The original idea of Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor” was to reveal the theme of education, which was very relevant in the Age of Enlightenment; a little later, socio-political issues were added to the work. The title of the play is directly related to the decree of Peter the Great, who banned the ability of young uneducated noblemen to serve and marry.
History of creation
The first manuscripts of sketches of “The Minor” date back to approximately 1770. To write the play, Fonvizin had to rework many works with the corresponding ideological content - works of Russian and foreign modern writers(Voltaire, Rousseau, Lukin, Chulkova, etc.), articles from satirical magazines and even comedies written by Empress Catherine II herself. Work on the text was completely completed in 1781. A year later, after some obstacles from censorship, the first production of the play took place, with Fonvizin himself being the director, and the first publication of the play took place in 1773.
Description of the work
Action 1
The scene begins with a heated discussion of the caftan made for Mitrofanushka. Mrs. Prostakova scolds her tailor Trishka and Prostakov supports her in her desire to punish the careless servant. The situation is saved by the appearance of Skotinin, he justifies the unfortunate tailor. What follows is a comical scene with Mitrofanushka - he reveals himself to be an infantile young man, and also very fond of eating heartily.
Skotinin discusses with the Prostakov couple the prospects of his marriage with Sofyushka. The girl’s only relative, Starodum, unexpectedly sends news of Sophia’s acquisition of an impressive inheritance. Now the young lady has no end to suitors - now the “minor” Mitrofan appears on the list of candidates for husbands.
Act 2
Among the soldiers staying in the village, by chance, turns out to be Sofyushka’s fiancé, officer Milon. He turns out to be a good acquaintance of Pravdin, an official who came to deal with the lawlessness happening on the Prostakov estate. During a chance meeting with his beloved, Milon learns about Prostakova’s plans to arrange the fate of her son by marrying a now wealthy girl. What follows is a quarrel between Skotinin and Mitrofan over the future bride. Teachers Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin appear, they share with Pravdin the details of their appearance in the Prostakovs’ house.
Act 3
Arrival of Starodum. Pravdin is the first to meet Sophia’s relative and reports to him about the atrocities happening in the Prostakovs’ house in relation to the girl. The entire owner's family and Skotinin greet Starodum with hypocritical joy. The uncle’s plans are to take Sofiushka to Moscow and marry her off. The girl submits to the will of her relative, not knowing that he chose Milon to be her husband. Prostakova begins to praise Mitrofanushka as a diligent student. After everyone has left, the remaining teachers Tsyfirkin and Kuteikin discuss the laziness and mediocrity of their underage student. At the same time, they accuse the rogue, Starodum’s former groom, Vralman, of hindering the learning process of the already stupid Mitrofanushka with his dense ignorance.
Act 4
Starodum and Sofyushka are having a conversation about high moral principles and family values - true love between spouses. After a conversation with Milo, having made sure of the high moral qualities young man, the uncle blesses his niece to marry her lover. What follows is a comical scene in which the unlucky suitors Mitrofanushka and Skotinin are shown in a very unfavorable light. Upon learning of the departure happy couple, the Prostakov family decides to intercept Sophia on the road.
Action 5
Starodum and Pravdin are having pious conversations, hearing a noise, they interrupt the conversation and soon learn about the attempt to kidnap the bride. Pravdin accuses the Prostakovs of this crime and threatens them with punishment. Prostakova begs Sophia's forgiveness on her knees, but as soon as she receives it, she immediately accuses the servants of being slow in kidnapping the girl. A government document arrives announcing the transfer of all the Prostakovs’ property to Pravdin’s custody. The scene of paying off debts to teachers ends with a fair denouement - Vralman’s deception is revealed, the modest hard worker Tsyfirkin is generously rewarded, and the ignorant Kuteikin is left with nothing. The happy young people and Starodum are preparing to leave. Mitrofanushka heeds Pravdin’s advice to join the army.
Main characters
Considering the images of the main characters, it is worth noting that the speaking surnames of the characters in the play express the one-linearity of their character and leave no doubt about the author’s moral assessment of the characters in the comedy.
The sovereign mistress of the estate, a despotic and ignorant woman who believes that all matters, without exception, can be solved with the help of force, money or deception.
His image is the focus of stupidity and lack of education. He has an amazing lack of will and unwillingness to make decisions himself. Mitrofanushka was called a minor not only because of his age, but also because of his total ignorance and low level of moral and civic education.
A kind, sympathetic girl who received a good education, possessing high level internal culture. Lives with the Prostakovs after the death of his parents. She is devoted to her fiancé, officer Milon, with all her heart.
A person who personifies the truth of life and the word of the law. As a government official, he is on the Prostakov estate in order to understand the lawlessness happening there, in particular the unfair treatment of servants.
Sophia's only relative, her uncle and guardian. A successful person who managed to bring his highly moral principles to life.
Sophia's beloved and long-awaited groom. A brave and honest young officer distinguished by high virtue.
A narrow-minded, greedy, uneducated person who does not disdain anything for the sake of profit and is distinguished by deceit and hypocrisy to a high degree.
Analysis of the work
Fonvizin’s “Minor” is a classic comedy in 5 acts, in which all three unities are strictly observed - the unity of time, place and action.
The solution to the problem of education is the central moment of the dramatic action of this satirical play. The accusatory sarcastic scene of Mitrofanushka’s exam is a true culmination in the development of the educational theme. In Fonvizin's comedy there is a collision of two worlds - each of them with different ideals and needs, with different styles life and speech dialects. The author innovatively shows the life of the landowners of that time, the relationship between the owners and ordinary peasant people. Complex psychological characteristics heroes gave impetus to the subsequent development of Russian domestic comedy as a theatrical and literary genre of the era of classicism.
Final conclusion
Fonvizin's comedy became a unique iconic work for his contemporaries. In the play there is a vivid contrast between high moral principles, real education and laziness, ignorance and waywardness. In the socio-political comedy “The Minor,” three themes rise to the surface:
- the topic of education and upbringing;
- theme of serfdom;
- the theme of condemnation of despotic autocratic power.
The purpose of writing this work of genius is clear - the eradication of ignorance, the cultivation of virtues, the fight against the vices that have afflicted Russian society and the state.
This is something like an essay, or a reflection on a given topic. The fact is that recently, my master at the Literary Institute, suggested that I reflect on the concept of a “positive hero” - is it possible for him to exist in the world that surrounds us at the moment, is it possible to realize a positive (subject to his existence) hero...
I thought about it, and one sleepless evening I wrote this text. I want to warn you that I did not conduct any in-depth analysis, I simply wrote about what popped up in my mind. In general, this text can be perceived as humorous. However, I didn’t want to give instructions (but it didn’t work out), so I’m putting it up for discussion, which I hope will give a few more correct thoughts.
Who is this positive hero? Who doesn't negative traits, repelling something, is there no Evil? The one who has more love than hate for people? One who does good and does not do evil? But what is good and what is bad?
Is a positive hero an ideal something that can never exist on the pages of books? Utopia? A positive hero is a fantasy, science fiction, fiction. It's invisible.
Grinev and Onegin - who are these people, are they good or not? These are ordinary people, consumed by passions and contradictions. Pushkin simply embellished them, covering up several of them dark side, which they themselves were quite clever at hiding.
Bolkonsky? Myshkin? One died, the other went crazy. Where is their positivity? The first one casts lots - if he does, I'll get married. And the second one either sells or buys. As a result, both are out of work.
Bazarov? No, well this one even more so negative character, of which there are only glimpses before death. And so he is only able to give advice and teach how to live correctly. And in general, there were so many of them who taught us to live correctly, but where are they now?
Alyosha Arsenyev? He simply hasn’t matured yet, that’s why he’s pure because he’s a child. Although he already has a passionate love for socialists and revolutionaries.
Or maybe the thorough zemstvo doctor Ionych? Although no, where should he go, to Luke. But it seems to me that the only one worth extolling from Gorky is the Petrel, who soars proudly and does not hide his body in the rocks...
Blokovsky “in a crown of roses”? And rivers of red blood, and it doesn’t matter which army you’re in, the white one or the one that’s strongest?
Sasha from Platonovsky Chevengur, who came from the water and disappeared there. Although this one has doubts, he is much less than Grishka Melikhov. This can’t be considered a positive at all - everything is rushing here and there, but he doesn’t get along with the women, and he didn’t join the party.
Meresyev? Well, that’s the fate of a person during war. Here either a hero is 100%, or a coward and a traitor, and they will never write a book about such people. If he didn’t perish in the ovens of Auschwitz, then somewhere in Western Ukraine you will meet a random bullet.
And even if you are a doctor, a brilliant doctor, you write poems, not everything will work out with the authorities, you will end up as a janitor in a damp basement. Zhivago, Professor Preobrazhensky took an oath, all their lives they strived to help people, to serve the fatherland, but people with ranks and uniforms, as it turned out, did not need this.
Don't need good? Just spoiled us housing problem. But to understand this, you need to see Evil. Here is the favorite novel by a million-strong army of romantics, poets, graphomaniacs, artists, musicians and girls in love. Does it have a positive hero? Well, yes, open your eyes! - I hear, - here is the Master in a hat, Margot, Yeshua, finally! But this is the second plan, the second. This is a frame for Woland, his background. Well, Messire should be considered positive, you understand...
So where next? Who to look at? Where to look for these good heroes? In the stories of Shalamov, tortured by long years of camps? In the citizens of Dovlatov’s prose running away from themselves and from the system? Maybe they were hidden in Pelevin’s works?
Even in numerous unsentimental novels there are no women writers goodies. Where did they go? Or maybe they simply never existed? Didn't exist. Because no one needed him, or because he was not interesting? After all, it’s true that it’s better to write about ordinary people— it’s closer to both the reader and easier for the writer. Everyday life, life, death, did something, didn’t have time to do something, everything is as it should be in the real turmoil of days. Moreover, if we imagine an ideal positive character against the backdrop of modern, for example, non-idealized reality, the one that surrounds us every day, what will become of him? The poor fellow will die, because he is not ready for such a world...
That's how it turns out.
/ / / What is the role positive characters in Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor”?
The comedy by Denis Fonvizin has a vivid gallery of images, both negative and positive. The role of the first in exposing the vices of 18th century society. Mrs. Prostakova and Skotinin personify the ignorance and cruelty of the serf owners, Mitrofanushka - laziness and reluctance to learn. The author helps us judge the qualities of the character, starting with their first and last names. If we read about Skotinin, we understand that this hero behaves like an animal. Prostakova is a simple ignoramus whose plans, although vile, are not far off. And Mitrofanushka - “revealed by the mother” - really looks like his mother, Prostakova.
The main idea of the comedy is in depicting the far from comedic problems of society: inhumane serfdom, autocracy and evil education. Negative characters help readers understand these problems more deeply, while positive characters show that these problems can still be dealt with.
The fact that the hero is positive can also be learned from his name. There are several such characters in the comedy: Starodum, Sophia, Pravdin, Milon. Each of them has its own important role.
- nobleman, uncle main character Sophia. He is the girl's guardian, but leaves for Siberia for long time, leaving her in the care of the Prostakovs. The surname Starodum comes from the phrase “old thoughts”. That is, the writer hints that this hero thinks in the old way. One might think that this is bad, because you need to live with the times. However, the time of action in the play was a time of self-will of cruel serf owners who worried only about their estates and did not think about the development of culture. Starodum received his education and upbringing under Peter, the tsar who was for enlightenment. And therefore the “old” time was precisely more progressive than the “new” one. The hero cannot accept the fact that the nobles care only about their own benefit and have forgotten about their duty to their homeland. Therefore, he leaves his villages and goes to Siberia, where he can honestly earn a fortune.
- a wise girl, which is clear from the meaning of her name. She received a good education, so she looks at the Prostakovs with irony, seeing their ignorance and greed. The heroine is not a rebel, but she fights for her love. She does not agree to marry Mitrofan or Skotinin because she is in love with Milon.
- a nobleman, a member of the governorship, who is vested with the right to conduct audits in villages. He stops at the Prostakovs’ estate for a couple of days and little by little realizes that they are cruel serf owners. He is asked to read Starodum's letter, but he replies that he does not read letters intended for others. Pravdin lives up to his name because he always tells the truth and despises lies.
And after Prostakova acts badly towards Sophia, she decides to excommunicate her family from managing their villages. Pravdin is the embodiment of harsh justice in comedy.
Milon is a brave officer, Sophia's lover. He is a worthy person.
Positive characters play the role of a noble force that opposes ignorance and cruelty in the guise of negative characters.
As was customary in classicism, the heroes of the comedy “The Minor” are clearly divided into negative and positive. However, the most memorable and striking are the negative characters, despite their despotism and ignorance: Mrs. Prostakova, her brother Taras Skotinin and Mitrofan himself. They are interesting and ambiguous. It is with them that comic situations are associated, full of humor, and bright liveliness of dialogues.
Positive characters do not evoke such vivid emotions, although they are sounding boards that reflect author's position. Educated, endowed only positive features, they are ideal - they cannot commit lawlessness, lies and cruelty are alien to them.
Let us describe each of the characters in more detail:
| Heroes | Characteristic | Character Speech |
| Negative characters | ||
| Mrs. Prostakova | The central negative character, a representative of the serf nobility. She is depicted as an uneducated, ignorant and evil woman, who holds all the power in the family: “I scold, then I fight, and that’s how the house holds together.” She is convinced that education is unnecessary and even harmful: “People live and have lived without science.” A two-faced person: she communicates haughtily, rudely, even aggressively with serfs, teachers, husband, brother, and tries to flatter the people on whom her position depends. Confirmation of the same thought is the change in attitude towards Sophia. Pravdin calls her “a despicable woman whose hellish disposition brings misfortune to the whole house.” The only person who inspires her with good feelings is her son Mitrofanushka, “dear friend”, “darling”. That’s why in the finale it’s even a pity for her, because he also turns away from her. | Trishke - “cattle”, “swindler”, “thief’s mug”, “blockhead”; To Eremeevna - “beast”, “rascal”, “dog’s daughter”. To Starodum - “benefactor.” “Whatever the peasants had, we took it away, we won’t be able to rip anything off.” “Rogues, thieves, swindlers! I’ll order everyone to be beaten to death.” |
| Skotinin | Another sharply negative character, the owner of a bestial surname, narcissistic and cruel. His only passion is pigs and everything connected with them gives his image a certain semblance of an animal. | “I haven’t read anything since I was born... God saved me from this boredom.” “I love pigs...” “Are there pigs in your villages?” “I want to have my own piglets.” “... I’ll break the devil... if I were a pig’s son... “Eco happiness has fallen.” “I would have… by the legs, but on the corner,” “Oh, you damn pig!” - Mitrofan. “Look how she screamed” - about her sister. |
| Mitrofan | A minor of sixteen years old, the son of provincial landowners. His name is “speaking”, because Mitrofan translated from Greek means “like a mother.” The same two-faced: a tyrant towards his family, humiliatingly asks for forgiveness from Starodum in the finale. He has undeniable cunning. For example, a dream where “mother beats father.” Education depends on life, environment, and the conditions of a person’s formation. Mitrofan, who grew up in an ignorant family, is himself ignorant, stupid and lazy. Mitrofanushka is not only a complete ignorant who has an aversion to learning, but also an egoist; for him there is nothing significant except his own interests. “An ignoramus without a soul is a beast,” according to Starodum. Rude and cruel towards serfs, teachers, nanny, father. “Although he is sixteen years old, he has already reached the last degree of his perfection and will not go further,” Sophia says about him. “The damned pig,” as his uncle calls him, is the final result of the degradation of the nobility under a soul-crippling upbringing. Historically, a young nobleman who did not receive a written certificate of training from his teacher was considered a “minor.” He was not accepted into the service and was not allowed to marry. Thanks to comedy, the image of the “undergrown” has become a household word: this is usually what they say about stupid and ignorant people. | Eremeevne - “old Khrychovka”; uncle - “Get out, uncle; get lost"; “garrison rat” - to teacher Tsyfirkin.. “Take them and Eremeevna too” - about teachers. “I don’t want to study, I want to get married.” “To hell with everything!” |
| Prostakov | The person is weak-willed and weak. It’s definitely impossible to say about him that he is the “head of the family.” Submits to his wife in everything and fears her. He prefers not to have his own opinion - the scene with sewing a caftan: “Before your eyes, mine see nothing.” Illiterate “spineless henpecked”, in essence, he is not that bad person. He loves Mitrofan, “as a parent should.” “He is humble,” Pravdin says about him. | |
| Positive characters | ||
| Pravdin | A government official sent to check the situation on the Prostakov estate. Arbitrariness, in his opinion, is an unforgivable vice. Tyranny deserves punishment. Therefore, the truth will prevail and the estate of the cruel and despotic Prostakova will be taken away in favor of the state. | “From the struggle of my heart, I do not fail to notice the malicious ignoramuses who, having power over their people, use it inhumanly for evil.” “So that there is no shortage of worthy people, special efforts are made to educate.” |
| Sophia | Starodum's niece. A decent, kind, smart girl. Translated from greek name her "wisdom". Honest and educated. “God gave you all the pleasantness of your sex,... the heart of an honest man,” Starodum tells her. | “How can the heart not be content when the conscience is calm... It is impossible not to love the rules of virtue... They are ways of happiness.” “I will use all my efforts to earn the good opinion of worthy people.” |
| Starodum | Sophia's uncle and guardian. Acts as a sounding board, expressing the author's thoughts. His name says that he was raised in the era of Peter and adheres to its ideals, when they served at court faithfully and honestly, without fawning over " strongmen of the world this." And he honestly earned his fortune and position: he was on military service, also served at court. Has straightforwardness and impatience for injustice. A person endowed with power, in his opinion, should not in any way violate the rights of other people. | “Enlightenment elevates one virtuous soul.” “Cash money is not cash dignity.” “Ranks begin, sincerity ceases.” “Have a heart, have a soul, and you will be a man at all times.” “The dignity of the heart is indivisible.” “The main goal of all knowledge.” human - good behavior." |
| Milo | A handsome officer, Sophia's fiancé. Despite his youth, he already took part in hostilities, where he showed himself heroically. Modest. “A young man of great merit,” “the entire public considers him an honest and worthy person,” according to Starodum. | "I'm in love and I have the happiness of being loved.”“I believe true fearlessness is in the soul, not in the heart...” |
| Minor characters | ||
| Tsyfirkin | He was a soldier in the past, so he values the concepts of duty and honor: “I took money for service, but I didn’t take it for nothing and I won’t take it.” Rough, but straightforward and honest. “I don’t like to live idly,” he says. "Direct kind person"named Starodum. | “Here gentlemen are good commanders!” “Here there is rapid fire for three hours a day.” “Hello for a hundred years, yes twenty, and another fifteen, countless years.” |
| Kuteikin | A half-educated seminarian with a “speaking” surname: kutia is a ritual porridge, a mandatory Christmas and funeral dish. The man is undoubtedly cunning, as evidenced by the choice of text when teaching Mitrofan: “I am a worm, and not a man, a reproach of men,” “that is, an animal, a cattle.” Greedy for money, tries not to miss out on what he has. | Church Slavonic vocabulary: “utter darkness”, “woe is me a sinner”, “the call was”, “I came”, “fearing the abyss of wisdom”. |
| Vralman | German Adam Adamovich is Starodum's former coachman. The man is a rogue, as his last name suggests, posing as a scientist who can teach “French and all sciences,” while he himself interferes with other teachers. The owner of a lackey's soul, tries to please Prostakova, praising Mitrofan. He himself is ignorant and uncultured. | “They want to kill the turnip!” “Shiuchi with the best horses, as far as I’m concerned, I’m all with the little horses.” |
| Eremeevna | Mitrofan's nanny. She sincerely serves in the Prostakovs’ house, loves her pupil Mitrofan, but is rewarded for her service like this: “Five rubles a year, up to five slaps a day.” | “... I would have broken down with him... I wouldn’t even take care of my fangs.”... you don’t know how to serve anymore... I would be glad if nothing else... you don’t regret your belly... but everything is not to your liking." |
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- Characteristics The present century The past century Attitude to wealth, to ranks “We found protection from court in friends, in kinship, building magnificent chambers where they indulge in feasts and extravagance, and where the most vile traits of the foreign clients of their past life will not be resurrected,” “And those whoever is higher, flattery, like weaving lace...” “Be inferior, but if you have enough, two thousand family souls, he is the groom” Attitude to service “I would be glad to serve, it’s sickening to be served”, “Uniform! one uniform! He is in their former life [...]
- Landowner Appearance Estate Characteristics Attitude to Chichikov's request Manilov The man is not yet old, his eyes are as sweet as sugar. But there was too much sugar. In the first minute of a conversation with him you will say what a nice person he is, after a minute you will say nothing, and in the third minute you will think: “The devil knows what this is!” The master's house stands on a hill, open to all winds. The economy is in complete decline. The housekeeper steals, there is always something missing in the house. Cooking in the kitchen is a mess. Servants - […]
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“The Minor” is a play in five acts written by Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin. Cult Dramatic work XVIII century and one of the most striking examples of classicism. It went into school curriculum, was repeatedly staged on the theatrical stage, received a screen embodiment, and its lines were disassembled into quotes, which today live independently of the original source, becoming aphorisms of the Russian language.
Plot: summary of the play “Minor”
The plot of “The Minor” is well known to everyone since school years, however, we still remind you summary plays to recall the sequence of events in memory.
The action takes place in the village of Prostakovs. Its owners - Mrs. and Mr. Prostakov and their son Mitrofanushka - live the quiet life of provincial nobles. Also living on the estate is the orphan Sofyushka, whom the lady sheltered in her house, but, as it turns out, not out of compassion, but because of the inheritance, which she freely disposes of as a self-proclaimed guardian. In the near future, they plan to marry Sophia to Prostakova’s brother Taras Skotinin.
The mistress's plans collapse when Sophia receives a letter from her uncle Starodum, who was still considered dead. Stradum is alive and well and is going on a date with his niece, and he also reports a fortune of 10 thousand in income, which he passes on as an inheritance to his beloved relative. After such news, Prostakova begins to court Sophia, whom she has hitherto given little favor to, because now she wants to marry her to her beloved Mitrofan, and leave Skotinin with nothing.
Fortunately, Starodum turned out to be noble and an honest man wishing well for your niece. Moreover, Sophia already had a betrothed - officer Milon, who had just stopped with his regiment in the village of Prostakov. Starodub knew Milon and gave the young man his blessing.
In desperation, Prostakova tries to organize the kidnapping of Sophia and forcibly marry her to her son. However, even here the treacherous mistress suffers a fiasco - Milon saves his beloved on the night of the kidnapping.
Prostakova is generously forgiven and not put on trial, although her estate, which has long been a source of suspicion, is transferred to a state guardian. Everyone leaves and even Mitrofanushka leaves his mother, because he doesn’t love her, like, in general, no one else in the world.
Characteristics of heroes: positive and negative characters
As in any classic work, the characters in “The Minor” are clearly divided into positive and negative.
Negative heroes:
- Mrs. Prostakova is the mistress of the village;
- Mr. Prostakov is her husband;
- Mitrofanushka is the son of the Prostakovs, an undergrowth;
- Taras Skotinin is the brother of the Prostakovs.
Positive heroes:
- Sophia is an orphan, lives with the Prostakovs;
- Starodum is her uncle;
- Milon is an officer, Sophia’s lover;
- Pravdin is a government official who came to monitor affairs in the Prostakov village.
Minor characters:
- Tsyfirkin – arithmetic teacher;
- Kuteikin – teacher, former seminarian;
- Vralman is a former coachman, posing as a teacher;
- Eremevna is Mitrofan’s nanny.
Mrs. Prostakova
Prostakova is the brightest negative character, and indeed the most outstanding actor plays. She is the mistress of the Prostakov village and it is the mistress, who has completely suppressed her weak-willed husband, who establishes the lordly order and makes decisions.
At the same time, she is absolutely ignorant, has no manners, and is often rude. Prostakova, like other members of the family, cannot read and despises science. Mitrofanushka’s mother is involved in education only because this is how it’s supposed to be in New World society, but true value does not understand knowledge.
In addition to ignorance, Prostakova is distinguished by cruelty, deceit, hypocrisy, and envy.
The only creature she loves is her son Mitrofanushka. However, the mother’s blind, absurd love only spoils the child, turning him into a copy of himself in a man’s dress.
Mr. Prostakov
The figurative owner of the Prostakov estate. In fact, everything is controlled by his domineering wife, of whom he is terribly afraid and does not dare say a word. Prostakov has long lost his own opinion and dignity. He cannot even say whether the caftan sewn by the tailor Trishka for Mitrofan is good or bad, because he is afraid to say something that is not what his mistress expects.
Mitrofan
Son of the Prostakovs, an undergrowth. His family lovingly calls him Mitrofanushka. Meanwhile, it’s time for this young man to enter adulthood, but he has absolutely no idea about it. Mitrofan is spoiled motherly love, he is capricious, cruel to servants and teachers, pompous, lazy. Despite many years of lessons with teachers, the young master is hopelessly stupid, he does not show the slightest desire for learning and knowledge.
And the worst thing is that Mitrofanushka is a terrible egoist; nothing matters to him except his own interests. At the end of the play, he easily leaves his mother, who loved him so unrequitedly. Even she is nothing to him.
Skotinin
Brother of Mrs. Prostakova. Narcissistic, narrow-minded, ignorant, cruel and greedy. Taras Skotinin has a great passion for pigs; the rest is of little interest to this narrow-minded person. He has no idea of family ties, heartfelt affection and love. Describing how well he will heal future wife, Skotinin only says that he will allocate her the best light. In his system of coordinates, this is precisely what marital happiness consists of.
Sophia
Positive female image works. A very well-mannered, kind, meek and compassionate girl. Sophia received a good education, she has an inquisitive mind and a thirst for knowledge. Even in the poisonous atmosphere of the Prostakovs’ house, the girl does not become like the owners, but continues to lead the lifestyle that she likes - she reads a lot, thinks, and is friendly and polite to everyone.
Starodum
Sophia's uncle and guardian. Starodum is the voice of the author in the play. His speeches are very aphoristic, he talks a lot about life, virtues, intelligence, law, government, modern society, marriage, love and other pressing issues. Starodum is incredibly wise and noble. Despite the fact that he clearly has a negative attitude towards Prostakova and others like her, Starodum does not allow himself to stoop to rudeness and outright criticism, and as for light sarcasm, his narrow-minded “relatives” cannot recognize it.
Milo
Officer, Sophia's lover. The image of a hero-defender, ideal young man, husband. He is very fair and does not tolerate meanness and lies. Milo was brave, not only in battle, but also in his speeches. He is devoid of vanity and low-minded prudence. All of Sophia’s “suitors” talked only about her condition, but Milon never mentioned that his betrothed was rich. He sincerely loved Sophia even before she had an inheritance, and therefore in his choice the young man was not guided by the size of the bride’s annual income.
“I don’t want to study, but I want to get married”: the problem of education in the story
The key problem of the work is the theme of provincial noble upbringing and education. Main character Mitrofanushka receives an education only because it is fashionable and “just the way it is.” In fact, neither he nor his ignorant mother understands the true purpose of knowledge. They should make a person smarter, better, serve him throughout his life and benefit society. Knowledge is gained through hard work and can never be forced into someone's head.
Mitrofan's home education is a dummy, a fiction, a provincial theater. For several years, the unfortunate student did not master either reading or writing. Mitrofan fails the comic test that Pravdin arranges with a bang, but because of his stupidity he cannot even understand this. He calls the word door an adjective, because it is supposedly attached to the opening, he confuses science history with the stories that Vralman tells him in abundance, and Mitrofanushka can’t even pronounce the word “geography”... it’s too tricky.
To show the grotesqueness of Mitrofan’s education, Fonvizin introduces the image of Vralman, who teaches “French and all sciences.” In fact, Vralman (that’s a telling name!) is not a teacher at all, but Starodum’s former coachman. He easily deceives the ignorant Prostakova and even becomes her favorite, because he professes his own teaching methodology - not to force the student to do anything through force. With such zeal as Mitrofan’s, the teacher and student are simply idle.
Education goes hand in hand with acquiring knowledge and skills. Mrs. Prostakova is mostly responsible for him. She methodically imposes her rotten morality on Mitrofan, who (here he is diligent here!) perfectly absorbs his mother’s advice. So, while solving a division problem, Prostakova advises her son not to share with anyone, but to take everything for himself. When talking about marriage, mother speaks only about the bride’s wealth, never mentioning spiritual affection and love. The young Mitrofan is not familiar with such concepts as courage, boldness, and valor. Despite the fact that he is no longer a baby, he is still looked after in everything. The boy cannot even stand up for himself during a clash with his uncle; he immediately begins to call his mother, and the old nanny Eremeevna rushes at the offender with her fists.
The meaning of the name: two sides of the coin
The title of the play has a literal and figurative meaning.
Direct meaning of the name
In the old days, minors were called teenagers, young men who had not yet reached adulthood and had not entered college. public service.
The figurative meaning of the name
A fool, an ignoramus, a narrow-minded and uneducated person was also called a minor, regardless of his age. WITH light hand Fonvizin, it is precisely this negative connotation that has become attached to the word in modern Russian.
Every person is reborn from a minor youth into an adult man. This is growing up, a law of nature. However, not everyone transforms from a dark, half-educated child into an educated, self-sufficient person. This transformation requires effort and perseverance.
Place in literature: Russian literature XVIII centuries → Russian dramaturgy XVIII century → Works of Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin → 1782 → The play “The Minor”.
“The Minor” is a play by D. I. Fonvizin. Analysis of the work, main characters
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