Starodum Sophia's uncle, her mother's brother. The educator of Paul I, Count I. I. Panin, and the Freemason-educator N. I. Novikov, were called as prototypes of the image of S.. The surname "Starodum" means that the carrier does not follow the customs of patriarchal antiquity and not the new mores of the modern world, but the principles of the Petrine era, distorted under Catherine II, when education and upbringing took on false forms (too new and too old). For this reason, the playwright contrasts S.'s pedigree and his upbringing with Prostakova's pedigree and her upbringing. Barely appearing in Prostakova’s house, S. tells about his father: “He served Peter the Great”, “My father constantly told me the same thing: have a heart, have a soul, and you will be a man at all times” (d. 3, yavl. I).
The role of S. in comedy is a reasoner. IN dramatic works the reasoner was usually a wise old nobleman. The area of his moral teachings is most often family problems. Fonvizin rethinks the function of the reasoner in an original way compared to the old drama. The moral maxims of the reasoner, in which the author's point of view is expressed, become a form of presentation in The Undergrowth. political program. S.'s speeches resemble the monologues of the heroes of the Russian tyrannical tragedy both in terms of the content contained in them and in civic pathos, and he himself is akin to such heroes.
In the comedy, S. appears in the 3rd act of the first phenomenon, relatively late, when the conflict has already been identified and Prostakova's entourage has revealed itself. The role of S. is to save Sophia from the tyranny of Prostakova, to give a proper assessment of her actions, the upbringing of Mitrofan and to proclaim sound principles state structure, the true foundations of morality and correctly understood enlightenment. The function of the “deliverer” is somewhat weakened (in the strict sense, Milon and Pravdin save Sophia and punish Prostakov; S. sums up the moral result: “Here are the evil spirits worthy fruits!" - d. 5, yavl. the latter), but the function of S., a political thinker, was strengthened. The positive characters from his speeches should "theoretically" realize why "malice" triumphed in the Prostakov family, and viewers and readers should understand the reasons for the collapse of Prostakov. Therefore, S. simultaneously addresses both the actors and the audience.
S. considers noble idleness unworthy of a nobleman, and considers his upbringing a matter of state; the main thing is to return to the nobility its true content. Here S. (and Fonvizin), under the influence of experience Russian life, disagree with the ideas of the French Enlightenment. "Enlightenment" and "education" are not reduced for the reasoner and the author to "enlightenment of the mind", "education of the mind". S. says: "An ignoramus without a soul is a beast." But without a soul, “the most enlightened smart girl is a miserable creature” (d. 3, yavl. I). What the ignorance of the mind and bad manners of the soul leads to, S. does not have to explain: this is the subject of comedy. An example of a smart, enlightened, but petty and insignificant person serves as comrade of youth C, Count. "He<...>son of an accidental father, raised in big light and had a special opportunity to learn what was not yet part of our upbringing” (d. 3, yavl. I). However, S.'s patriotic appeal to the count to serve the fatherland on the battlefield meets with a cold rebuff. The figure of the unfortunate teacher Tsyfirkin is an example of the opposite: the arithmetic teacher is uneducated, but he has a soul, and S. sympathizes former soldier forgiving him his lack of knowledge. The French "wise men", according to Fonvizin, put the mind (reason) in the first place and forgot the soul. Reason has found no support in anything but itself, and, left in neglect, can serve both good and evil. On the contrary, from the education of the soul lies a direct path to the education of honor and nobility. Such education takes the mind as its assistant, achieves that a person does for others what he would like for himself. S. contrasts the rationalism of the West with Russian experience, Russian tradition and Russian performance on the essence of education. Therefore, the education of young people should be based on the strength of a positive and negative example and put the good of the fatherland as its criterion.
Fonvizin tried in every possible way to revive the figure of the reasoner. He gave S. detailed biography, reported on his service and resignation, that he lived in Siberia for a long time and made a fortune with his work. Following the dictates of his heart and his convictions, S. wants to arrange Sophia's happiness and makes her heiress. As the closest relative, S. takes care of Sophia and wishes her a worthy groom. However, he refuses to force a girl's heart. Preventing the appearance of S, Prostakov, and then Pravdin, they speak of his “gloom”, “rudeness” (d. 2, yavl. V). However, Pravdin, who knows S, calls these harsh features "the effect of his straightforwardness." S.’s direct disposition also affects his attitude towards people (“whoever he loves, he will love so directly”, “And whom he dislikes, he himself bad man"). S. from the height of his experience (he is sixty years old, behind him a large school of life) shrewdly, almost at first glance, understands what kind of house the Prostakovs have, what the mistress’s temper is, what Mitrofan’s teachers are and how Sophia lived before his arrival. Flattery Prostakova in vain: S. does not tolerate servility.
Making great demands on people, S. subjects himself to a strict moral judgment. Finally, C, despite his "harsh" reputation, turns out to be pleasant in communication, amiable and well-mannered person, not alien to fun, irony, laughter, feeling the comedy of situations and speeches. He can be touching, exalted, filled with anger and compassionate (not wanting Prostakova's evil, he forgives her and takes part in her fate).
S.'s contemporaries were perceived as a teacher of life. The success of the character with the public is evidenced by the name of the magazine “Friend of Honest People, or Starodum”, conceived by Fonvizin, but not implemented, in which the writer addressed his hero: “I must admit that I owe your person for the success of my comedy “Undergrowth”. From your conversations with Pravdin, Milon and Sophia, I have compiled whole phenomena, which the public listens to with pleasure.
The play "Undergrowth" by Denis Fonvizin was written in the 18th century - in the transitional era, when Russian society represented two opposite camps - adherents of new, educational ideas and carriers of outdated, landlord values. bright representative the first in the play is Starodum. "Undergrowth" is classic, therefore, already in the name of the hero, Fonvizin provides the reader brief description Starodum. "Starodum" - the one who thinks in the old way. In the context of comedy, this is a person for whom the priorities of the previous - Peter's era are important - at that time the monarch actively introduced reforms in enlightenment and education, thus moving away from the ideas of house building that were rooted in Russian society. In addition, the meaning of the surname "Starodum" can be interpreted more globally - as a bearer of wisdom, experience, traditions, Christian morality and humanity.
Starodum performs in the play goodie. This is an educated man old age with great life experience. The main features of Starodum are wisdom, honesty, kindness, respect for other people, justice, responsibility for the future of their fatherland and love for the motherland.
Starodum and Prostakova
According to the plot of the comedy, Starodum is Sophia's uncle. Even when the girl was little, he had to leave for Siberia, where he honestly made a fortune, and now he has returned home to spend his old age in peace. In the comedy, Starodum is one of the main characters and is opposed in the play, first of all, to Mrs. Prostakova. Both characters are parents, but their approach to education is radically different. If Prostakov sees in Mitrofan small child who requires constant care, indulges him in every possible way and indulges him, then Starodum treats Sophia as an adult, mature personality. He cares about her future, choosing neither the rude Skotinin or the stupid Mitrofan as her husband, but the worthy, educated and honest Milon. Talking with Sophia, he instructs her, explaining how important equality, respect and friendship between spouses are, which leads to misunderstanding and detachment in marriage, while Prostakova does not even explain to Mitrofan the full responsibility of marriage, and the young man perceives her as another fun.
In addition, the basic values instilled by parents in their children are also opposed. So, Prostakova explains to Mitrofan that the main thing is money, which gives unlimited power, including over people - servants and peasants, who can be mocked, as the landowner decides. Starodum, on the other hand, explains to Sofya that the main thing in a person is good manners. Particularly revealing are his words that if an intelligent person does not have any quality of mind, then he can be forgiven, while “an honest person cannot be forgiven if he lacks any quality of the heart.” That is, for Starodum, an exemplary personality is not necessarily someone who has achieved a lot or knows a lot, but an honest, kind, merciful, loving person with high moral values - without them, according to the man, the person is a failed. Representing just such a person, Starodum is opposed to others negative characters- Mitrofan, Skotinin and Prostakov.
Starodum and Pravdin
The image of Starodum in "Undergrowth" is opposed not only negative characters, but also positive Pravdin. The heroes have seemingly similar views on the need to re-educate the landowners, both are carriers of the ideas of humanism and enlightenment, both consider the good manners and moral values of a person to be important. However, Pravdin's main regulatory mechanism is the letter of the law - it is she who determines who is right and who is wrong - even the punishment of Prostakova is carried out only after the appearance of the corresponding order. First of all, he is an official, for whom the mind of a person, his achievements and reasoning are more important than personal preferences. Starodum, on the other hand, is more guided by his heart than by his mind - the story of his friend, an educated smart person who did not want to serve the motherland, thinking more about himself than about the fate of the fatherland. Whereas Tsyfirkin arouses sympathy and favor in Starodum, the teacher does not good education, but kind and honest, which attracts a man.
Thus, when comparing the images of Pravdin and Starodum, it becomes clear that an official is a modern rational personality of the Enlightenment, for him the justice of the law, based on humanity and honesty, is important. Starodum, on the other hand, acts as an image representing the wisdom of generations - he condemns the outdated values of the landlords, but does not elevate the rationalism of the new nobles to a pedestal, adhering to the timeless, “eternal” human values- honor, cordiality, kindness, good manners.
Starodum as a reasoner for the comedy "Undergrowth"
The image of Starodum in the comedy acts as a reasoner for the opinion of the author himself. One of the confirmations of this is the decision of Fonvizin, a few years after writing the play, to publish the magazine Starodum. Contrasting in the play two opposite value-ideological directions - the landowners and the new nobility, the author cites the third one, which is between them and depends not only on the education received in childhood, as can be seen in other characters, but on personal experience hero. Starodum did not receive a good education in childhood, but “the upbringing given to me by my father was the best in that century. At that time, there were few ways to learn, and they still didn’t know how to fill an empty head with someone else’s mind. Fonvizin emphasizes that a person with the right upbringing is able to get necessary knowledge and grow into a worthy person.
In addition, with the words of Starodum, the author sharply criticizes the contemporary authorities - Catherine II and the court, exposing all their shortcomings, emphasizing the cunning and deceit of the nobility, their dishonest struggle for ranks, when people are ready to “walk over their heads”. According to the hero, and, consequently, Fonvizin, the monarch should be an example of nobility, honor, justice, the best human qualities for its subjects, and society itself needs to change its orientation, educate humanism, kindness, respect and love for one's neighbor and one's homeland.
The views expressed in the work on what society as a whole and each individual in particular should be like remain relevant today, attracting more and more connoisseurs. classical literature.
A detailed description of Starodum in "Undergrowth" allows us to understand ideological concept the author, to clarify his views on the Russian society of that era. It will be useful for students different classes when preparing an essay on the topic “Characteristics of the image of Starodum in the comedy “Undergrowth”.
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He speaks mainly through the mouth of Starodum. Of all the characters in the play, this one seems to be especially sympathetic to the author. Starodum stands out among other reasoners with a simpler and more natural language. Calling Sophia's uncle Starodum, Fonvizin wanted to show that his way of thinking does not belong to the contemporary Catherine's era, but to the old Petrine century. In fact, although Starodum does not approve of much in contemporary society, he partly agrees in views and opinions with Catherine herself and with some modern philosophers.
Heroes of "Undergrowth" Fonvizin
“An honest man,” says Starodum, “should be a completely honest person,” that is, he must possess all the virtues at once. His understanding of the meaning and meaning of the nobility is remarkable. Usually the word "noble" is understood in the sense - a person of noble birth. Starodum believes that a real nobleman - one whose thoughts and actions are noble - "a nobleman unworthy of being a nobleman - I don’t know anything meaner than him!" he exclaims. The duty of a nobleman, first of all, is to serve, not in order to receive ranks and awards, but because “disgrace is to do nothing when there is so much to do: there are people to help, there is a fatherland to serve!” This is a concept inspired by the nobles by Peter the Great.
Fonvizin. Undergrowth. Performance of the Maly Theater
Starodum, of course, did not approve of the "Decree on the Liberty of the Nobility" of Peter III, especially since he saw the example of such nobles as Skotinin and Prostakova, who understood noble liberty as the right to indulge in arbitrariness with impunity and treat their peasants cruelly. Fonvizin, through the mouth of Starodum, expresses his views on the duties of the king, on the harm of court flattery and, in general, on court life; talking about family life, on marital relations and on the upbringing of children; in that last question noticeably the influence of Rousseau, the views of Empress Catherine II. Starodum puts the upbringing of the heart, "good character", above the mind, mental development.
A few years after the comedy "Undergrowth" was written, Fonvizin wanted to publish a magazine called "Starodum, or a friend of honest people." In articles written for this magazine, Fonvizin denounces the same social shortcomings that are portrayed in his comedies. The tone of his satire becomes more and more harsh and merciless. This did not please Empress Catherine, who believed that satire should be "in a smiling way." In addition, in some articles the author directly ridicules Catherine's court and criticizes some of the views and opinions of the empress herself. All this led to the fact that Catherine banned the publication of the magazine.
The comedy "Undergrowth" was written by Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin in 1782. In it, Fonvizin not only laughed at Mrs. Prostakova and her relatives, but also showed serfdom"In his best". The power of the landowners at that time was unlimited. And when the landowners were like Prostakova and Skotinin, then this power was to the detriment of everyone: both the landowners, because they felt they had the right to push other people around, and the peasants, who were treated like cattle, if not worse. The peasants had no rights: neither personal nor civil, they paid exorbitant dues, went to corvée. Almost everything they grew with their own hands, they had to give to the insatiable landowners, who grew rich, while the peasants starved and died of hunger. The serfs were ignorant, but it was not their fault, while the nobles, who seemed to have the opportunity, were almost no different from the serfs in this. The upbringing of the younger generation was entrusted to the yard people, and the education of young nobles was carried out by foreigners (who were often coachmen, janitors in their homeland and had nothing to do with the sciences), retired semi-literate soldiers and clerks, who forced their students to memorize the psalter. Many young nobles lacked a sense of duty to the Fatherland. They served not for Russia, but for ranks, honors and money. But Starodum was not like that - main character comedy. He was a nobleman, brought up in the time of Peter the Great. He was sure that “a nobleman would consider it a first dishonor not to do anything when he has so much to do: there are people who can be helped; there is a Fatherland to serve." Starodum highly valued the soul in a person, honor and rules. He despised flatterers - people striving for wealth, ranks. He was at court, but "reasoned that it is better to lead a life at home than in someone else's front." Starodum said: “I left the court without villages, without a ribbon, without ranks, but I brought mine home intact, my soul, my honor, my rules.” Starodum is characterized by such qualities as purposefulness, nobility, honesty, good manners. He always followed his own rules, and "from birth his tongue did not say yes, when his soul felt no." In his youth, Starodum had a friend, a count, the illegitimate son of a nobleman, who "had a special opportunity to learn what was not yet part of their upbringing." When war was declared, Starodum offered his friend to go to war, "to become worthy of the title of nobleman." But the Count refused. Then Starodum realized that “between random people and respectable people there is sometimes an immeasurable difference, that in the big world there are very small souls and that with great enlightenment one can be a great stinger.” Then, when Starodum was in the hospital, he learned that the count had been given a new rank, and he, who had many wounds, had been bypassed. He resigned, but then he realized that “a downright pious person is jealous of deeds, and not of ranks, that ranks are often begged for, and true respect is deserved, that it is much more honest to be bypassed without guilt than to be granted without merit.” Even Starodum's speech characterizes him, it is full of aphorisms. This is speech wise man who lived his life in such a way that he has nothing to be ashamed of, he never deviated from his rules. Starodum despises such people as Prostakova, Mitrofanushka, Skotinin. Prostakova is an evil, rude, unpredictable, ruthless landowner. Prostakov is a pathetic, weak-willed man who is under the heel of his wife. Mitrofanushka is an illiterate, lazy, selfish bumpkin. Skotinin is a cruel, ignorant, bestial landowner who adores pigs and compares everyone around him to them. All these people are flattering Starodum, trying to expose themselves to best light, fawning, imitating benevolent people, because they want to force his niece Sophia, the heiress of a large fortune, to marriage. Greedy, greedy, ignorant people without a sense of duty, dignity can only cause contempt. But Starodum treats his niece, her fiancé Milon, Pravdin with respect, with love, because they are noble, purposeful people ready to serve their country. It seems to me that Starodum is an ideal hero of the era of Russian classicism, because he is a patriot of his Motherland. I believe that Starodum is a person who is worth taking an example from, because he never deviated from his rules, did not flatter, did not grovel, he devoted all his strength to serving the Motherland. I am sure that at least a few people who have read the comedy "Undergrowth" will learn something, draw conclusions for themselves, and I will try to make every effort to never be like Mrs. Prostakova, her husband, Mitrofanushka and Skotinin , but try to cultivate in oneself the qualities inherent in Starodum. this is how I wrote during the test)) to my sister) and she was on the ege)) thanks to me in her literature 5) and the exam was given for five)) read and look) you can change it)) although I wrote it myself)) for a long time I remembered what could
There in the old days
Satyrs bold lord
Fonvizin shone, friend of freedom.
A.S. Pushkin
The comedy was written by Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin in 1782. In it, he not only laughed at Mrs. Prostakova and her relatives, but also showed serfdom "in all its glory." The power of the landowners at that time was unlimited. And when the landowners were like Prostakova and Skotinin, then this power was to the detriment of everyone: both the landowners, because they felt they had the right to push other people around, and the peasants, who were treated like cattle, if not worse. The peasants had no rights: neither personal nor civil, they paid exorbitant dues, went to corvée. Almost everything they grew with their own hands, they had to give to the insatiable landowners, who grew rich, while the peasants starved and died of hunger.
The serfs were ignorant, but it was not their fault, while the nobles, who seemed to have the opportunity, were almost no different from the serfs in this. The upbringing of the younger generation was entrusted to the yard people, and the education of young nobles was carried out by foreigners (who were often coachmen, janitors in their homeland and had nothing to do with the sciences), retired semi-literate soldiers and clerks, who forced their students to memorize the psalter. Many young nobles lacked a sense of duty to the Fatherland. They served not for Russia, but for ranks, honors and money.
But Starodum, the main character of the comedy, was not like that. He was a nobleman, brought up in the time of Peter the Great. He was sure that “a nobleman would consider it a first dishonor not to do anything when he has so much to do: there are people who can be helped; there is a Fatherland to serve." Starodum highly valued the soul in a person, honor and rules. He despised flatterers - people striving for wealth, ranks. He was at court, but "reasoned that it is better to lead a life at home than in someone else's front." Starodum said: “I left the court without villages, without a ribbon, without ranks, but I brought mine home intact, my soul, my honor, my rules.” Starodum is characterized by such qualities as purposefulness, nobility, honesty, good manners. He always followed his own rules, and "from birth his tongue did not say yes, when his soul felt no."
In his youth, Starodum had a friend, a count, the illegitimate son of a nobleman, who "had a special opportunity to learn what was not yet part of their upbringing." When war was declared, Starodum offered his friend to go to war, "to become worthy of the title of nobleman." But the Count refused. Then Starodum realized that “between random people and respectable people there is sometimes an immeasurable difference, that in the big world there are very small souls and that with great enlightenment one can be a great stinger.” Then, when Starodum was in the hospital, he learned that the count had been given a new rank, and he, who had many wounds, had been bypassed. He resigned, but then he realized that “a downright pious person is jealous of deeds, and not of ranks, that ranks are often begged for, and true respect is deserved, that it is much more honest to be bypassed without guilt than to be granted without merit.”
Even Starodum's speech characterizes him, it is full of aphorisms. This is the speech of a wise man who lived his life in such a way that he has nothing to be ashamed of, he has never deviated from his rules.
Starodum despises people like Prostakova, Skotinin. Prostakova is an evil, rude, unpredictable, ruthless landowner. Prostakov is a pitiful, weak-willed man who is under the heel of his wife. Mitrofanushka is an illiterate, lazy, selfish bumpkin. Skotinin is a cruel, ignorant, bestial landowner who adores pigs and compares everyone around him to them. All these people are flattering Starodum, trying to present themselves in the best light, fawning, imitating good people, because they want to force his niece Sophia, the heiress of a large fortune, to marriage. Greedy, greedy, ignorant people without a sense of duty, self-esteem can only cause contempt. But Starodum treats his niece, her fiancé Milon, Pravdin with respect, with love, because they are noble, purposeful people who are ready to serve their Fatherland.
It seems to me that Starodum is an ideal hero of the era of Russian classicism, because he is a patriot of his Motherland. I believe that Starodum is a person who is worth taking an example from, because he never deviated from his rules, did not flatter, did not grovel, he devoted all his strength to serving the Motherland. I am sure that at least a few people who have read the comedy "Undergrowth" will learn something, draw conclusions for themselves, and I will try to make every effort to never be like Mrs. Prostakova, her husband, Mitrofanushka and Skotinin , but try to cultivate in oneself the qualities inherent in Starodum.
