Topics of education and upbringing are always relevant for society. That is why Denis Fonvizin's comedy "Undergrowth" is interesting for readers today. The heroes of the work are representatives of different classes. The comedy is written in the style of classicism. Each character embodies a certain quality. For this, the author uses speaking surnames. Complied with in comedy rule of three unity: the unity of action, time and place. The play was staged for the first time in 1782. Since then, there have been thousands, if not millions, of the same name performances around the world. In 1926, based on the comedy, the film "Lord Skotinina" was shot.
Starodum
Starodum personifies the image wise man. He was brought up in the spirit of Peter's time, respectively, honors the traditions of the previous era. He considers service to the Fatherland a sacred duty. He despises wickedness and inhumanity. Starodum proclaims morality and enlightenment.
Starodum. Fragment from the play "Undergrowth"Here are the worthy fruits of wickedness.
The ranks begin - sincerity ceases.
An ignoramus without a soul is a beast.
Have a heart, have a soul, and you will be a man at all times.
The direct dignity in a person is the soul ... Without it, the most enlightened clever woman is a miserable creature.
It is much more honest to be bypassed without guilt than to be granted without merit.
It is in vain to call a physician to the sick. Here the doctor will not help, unless he becomes infected.
For the whims of one person, all of Siberia is not enough.
Follow nature, you will never be poor. Follow people's opinions, you will never be rich.
Cash is not cash worth
Evil is never wished on those who are despised; but usually wish evil on those who have the right to despise.
An honest person must be a perfectly honest person.
Insolence in a woman is a sign of vicious behavior.
In human ignorance, it is very comforting to consider everything as nonsense that you do not know.
God has given you all the pleasures of your sex.
With today's marriages, advice is rarely given to the heart. The matter is whether the groom is noble or rich? Is the bride good or rich? There is no question of goodwill.
The bad disposition of people who are not worthy of respect should not be distressing. Know that you never wish evil on those who are despised, but usually wish evil on those who have the right to despise.
People envy more than one wealth, more than one nobility: and virtue also has its envious people.
Science in a depraved person is a fierce weapon to do evil. Children? Leave wealth to children! Not in the head. They will be smart, they will manage without it; but riches do not help a foolish son.
Smoothie - night thief, who first extinguishes the candle, and then begins to steal.
Do not have love for your husband that resembles friendship b. Have a friendship for him that would resemble love. It will be much stronger.
Is he happy who has nothing to desire, but only something to fear?
Not the rich one who counts out money to hide it in a chest, but the one who counts out extra money in order to help someone who does not have what he needs.
Conscience always, like a friend, warns before punishing like a judge.
It is better to live life at home than in someone else's antechamber.
Everyone should seek his happiness and benefits in the one thing that is lawful.
Pravdin
Pravdin is an honest official. He is educated and polite person. He conscientiously fulfills his duties, stands for justice and considers it his duty to help poor peasants. He sees through the essence of Prostakova and her son and believes that each of them should receive what they deserve.
The direct dignity in man is the soul.
How tricky it is to exterminate inveterate prejudices in which base souls find their advantage!
Moreover, 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.
Excuse me, ma'am. I never read letters without the permission of those to whom they are written...
What is called in him sullenness, rudeness, that is, one action of his straightforwardness.
His tongue never said yes when his soul felt no.
Malice in a well-established state cannot be tolerated ... Guilt you will fly to distant lands, to the kingdom of thirty.
Her crazy love for you is what has brought her most to misfortune.
I beg your pardon for leaving you...
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 ...
I am instructed to take custody of the house and villages at the first rabies, from which people subject to it could suffer ..
The pleasure that sovereigns enjoy in possessing free souls must be so great that I do not understand what motives could distract ...
Scoundrel! Should you be rude to your mother? It is her mad love for you that has brought her most of all to misfortune.
Milon
Milon is an officer. He appreciates courage and honesty in people, welcomes enlightenment and considers it his duty to serve the Fatherland. Treats others with respect. Milon is a great match for Sophia. There are obstacles on their way, but at the end of the work, the fates of the heroes are reunited.
At my age and in my position, it would be unforgivable arrogance to consider everything deserved than young man worthy people encourage...
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.
BUT! 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 ...
How! that's my rival! BUT! dear Sophia! why are you tormenting me with a joke? You know how easily a passionate person is upset by the slightest suspicion.
Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin Unworthy people!
The judge, who, fearing neither vengeance nor the threats of the strong, gave justice to the helpless, is in my eyes a hero...
If you allow me to say my thought, I place true fearlessness in the soul, and not in the heart. Whoever has it in his soul, without any doubt, has a brave heart.
I see and honor virtue adorned with enlightened reason...
I am in love and have the happiness of being loved ...
You know how easily a passionate person is upset by the slightest suspicion...
Sofia
In translation, Sophia means "wisdom." In "Undergrowth" Sophia acts as a wise, well-mannered and educated person. Sophia is an orphan, her guardian and uncle is Starodum. Sophia's heart belongs to Milon. But, having learned about the rich inheritance of the girl, other heroes of the work also claim her hand and heart. Sophia is convinced that wealth should be obtained only through honest work.
How appearance blinds us!
I was now reading a book ... French. Fenelon, about the education of girls ...
How many sorrows have I endured since the day of our separation! My unscrupulous cousins...
Uncle! My true happiness is that I have you. I know the price...
How not to be satisfied with the heart when the conscience is calm ... I will use all my efforts to earn the good opinion of worthy people. But how can I avoid that those who see how I move away from them do not become angry with me? Is it possible, uncle, to find such a means that no one in the world would wish me harm?
Is it possible, uncle, that there are such pitiful people in the world in whom a bad feeling is born just because there is good in others.
A virtuous person should take pity on such unfortunate ones. It seemed to me, uncle, that all people agreed on what to believe their happiness in. Nobility, wealth ...
Negative
Prostakov
Mrs. Prostakova is one of the main characters of the work. She is a representative of the nobility, holds serfs. In the house, everything and everyone should be under her control: the Mistress of the estate pushes not only her servants, but also manages her husband. In her statements, Mrs. Prostakova is despotic and rude. But she loves her son unconditionally. As a result, her blind love does not bring anything good either to her son or to herself.
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.
So believe the same and the fact that I do not intend to indulge the lackeys. Go, sir, and now punish ...
One of my concerns, one of my joys is Mitrofanushka. My age is passing. I cook it for people.
Live and learn, my dear friend! Such a thing.
And I love that other people listen to me ..
Without science people live and lived.
Miss Prostakova. Frame from the movie "Undergrowth" Everything that the peasants had, we took away, we can’t tear anything off. Such a disaster!
I do not intend to indulge the lackeys. Go, sir, and now punish ...
From morning to evening, as if hanged by the tongue, I don’t lay my hands on it: either I scold, or I fight; That's how the house holds up, my father! ..
Yes, now the age is different, father!
My Mitrofanushka does not get up for days because of the book. Motherly my heart. It’s a pity, a pity, but you’ll think: but there will be a kid anywhere.
It is bad to praise your child, but where not unhappy will be the one whom God will bring to be his wife.
Mitrofan
Mitrofan is the son of the landowner Prostakova. Actually, he is in comedy and is undersized. So in the 18th century they called those who did not want to study or serve. Mitrofanushka is spoiled by his mother and nanny, he is used to lounging around, loves to eat well and is completely indifferent to science. At the same time, gratitude is alien to him. He is rude not only to his teachers and nanny, but also to his parents. So, he "thanks" his mother for boundless blind love.
Yes, get rid of, mother, as imposed ...
Garrison rat.
You are so tired, beating the father.
For me, where they say.
I don't want to study - I want to get married Beleny ate too much.
Yes, all sorts of rubbish climbed into my head, then you are a father, then you are a mother.
I will learn; just to be last time and to be in agreement today!
I'll run to the dovecote now, so maybe - either ...
Well, say another word, you old bastard! I'll get you off.
Vite here and the river is close. I’ll dive in, so remember your name ... Well, you lured me, blame yourself ...
Skotinin is the brother of Mrs. Prostakova. He does not recognize science and any enlightenment. Works in the barnyard, pigs - the only creatures that evoke warm feelings in him. The author gave such an occupation and a surname to his hero not by chance. Upon learning of Sophia's condition, he dreams of marrying her profitably. For this, he is even ready to destroy his own nephew Mitrofanushka.
Every fault is to blame.
Blame it on your happiness.
Teaching is nonsense.
I never read anything in my life, sister! God delivered me from this boredom.
Everyone left me alone. Go for a walk in the barnyard. Do not be that Skotinin, who wants to learn something.
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.
I didn’t go anywhere, but I wander, thinking. I have such a custom, as if you put a fence in the head, then you can’t 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.
Eremeevna
Nanny Mitrofanushka. He has been serving in the Prostakovs' house for more than 40 years. She is devoted to her masters and is attached to their home. Eremeevna has a highly developed sense of duty, but her self-esteem is completely absent.
I have my own hooks too!
I was pushed towards him, but by force I carried my legs away. Smoke pillar, my mother!
Oh, creator, save and have mercy! Yes, if my brother didn’t deign to leave at that very moment, then I would have broken with him. That's what God would not put. If these were blunted (pointing to the nails), I wouldn’t even take care of the fangs.
God forbid the slander! Yes, even if you read for five years, you will never read better than ten thousand.
Not easy will not take me! I have been serving for forty years, but the mercy is still the same ...
Five rubles a year, and five slaps a day.
Oh you damn bastard!
Tsyfirkin
Tsyfirkin is one of Mitrofanushka's teachers. The speaking surname directly indicates that he taught his son Prostakova mathematics. The diminutive use of the surname suggests that Tsyfirkin was not a real teacher. He is a retired soldier who understands arithmetic.
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In folklore, ideas about the nature of wealth are intertwined in a peculiar way with the foundations of Christian doctrine. In Russian proverbs and sayings, the superiority of spiritual values is clearly expressed, there is a firm belief that money is evil, that a person can be happy without money (happiness is not in money; there is a lot of money, but there is little reason; money and ass will lead to a hole). Although, in some proverbs and sayings, the thought slips that even without money you can’t go anywhere (money is not God, but saves; money hits the mountain; money is a squabble, but it’s bad without them). In fairy tales about rich and poor people, the conflict between wealth and poverty is always resolved in the same way. Wealth is a vice, a rich person always remains in the cold, loses everything, while there is some ironic connotation. But the paradox lies in the fact that at the end of the tale, the poor heroes get half their kingdom, then suddenly "they will live - live, and make good money." This inconsistency is explained by the ambiguous attitude of the people to money and wealth.
The topic of money is also touched upon in the works of Russian writers. In D. I. Fonvizin's comedy "Undergrowth", the motif of money, Sophia's inheritance ("fifteen thousand annual income"), determines the main intrigue of the comedy. Prostakova, having arbitrarily taken Sophia's estate, appoints her as a bride to her brother. Having learned about the inheritance, she changes her plans, which she did not consider it necessary to devote to Sophia, and wants to marry her son Mitrofanushka to her. Uncle and nephew begin to fight for a rich bride - in the literal sense, arranging brawls, and figuratively - competing in demonstrating their "merits". With the comic scene with the teachers, especially Tsyfirkin's puzzles, is connected with money. The comic effect of scenes with teachers, especially Tsyfirkin's puzzles, is associated with the motive of money:
Tsyfirkin. Three of us found, for the butt, 300 rubles ... We got to the division. Look, why on your brother?
Prostakov a. Found the money, don't share it with anyone... Don't learn this stupid science.
Tsyfirkin. For teaching, you pay 10 rubles a year ... It would not be a sin to add 10 more. How much would it be?
Prostakov. I won't add a penny. There is no money - what to count? There is money - let's consider it good even without Pafnutich (d. 3, yavl. 7).
Here, money is named in its specific, numerical terms (in the form of amounts: “three hundred rubles”, “ten rubles”) and in a general sense (“there is money ... there is no money”, “I won’t add a penny”, i.e. nothing I'm not giving it). Digits, division, multiplication are common arithmetic operations. For honest Tsyfirkin, who takes money only for service, arithmetic is the science of a fair division of money, for Prostakova, who is accustomed, by right of the strong, to decide everything in her favor, is about multiplication. Decision simple tasks Mrs. Prostakova, her attitude to money becomes good example immorality.
Thus, the characters of the comedy are characterized through their attitude to money, it reflects their moral essence. If we continue this thought, it turns out that money is synonymous in comedy with certain character traits. "Covetousness", greedy for money Prostakov, Skotinin are low natures. “Yes, read at least five years, you won’t read anything better than ten thousand ...” - says Skotinin (d. 1, sluggish. 7); Prostakov, having learned about Sophia's money, "became affectionate to the very meanness" (d. 2, sluggish. 2).
Goodies have their own understanding of wealth and the role of money. As it should be in the classic play, in The Undergrowth, the characters with the speaking names Pravdin and Starodum utter enlightening truths about the benefits of virtue, about the moral nature of man, about the need to fulfill human and civic duty: “Have a heart, have a soul, and you will be a man in any time” (Starodum); “The direct dignity of a person is the soul” (Pravdin, d. 3), etc. But here is the niece, she is the heiress, declares:
S o f i. It seemed to me, uncle, that all people agreed on what to consider their happiness. Nobility, wealth ... (d. 4, yavl. 2).
Starodum. Yes, my friend! And I agree to call a noble and rich man happy ... According to my calculation, not the rich one who counts out money to hide it in chests, but the one who counts out the excess in himself in order to help someone who does not have what he needs. ... Without noble deeds, a noble state is nothing. Moreover, the very ideas about money, their large or small amount, are relative, not due to the natural needs of a person: “Everything consists in the imagination. Follow nature, you will never be poor. Follow people's opinions, you will never be rich. On the same topic of the relationship between the moral virtues of a person and wealth, the aphorisms of Starodum: “Wealth does not help a stupid son. Cash is not cash worth. Golden blockhead - everyone is a blockhead ”(d. 4, yavl, 2).
The pursuit of money by the greedy landowners Prostakov and Skotinin is the main intrigue of the comedy. The confrontation between honest and disinterested Pravdin, Starodum and Milon determines the main conflict of the play. The aphorisms and maxims of Starodum reflect the ideal of a fair arrangement of private and public life, when "ranks", public recognition and respect ("nobility and reverence") are due to work and virtues. In an enlightened society, attempts to get money dishonestly must be suppressed by the state, undeserved wealth is subject to universal condemnation. The very need to repeat these truths in the time of Fonvizin testifies to the discrepancy between the desired and the actual, that in life it was still the other way around. Thus, the contours of the general conflict outlined in the play, between what is and what should be, are revealed. Conflict not found certain permission in life.
