrofan (exasperated). So I felt sorry. Mme. Prostakova (with annoyance). Who, Mitrofanushka? Mitrofan. You, mother: you are so tired, beating the father. Ms. Prostakova. Embrace me, my friend of the heart! Here, son, is one of my consolations. Skotinin. Well, Mitrofanushka, I see you are a mother's son, not a father! Prostakov. At least I love him as a parent should, this is a clever child, this is a reasonable child, an amusing, entertainer; sometimes I am beside myself with him and with joy I myself truly do not believe that he is my son. Skotinin. Only now our amusing fellow is frowning at something. Ms. Prostakova. Why not send for a doctor to the city? Mitrofan. No, no, mother. I'd rather get better on my own. I’ll run to the dovecote now, so maybe ... Ms. Prostakova. So maybe the Lord is merciful. Come, frolic, Mitrofanushka.Mitrofan and Eremeevna depart.
Phenomenon V
Ms. Prostakova, Prostakov, Skotinin.
Skotinin. Why can't I see my bride? Where is she? In the evening there will be an agreement, so isn't it time for her to say that she is being married off? Ms. Prostakova. We'll make it, brother. If she is told this ahead of time, then she may still think that we are reporting to her. Although by my husband, however, I am a relative of hers; And I love that strangers listen to me. Prostakov (Skotinin). To tell the truth, we treated Sofyushka like a real orphan. After her father, she remained a baby. Tom, with six months, as her mother, and my fiancé, had a stroke ... Ms. Prostakova (showing that he baptizes his heart). The power of the cross is with us. Prostakov. From which she went into the next world. Her uncle, Mr. Starodum, went to Siberia; and since for several years now there has been neither a rumor nor news about him, we consider him dead. We, seeing that she was left alone, took her to our village and oversee her estate as if it were our own. Ms. Prostakova. What, why are you so pissed off today, my father? Looking for a brother, he might think that we took her to us for the sake of interest. Prostakov. Well, mother, how can he think it? After all, Sofyushkino's real estate cannot be moved to us. Skotinin. And although the movable has been put forward, I am not a petitioner. I don't like to bother, and I'm afraid. No matter how much the neighbors offended me, no matter how much damage they did, I didn’t hit anyone with my forehead, and any loss, than to go after him, I’ll tear off my own peasants, and the ends are in the water. Prostakov. That's true, brother: the whole neighborhood says that you are a masterful collector of dues. Ms. Prostakova. At least you taught us, brother father; and we can't. Since we took away everything that the peasants had, we can no longer tear anything off. Such trouble! Skotinin. If you please, sister, I will teach you, I will teach you, just marry me to Sofyushka. Ms. Prostakova. Do you really like this girl? Skotinin. No, I don't like a girl. Prostakov. So in the neighborhood of her village? Skotinin. And not villages, but the fact that in the villages it is found and what my mortal hunt is. Ms. Prostakova. To what, brother? Skotinin. I love pigs, sister, and we have such large pigs in our neighborhood that there is not a single one of them that, standing on its hind legs, would not be taller than each of us with a whole head. Prostakov. It's strange, brother, how relatives can resemble relatives. Our Mitrofanushka looks like an uncle. And he is a pig hunter from childhood, just like you. As he was still three years old, so, when he saw his back, he would tremble with joy. Skotinin. This is truly a curiosity! Well, brother, Mitrofan loves pigs because he is my nephew. There is some resemblance here; why am I so fond of pigs? Prostakov. And there is some similarity, I think.Event VI
Same and Sophia.
Sofya entered, holding a letter in her hand and looking cheerful.
Mrs. Prostakova (Sofya). What's so funny, mother? What were you happy about? Sophia. I have just received good news. Uncle, about whom we have known nothing for so long, whom I love and revere as my father, has recently arrived in Moscow. Here is the letter I received from him. Ms. Prostakova (frightened, angrily). How! Starodum, your uncle, is alive! And you deign to conceive that he is risen! Here's some fancy stuff! Sophia. Yes, he never died. Ms. Prostakova. Didn't die! And why can't he die? No, madam, these are your inventions, so that we can frighten us with uncle, so that we give you free rein. Uncle is a smart man; he, seeing me in the hands of others, will find a way to help me out. That's what you're glad about, ma'am; however, perhaps, do not be very cheerful: your uncle, of course, did not resurrect. Skotinin. Sister, well, if he did not die? Prostakov. God forbid he didn't die! Mrs. Prostakova (to her husband). How did he not die! What are you confusing grandma? Don't you know that for several years from me he has been remembered in memorials for his repose? Surely my sinful prayers did not reach! (To Sofya.) A letter to me, perhaps. (Almost throws up.) I bet it's some kind of amorous. And guess who. This is from the officer who was looking for you to marry and for whom you yourself wanted to marry. Yes, that beast without my asking gives you letters! I'll get there. Here's what we've come up with. They write letters to the girls! girls can read and write! Sophia. Read it for yourself, sir. You will see that nothing could be more innocent. Ms. Prostakova. Read it yourself! No, madame, I am, thank God, not brought up like that. I can receive letters, but I always order someone else to read them. (To her husband.) Read. PROSTAKOV (looking for a long time). Tricky. Ms. Prostakova. And you, my father, apparently, were brought up as a red maiden. Brother, please read. Skotinin. I? I never read anything in my life, sister! God delivered me from this boredom. Sophia. Let me read. Ms. Prostakova. O mother! I know that you are a craftswoman, but I do not really believe you. Here, I have tea, teacher Mitrofanushkin will come soon. I tell him... Skotinin. Have you already begun to teach the young man to read and write? Ms. Prostakova. Ah, father brother! She has been studying for four years now. Nothing, it’s a sin to say that we don’t try to educate Mitrofanushka. We pay money to three teachers. For the diploma, the deacon from the Intercession, Kuteikin, goes to him. He is taught arithmetic, father, by a retired sergeant, Tsyfirkin. Both of them come here from the city. The city is three miles away from us, father. He is taught in French and all sciences by the German Adam Adamych Vralman. This is three hundred rubles a year. We sit at the table with us. Our women wash his linen. Where necessary - a horse. A glass of wine at the table. At night, a tallow candle, and our Fomka directs the wig for nothing. To tell the truth, and we are pleased with him, father, brother. He does not captivate the child. Vity, my father, while Mitrofanushka is still undergrowth, sweat him and pamper him; and there, in a dozen years, when he enters, God forbid, into the service, he will endure everything. How is happiness written in the family, brother. From our surname Prostakov, look, lying on your side, they fly to their ranks. Why is their Mitrofanushka worse? Ba! yes, by the way, our dear guest came by the way.Appearance VII
The same and Pravdin.
Ms. Prostakova. Brother, my friend! I recommend you our dear guest, Mr. Pravdin; and to you, my lord, I recommend my brother. Pravdin. I am glad to have made your acquaintance. Skotinin. All right, my lord! As for the last name, I didn't hear it. Pravdin. I am called Pravdin, so you can hear. Skotinin. What native, my lord? Where are the villages? Pravdin. I was born in Moscow, if you need to know, and my villages are in the local governorship. Skotinin. But do I dare to ask, my lord, - I don’t know my name and patronymic, - are there pigs in your villages? Ms. Prostakova. Enough, brother, let's start about pigs. Let's talk about our grief. (To Pravdin.) Here, father! God told us to take the girl in our arms. She deigns to receive letters from her uncles. Uncles write to her from the other world. Do me a favor, my father, take the trouble to read it aloud to all of us. Pravdin. Excuse me, ma'am. I never read letters without the permission of those to whom they are written. Sophia. I ask you about it. You are doing me a great favor. Pravdin. If you order. (Reads.) “Dear niece! My deeds forced me to live for several years in separation from my neighbors; and the distance has deprived me of the pleasure of having news of you. I am now in Moscow, having lived for several years in Siberia. I can serve as an example that one can make one's fortune through labor and honesty. By these means, with the help of happiness, I amassed ten thousand rubles in income ... " Skotinin and both Prostakovs. Ten thousand! Pravdin (reads). "... of which you, my dear niece, I make you an heiress ..." Ms. Prostakova. Your heiress! Prostakov. Sophia the heiress! (Together.) Skotinin. Her heiress! Ms. Prostakova (rushing to hug Sophia). Congratulations, Sofyushka! Congratulations, my soul! I'm overjoyed! Now you need a groom. I, I do not want the best bride and Mitrofanushka. That's uncle! That's a father! I myself still thought that God would protect him, that he was still alive. Skotinin (holding out his hand). Well, sister, hurry up on your hands. Ms. Prostakova (quietly to Skotinin). Hold on, brother. First you need to ask her if she still wants to marry you? Skotinin. How! What a question! Are you going to report to her? Pravdin. May I read the letter? Skotinin. And for what? Yes, even if you read for five years, you will never read better than ten thousand. Mrs. Prostakova (to Sofya). Sofyushka, my soul! let's go to my bedroom. I desperately need to talk to you. (Takes Sophia away.) Skotinin. Ba! so I see that today collusion is unlikely to be.Undergrowth. Comedy in five acts. Events take place in the estate of the Prostakovs.
Action 1Mitrofan is trying on a caftan. Prostavova decides that the caftan is small, and the “swindler” is too tight. And the “thief” Trishka specially narrowed it. Trishka says that he is not a tailor, but he learned to sew himself.
Prostakova objects that this is a “bestial” reasoning, because no one taught the one who first sewed in the world. She calls her husband to see how the caftan is sewn. But Prostakov, stammering with timidity, not knowing what his wife thinks about this, says that the caftan is "baggy." Prostakova scolds him, and he replies that his eyes do not see anything with her. Skotinin appears, who thinks that the caftan is sewn "quite a bit".
Annoyed Prostakova demands that "Trishka get out." Yeremeevna orders the “child” to have breakfast, and when the old woman answers that he has already “deigned to eat five buns,” she accuses her, the “beast”, of pity for the sixth. Mitrofan says that at night all sorts of "rubbish" climbed into his eyes - either mother, or father. And Mitrofan was very sorry for his mother, because she was tired, beating the father. Touched by Prostakova, she asks Mitrofanushka, her “heart friend,” to hug her.
A distant relative Sophia lives in the Prostakovs' house, whose father and mother have died. Her only close relative, Uncle Starodum, left to serve a few years ago. Since that time, nothing is known about him, but the Prostakovs consider him dead. They took Sophia to themselves and oversee Sophia's estate as "for their own." Skotinin, who loves pigs more than anything in the world, dreams of marrying a girl. He wants to get her estate, in which there are many of them. Sophia receives a letter from her uncle. Prostakova does not want to believe: after all, she remembered him for the rest for several years. Did her sinful prayers not reach? Prostakova herself cannot read the letter: she does not know how, like her husband.
The letter is read by Pravdin, who has stopped by the Prostakovs. At first he refuses, because he does not open letters without the permission of the addressee, but Sophia asks him about it. Reading the letter interrupts Prostakov as soon as he hears that his uncle wants to make the girl the heiress of his wealth, which he gained through hard work and honesty. Realizing that Sofya is a great match for Mitrofanushka, Prostakova takes her to the bedroom to talk about it.
Without listening to the end, Prostakova brings down her curses on her. Taking the weeping Eremeevna by the arms, Tsyfirkin and Kuteikin leave.
Action 2At this time, the servant brings the news that soldiers have stopped in the village. The officer who leads them turns out to be an old friend of Pravdin, who reveals to him the true reason for his being with the Prostakovs: his goal is to find the landowners-tyrants, those "evil-tempered ignoramuses" who do not know how to manage their power and use it for evil in relation to the serfs . Officer Milon leads the soldiers to Moscow and decides to stop for a while in this village. He is looking for his beloved, with whom he lost contact six months ago. Suddenly Sophia enters. She turns out to be the very beloved of Milon.
Both are happy to meet. Milon learns how much Sophia suffered from Prostanova and what a "smart" and "beautiful" groom was looked after for Sophia. Skotinin passes by and, getting involved in a conversation, talks about his plans for a life together with Sophia: he would buy all the pigs in the world at the expense of the girl’s inheritance and they would live happily ever after! Here Pravdin destroys his dreams, saying that he wants to marry Sofya Prostakov to his son. Skotinin, in a rage, attacks Mitrofanushka, who has just entered. Eremeyevna protects him, and Mitrofan hides behind Nanny's back. Skotinin has to retreat.
Enter Prostakov and Prostakova, who scolds her husband. She notices Milon and immediately begins to be nice to him, and sends Sophia to see the room prepared for her uncle. Mitrofan's teachers appear: the deacon Kuteikin with a book of hours in his hands, who teaches reading and writing, and Tsyfirkin, the teacher of arithmetic.
Kuteikin was a seminarian, but left because he did not have the ability to science. Tsyfirkin is a retired soldier who spent his spare time teaching children. Mitrofanushka declares that she does not want to study, complains to her uncle that he offends him. Eremeevna retells the scene with Skotinin.
Action 3Starodum's carriage drives up to the Prostakovs' house. He is met by Pravdin, an old friend. They talk about the atrocities of the Prostakov family, Sofya appears, and then Skotinin and Prostakov, who are fighting. Milon separates them. Seeing the guest and learning that this is Sophia's uncle, Prostakova abruptly changes her behavior. She, husband and son alternately hug the "long-awaited" uncle.
Mitrofan, on the orders of his mother, wants to kiss his hand, but Staro Dum does not allow it. He says that he intends to take Sophia to Moscow and marry him to a man of "great merit."
This causes general confusion, but not for long. Skotin Yin begins to talk about his merits, or rather about the pig factory, Prostakov - about his family, where science was not revered and the desire for it was punished. But now she understands the need for education, and Mitrofanushka knows the sciences.
Starodum, tired, goes to rest. Sophia accompanies him.
Prostakova persuades Mitrofan to learn at least a little, or at least to pretend that he is studying. Tsyfirkin gives him an easy task, which Mitrofan cannot cope with, and his mother dissuades him from solving it. Then Kuteinin tries to study with Mitrofan. After that comes Vralman. He speaks Russian poorly And claims that Mitrofanushka does not need science.
Prostakova is worried: the child needs to go to St. Petersburg, and there are many “clever girls” divorced there, she is afraid of them. But Vralman reassures: there is nothing to be afraid of, since an intelligent person will never argue with Mitrofan. The main thing is not to mess with smart people, then there will be God's prosperity. And Mitrofan will always find a company for himself: there are millions of people like him. When Prostakova leaves, Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin pounce on Vralman, who runs away from them.
Action 4Sophia and Starodum are talking about a noble upbringing.
Starodum tells his niece how to behave with dignity in life, speaks of duty, honor, happiness. Their conversation is interrupted.
Starodum receives a letter from Count Chestan from Moscow, who informs him that his nephew, Sophia's supposed fiancé, will soon be in Moscow. Here Milon and Pravdin enter, and it turns out that Milon is the nephew of Count Chestan. Everyone is happy. Starodum agrees to the marriage.
The idyll is interrupted by Skotinin. who, not paying attention to anyone, begins to ask for Sophia's hand in marriage with Starodum. But Prostavova appears and invites Starodum to arrange an exam for Mitrofanushka.
The latter, demonstrating knowledge of grammar, says that the door that hangs is an “adjective”, since it is attached to the place, and the one that stands near the closet is still a “noun”. The story turns out to be the stories of the cowgirl Khavronya, whom Vralman is listening to. Mitrofan had not even heard of geography. Starodum refuses both applicants and reports that Sophia has already agreed with another. But Prostakova just does not back down and decides to kidnap the girl.
Action 5Pravdin receives a letter: he is instructed to take care of the house and villages of the Prostanovs. Pravdin shares this news with Starodum. Suddenly there are screams. Milon rescues Sophia from the hands of the kidnappers. Eremeevna is introduced: they wanted to marry Mitrofan.
Enraged Prostakova bursts in, followed by her husband and son. Pravdin says that he will have to answer to the court for the kidnapping. The entire Prostanov family falls on their knees and begs for forgiveness. The Old Man forgives.
Prostakova is going to punish her people for missing Sophia. But Pravdin stops her and informs her about the order of the government, as a result of which she is not free over them. Prostakova refers to unfinished business, but Pravdin wants to solve them himself. Teachers are called to pay them off.
Vralman enters, and Starodum recognizes him as his former coachman. He became a teacher so as not to starve to death. Pravdin decides to let him go. Kuteikin says that he is owed for the time spent and worn-out shoes, and Tsyfirkin, a conscientious and honest man, claims that he does not need anything, since he could not teach Mitrofan anything. Kuteikin becomes ashamed and leaves empty-handed, while Tsyfirkin is rewarded with money by Starodum, Milon and Pravdin. Vralman Starodum again takes his coachmen.
Prostakova in despair rushes to her son: “You are the only one left with me! ..” Mitrofan rudely pushes her away. Prostanova faints, realizing that everything is lost. Pravdin is outraged by this behavior of Mitrofan and sends him to serve. Prostakova, waking up, screams in despair that now she has neither power nor a son. Starodum sums up: “Here are worthy fruits of evil-mindedness!”
Main actorsProstakov
Prostakov is a character in Fonvizin's comedy "Undergrowth". Terenty Prostakov is the head of the family, the father of the protagonist of the comedy, the undersized Mitrofanushka. This is a henpecked man who gave the reins to his wife. Prostakov is the bearer of the same speaking surname as the main characters of the play - his son Mitrofanushka and his wife, Prostakova. He is as badly trapped and simple as steel. He is henpecked, he does not dare to say a word to his wife against her will, he stutters during a conversation. He is so much at the mercy of his wife that he even says that he is not able to see anything if there is a spouse nearby, whom he trusts to look after him. Prostakov denies his will in everything, even the decision whether the suit is too big for him or too tight, he trusts his wife. But this is not trust in the wise, this is the relationship of a servile servant and mistress. The whole house rests on the brute force of Terenty Prostakov's wife. Prostakov, although a gentleman, is the same servant in the house as everyone else, he even interprets his main function as “I am my wife's husband”, introducing himself to a future relative.
Prostakova - his wife
Prostakova is illiterate and uneducated and considers literacy an unnecessary luxury that can only spoil a person. The concepts of conscience and honesty are not familiar to the heroine. Prostakova strives to look no worse than other landowners and wants to give her son Mitrofan, who is the main joy of Prostakova, an education worthy of a nobleman, hires him a German teacher. But she does this only because of the fashion of the capital and does not care about how and what her son will be taught. The main thing for Prostakova is her own well-being and the well-being of her son. She will go to any deceit and meanness, using all the tricks and tricks, just so as not to lose her well-being. She lives according to her established principles, the main of which is unscrupulousness. The image of Prostakova reflects duplicity, stupid inhuman power and ignorance - all the qualities that were inherent in the Russian landowners of the eighteenth century
Mitrofan - their son, undersized
Mitrofan is the son of the Prostakovs, a minor - that is, a young nobleman who has not yet entered the public service. By decree of Peter I, all undergrowths were required to have elementary knowledge. Without this, they did not have the right to marry, and also could not enter the service. Therefore, Prostakova hired teachers for her son Mitrofanushka. But nothing good came of it. First, his teachers were a half-educated seminarian and a retired soldier. Secondly, Mitrofan himself did not want to study, and Mrs. Prostakova did not really insist on studying. Of course, the family played a big role in laziness and infantilism. Since the mother did not consider education important, how could Mitrofanushka himself have a reverent attitude towards learning. The main character traits of Mitrofan are laziness and selfishness. He doesn't want to do anything at all. Mitrofan does not want to study and does not understand the need for knowledge at all: “Well, give me a board, you garrison rat!” Since childhood, he was under the care of his mother and Eremeevna, so it is not surprising that Mitrofan grew up to be such a slob. The selfishness with which Mitrofan treats others is simply amazing. The authority for him is only his mother Prostakova, and she fulfills all his whims. He treats Yeremeevna terribly: “Well, say another word, old bastard, I’ll finish them off! I will again complain to my mother; so she deigns to give you a task in yesterday's way. But in a moment of danger, he always calls her for help: “Skotinin (rushing at Mitrofan) Oh, you damned ingot ... Mitrofan. Mother! Shield me." The undergrowth did not think at all about his future, did not care about his fate. He lived one day, every day he was full, and he did not have to do anything. If the good life ended, then he would not be able to do anything, to adapt to life in any way. He is certainly funny, but it becomes sad when you think about what will happen to him next. After all, there are such Mitrofanushki in our time. We read books in order not to fall into the troubles described in them. After reading "Undergrowth" Mitrofan is an undergrowth, a negative character in a comedy, a young nobleman. He is very similar to his mother, Mrs. Prostakova, brother Taras Skotinin. In Mitrofan, in Mrs. Prostakova, in Skotinin, one can notice such character traits as greed and greed. Mitrofanushka knows that all power in the house belongs to his mother, who loves him and allows him to behave as he wants. Mitrofan is lazy, does not like and does not know how to work and study, he only frolics, has fun and sits on the dovecote. Not so much the sissy himself influences those around him, but they influence him, trying to raise the undergrowth as an honest, educated person, and he fits his mother in everything. Mitrofan treats the servants very cruelly, insults them and generally does not consider them to be people: Eremeevna. Yes, learn a little. Mitrofan. Well, say another word, you old bastard! I'll finish them off; I will again complain to my mother, so she will deign to give you a task in yesterday's way. Mitrofan also has no respect for teachers. He strives only for his own personal benefit, and when he finds out that Sophia has become the heiress of Starodum, he immediately intends to offer her a hand and heart, and the attitude towards Sophia in the Prostakovs' house changes significantly for the better. And all this is only because of greed and cunning, and not because of a feat of the heart.
Eremeevna - Mitrofan's nanny
Eremeevna is an elderly woman, Mitrofan's nanny, nurse, who has been caring for him since birth. Eremeevna has been serving in the Prostakov family for 40 years. Eremeevna receives little money, but suffers a lot of insults from the Prostakovs. The Prostakovs call names and beat Eremeevna, like the rest of her peasants, Eremeevna serves Prostakov “with slavish obsequiousness”, despite all their insults, Eremeevna loves Mitrofan and takes care of German She affectionately calls Mitrofan "a child", although he is already 15 years old. Ungrateful Mitrofan does not love and does not appreciate Eremeevna, despite all her concern for him
Skotinin - brother of Prostakova
Taras Skotinin is a nobleman, brother of Prostakova. Extremely ignorant, stupid. The only interest of his life is the pigs, which he was breeding. For the sake of money, he expected to marry Sophia, Starodum's niece. Because of this, he competed with his nephew Mitrofan, clashed with Prostakova: “It will come to breaking, I will bend, so you will crack.” This hero is a "worthy" representative of his family: he morally and morally degraded, turned into an animal, as his surname says. The reason for such degradation is in ignorance, the lack of proper education: “... if it wasn’t for that Skotinin, he would want to learn something.” Taras Skotinin is a typical representative of small feudal landlords. He grew up in a family hostile to education. It is distinguished by ignorance, mental underdevelopment, although it is smart by nature. All his thoughts and interests are connected only with his barnyard. He shows warmth and tenderness only to his pigs. Skotinin is a ferocious feudal lord, unusually greedy, rude (as evidenced by his speech), ignorant.
Trishka - tailor
Trishka is one of the minor characters in the comedy "Undergrowth". Trishka appears at the beginning of the 1st act and is not mentioned again in the play. Trishka is a serf of the Prostakov family Trishka is a self-taught tailor. Prostakova scolds him for a poorly tailored caftan, but Trishka rightly explains to the hostess that he did not study as a tailor, therefore Trishka is not responsible for the result - a lively and, apparently, not a stupid guy. Trishka the tailor is the only peasant who dares to argue with Mrs. Prostakova : Prostakova calls Trishka a swindler, a thief, cattle, etc. Most likely, these words do not characterize Trishka himself in any way, because the rude Prostakova calls all her serfs names with similar words
Starodum
Starodum is one of the central characters of the "undergrowth" Fonvizin. He is a positive comedy character, unlike Mitrofanushka, Prostakov, Prostakova, Skotinin and others. Starodum personifies a smart, proud, fair, loving person. He believes that the main thing in a person is the education of his soul. “An ignoramus without a soul is a beast,” he says. And with this statement he explains the behavior of Mrs. Prostakova, Mitrofanushka and Skotinin. Starodum is Sophia's loving uncle. He wants only the best for her, and bequeaths all his money to his niece. His pride proves that when he arrived at the court, he retained his honor and dignity and left from there. "I lagged behind the court without villages, without a ribbon, without ranks, yes< …>brought home intact my soul, my honor. Starodum can be called an ideal hero. His moral ideal is honest service to the Fatherland, an intolerant attitude towards vice and injustice.
Sophia - Starodum's niece
Sophia is the niece of Starodum, who is her guardian. The name of the heroine means "wisdom". In comedy, Sophia is endowed with the wisdom of the soul, heart, and virtue. Sophia is an orphan. Her estate, in the absence of Starodum, is managed by the Prostakovs, who rob the girl. And when they find out that Sophia has a large dowry, they begin to fight for her hand and money. But Sophia has a lover - Milon, with whom she is engaged and to whom she remains faithful. The Prostakov-Skotinin family Sophia despises and laughs at him. The girl comes from honest nobles who gave her a good education. Sophia is smart, mocking, sensitive and kind (at the end of the comedy, she forgives Prostakov for harming her). The heroine believes that honor and wealth should be gained by labor, that meekness and obedience to elders are decent for a girl, but she can and should defend her love. All the positive characters of the play are grouped around Sophia. They help her free herself from the care of the Prostakovs and connect with Milon at the end of the comedy ..
Milon - Sophia's fiance
Milon is one of the goodies of the comedy "Undergrowth", introduced by the author to create a contrast of characters with the Prostakovs and Skotinin. Milon is an officer whom we first meet at the head of a detachment of soldiers in a comedy in the village of Prostakov. Milon is an educated, noble person who responsibly fulfills his duties to the state. Milon is outraged by the way the Prostakovs behave towards Sophia, especially the hypocrisy of Prostakova, who, having learned about Sophia’s inheritance, wants to get it by marrying them with her son Mitrofan - “Unworthy people!” That's how he talks about them. Milon is well-mannered, unobtrusive and in all situations will keep honor and face. During the fight between Mrs. Prostakova and Skotinin, Milon not only manages to separate them, but also sets them on the path of reconciliation and be completely polite: “And you forgot that he is your brother!”, “Isn’t she your sister?”, “Yes, no Did she hurt you?”, “I won’t let you in, madam. Don't get angry!" When Milon and Starodum meet, Milon demonstrates modesty and dignity, respect for elders, responsibility: “In my years and in my position, it would be unforgivable arrogance to consider everything deserved, which worthy people encourage a young man.” Milon believes that the fearlessness of an officer is not a blind and irresponsible willingness to die on the battlefield for the sake of glory, but an awareness of all the danger to which his life is exposed, an understanding of the value of his life, and only then courage is a willingness to sacrifice his life in the name of the Fatherland. In addition, according to Milo, courage is needed in every life situation. When Prostakova tries to take Sophia down the aisle by force, Milon defends her with a drawn sword, in relation to Prostakova's behavior he expresses indignation and contempt. In the ideal image of Milon, Fonvizin put all the positive qualities that should be inherent in a real officer, a nobleman, a noble man of honor.
In the comedy "Undergrowth" Pravdin is a good character, an honest official with humane views on the management of the estate. According to the plot of the work, a man in the service ends up in the village of Prostakova in order to expose and stop the atrocities taking place there, punish the cruel landowners and take the estate under his own tutelage. The official successfully resolves an acute situation, punishing the guilty and helping those in need. In "Undergrowth" as a classic play, the names of the characters largely determine their personal qualities and role in the work. Pravdin was no exception. In "Undergrowth", the personality characteristic of the character fully corresponds to the meaning of his surname - "Pravdin" from "truth", that is, the hero is the bearer of truth and impartial justice. In the comedy, the official acts as an auditor, personifying the letter of the law, the highest justice and strictness in decisions - he punishes the guilty, taking the village from the Prostakovs, finds out which of the teachers served honestly, and which only deceived Prostakov. The man also decides the fate of Mitrofan, taking him to his service. The character of Pravdin plays an important role in the ideological conception of the comedy. In his image, Fonvizin portrayed the ideal of a humane and educated official of education, who deservedly rewards and punishes. For the author, Pravdin is the personification of human, rational truth in the last instance.
Kuteikin
In another light, Fonvizin gives a teacher of Russian and Church Slavonic languages, Kuteikin. This is a half-educated seminarian who left the first classes of the theological seminary, "fearing the abyss of wisdom." But he is not without cunning. Reading hours of hours with Mitrofan, he deliberately chooses the text: “I am a seven worm, not a man, a reproach to people”, and even interprets the word worm - “that is, (i.e.) animal, cattle”. Like Tsyfirkin, he sympathizes with Eremeevna. But Kuteikin sharply differs from Tsyfirkin in his greed for money. In the language of Kuteikin, Church Slavonicisms are strongly emphasized, which he brought from the spiritual environment and the spiritual school.
Tsyfirkin
Retired soldier Tsyfirkin is a man with a number of good qualities. He is hardworking: “I don’t like to live idly,” he says. In the city, he helps the clerks "to check the account, then sum up the results", and "at his leisure he teaches the guys." (Fonvizin painted the image of Tsyfirkin with obvious sympathy. Mitrofan’s upbringing and education corresponded to the “fashion” of that time and the understanding of his parents. He was taught French by the German Vralman, the exact sciences by the retired sergeant Tsyfirkin, who “maraked a little bit of arithmetic”, grammar by the seminarian Kuteikin, dismissed from "any teaching". The speech is based on the fact that he was a soldier in the past, and now teaches arithmetic. Hence, in his speech, constant calculations, as well as military terms and phraseological turns. In the city, he helps the clerks "to check the account, then to sum up the results ", and" at his leisure he teaches the guys "
Prostakov.
Ms. Prostakova, his wife.
Mitrofan, their son, undersized.
Eremeevna, Mitrofanov's mother.
Pravdin.
Starodum.
Sofia, niece of Starodum.
Milon.
Skotinin, brother of Ms. Prostakova.
Kuteikin, seminarian.
Tsyfirkin, retired sergeant.
Vralman, teacher.
Trishka, tailor.
Servant Prostakov.
Valet Starodum.
Action in the village of Prostakov.
Denis Fonvizin. Engraving from the collection of portraits of Platon Beketov. 1821 edition
Act one
PHENOMENON I
Cover of the first edition of D.I. Fonvizin "Undergrowth", 1783
Ms. Prostakova, Mitrofan, Eremeevna.
Ms. Prostakova (examining the caftan on Mitrofan). The coat is all ruined. Eremeevna, bring in the swindler Trishka here. (Yeremeevna leaves.) He, the thief, has restrained him everywhere. Mitrofanushka, my friend! I have tea, you are pressed to death. Call your father here.
Mitrofan leaves.
PHENOMENON II
Mrs. Prostakova, Eremeevna, Trishka.
Ms. Prostakova (Trishka). And you, cattle, come closer. Didn't I tell you, thieves' mug, that you let your caftan go wider. The child, the first, grows; another, a child and without a narrow caftan of delicate build. Tell me, idiot, what's your excuse?
Trishka. Why, madame, I was self-taught. I then reported to you: well, if you please, give it to the tailor.
Ms Prostakova. So is it really necessary to be a tailor in order to be able to sew a caftan well. What a beastly argument!
Trishka. Yes, a tailor learned to knit, madam, but I didn’t.
Ms Prostakova. He is also seeking and arguing. A tailor learned from another, another from a third, but who did the first tailor learn from? Speak, cattle.
Trishka. Yes, the first tailor, perhaps, sewed worse than mine.
Mitrofan(runs in). Called my father. I dared to say: immediately.
Ms Prostakova. So go and get him out, if you don’t call for good.
Mitrofan. Yes, here is the father.
PHENOMENON III
The same and Prostakov.
Ms Prostakova. What, what are you trying to hide from me? Here, sir, what I have lived with your indulgence. What is the son's new thing to his uncle's conspiracy? What caftan Trishka deigned to sew?
Prostakov(stammering from timidity). Me ... a little baggy.
Ms Prostakova. You yourself are baggy, smart head.
Prostakov. Yes, I thought, mother, that you think so.
Ms Prostakova. Are you blind yourself?
Prostakov. With your eyes mine see nothing.
Ms Prostakova. This is the kind of hubby the Lord has rewarded me with: he doesn’t know how to make out what is wide and what is narrow.
Prostakov. In this I believe in you, mother, and believe.
Ms Prostakova. So believe the same and the fact that I do not intend to indulge the lackeys.
Go, sir, and now punish ...
EVENT IV
The same and Skotinin.
Skotinin. Whom? For what? On the day of my collusion! I ask you, sister, for such a holiday to postpone the punishment until tomorrow; and tomorrow, if you please, I myself will gladly help. If it wasn't for me Taras Skotinin, if I don't have any fault to blame. In this, sister, I have the same custom with you. Why are you so angry?
Ms Prostakova. Yes, brother, I will send to your eyes. Mitrofanushka, come here. Is this coat baggy?
Skotinin. No.
Prostakov. Yes, I myself can already see, mother, that it is narrow.
Skotinin. I don't see that either. The caftan, brother, is quite well made.
Ms. Prostakova (Trishka). Get out, cattle. (Eremeevna.) Come on, Eremeevna, let the child have breakfast. Vit, I have tea, soon the teachers will come.
Eremeevna. He already, mother, deigned to eat five buns.
Ms Prostakova. So you're sorry for the sixth, you bastard? What zeal! Feel free to watch.
Eremeevna. Hello, mother. I said this for Mitrofan Terentyevich. Protoskoval until morning.
Ms Prostakova. Ah, Mother of God! What happened to you, Mitrofanushka?
Mitrofan. Yes, mother. Yesterday, after dinner, I had a seizure.
Skotinin. Yes, it can be seen, brother, you dined tightly.
Mitrofan. And I, uncle, hardly ate supper at all.
Prostakov. I remember, my friend, you deigned to eat something.
Mitrofan. What! Three slices of corned beef, yes hearth, I don’t remember, five, I don’t remember, six.
Eremeevna. At night every now and then he asked for a drink. The whole jug deigned to eat kvass.
Mitrofan. And now I'm walking like crazy. All night long such rubbish climbed into the eyes.
Ms Prostakova. What rubbish, Mitrofanushka?
Mitrofan. Yes, then you, mother, then father.
Ms Prostakova. How is it?
Mitrofan. As soon as I begin to fall asleep, then I see that you, mother, deign to beat the father.
Prostakov(to the side). Well, my trouble! Dream in hand!
Mitrofan(spread out). So I felt sorry.
Ms. Prostakova (with annoyance). Who, Mitrofanushka?
Mitrofan. You, mother: you are so tired, beating the father.
Ms Prostakova. Embrace me, my friend of the heart! Here, son, is one of my consolations.
Skotinin. Well, Mitrofanushka, I see you are a mother's son, not a father!
Prostakov. At least I love him as a parent should, this is a clever child, this is a reasonable child, an amusing, entertainer; sometimes I am beside myself with him and with joy I myself truly do not believe that he is my son.
Skotinin. Only now our amusing fellow is frowning at something.
Ms Prostakova. Why not send for a doctor to the city?
Mitrofan. No, no, mother. I'd rather get better on my own. I’ll run to the dovecote now, so maybe ...
Ms Prostakova. So maybe the Lord is merciful. Come, frolic, Mitrofanushka.
Mitrofan and Eremeevna depart.
EVENT V
Ms. Prostakova, Prostakov, Skotinin.
Skotinin. Why can't I see my bride? Where is she? In the evening there will be an agreement, so isn't it time for her to say that she is being married off?
Ms Prostakova. We'll make it, brother. If she is told this ahead of time, then she may still think that we are reporting to her. Although by my husband, however, I am a relative of hers; And I love that strangers listen to me.
Prostakov(Skotinin). To tell the truth, we treated Sofyushka like a real orphan. After her father, she remained a baby. Tom, with six months, as her mother, and my fiancé, had a stroke ...
Ms. Prostakova (showing that he baptizes his heart). The power of the cross is with us.
Prostakov. From which she went into the next world. Her uncle, Mr. Starodum, went to Siberia; and since for several years now there has been neither a rumor nor news about him, we consider him dead. We, seeing that she was left alone, took her to our village and oversee her estate as if it were our own.
Ms Prostakova. What, why are you so pissed off today, my father? Looking for a brother, he might think that we took her to us for the sake of interest.
Prostakov. Well, mother, how can he think it? After all, Sofyushkino's real estate cannot be moved to us.
Skotinin. And although the movable has been put forward, I am not a petitioner. I don't like to bother, and I'm afraid. No matter how much the neighbors offended me, no matter how much damage they did, I didn’t hit anyone with my forehead, and any loss, than to go after him, I’ll tear off my own peasants, and the ends are in the water.
Prostakov. That's true, brother: the whole neighborhood says that you are a masterful collector of dues.
Ms Prostakova. At least you taught us, brother father; and we can't. Since we took away everything that the peasants had, we can no longer tear anything off. Such trouble!
Skotinin. If you please, sister, I will teach you, I will teach you, just marry me to Sofyushka.
Ms Prostakova. Do you really like this girl?
Skotinin. No, I don't like a girl.
Prostakov. So in the neighborhood of her village?
Skotinin. And not villages, but the fact that in the villages it is found and what my mortal hunt is.
Ms Prostakova. To what, brother?
Skotinin. I love pigs, sister, and we have such large pigs in our neighborhood that there is not a single one of them that, standing on its hind legs, would not be taller than each of us with a whole head.
Prostakov. It's strange, brother, how relatives can resemble relatives. Our Mitrofanushka looks like an uncle. And he is a pig hunter from childhood, just like you. As he was still three years old, it happened, when he saw a pig, he would tremble with joy.
Skotinin. This is truly a curiosity! Well, brother, Mitrofan loves pigs because he is my nephew. There is some resemblance here; why am I so fond of pigs?
Prostakov. And there is some similarity, I think.
EVENT VI
The same and Sophia.
Sofya entered, holding a letter in her hand and looking cheerful.
Ms. Prostakova (Sophia). What's so funny, mother? What were you happy about?
Sophia. I have just received good news. Uncle, about whom we have known nothing for so long, whom I love and revere as my father, has recently arrived in Moscow. Here is the letter I received from him.
Ms. Prostakova (frightened, angrily). How! Starodum, your uncle, is alive! And you deign to conceive that he is risen! Here's some fancy stuff!
Sophia. Yes, he never died.
Ms Prostakova. Didn't die! And why can't he die? No, madame, these are your inventions, in order to intimidate us with your uncles, so that we would give you free will. Uncle is a smart man; he, seeing me in the hands of others, will find a way to help me out. That's what you're glad about, ma'am; however, perhaps, do not be very cheerful: your uncle, of course, did not resurrect.
Skotinin. Sister, well, if he did not die?
Prostakov. God forbid, if he did not die!
Ms. Prostakova (to husband). How did he not die! What are you confusing grandma? Don't you know that for several years from me he has been remembered in memorials for his repose? Surely my sinful prayers did not reach! (To Sophia.) Perhaps a letter to me. (Almost throws up.) I bet it's some kind of amorous. And guess who. This is from the officer who was looking for you to marry and for whom you yourself wanted to marry. Yes, that beast without my asking gives you letters! I'll get there. Here's what we've come up with. They write letters to the girls! girls can read and write!
Sophia. Read it for yourself, sir. You will see that nothing could be more innocent.
Ms Prostakova. Read it yourself! No, madame, I am not brought up like that, thank God. I can receive letters, but I always order someone else to read them. (To her husband.) Read.
Prostakov(long looking). Tricky.
Ms Prostakova. And you, my father, were obviously brought up as a fair maiden. Brother, please read.
Skotinin. I? I never read anything in my life, sister! God delivered me from this boredom.
Sophia. Let me read.
Ms Prostakova. O mother! I know that you are a craftswoman, but I do not really believe you. Here, I have tea, teacher Mitrofanushkin will come soon. I tell him...
Skotinin. Have you already begun to teach the young man to read and write?
Ms Prostakova. Ah, father brother! She has been studying for four years now. Nothing, it’s a sin to say that we don’t try to educate Mitrofanushka. We pay money to three teachers. For the diploma, the deacon from the Intercession, Kuteikin, goes to him. He is taught arithmetic, father, by a retired sergeant, Tsyfirkin. Both of them come here from the city. The city is three miles away from us, father. He is taught in French and all sciences by the German Adam Adamych Vralman. This is three hundred rubles a year. We sit at the table with us. Our women wash his linen. Where necessary - a horse. A glass of wine at the table. At night, a tallow candle, and our Fomka directs the wig for nothing. To tell the truth, and we are pleased with him, father, brother. He does not captivate the child. Vity, my father, while Mitrofanushka is still undergrowth, sweat him and pamper him; and there, in ten years, when he enters, God forbid, into the service, he will endure everything. How is happiness written in the family, brother. From our own surname Prostakov, look - weave, lying on its side, fly to their ranks. Why is their Mitrofanushka worse? Ba! yes, by the way, our dear guest came by the way.
PHENOMENON VII
The same and Pravdin.
Ms Prostakova. Brother, my friend! I recommend you our dear guest, Mr. Pravdin; and to you, my lord, I recommend my brother.
Pravdin. I am glad to have made your acquaintance.
Skotinin. All right, my lord! As for the last name, I didn't hear it.
Pravdin. I am called Pravdin, so you can hear.
Skotinin. What native, my lord? Where are the villages?
Pravdin. I was born in Moscow, if you need to know, and my villages are in the local governorship.
Skotinin. But do I dare to ask, my lord, - I don’t know my name and patronymic, - are there pigs in your villages?
Ms Prostakova. Enough, brother, about pigs - then start. Let's talk about our grief. (To Pravdin.) Here, father! God told us to take the girl in our arms. She deigns to receive letters from her uncles. Uncles write to her from the other world. Do me a favor, my father, take the trouble to read it aloud to all of us.
Pravdin. Excuse me, ma'am. I never read letters without the permission of those to whom they are written.
Sophia. I ask you about it. You are doing me a great favor.
Pravdin. If you order. (Is reading.)"Dear niece! My deeds forced me to live for several years in separation from my neighbors; and the distance has deprived me of the pleasure of having news of you. I am now in Moscow, having lived for several years in Siberia. I can serve as an example that one can make one's fortune through labor and honesty. By these means, with the help of happiness, I made ten thousand rubles an income ... "
Skotinin and both Prostakovs. Ten thousand!
Pravdin(is reading). “... of which you, my dear niece, I make you an heiress ...”
Ms Prostakova. Your heiress!
Prostakov. Sophia the heiress!
Skotinin. Her heiress!
Ms. Prostakova (rushing to hug Sophia). Congratulations, Sofyushka! Congratulations, my soul! I'm overjoyed! Now you need a groom. I, I do not want the best bride and Mitrofanushka. That is uncle! That's a father! I myself still thought that God would protect him, that he was still alive.
Skotinin(reaching out). Well, sister, hurry up on your hands.
Ms. Prostakova (quietly to Skotinin). Hold on, brother. First you need to ask her if she still wants to marry you?
Skotinin. How! What a question! Are you going to report to her?
Skotinin. And for what? Yes, even if you read for five years, you won’t finish reading ten thousand better.
Ms. Prostakova (to Sophia). Sofyushka, my soul! let's go to my bedroom. I desperately need to talk to you. (Takes Sophia away.)
Skotinin. Ba! so I see that today collusion is unlikely to be.
SCENE VIII
Pravdin, Prostakov, Skotinin, servant.
Servant(to Prostakov, out of breath). Barin! master! the soldiers came and stopped in our village.
Prostakov. What trouble! Well, they will ruin us to the end!
Pravdin. What are you afraid of?
Prostakov. Ah, dear father! We've already seen the views. I don't dare to go to them.
Pravdin. Do not be afraid. Of course, they are led by an officer who will not allow any impudence. Come to him with me. I am sure that you are shy in vain.
Pravdin, Prostakov and the servant depart.
Skotinin. Everyone left me alone. Go for a walk in the barnyard.
End of the first act
Action two
PHENOMENON I
Pravdin, Milon.
Milo. How glad I am, my dear friend, that I accidentally saw you! Tell me in what way...
Pravdin. As a friend, I will tell you the reason for my being here. I have been designated as a member of the governorship here. I have a command to go around the local district; and besides, from my own feat of my heart, I do not leave to notice those malevolent ignoramuses who, having full power over their people, use it for evil inhumanely. You know the mindset of our viceroy. With what zeal he helps suffering humanity! With what zeal does he thereby fulfill the philanthropic forms of the higher authorities! In our region, we ourselves have experienced that where the governor is such as the governor is depicted in the Institution, there the well-being of the inhabitants is true and reliable. I have been living here for three days now. I found the landowner an innumerable fool, and his wife a wicked fury, whose infernal temper makes misfortune to their whole house. What are you thinking, my friend, tell me, how long have you stayed here?
Milo. I'm leaving here in a few hours.
Pravdin. What's so soon? Have a rest.
Milo. I can not. I was ordered to lead the soldiers without delay ... yes, moreover, I myself am burning with impatience to be in Moscow.
Pravdin. What's the reason?
Milo. I will reveal to you the secret of my heart, dear friend! I am in love and have the happiness of being loved. For more than half a year, I have been separated from the one who is dearest to me in the world, and, what is even sadder, I have not heard anything about her all this time. Often, attributing the silence to her coldness, I was tormented by grief; but suddenly I received news that struck me. They write to me that, after the death of her mother, some distant relatives took her to their villages. I don't know who or where. Perhaps she is now in the hands of some greedy people who, taking advantage of her orphanhood, keep her in tyranny. That thought alone makes me beside myself.
Pravdin. I see similar inhumanity in the local house. I caress, however, to soon put limits on the wickedness of the wife and the stupidity of the husband. I have already informed our chief of all the local barbarisms, and I have no doubt that measures will be taken to appease them.
Milo. Happy are you, my friend, being able to alleviate the fate of the unfortunate. I do not know what to do in my sad situation.
Pravdin. Let me ask about her name.
Milon(excited). A! here she is.
PHENOMENON II
The same and Sophia.
Sofia(in admiration). Milon! do I see you?
Pravdin. What happiness!
Milo. Here is the one that owns my heart. Dear Sophia! Tell me, how do I find you here?
Sophia. How many sorrows have I endured since the day of our separation! My unscrupulous cousins...
Pravdin. My friend! Do not ask about what is so sad for her ... You will learn from me what rudeness ...
Milo. Unworthy people!
Sophia. Today, however, for the first time the hostess here changed her behavior with me. When I heard that my uncle was making me an heiress, she suddenly turned from being rude and quarrelsome to the very basest, and I can see from all her bluffs that she will read me as a bride to her son.
Milon(eagerly). And you did not show her the same hour of perfect contempt? ..
Sophia. No…
Milo. And didn't tell her that you had a heartfelt obligation, that...
Sophia. No.
Milo. A! now I see my doom. My opponent is happy! I do not deny all the merits in it. He may be reasonable, enlightened, kind; but so that he could compare with me in my love for you, so that ...
Sofia(grinning). My God! If you saw him, your jealousy would drive you to the extreme!
Milon(indignantly). I imagine all its virtues.
Sophia. You can't imagine everyone. Although he is sixteen years old, he has already reached the last degree of his perfection and will not go far.
Pravdin. How far will it not go, madam? He finishes learning the Book of Hours; and there, one must think, they will also take up the Psalter.
Milo. How! Is that my opponent? And, dear Sophia, why are you tormenting me with a joke? You know how easily a passionate person is upset by the slightest suspicion.
Sophia. Think how unfortunate my condition is! I could not answer this stupid proposal decisively. In order to get rid of their rudeness, in order to have some freedom, I was forced to hide my feelings.
Milo. What did you answer her?
Here Skotinin walks through the theater, lost in thought, and no one sees him.
Sophia. I said that my fate depended on the will of my uncle, that he himself promised to come here in his letter, which (to Pravdin) did not allow you to finish reading Mr. Skotinin.
Milo. Skotinin!
Skotinin. I!
PHENOMENON III
The same and Skotinin.
Pravdin. How did you sneak up, Mr. Skotinin! I wouldn't expect this from you.
Skotinin. I passed by you. Heard that they called me, I answered. I have such a custom: whoever screams - Skotinin! And I told him: me! What are you, brothers, and for real? I myself served in the guards and retired as a corporal. It used to happen that at the exit they would shout at the roll call: Taras Skotinin! And I wholeheartedly: I!
Pravdin. We have not called you now, and you can go where you went.
Skotinin. I didn’t go anywhere, but I wander, thinking. I have such a custom, as if I take something into my head, you cannot knock it out with a nail. With me, you hear, what entered the mind, it settled here. All I think about is that I only see in a dream, as in reality, and in reality, as in a dream.
Pravdin. What would interest you so much now?
Skotinin. Oh, brother, you are my dearest friend! Miracles are happening to me. My sister quickly took me out of my village to hers, and if she takes me out of her village to mine just as quickly, I can honestly say before the whole world: I went for nothing, brought nothing.
Pravdin. What a pity, Mr. Skotinin! Your sister plays with you like a ball.
Skotinin(embittered). How about a ball? Protect God! Yes, I myself will throw it so that they won’t find a whole village in a week.
Sophia. Oh, how angry you are!
Milo. What happened to you?
Skotinin. You yourself, a smart person, think about it. My sister brought me here to get married. Now she herself drove up with a challenge: “What is it to you, brother, in your wife; you would have a good pig, brother. No sister! I want to have my own pigs. It's not easy to fool me.
Pravdin. It seems to me, Mr. Skotinin, that your sister is thinking about a wedding, but not about yours.
Skotinin. What a parable! I am not a hindrance to others. Everyone marry his bride. I will not touch a stranger, and do not touch my stranger. (Sophia.) Don't worry, darling. No one will beat you from me.
Sophia. What does it mean? Here's another new one!
Milon(shouted). What audacity!
Skotinin(to Sophia). What are you afraid of?
Pravdin(to Milan). How can you be angry with Skotinin!
Sofia(Skotinin). Am I destined to be your wife?
Milo. I can hardly resist!
Skotinin. You can’t drive around your betrothed, darling! You blame it on your happiness. You will live happily ever after with me. Ten thousand of your income! Eco happiness rolled; yes, I was born so much and did not see; yes, I will redeem all the pigs from the world for them; Yes, I, you hear, I will make everyone blow their trumpet: in the local neighborhood, and only pigs live.
Pravdin. When only cattle can be happy among you, then your wife will have poor peace from them and from you.
Skotinin. Bad peace! bah! bah! bah! do I have enough lights? For her, I’ll give you a coal stove with a stove bench. You are my dearest friend! if I now, without seeing anything, have a special pecking for each pig, then I will find a room for my wife.
Here is an excerpt from the book.
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pages: 1 2 3 4 5
ACT FIVE
PHENOMENON I
Starodum and Pravdin.
Pravdin. It was the package that the hostess here herself informed me about yesterday.
Starodum. So, do you now have a way to stop the inhumanity of the evil landowner?
Pravdin. I am instructed to take custody of the house and villages at the first rabies, from which people subject to her might suffer.
Starodum. Thanks be to God that humanity can find protection! Believe me, my friend, where the sovereign thinks, where he knows where his true glory lies, there his rights cannot but return to mankind. There everyone will soon feel that everyone should seek their happiness and benefits in the one thing that is legal ... and that it is illegal to oppress their own kind by slavery.
Pravdin. I agree with you on this; Yes, how tricky it is to exterminate rooted prejudices in which base souls find their advantage!
Starodum. Listen, my friend! A great sovereign is a wise sovereign. His job is to show people their direct benefit. The glory of his wisdom is to rule over people, because there is no wisdom to manage idols. The peasant, who is the worst in the village, usually chooses to tend the herd, because it takes a little intelligence to tend the cattle. A sovereign worthy of the throne seeks to elevate the souls of his subjects. We see it with our own eyes.
Pravdin. The pleasure that sovereigns enjoy in possessing free souls must be so great that I do not understand what motives could distract ...
Starodum. A! How great a soul must be in a sovereign in order to take the path of truth and never deviate from it! How many nets have been set up to capture the soul of a person who has the fate of his own kind in his hands! And in the first place, a crowd of stingy flatterers...
Pravdin. Without spiritual contempt it is impossible to imagine what a flatterer is.
Starodum. A flatterer is a creature who, not only about others, but also about himself, has no good opinion. All his desire is to first blind the mind of a person, and then make of it what he needs. He is a night thief who first extinguishes the candle, and then begins to steal.
Pravdin. Human misfortunes, of course, are caused by their own corruption; but ways to make people kind...
Starodum. They are in the hands of the sovereign. How soon everyone sees that without good manners no one can emerge as a people; that neither vile service nor for any money can buy that which rewards merit; that people are chosen for places, and not places are stolen by people - then everyone finds his own advantage in being well-behaved and everyone becomes good.
Pravdin. Fair. The Great Sovereign gives...
Starodum. Mercy and friendship to those whom it pleases; places and ranks to those who are worthy.
Pravdin. So that there is no shortage in worthy people, special efforts are now being made to educate ...
Starodum. It should be the key to the well-being of the state. We see all the unfortunate consequences of bad education. Well, what can come out of Mitrofanushka for the fatherland, for whom ignorant parents also pay money to ignorant teachers? How many noble fathers who entrust the moral upbringing of their son to their serf slave! Fifteen years later, instead of one slave, two come out, an old uncle and a young master.
Pravdin. But persons of a higher state enlighten their children...
Starodum. So, my friend; yes, I would like that in all sciences the main goal of all human knowledge, morality, is not forgotten. Believe me that science in a depraved person is a fierce weapon to do evil. Enlightenment elevates one virtuous soul. I would like, for example, that when educating the son of a noble gentleman, his mentor every day unfolded History for him and pointed out to him and her two places: in one, how great people contributed to the good of their fatherland; in another, like an unworthy nobleman, having used his power of attorney and power for evil, from the height of his magnificent nobility he fell into the abyss of contempt and reproach.
Pravdin. It is really necessary that every state of people should have a decent upbringing; then you can be sure... What's that noise?
Starodum. What has happened?
PHENOMENON II
The same, Milon, Sofya, Eremeevna.
Milon (pushing away from Sofya Eremeevna, who was clinging to her, shouting to the people, holding a drawn sword in her hand). Don't you dare come near me!
Sofia (rushing to Starodum). Ah, uncle! Protect me!
Milo. Villains! Coming here, I see a lot of people who, grabbing her by the arms, despite resistance and screaming, are already leading from the porch to the carriage.
Sophia. Here is my deliverer!
Starodum (to Milo). My friend!
Pravdin (Eremeevna). Now tell me where you wanted to take it, or how about the villain ...
Eremeevna. Get married, my father, get married!
Ms. Prostakova (behind the scenes). Rogues! The thieves! Fraudsters! I order everyone to be beaten to death!
PHENOMENON III
The same, Ms. Prostakova, Prostakov, Mitrofan.
Ms Prostakova. What a lady in the house I am! (pointing to Milo). Someone else will threaten, my order is useless.
Pravdin. The atrocity, to which I myself am a witness, entitles you, as an uncle, and to you, as a bridegroom ...
Ms Prostakova. Ah, the daughter of a dog! What have I done!
EVENT IV
The same and Skotinin.
Skotinin. Well, sister, it was a good joke ... Bah! What is this? All of us are on our knees!
Ms. Prostakova (kneeling). Ah, my fathers, the sword does not cut a guilty head. My sin! Don't ruin me. (To Sophia.) You are my mother, forgive me. Have mercy on me (pointing to husband and son) and over the poor orphans.
Skotinin. Sister! Are you mindful?
Pravdin. Shut up, Skotinin.
Ms Prostakova. God will give you well-being and with your dear bridegroom, what is in my head for you?
Sofia (Starodum). Uncle! I forget my insult.
Ms. Prostakova (raising hands to Starodum). Father! Forgive me too, a sinner. I'm a human being, not an angel.
Starodum. I know, I know that a person cannot be an angel. And you don't even have to be the devil.
Milo. Both crime and repentance in it are worthy of contempt.
Pravdin (Starodum). Your slightest complaint, your one word before the government... and it cannot be saved.
Starodum. I don't want anyone to die. I forgive her.
Everyone jumped up from their knees.
Ms Prostakova. I'm sorry! Ah, father!.. Well! Now I will let the canals open to my people. Now I'm going to take them all one by one. Now I'm trying to figure out who let her out of her hands. No, scammers! No, thieves! I will not forgive a century, I will not forgive this ridicule.
Pravdin. And why do you want to punish your people?
Ms Prostakova. Ah, father, what is this question? Am I not powerful in my people too?
Pravdin. Do you think you have the right to fight when you want?
Skotinin. Isn't a nobleman free to beat a servant whenever he wants?
Pravdin. When he wants! So what is hunting? You are direct Skotinin. No, madam, no one is free to tyrannize.
Ms Prostakova. Not free! The nobleman, when he wants, and the servants are not free to flog; Yes, why have we been given a decree on the freedom of the nobility?
Starodum. A master at interpreting decrees!
Ms Prostakova. If you please, mock me, but now I'm turning everyone upside down... (Tries to go.)
Pravdin (stopping her). Stop, sir. (Pulling out paper and in an important voice to Prostakov.) In the name of the government, I order you to immediately gather your people and peasants to announce to them a decree that for the inhumanity of your wife, to which your extreme weak-mindedness allowed her, the government orders me to take care of your house and villages.
Prostakov. A! What have we come to!
Ms Prostakova. How! New trouble! For what? For what, father? That I am mistress in my house ...
Pravdin. An inhuman lady, who cannot be tolerated in a well-established state. (To Prostakov.) Come on.
Prostakov (leaves, clasping his hands). Who is this from, mother?
Ms. Prostakova (yearning). Oh, grief has taken! Oh sad!
Skotinin. Ba! bah! bah! Yes, they will get to me. Yes, and any Skotinin can fall under guardianship ... I’ll get out of here, pick up, say hello.
Ms Prostakova. I'm losing everything! I'm completely dying!
Skotinin (Starodum). I went to see you. Groom...
Starodum (pointing to Milo). Here he is.
Skotinin. Aha! so there is nothing for me to do here. Harness the kibitka, and ...
Pravdin. Yes, and go to your pigs. Do not forget, however, to tell all the Skotinins what they are subject to.
Skotinin. How not to warn friends! I will tell them that they are people ...
Pravdin. More love, or at least...
Skotinin. Well?..
Pravdin. At least they didn't touch it.
Skotinin (departing). At least they didn't touch it.
EVENT V
Mrs. Prostakova, Starodum, Pravdin, Mitrofan, Sophia, Eremeevna.
Ms. Prostakova (Pravdin). Father, do not ruin me, what have you gained? Is there any way to cancel the order? Are all orders being followed?
Pravdin. I won't step down from my position.
Ms Prostakova. Give me at least three days. (To the side.) I would let myself know...
Pravdin. Not for three hours.
Starodum. Yes, my friend! She can do so much mischief even in three hours that you can’t help for a century.
Ms Prostakova. But how can you, father, enter into trifles yourself?
Pravdin. It's my business. Alien will be returned to the owners, and ...
Ms Prostakova. And to get rid of debts? .. Underpaid to teachers ...
Pravdin. Teachers? (Eremeevna.) Are they here? Enter them here.
Eremeevna. Tea that they brought. And the German, my father? ..
Pravdin. Call everyone.
Eremeevna leaves.
Pravdin. Do not worry about anything, madam, I will please everyone.
Starodum (seeing Madame Prostakova in anguish).
Madam! You yourself will feel better, having lost the power to do bad things to others.
Ms Prostakova. Thanks for the mercy! Where am I fit when my own hands and will are not in my house!
EVENT VI
The same, Eremeevna, Vralman, Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin.
Eremeevna (introducing the teachers, to Pravdin). That's all our bastard for you, my father.
Vralman (to Pravdin). Fashé fysoko-and-plakhorotie. Did they send me to the sepa to pry? ..
Kuteikin (to Pravdin). The call was bykh and came.
Tsyfirkin (to Pravdin). What will be the order, your honor?
Starodum (with the arrival of Vralman peers at him). Ba! Is that you, Vralman?
Vralman (recognizing Starodum). Ay! ouch! ouch! ouch! ouch! It's you, my gracious master! (Kissing the floor of the Starodum.) Are you an old faggot, my father, are you going to cheat?
Pravdin. How? Is he familiar to you?
Starodum. How not familiar? He was my coachman for three years.
Everyone shows surprise.
Pravdin. Quite a teacher!
Starodum. Are you here as a teacher? Vralman! I thought, really, that you are a kind person and you won’t take on something other than your own.
Vralman. What to tell, my father? I'm not a perf, I'm not an afterlife. For three months, Moskfe staggered from place to place, Kutsher nihte not Nata. It came to me to die lipo from hunger, lipo suture ...
Pravdin (to teachers). By the will of the government, having become the guardian of the house here, I release you.
Tsyfirkin. Better not.
Kuteikin. Would you like to let go? Let's unpack first...
Pravdin. What do you need?
Kuteikin. No, dear sir, my account is not very small. For half a year for learning, for shoes that I wore out at the age of three, for a simple one that you wander here, it happened, in an empty way, for ...
Ms Prostakova. Insatiable soul! Kuteikin! What is it for?
Pravdin. Do not interfere, madam, I beg you.
Ms Prostakova. Yes, if it’s true, what did you learn Mitrofanushka?
Kuteikin. It's his business. Not mine.
Pravdin (Kuteikin). Good good. (Tsyfirkin.) How much do you pay?
Tsyfirkin. To me? Nothing.
Ms Prostakova. He, father, was given ten rubles for one year, and not a penny was paid for another year.
Tsyfirkin. So: for those ten rubles I wore out my boots in two years. We and the tickets.
Pravdin. And for teaching?
Tsyfirkin. Nothing.
Starodum. Like nothing?
Tsyfirkin. I won't take anything. He didn't take anything.
Starodum. However, you have to pay less.
Tsyfirkin. My pleasure. I served the sovereign for more than twenty years. I took money for the service, I didn’t take it in an empty way and I won’t take it.
Starodum. Here's a good man!
Starodum and Milon take money out of their wallets.
Pravdin. Aren't you ashamed, Kuteikin?
Kuteikin (lowering his head). Shame on you, damned.
Starodum (Tsyfirkin). Here's to you, my friend, for a good soul.
Tsyfirkin. Thank you, your highness. Thankful. You are free to give me. Himself, not deserving, I will not demand a century.
Milon (giving him money). Here's to you, my friend!
Tsyfirkin. And thanks again.
Pravdin also gives him money.
Tsyfirkin. What are you complaining about, your honor?
Pravdin. Because you don't look like Kuteikin.
Tsyfirkin. AND! Your honor. I'm a soldier.
Pravdin (Tsyfirkin). Go, my friend, with God.
Tsyfirkin departs.
Pravdin. And you, Kuteikin, perhaps come here tomorrow and take the trouble to comb your mistress herself.
Kuteikin (running out). With myself! I retreat from everything.
Vralman (Starodum). Do not leave the old man of hearing, fashe fysokrotie. Take me back to the sepe.
Starodum. Yes, you, Vralman, I tea, lagged behind the horses?
Vralman. Hey no, my darling! Shiuchi with stench hospots, it concerned me that I am a fse with horses.
PHENOMENON VII
]The same and the valet.
Valet (Starodum). Your card is ready.
Vralman. Will you give me a bite to eat now?
Starodum. Go sit on the goats.
Vralman leaves.
PHENOMENON LAST
Mrs. Prostakova, Starodum, Milon, Sophia, Pravdin, Mitrofan, Eremeevna.
Starodum (to Pravdin, holding the hands of Sophia and Milan). Well my friend! We go. Wish us...
Pravdin. All the happiness that honest hearts are entitled to.
Ms. Prostakova (rushing to hug his son). You alone remained with me, my hearty friend, Mitrofanushka!
Prostakov. Yes, get off, mother, as imposed ...
Ms Prostakova. And you! And you leave me! A! ungrateful! (She fainted.)
Sofia (running up to her). My God! She has no memory.
Starodum (Sophia). Help her, help her.
Sophia and Eremeevna help.
Pravdin (to Mitrofan). Scoundrel! Should you be rude to your mother? It is her mad love for you that has brought her most of all to misfortune.
Mitrofan. Yes, she seems to be unknown ...
Pravdin. Rude!
Starodum (Eremeevna). What is she now? What?
Eremeevna (looking intently at Madame Prostakova and clasping her hands). Wake up, my father, wake up.
Pravdin (to Mitrofan). WITH you, my friend, I know what to do. Went to serve...
Mitrofan (waving his hand). For me, where they say.
Ms. Prostakova (waking up in despair). I completely died! My power has been taken away! From shame, you can’t show your eyes anywhere! I don't have a son!
Starodum (pointing to Mrs. Prostakova) Here are the worthy fruits of evil-mindedness!
Comedy idea "Undergrowth" originated with Denis Fonvizin in 1778, and four years later he presented the play to his friends. But the path of the work to the stage turned out to be thorny. In St. Petersburg and Moscow, the comedy was immediately refused to be staged. The censors were afraid of some bold remarks.
In September 1782, the Free Russian Theater on Tsaritsyn Meadow ventured to stage the play. The success was stunning. True, this courage cost the theater to close, but it was too late - Fonvizin's comedy gained immense popularity. Since then, the play has not left the stage.
"Undergrowth" caused serious dissatisfaction with Catherine II. Fonvizin was not allowed to publish any more works, even a translation into Russian of the works of the Roman historian Tacitus.
The name of the comedy is associated with the decree of Peter I, according to which the children of nobles who have not received an education do not have the right to serve and marry. Such young people were called "undergrowths". It was believed that they were not ready for adult conscious life.
Main problems, which the author raises in the comedy: the vicious education and decomposition of the nobility in the conditions of the serfdom. Education, according to Fonvizin, determines the moral character of the younger generation. Entrusting their children to illiterate serf nannies, half-educated sextons and dubious foreigners, the nobility plunges into the abyss of ignorance, stupidity, money-grubbing and immorality. The Skotinins and Prostakovs are only capable of bringing up Mitrofanushki.
Fonvizin, using simple examples, shows that the landowners for the most part have forgotten not only the honor of the nobility, but even human dignity. Instead of serving the interests of the country, they do not comply with either moral or state laws.
The special poignancy of the comedy is given by the accidental victory of the forces of good. If Pravdin had not received an order to take custody of the Prostakovs' property, and Starodum had not returned from Siberia in time, everything could not have ended so happily.
The comedy "Undergrowth" is built according to the laws classicism. There is only one storyline, one place of action and all events take place within a day. But the play also shows some features. realism: a reliable depiction of everyday life, characters far from sketchiness, individual elements of the drama. Fonvizin created a new genre- socio-political comedy. In the center of the plot, contrary to the canons of classicism, there is not a love affair, but an acute social conflict.
The play consists of five acts. In the first, the author introduces us to the main characters, the plot starts - a letter from Starodum, in which Sophia is called a rich heiress. The climax comes in the fifth act, when Pravdin reads out a letter about the transfer of the Prostakov estate under his care. The denouement is the last words of the Starodum: “Here are worthy fruits of evil-mindedness!”
In "Undergrowth" almost all classes of the Russian state are shown. There are serfs Trishka, Palashka and Eremeevna, landowners Prostakov and Skotinin, officer Milon and retired sergeant Tsyfirkin, official Pravdin, clergyman Kuteikin. According to the traditions of classicism, all the characters are clearly divided into negative and positive, and their names indicate the main character traits. Pravdin personifies justice, Starodum - wisdom and morality, and the names Vralman and Skotinin are understandable even to a child.
The negative and positive characters of the comedy are created by pairs of antagonists: "children" - Mitrofan and Sophia, "grooms" - Skotinin and Milon, "main" - Prostakova and Starodum, "assistant chief" - Prostakov and Pravdin, "teachers" - disinterested Tsyfirkin and greedy Kuteikin.
Mrs. Prostakova is the most striking comedic image. The vicious, cunning, impudent and extremely active landowner constantly swears and beats the servants. Prostakova strives to take everything into her own hands, she has sole control over not only serfs, but also relatives. Her husband is a powerless creature who does not dare to take a step without the order of his wife. Prostakova extends her power to everyone who does not have the strength to fight back: Sofya, Skotinin, teachers. The main motto of the landowner: "Whatever I want, I'll put it on my own".
The heroine blindly loves her only son and is ready for anything for his good. Prostakova rushes with her fists at her brother, protecting Mitrofanushka, making sure that the “child” eats well and does not bother with the sciences. She takes all decisions for her son, protects him from the slightest trouble, crippling the fate of the young man.
With such an upbringing, it is not at all surprising that the son grows up as a coward, a loafer, a glutton and a boor. Mitrofan's ignorance and stupidity make him horrified through laughter: what is the future of a country where such a generation is growing up? At the same time, the “undergrowth” is smart enough to manipulate his despotic mother and arouse the tenderness of his father. He, like his mother, understands only the power of the strong, he can pretend to be kind, well-mannered, loving, grateful. But only Prostakova loses her power, her beloved son roughly pushes her away.
Against the background of vivid images of negative characters, positive Starodum, Pravdin, Milon, Sophia look pale and expressionless. But they are necessary for the development of the plot, the dynamics of events. At the same time, these actors speak on behalf of the author himself. Their instructive conversations show the right path of an honest man, explain the true duties of a nobleman and the rules of family morality.
The contrast between the world of Prostakova and Starodum is most clearly seen in their attitude to education. The landowner herself cannot read and says to her son: "Don't learn that stupid science!" Starodum received an excellent education and calls education "guarantee of the welfare of the state".
Fonvizin is a great master of words. Each of his characters has its own linguistic characteristics. Prostakova pours out rude and vulgar expressions. Starodum, Sofya, Pravdin speak freely and beautifully. The speech of Mitrofan and Skotinin, like the speech of the serfs, is poor, primitive. Kuteikin's vocabulary is rich in Church Slavonic words, and retired sergeant Tsyfirkin flaunts military jargon. The illiteracy of the German Vralman is conveyed by his characteristic tongue-tied tongue.
