Semakova Anastasia

Characteristics of Mrs. Prostakova, Mitrofanushka, Skotinin through the speech of the heroes

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MBOU "Selmenga Secondary School"
branch "Topetskaya Basic School"

Research work on Russian language

8th grade students

Semakova Anastasia

Swear words are a means of speech characterization of the characters in the play.
DI. Fonvizin "Minor"

Head of work – Fedoseeva S.V.

October, 2013

Introduction

Target - explore swear words in the speech of the characters in the play by D.I. Fonvizin "Undergrowth".

Tasks :

• Determine what swear words are and what marks they have in dictionaries.
• Extract from the text of the play by D.I. Fonvizin vocabulary that can be classified as abusive, and analyze the etymology and lexical meaning of these words.
• Determine how the swear words of the characters in the play characterize them.
• Draw conclusions about how abusive language characterizes the characters in the play.

This paper examines the use of swear words by the characters in the play by D.I. Fonvizin “Undergrown”, in order to characterize the characters.

Speech always characterizes the speaker:

Study

“Dictionary of the Russian Language of the USSR Academy of Sciences” (MAS), edited by A.P. Evgenieva indicates that the adjective abusive refers to the word swearing, and the interpretation of swearing gives as “offensive, abusive words, swearing” and notes the connotation of this word “condemnation, censure, reproaches.”

Let's try to characterize the heroes of the work by D.I. Fonvizin “Undergrown”, using abusive language in their speech. To do this, we wrote out lines containing abusive language from the text of the play, and based on this we compiled a table:

For the etymological analysis of words, we used the dictionary of N.M. Shansky. All words from the list we compiled are marked “Obshcheslav.” and “Original”, except for words fury , borrowed from the Polish language, which got there from the Greek language, and canine , which refers to the word dog, borrowed from the Iranian language.Based on their origin, all the swear words from the play “The Minor” can be divided into groups:

1. Animal origin:

1. Livestock = wealth, money. This is explained by the fact that cattle served as bargaining chips.
2. Mug. Origin unclear. Presumably a contraction of Khavrya Sow. In this case, mug literally means “pig snout.”
3. Bestia. From the argot of seminarians.Is a rethinking of lat. bestia “beast, animal”, Bestia “animal” literally means “breathing”. Dictionary V.I. Dalia points to the Latin origin of this word.
4. Chushka is a suffixal derivative of chukha “pig”, derived from “imitative” chug-chug . Chukha → pig (alternating x//sh). Dictionary V.I. Dalia gives an explanation of the word chukha as in “snout, nose, pig’s grunt.”
5. Canine is an adjective formed from the noun dog.
6. Snout is the front part of the head in some animals.

1. Borrowed from Greek mythology – Fury.
2. Devil / Devil - origin unclear. Presumably "he who digs lives in the earth" and further - "underground spirit."
3. Blockhead - origin unclear. Presumably a suffixal derivative oflost bally, bally "log".

Let's consider the lexical meaning (LZ) of swear words (according to the dictionaries of V. I. Dahl and S. I. Ozhegov)

Most of the words that the characters in the play “The Minor” swear at refer to colloquial and colloquial vocabulary and are labeled “abusive.”

conclusions

So, abusive language as an address is most often present in the speech of Mrs. Prostakova (“And you, cattle, come closer”, “Didn’t I tell you, you thieving mug, to let your caftan widen”, “Get out, you cattle” , “Well... and you, beast, were dumbfounded, and you didn’t dig into your brother’s mug, and you didn’t tear his snout to the ears,” “Tell me, idiot, how will you justify yourself?”). Addressing her maids, Prostakova most often calls them beasts and the servants brutes, while when she wants to achieve something from influential people, she begins to humiliate herself in front of them, for example: “Oh, I’m an incredible fool! Father! I'm sorry. I'm a fool". Since she always uses rude words from colloquial vocabulary, which are not diverse and are related in origin to the animal world, it can be argued that Prostakova is uneducated, ignorant, rude, and cruel to those who cannot protect themselves from her rudeness. Prostakova uses abusive language when communicating with her servants, brother and husband or talking about them, for example: “Don’t be angry, my father, that my freak missed you. I was born so young, my father.” The same applies to her son Mitrofan and brother Skotinin, who use swear words of animal origin as addresses, for example: “Oh, you damn pig!”

Throughout the entire play, the author constantly plays with words of animal origin in the speech of the characters, thereby trying to expose the bestial behavior of some characters, even though they are people of noble noble origin. For example, the word livestock appears in the play in different meanings. “When only cattle can be happy in our country, then your wife will have bad peace from them and from us,” - in Pravdin’s speech, the word cattle can be understood in different ways: “the general name for domestic farm animals” or “a person similar to cattle " Cattle is the root of the surname of the hero of the play Skotinin. And Prostakova herself, although she now bears the same surname, was also originally Skotinina. It is no coincidence that Kuteikin dictates the words to Mitrofan: “I am cattle” (I am cattle). With the help of these words, Fonvizin constantly ridicules the lack of education and rudeness of the Prostakov and Skotinin family, showing their true essence. The author is trying to convince the reader that, no matter how noble a person’s origin may be, with bestial behavior he will be worse than the cattle itself.

Three teachers, Tsyfirkin, Kuteikin and Vralman, although they are teachers, behave very hostilely towards each other, using the same words of animal origin when meeting. Just like Prostakova herself, she chose such teachers for her son: rude and uneducated.

Consequently, abusive language characterizes the heroes of Fonvizin’s play “The Minor” as rude, vicious, uneducated, ignorant people.

Bibliography

1. Emelyanenko E. M. Predicate nouns with the meaning of a negative evaluation // RYASh, 1990, No. 5, pp. 73 - 76.
2. Kimyagarova R. S., Bash L. M., Ilyushina L. A. Dictionary of the language of comedy by D. I. Fonvizin “Minor”. -http://www.philol.msu.ru/~slavmir2009/sections/?secid=9- International scientific symposium “Slavic languages ​​and cultures in the modern world.” - Moscow, Faculty of Philology, Moscow State University. M. V. Lomonosov, March 24–26, 2009
3. Krysin L.P. Relationships between modern literary language and vernacular // RYASh, 1988, No. 2, pp. 81 - 88.
4. The full text of the “Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language” by Vladimir Ivanovich Dahl (vols. 1-4, 1863-66) in accordance with modern spelling rules.http://slovari.yandex.ru/dict/dal
5. Dictionary of the Russian language S.I. Ozhegova. 10th edition, stereotypical. Ed. Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor N.Yu. Shvedova. Publishing house "Soviet Encyclopedia", Moscow - 1973.http://www.ozhegov.org
6. Dictionary of the Russian language: In 4 volumes /AS USSR, Institute of the Russian Language; Ed. A.P.Evgenieva. - 3rd ed., stereotype. - M.: Russian language, 1985 -1988. T.1. A - J. 1985. - 696 p. T.2. K-O. 1986. - 736 p.
7. Shansky. N. M. School etymological dictionary of the Russian language. Origin of words / N. M. Shansky, T. A. Bobrova. - 7th ed., stereotype. - M.: Bustard, 2004. - 398, p.http://slovari.yandex.ru/dict/shansky/
8. Fonvizin D.I. Minor //Fonvizin D.I., Griboedov A.S., Ostrovsky A.N. Selected works / Editorial Board: G. Belenky, P. Nikolaev, A. Puzikov; Comp. And entry. Article by V. Turbin; Comp. section "Applications" and notes. Yu. Dvinskaya. - M.: Artist. Lit., 1989. - 608 p.

The topic of today's story is the history of the creation and analysis of Fonvizin's "Minor". The work of the author of Catherine’s era has not lost its relevance today. Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor” was included in the collection of classical literature. This work touches on a number of problems and issues that attract readers at all times.

An analysis of Fonvizin’s “Minor” should include a brief description of the heroes of this dramatic work. It is also worth talking about the idea of ​​the Russian writer. What inspired Fonvizin to write a comedy that has been popular for more than two hundred years? What shortcomings of society did the author primarily want to ridicule in his essay? And what was the reaction of contemporaries to this work? The answers to all these questions are contained in the article. But before we begin to analyze Fonvizin’s “The Minor,” we should talk about the main events depicted in the play.

Actions, as in any other dramatic work of the era of classicism, take place over the course of just one day.

The events take place in the village of the Prostakov landowners. What is the meaning of the title of the comedy “Minor” by Fonvizin? Even without knowing the meaning of this word, you can guess that it has a negative connotation. The meaning of the title of Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor” should be sought in the realities of the 18th century. The writer's contemporaries used this term in relation to young nobles who did not receive a special certificate indicating that they had received an education. This document was issued by the teacher. If the young man did not have a certificate, he was not accepted into the service and was not allowed to marry.

In the comedy, the son of the main character, the landowner Prostakova, is called a minor. The work begins with a scene taking place in her house. Prostakova is angry with Trishka because he sewed a caftan that was too wide for her son Mitrofanushka. She does not take into account the fact that the servant does not have the necessary skills in tailoring, and giving him such instructions was initially a mistake.

A sixteen-year-old boy does not show much zeal in his studies, which is facilitated by the lack of education and stupidity of his mother. We'll tell you more about these characters later. First, the author introduces readers to Sophia, the positive heroine of the work.

The girl has not been living in Prostakova’s house for long. She is a relative of a landowner, and she has no fortune. At least that’s what Prostakova believes. But one day Sophia receives a letter from her uncle Starodum. Mrs. Prostakova is not able to read the message because she has not been taught to read and write. Pravdin, having read the letter, gives her a summary. In Fonvizin’s “The Minor,” this hero, along with Starodum, is a supporter of enlightenment.

What is the letter Sophia received about? Starodum writes to his niece that he will bequeath her a huge fortune. This excites almost all the characters in the comedy. Prostakova believed that the girl was an orphan. But an unexpected turn of events suggests that Starodum’s niece can be married off to the careless Mitrofan.

Skotinin also begins to dream about marrying Sophia. However, Sophia's heart is occupied. She is in love with officer Milon, whom she met in Moscow before she was orphaned. Soon she will meet the young man again, and he will save her from the claims of the selfish Skotinin and the despotic Prostakova.

Starodum comes to the small town where the main events take place. He recognizes one of Mitrofanushka’s teachers as his former coachman. The teachers of Prostakova’s son deserve special attention.

Kuteikin is a half-educated seminarian. Tsyfirkin is a retired sergeant. Vralman, whose name speaks very eloquently of his human qualities, does not teach Mitrofanushka anything, because he himself knows little. As already mentioned, he previously worked as a coachman. But he was fired and couldn’t find a suitable job, so he became a teacher. Prostakova does not notice that Vralman is incompetent in teaching, since she herself is extremely ignorant.

History of writing

Fonvizin’s idea for the comedy “The Minor” arose in 1778. The Russian writer spent more than a year in France, where he studied jurisprudence and philosophy. He observed how European aristocrats lived and came to a rather disappointing conclusion: the Russian nobility was mired in inertia and ignorance. Upon returning home, Fonvizin began writing the work. It took him more than three years.

The idea of ​​the comedy “Minor” by Fonvizin was very original at that time. The writer sought to ridicule the shortcomings of typical representatives of the landowner class. It is not surprising that both Moscow and St. Petersburg refused to stage his comedy for a long time.

Criticism of contemporaries

The theme of Fonvizin's comedy "The Minor" seemed interesting to the censors, but there were too many bold remarks in it. The premiere of the play took place in 1782. Fonvizin's work was a stunning success. True, the theater on whose stage the play was staged was almost closed. In addition, the comedy displeased Catherine II.

Idea of ​​the work

The spiritual decay of representatives of the nobility under serfdom is the main theme of the comedy discussed in this article. According to Fonvizin, pedagogical methods determine the moral character of an entire generation. In the 18th century, landowners often entrusted the upbringing of their children to half-educated sextons, illiterate nannies, and foreigners with dubious education. Such “teachers” are only capable of teaching young men like Mitrofanushka, the central character of Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor.”

The author of this work showed, using simple examples, that the nobles for the most part do not remember either honor or dignity. They do not serve the interests of the state, do not comply with moral and state laws. The poignancy of Fonvizin’s dramatic work is given by the victory of good over evil, which, however, is of a random nature. If Starodum had not returned from Siberia on time, and Pravdin had not received orders to take Prostakova’s property, everything would not have ended so well for Sophia. She would not have left the city with the young, educated officer Milon, but would have become the wife of the stupid Mitrofanushka.

Characters

The system of images in Fonvizin’s “Nedorosl” is quite simple. The characters are divided into positive and negative, almost all of them have meaningful surnames: Vralman, Starodum, Pravdin. Negative characters are representatives of the old nobility, trying with all their might to hold on to the outdated ideas of the serf system. They are opposed by heroes who support the ideas of the Enlightenment - Pravdin, Sophia, Milon, Starodum.

Positive and negative heroes

Among the characters in the comedy, several dual pairs can be distinguished. So, Sophia is opposed to Mitrofanushka. Starodum is an adherent of educational views. This is a man of new times. And therefore he represents the opposite of the landowner Prostakova. Milon is opposed to Skotinin. If the first is educated and brought up and has sincere feelings for Sophia, then the second wants to marry the girl for selfish reasons. Skotinin dreams of acquiring land where he will be actively involved in livestock farming, namely raising pigs.

Mitrofanushka

An analysis of Fonvizin’s “Minor” cannot do without a description of this bright character. The stupid, spoiled young man is absolutely not prepared for an independent life. His mother, servants or nannies do everything for him. From Prostakova, the boy adopts an uncontrollable passion for money. He, like his mother, is rude and disrespectful to his family. Mitrofanushka inherited his weak-willedness from his father. A sixteen-year-old boy does not want to study, but wants to get married. He is the opposite of Sophia, an educated, serious, intelligent girl with a difficult fate.

Prostakova

When analyzing Fonvizin’s “Minor,” you should pay attention to the negative heroine. Prostakova is an uneducated, stupid woman, but at the same time very cunning. She is a practical housewife and loving mother. For Prostakova, Mitrofanushka’s carefree future and happiness come above all else. But in her upbringing she makes fatal mistakes, because she knows nothing about the correct pedagogical methods. She treats her son the way her parents once treated her. In running the household and raising her son, the landowner uses exhausted values ​​and ideas.

Starodum

When analyzing Fonvizin’s “Minor”, ​​special attention should be paid to the hero, symbolizing educational ideas, which few knew about in Russia in the 18th century. Starodum communicates with Sophia in a completely different way than Prostakova communicates with Mitrofanushka. He uses completely different methods of education. Talking with Sophia as an equal, she instructs and gives advice based on her wealth of experience. Knowing nothing about Sophia’s feelings for Milon, he does not make decisions for her. Starodum wants his niece to marry a smart, educated officer, but does not impose his views on her.

In this image, the author depicted his ideal of a teacher and parent. Starodum is an authoritative, strong personality who has walked a worthy path. For modern readers, this hero, of course, is not an ideal educator. But Fonvizin’s contemporaries, inspired by educational ideas, were greatly impressed by him.

The comedy “The Minor” was written by D.I. Fonvizin in 1782. But, despite the 200 years that have passed and social changes, it continues to be staged in theaters and is of interest to the viewer and reader. The comedy is interesting because of its bright characters, which, oddly enough, are still found in our time. The main problem of the work is the level of education of young nobles.

The main characters of the comedy “The Minor”:

Prostakov – a typical henpecked person who does not want to think with his own head. He entrusted all housekeeping to his wife. Humble as a calf. Prostakov does not have the right to vote in his house.

G Ms. Prostakova – cunning, calculating landowner. She has ruined her peasants to the last thread, and is crying that there is nothing more to take. Having learned that Sophia had become a rich heiress, she set out to marry her loafer to Sophia. Rude and scandalous. No one can live from her. But cunning and flattering to those from whom she expects benefits. Capable of low actions. She denies the need for education, which speaks of her narrow mind.

Mitrofan- son of the Prostakovs, a minor. He's cunning, he knows how to play nice with his mother. An illiterate lazy person and a loafer. In those days, minors were called children of nobles who did not receive a written certificate from teachers about the education they received. Minors were not allowed into the public service; they were not given the so-called. crown memorials - papers that allowed marriage.

Pravdin – an official sent by the governor to take custody of the Prostakovs' estate and villages. An honest and decent official.

Starodum – Sophia's uncle. A straightforward, decent person. In his youth, he took part in battles and served at court, but seeing how some were ready to curry favor and build intrigues in order to rise in the eyes of august persons, Starodum left service at court, as he admits, “brought home intact, my soul, my honor, my rules." In his conversations he advocates the education of young nobles.

Sophia - Starodum's niece, a modest, educated girl. Loves Milo.

Milon – officer, nobleman, loves Sophia, is respected by his colleagues.

Skotinin – the landowner robs his peasants to the last. He is going to marry Sophia, but he does not love the girl, but the pigs that are raised by peasants in Sophia’s villages. His last name matches him. The man is uneducated and rude.

Kuteikin – teaches Mitrofan literature. A cheat and a swindler.

Tsyfirkin – teaches mathematics. By refusing to pay Mitrofan's tuition, Tsyfirkin behaved like a decent person.

Vralman – German, French teacher. A multi-talking surname. With it, Fonvizin tries to emphasize the deceitful character of the German, who, receiving 300 rubles a year, does not teach Mitrofan anything, and interferes with others. One day Vralman accidentally lets slip that he was a coachman in St. Petersburg. And indeed, Starodum was once his master. Leaving the Prostakovs, he took the German back as coachman.

Eremeevna- Serf of the Prostakovs, nanny of Mitrofan. She treats the undergrowth as if she were her own, and is ready to stand up for him. He carries out all of Prostakova’s orders unquestioningly.

Almost all the names of the characters in the work characterize their owners in one way or another:

• Pravdin personifies honesty;
• Starodum - a conservative outlook on life;
• Vralman - deceit.
• Kuteikin - a tendency to binge drinking and an easy life

True, Mrs. Prostakova is not as simple as her dull hubby and the undersized Mitrofan.

Prostakova tried to quietly kidnap Sophia in order to secretly marry her with Mitrofan. But Sophia made a fuss, and Milon was the first to come to her aid, followed by Starodum and Pravdin. Prostakova realized that Starodum and Sophia’s complaint could end badly for her and begged for forgiveness. As soon as Sophia forgave her, she began to threaten her people. Then Pravdin read her and her husband a document on guardianship, which effectively deprived her of all power over the estate and peasants. In Fonvizin’s comedy, a red thread runs through the idea of ​​the greatness and intelligence of the Sovereign Emperor.

Topics of education and upbringing are always relevant to society. That is why Denis Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor” 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 represents a certain quality. For this, the author uses speaking surnames. In comedy, the rule of three unities is observed: unity of action, time and place. The play was first staged on stage in 1782. Since then, there have been thousands, or even millions, of performances of the same name all over the world. In 1926, based on the comedy, the film “Lords of the Skotinins” was shot.

Starodum

Starodum personifies the image of a wise man. He was brought up in the spirit of Peter the Great's time, and accordingly, he honors the traditions of the previous era. He considers serving the Fatherland a sacred duty. He despises evil and inhumanity. Starodum proclaims morality and enlightenment.

These are the worthy fruits of evil.

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 person is a pitiful creature.

It is much more honest to be treated without guilt than to be rewarded without merit.

It is in vain to call a doctor to the sick without healing. The doctor won’t help you here unless you get infected yourself.

All of Siberia is not enough for the whims of one person.

Follow nature, you will never be poor. Follow people's opinions and you will never be rich.

Cash is not cash worth

They never wish harm upon those whom they despise; but usually they wish evil upon those who have the right to despise.

An honest person must be a completely honest person.

Insolence in a woman is a sign of vicious behavior.

In human ignorance, it is very comforting to consider everything that you don’t know to be nonsense.

God has given you all the amenities of your sex.

In today's marriages, the heart is rarely consulted. The question is whether the groom is famous or rich? Is the bride good and rich? There is no question about good behavior.

The bad disposition of people who are not worthy of respect should not be distressing. Know that they never wish evil upon those whom they despise, but usually wish evil upon those who have the right to despise.

People envy more than just wealth, more than just nobility: and virtue also has its envious people.

Children? Leave wealth to children! Not in my head. They will be smart, they will manage without him; and wealth is no help to a stupid son.

The flatterer is a thief at night who will first put out the candle and then begin to steal.

Do not have love for your husband that resembles friendship. Have a friendship for him that would be like love. It will be much stronger.

Is he happy who has nothing to desire, but only something to fear?

Not the rich man who counts out money in order to hide it in a chest, but the one who counts out his extra money in order to help someone who does not have what he needs.

Conscience, like a friend, always warns before punishing like a judge.

It is better to lead life at home than in someone else's hallway.

Everyone must seek his happiness and benefits in that one thing that is lawful.

Pravdin

Pravdin is an honest official. He is a well-mannered 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 get what they deserve.

The direct dignity in man is the soul.

How clever it is to destroy inveterate prejudices in which base souls find their benefits!

Moreover, from my own heart’s struggle, I do not allow myself to notice those malicious ignoramuses who, having complete power over their people, use it inhumanly for evil.

Excuse me, madam. I never read letters without the permission of those to whom they are written...

What is called sullenness and rudeness in him is one effect of his straightforwardness.

From childhood his tongue did not say yes when his soul felt no.

With guilt you will fly to distant lands, to a kingdom of thirty.

It was her crazy love for you that brought her the most misfortune.

I apologize for leaving you...

I am striving, however, to soon put limits on the wife’s malice and the husband’s stupidity. I have already notified our boss about all the local barbarities and I have no doubt that measures will be taken to calm them down...

I have been instructed to take charge of the house and villages at the first rabies, from which the people under her control could suffer...

The pleasure which princes 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 was her crazy love for you that brought her the most misfortune.

Milo

Milon is an officer. He values ​​courage and honesty in people, welcomes enlightenment and considers it his duty to serve the Fatherland. Treats others with respect. Milon is an excellent 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 with which worthy people encourage a young man...

Perhaps she is now in the hands of some selfish people who, taking advantage of her orphanhood, are keeping her in tyranny. This thought alone makes me beside myself.

A! now I see my destruction. My opponent is happy! I do not deny all the merits in it. He may be reasonable, enlightened, kind; but so that you can compare with me in my love for you, so that...

How! such is my opponent! A! Dear Sophia! Why are you tormenting me with jokes? You know how easily a passionate person is upset by the slightest suspicion.

Unworthy people!

The judge who, fearing neither vengeance nor the threats of the strong, gave justice to the helpless, is a hero in my eyes...

If you allow me to say my thought, I believe true fearlessness is 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...

Sophia

Translated, Sophia means “wisdom.” In “Minor” Sophia appears as a wise, well-mannered and educated person. Sophia is an orphan, her guardian and uncle is Starodum. Sophia's heart belongs to Milo. But, having learned about the girl’s rich inheritance, other heroes of the work also lay claim to her hand and heart. Sophia is convinced that wealth should only be achieved 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 relatives...

Uncle! My true happiness is that I have you. I know the price...

I will use all my efforts to earn the good opinion of worthy people. How can I prevent those who see me moving away from them from becoming angry with me? Isn’t it possible, uncle, to find a way so 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 precisely because there is good in others.

A virtuous person should take pity on such unfortunates. It seemed to me, uncle, that all people agreed on where to place their happiness. Nobility, wealth...

Negative

Prostakova

Mrs. Prostakova is one of the main characters of the work. She is a representative of the noble class, holding serfs. In the house, everything and everyone must be under her control: The mistress of the estate pushes around not only her servants, but also controls her husband. In her statements, Mrs. Prostakova is despotic and rude. But she loves her son endlessly. As a result, her blind love does not bring anything good either to her son or to herself.

This is the kind of hubby God blessed me with: he doesn’t know how to figure out what’s wide and what’s narrow.

So believe also that I do not intend to indulge the slaves. Go, sir, and punish now...

My only concern, my only joy is Mitrofanushka. My age is passing. I'm preparing him for people.

Live and learn, my dear friend! Such a thing.

And I love that strangers listen to me too...

Without sciences people live and lived.

We took away everything that the peasants had; we can’t rip anything off. Such a disaster!..

I don’t intend to indulge the slaves. Go, sir, and punish now...

From morning to evening, like someone hanged by the tongue, I don’t lay down my hands: I scold, I fight; This is how the house holds together, my father!..

Yes, this is a different century, father!

My Mitrofanushka doesn’t get up for days because of a book. My mother's heart. Otherwise it’s a pity, a pity, but just think: but there will be a kid anywhere.

It is bad to praise your child, but where will the one whom God brings to be his wife not be unhappy?

Mitrofan

Mitrofan is the son of landowner Prostakova. Actually, in comedy he is an undergrowth. This is what they called those who did not want to study or serve in the 18th century. Mitrofanushka is spoiled by his mother and nanny, he is used to idleness, loves to eat well and is completely indifferent to science. At the same time, the feeling of 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 her boundless blind love.

Let go, mother, how you imposed yourself...

Garrison rat.

You're so tired beating your father.

For me, where they tell me to go.

He ate too much henbane.

Yes, all sorts of rubbish got into our heads, then you are a father, then you are a mother.

I'll study; just let this be the last time and let there be an agreement today!

Now I’ll run to the dovecote, maybe…

Well, say another word, you old bastard! I'll finish them off.

Vit is here and the river is close. I’ll dive, so remember my name... You lured me in, blame yourself...

Skotinin is the brother of Mrs. Prostakova. He does not recognize science and any enlightenment. He works in a barnyard; pigs are the only creatures that give him warm feelings. It was not by chance that the author gave this occupation and surname to his hero. Having learned about 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.

It’s a sin to blame for your own happiness.

Learning is nonsense.

I haven't read anything in my life, sister! God saved me from this boredom.

Don't be the Skotinin who wants to learn something.

What a parable! I am not a hindrance to anyone else. Everyone should marry his bride. I won’t touch someone else’s, and don’t touch mine.

I wasn’t going anywhere, but I was wandering around, thinking. I have such a custom that if you put a fence in your head, you can’t knock it out with a nail. In my mind, you hear, what came into my mind is stuck here. That’s all I think about, that’s all I see in a dream, as if 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 owners and attached to their home. Eremeevna has a highly developed sense of duty, but self-esteem is completely absent.

I have my own grips sharp!

I tried to push myself towards him, but forcibly carried away my legs. Pillar of smoke, my mother!

Ah, creator, save and have mercy! If my brother hadn’t deigned to leave at that very moment, I would have broken down with him. That's what God wouldn't order. If these were dull (pointing to the nails), I wouldn’t even take care of the fangs.

Even if you read for five years, you won’t get better than ten thousand.

The difficult one won't clean me up! 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 pig!

Tsyfirkin

Tsyfirkin is one of Mitrofanushka’s teachers. The telling surname directly indicates that he taught Prostakova’s son mathematics. The diminutive use of the surname suggests that Tsyfirkin was not a real teacher. He is a retired soldier who understands arithmetic.

Fonvizin's contemporaries highly valued The Minor; he delighted them not only with his amazing language, the clarity of the author's civic position, and the innovation of form and content.

Features of the genre

According to the genre, this work is a classic comedy, it complies with the requirements of “three unities” (place, time, action) inherent in classicism; the heroes are divided into positive and negative, each of the heroes has its own role (“reasoner”, “villain”, etc.). etc.), however, there are also deviations from the requirements of classicist aesthetics, and serious deviations.So, the comedy was only supposed to amuse, it could not be interpreted in multiple meanings, there could be no ambiguity in it - and if we remember “The Minor”, ​​then we cannot help but admit that, raising in the work the most important social issues of his time, the author resolves them by means far from comic: for example, at the end of the work, when, it would seem, “the vice is punished,” the viewer cannot help but sympathize with Mrs. Prostakova, who is rudely and cruelly pushed away by the ungrateful Mitrofanushka, preoccupied with his own fate: “Let go, mother, how you imposed yourself. .." - and the tragic element powerfully invades the comedy, which was unacceptable.. And with the “unity of action” everything is also not so simple in comedy, it has too many storylines that do not “work” in any way to resolve the main conflict , but create a broad social background that determines the characters of the characters. Finally, Fonvizin’s innovation was reflected in the language of the comedy “The Minor”; the speech of the characters is very highly individualized, it contains folklorisms, vernacular, and high style (Starodum, Pravdin), which also violates the classic canons of creating speech characteristics of characters. We can, summing up, conclude that Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor” became a truly innovative work for its time; the author pushed the boundaries of the aesthetics of classicism, subordinating it to the solution of the task set for himself: to angrily ridicule the vices of his contemporary society, to rid it of “evil morals.” ", capable of destroying both the human soul and public morality.

Image system

Let us analyze the system of images of the comedy "The Minor", which, as required by the aesthetics of classicism, represents two directly opposite "camps" - positive and negative heroes. Here you can also notice a certain deviation from the canons; it manifests itself in the fact that it carries duality; it is almost impossible to classify them as purely positive or purely negative heroes. Let us remember one of Mitrofanushka’s teachers, Kuteikin. On the one hand, he suffers humiliation from Mrs. Prostakova and his student, on the other hand, he is not averse, if the opportunity arises, to “snatch his piece,” for which he is ridiculed. Or “Mitrofan’s mother” Eremeevna: she is reviled and humiliated by her mistress in every possible way, she humbly endures, but, forgetting herself, rushes to protect Mitrofanushka from her uncle, and does this not only out of fear of punishment...

The image of Prostakova in the comedy "Minor"

As already noted, Fonvizin innovatively portrays his main character, Mrs. Prostakova. From the very first scenes of the comedy, we are faced with a despot who does not want to reckon with anyone or anything. She rudely imposes her will on everyone, suppresses and humiliates not only the serfs, but also her husband (how can one not recall Mitrofan’s “dream in hand” about how “mother” beats “father”?..), she tyrannizes Sophia, she wants to force her to marry first her brother Taras Skotinin, and then, when it turns out that Sophia is now a rich bride, her son. Being herself an ignorant and uncultured person (with what pride she declares: “Read it yourself! No, madam, thank God, I was not brought up like that. I can receive letters, but I always tell someone else to read them!”), she despises education, although he tries to teach his son, he does this only because he wants to ensure his future, and what is Mitrofan’s “training” worth, as it is presented in the comedy? True, his mother is convinced: “Believe me, father, that, of course, it’s nonsense that Mitrofanushka doesn’t know”...

Mrs. Prostakova is characterized by cunning and resourcefulness, she stubbornly stands her ground and is convinced that “we will take ours” - and is ready to commit a crime, kidnap Sophia and, against her will, marry her to a man from the “Skotinin family.” When she meets resistance, she simultaneously tries to beg for forgiveness and promises punishment to those of her people, due to whose oversight the “enterprise” failed, in which Mitrofanushka is ready to actively support her: “Take it for people?” The “transformation” of Mrs. Prostakova is striking, who just on her knees humbly begged to forgive her, and, having received the petition, “jumping up from her knees”, fervently promises: “Well! Now I will give the dawn to my people. I'll go through them one by one. Now I'll find out who let her out of their hands. No, swindlers! No, thieves! I won't forgive a century, I won't forgive this ridicule." There is so much voluptuousness in this triple “now”, and how truly scary it becomes from her request: “Give me at least three days (Aside) I would make myself known...”.

However, as already noted, there is a certain duality in the image of Prostakova. She deeply and devotedly loves her son and is ready to do anything for him. Is she guilty of comparing her love for him to the love of a dog for puppies: “Have you ever heard of a bitch giving away her puppies?”? We must not forget that she is from the Skotinin-Priplodin family, where such half-animal love was the only possible one, how could she be different? So she disfigures Mitrofan’s soul with her blind love, her son pleases her in every possible way, and she is happy because he “loves” her... Until he throws her away from him, because now he doesn’t need her, and even those people who just condemned Mrs. Prostakova sympathize with her in her maternal grief...

Image of Mitrofan

The image of Mitrofan was also created by Fonvizin in a non-traditional way. The “minor” who likes to be “small” and who diligently takes advantage of his mother’s attitude toward him is not as simple and stupid as it might seem at first glance. He has learned to use his parents' love for himself for his own benefit, he knows well how to achieve his goal, he is convinced that he has the right to everything he wants. Mitrofanushka’s selfishness is the driving force behind his actions, but the hero also has cruelty (remember his remark about “people”), resourcefulness (what is his discussion about the “door”), and lordly contempt for people, including his mother, from whom he, on occasion, seeks help and protection. And his attitude towards education is so dismissive only because he does not see any real benefit from it. Probably, when he “serves”, he - if it is beneficial - will change his attitude towards education, potentially he is ready for anything: “For me, where they tell me.” Consequently, the image of Mitrofan in the comedy “Minor” is also characterized by a certain psychologism, as is the image of Prostakova, which is Fonvizin’s innovative approach to creating negative images that were only supposed to be “villains”.

Positive images

The playwright is more traditional in creating positive images. Each of them is an expression of a certain idea, and as part of the statement of this idea, an image-character is created. Almost positive images are devoid of individual traits; they are images-ideas inherent in classicism; Sophia, Milon, Starodum, Pravdin are not living people, but exponents of a “certain type of consciousness”; they represent a system of views that was advanced for their time on the relationship between spouses, the social structure, the essence of the human personality and human dignity.

Image of Starodum

During the time of Fonvizin, the image of Starodum in the comedy “The Minor” aroused special sympathy among the audience. Already in the very “talking” surname of the character, the author emphasized the contrast between “the present century and the past century”: in Starodum they saw a man of the era of Peter I, when “In that century, courtiers were warriors, but warriors were not courtiers.” Starodum’s thoughts on education, on the ways in which a person can achieve fame and prosperity, about what a sovereign should be evoked a warm response from a significant part of the audience who shared the progressive beliefs of the author of the comedy, while special sympathy for the image of the hero was caused by the fact that he did not just proclaim these progressive ideas - according to the play It turned out that with his own life he proved the correctness and advantage of such behavior for a person. The image of Starodum was the ideological center around which the positive heroes of the comedy united, opposing the dominance of the morality of the Skotinins and Prostakovs.

Image of Pravdin

Pravdin, a government official, embodies the idea of ​​statehood, which protects the interests of education and the people, which seeks to actively change life for the better. Guardianship of Prostakova's estate, which Pravdin appoints by the will of the empress, gives hope that the ruler of Russia is able to stand up for the protection of those of her subjects who most need this protection, and the determination with which Pravdin carries out the reforms should have convinced the viewer, that the highest authorities are interested in improving the lives of the people. But how then can we understand Starodum’s words in response to Pravdin’s call to serve at court: “It is in vain to call a doctor to the sick without healing”? It is likely that behind Pravdin stood the System, which confirmed its reluctance and inability to carry out real reforms, and Starodum represented himself, an individual person, in the play, and explained why the image of Starodum was perceived by the audience with much more sympathy than the image of the “ideal official” .

Milon and Sophia

The love story of Milon and Sophia is a typically classic love story of two noble heroes, each of whom is distinguished by high moral qualities, which is why their relationship looks so artificial, although, against the backdrop of Skotinin’s attitude towards the same Sophia (“You are my dear friend! If now, without seeing anything, I have a special peck for each pig, then I’ll find a little one for my wife”) she really is an example of the high feeling of moral, educated, worthy young people, contrasted with the “fertility” of negative heroes.

The meaning of the comedy "Minor"

Pushkin called Fonvizin “a brave ruler of satire,” and the comedy “Minor,” which we analyzed, fully confirms this assessment of the writer’s work. In it, Fonvizin’s author’s position is expressed quite unambiguously, the writer defends the ideas of enlightened absolutism, he does this with extreme talent, creating convincing artistic images, significantly expanding the scope of the aesthetics of classicism, taking an innovative approach to the plot of the work, to the creation of character images, some of which are not It simply represents the expression of certain socio-political ideas, but has a pronounced psychological individuality and expresses the inconsistency of human nature. All this explains the enormous importance of Fonvizin’s work and the comedy “Nedorosl” for Russian literature of the 18th century, the success of the work among his contemporaries and its significant influence on the subsequent development of Russian drama.