How was the historical conflict of eras reflected in Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit”?
In the comedy "Woe from Wit" Griboyedov tells the story of the life of noble Moscow in the 19th century. This is the time when the orders of the old, Catherine’s era are changing to a new one, in which a person does not want to put up with the backwardness of the country, wants to serve his homeland without demanding ranks and awards. Chatsky is such a person, and his relationship with Famus society is the main conflict in the comedy.
Representatives of Moscow society are: old woman Khlestova, Prince and Princess Tugoukhovsky, Khryumin, Skalozub, Sophia, Molchalin, Gorich, Zagoretsky, Repetilov and others. The life of this society is busy with dinners, balls, card games and gossip. They oblige and flatter before their superiors, and their attitude towards serfs is very cruel: they are exchanged for dogs, separated from their relatives and sold individually.
The main representative of Moscow society is Famusov. What interests him most about people is their social status. Therefore, for his daughter he wants a husband with “stars and ranks.” In his opinion, Skalozub is ideally suited for this role, who “is both a golden bag and aspires to be a general.” Famusov is not bothered by Skalozub’s mental limitations or his martinet manners. However, despite all her father’s efforts, Sophia chooses Molchalin.
Molchalin is young and energetic, he has his own “philosophy of life” - “to please all people without exception.” Personal gain and self-interest come first for him. He does not have his own opinion on anything: “At my age I should not dare to have my own opinion.” To achieve his goals, Molchalin pretends to be in love with Sophia.
The opposite of Molchalin is Chatsky. Griboyedov portrayed Chatsky as a bright representative of the “present century.” A young nobleman, not rich, fairly educated, has his own opinion on many problems of our time. He rebels against serfdom, an empty way of life, unreasonable upbringing, and dishonest service.
But since the rest of the heroes of the comedy belong to the “past century,” they simply do not understand Chatsky. Everything he talks about is alien to Famusov’s society. If for Molchalin it is considered normal to serve others, then Chatsky says: “I would be glad to serve, but it’s sickening to be served.” And if there are people who understand him, for example Gorich, then they are simply afraid to go against public opinion. When society declares Chatsky crazy, he is forced to leave Moscow.
Thus, the nature of the main conflict in the comedy lies in Chatsky’s opposition to Famus society. As a result of this confrontation, Chatsky found himself completely alone. His accusatory monologues do not evoke sympathy among those present, and all of Chatsky’s “million torments” turn out to be in vain. However, this is not true. The fact is that in the image of Chatsky, Griboyedov portrayed progressive people who want to serve the Fatherland.
Chatsky’s clash with society is initially determined by the love conflict between Chatsky and Sophia, which attracts Chatsky’s wandering and condescending gaze to his surroundings. Trying to solve a love problem, he pays close attention, even simply remembers the existence of a number of people whom he had previously completely ignored in his thoughts.
Chatsky is unpleasantly surprised and intrigued, “Famus society” has already hooked him with its hooks, attracted his attention, and he, trying to understand the people around him, as a person of high mental analytical culture, gives them precise, laconic characteristics. As typical characters, such people, even in their small and private manifestations, will reflect some historical patterns.
The historical conflict of the era between the disinterested emerging intelligentsia and the emerging extremely self-centered dullness (Chatsky, Molchalin and Repetilov) is reflected in their dialogues. Chatsky does not take them seriously, and it is completely in vain, because they take him seriously. The clash between the old straightforward sycophants for show and the new sycophants-rogues ends with the temporary retreat of Molchalin, but Famusov is not the reason for this. Famusov, just after what happened, can consider himself duped by the “young and early” assistant. The struggle between Chatsky and the old society will distract all of Chatsky’s attention, and when he is ready to celebrate victory, it turns out that the silent people have come to power on the sly. Therefore, although the confrontation between Chatsky and Famusov is the most energetic and loud, it is actually a false path for Chatsky, which he does not notice, but which was noticed by A.S. Pushkin, who, as is known, denied Chatsky his mind.
When talking about which of the heroes belongs to the “past century” and which to the “present century”, we must clearly state the following: A.S. Griboyedov created immortal characters, a kind of archetypes, that is, the original types of the human race. In any society, including modern society, we can find all representatives of this comedy. Another thing is that over time, naturally, these characters change, and the current Famusov is unlikely to so openly preach servility to his superiors as an undoubted merit and indicator of intelligence. In the same way, Molchalin’s outright vile hypocrisy is now, as a rule, hidden and lurks in the depths of the soul, coming out only occasionally.
People like Chatsky are the eternal tomorrow of society, its energy, indomitable will, pushing everyone to show their true face. He undoubtedly belongs to the “present century,” as, perhaps, does the subtle cunning Molchalin, who, despite the lack of high origin, knows how to ingratiate himself with the powers that be and use them in his petty petty interests.
Famusov himself, or Skalozub, or any of the other noble guests, of course, belong to the “past century.” They do not have the minimum flexibility of behavior necessary to exist in changing conditions. The same chatterbox Repetilov, ready to join any company in order to extol it later, is much more tenacious than the stupid Skalozub. Monolithic slow-witted people and outright fools are being replaced by cunning, courteous rogues and verbose fools, trying to pass themselves off as something attractive, that is, there is a gradual involuntary correlation of oneself with a certain emerging ideal, and the first, still inept attempts to play plausible roles begin.
How was the historical conflict of eras reflected in Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit”?
In the comedy "Woe from Wit" Griboyedov tells the story of the life of noble Moscow in the 19th century. This is the time when the orders of the old, Catherine’s era are changing to a new one, in which a person does not want to put up with the backwardness of the country, wants to serve his homeland without demanding ranks and awards. Chatsky is such a person, and his relationship with Famus society is the main conflict in the comedy.
Representatives of Moscow society are: old woman Khlestova, Prince and Princess Tugoukhovsky, Khryumin, Skalozub, Sophia, Molchalin, Gorich, Zagoretsky, Repetilov and others. The life of this society is busy with dinners, balls, card games and gossip. They oblige and flatter before their superiors, and their attitude towards serfs is very cruel: they are exchanged for dogs, separated from their relatives and sold individually.
The main representative of Moscow society is Famusov. What interests him most about people is their social status. Therefore, for his daughter he wants a husband with “stars and ranks.” In his opinion, Skalozub is ideally suited for this role, who “is both a golden bag and aspires to be a general.” Famusov is not bothered by Skalozub’s mental limitations or his martinet manners. However, despite all her father’s efforts, Sophia chooses Molchalin.
Molchalin is young and energetic, he has his own “philosophy of life” - “to please all people without exception.” Personal gain and self-interest come first for him. He does not have his own opinion on anything: “At my age I should not dare to have my own opinion.” To achieve his goals, Molchalin pretends to be in love with Sophia.
The opposite of Molchalin is Chatsky. Griboyedov portrayed Chatsky as a bright representative of the “present century.” A young nobleman, not rich, fairly educated, has his own opinion on many problems of our time. He rebels against serfdom, an empty way of life, unreasonable upbringing, and dishonest service.
But since the rest of the heroes of the comedy belong to the “past century,” they simply do not understand Chatsky. Everything he talks about is alien to Famusov’s society. If for Molchalin it is considered normal to serve others, then Chatsky says: “I would be glad to serve, but it’s sickening to be served.” And if there are people who understand him, for example Gorich, then they are simply afraid to go against public opinion. When society declares Chatsky crazy, he is forced to leave Moscow.
In the comedy "Woe from Wit" Griboyedov tells the story of the life of noble Moscow in the 19th century. This is the time when the orders of the old, Catherine’s era are changing to a new one, in which a person does not want to put up with the backwardness of the country, wants to serve his homeland without demanding ranks and awards. Chatsky is such a person, and his relationship with Famus society is the main conflict in the comedy.
Representatives of Moscow society are: old woman Khlestova, Prince and Princess Tugoukhovsky, Khryumin, Skalozub, Sophia, Molchalin, Gorich, Zagoretsky, Repetilov and others. The life of this society is busy with dinners, balls, card games and gossip. They oblige and flatter before their superiors, and their attitude towards serfs is very cruel: they are exchanged for dogs, separated from their relatives and sold individually.
The main representative of Moscow society is Famusov. What interests him most about people is their social status. Therefore, for his daughter he wants a husband with “stars and ranks.” In his opinion, Skalozub is ideally suited for this role, who “is both a golden bag and aims to be a general.” Famusov is not bothered by Skalozub’s mental limitations or his martinet manners. However, despite all her father’s efforts, Sophia chooses Molchalin.
Molchalin is young and energetic, he has his own “philosophy of life” - “to please all people without exception.” Personal gain and self-interest come first for him. He does not have his own opinion on anything: “At my age I should not dare to have my own opinion.” To achieve his goals, Molchalin pretends to be in love with Sophia.
The opposite of Molchalin is Chatsky. Griboyedov portrayed Chatsky as a bright representative of the “present century.” A young nobleman, not rich, fairly educated, has his own opinion on many problems of our time. He rebels against serfdom, an empty way of life, unreasonable upbringing, and dishonest service.
But since the rest of the heroes of the comedy belong to the “past century,” they simply do not understand Chatsky. Everything he talks about is alien to Famusov’s society. If for Molchalin it is considered normal to serve others, then Chatsky says: “I would be glad to serve, but it’s sickening to be served.” And if there are people who understand him, for example Gorich, then they are simply afraid to go against public opinion. When society declares Chatsky crazy, he is forced to leave Moscow.
Thus, the nature of the main conflict in the comedy lies in Chatsky’s opposition to Famus society. As a result of this confrontation, Chatsky found himself completely alone. His accusatory monologues do not evoke sympathy among those present, and all of Chatsky’s “million torments” turn out to be in vain. However, this is not true. The fact is that in the image of Chatsky, Griboyedov portrayed progressive people who want to serve the Fatherland.
In the comedy "Woe from Wit" Griboyedov tells the story of the life of noble Moscow in the 19th century. This is the time when the orders of the old, Catherine’s era are changing to a new one, in which a person does not want to put up with the backwardness of the country, wants to serve his homeland without demanding ranks and awards. Chatsky is such a person, and his relationship with Famus society is the main conflict in the comedy.
Representatives of Moscow society are: old woman Khlestova, Prince and Princess Tugoukhovsky, Khryumin, Skalozub, Sophia, Molchalin, Gorich, Zagoretsky, Repetilov and others. The life of this society is busy with dinners, balls, card games and gossip. They oblige and flatter before their superiors, and their attitude towards serfs is very cruel: they are exchanged for dogs, separated from their relatives and sold individually.
The main representative of Moscow society is Famusov. What interests him most about people is their social status. Therefore, for his daughter he wants a husband with “stars and ranks.” In his opinion, Skalozub is ideally suited for this role, who “is both a golden bag and aspires to be a general.” Famusov is not bothered by Skalozub’s mental limitations or his martinet manners. However, despite all her father’s efforts, Sophia chooses Molchalin.
Molchalin is young and energetic, he has his own “philosophy of life” - “to please all people without exception.” Personal gain and self-interest come first for him. He does not have his own opinion on anything: “At my age I should not dare to have my own opinion.” To achieve his goals, Molchalin pretends to be in love with Sophia.
The opposite of Molchalin is Chatsky. Griboyedov portrayed Chatsky as a bright representative of the “present century.” A young nobleman, not rich, fairly educated, has his own opinion on many problems of our time. He rebels against serfdom, an empty way of life, unreasonable upbringing, and dishonest service.
But since the rest of the heroes of the comedy belong to the “past century,” they simply do not understand Chatsky. Everything he talks about is alien to Famusov’s society. If for Molchalin it is considered normal to serve others, then Chatsky says: “I would be glad to serve, but it’s sickening to be served.” And if there are people who understand him, for example Gorich, then they are simply afraid to go against public opinion. When society declares Chatsky crazy, he is forced to leave Moscow.
Thus, the nature of the main conflict in the comedy lies in Chatsky’s opposition to Famus society. As a result of this confrontation, Chatsky found himself completely alone. His accusatory monologues do not evoke sympathy among those present, and all of Chatsky’s “million torments” turn out to be in vain. However, this is not true. The fact is that in the image of Chatsky, Griboyedov portrayed progressive people who want to serve the Fatherland.