Description of the truth from the comedy of the undergrowth. Fonvizin, Minor

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 young man’s high moral qualities, 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. Having learned about the departure of the happy couple, the Prostakov family decides to intercept Sophia on the way out.

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 names 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.

Comedy Analysis

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 point 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 lifestyles and speech dialects.

The author innovatively shows the life of the landowners of that time, the relationship between the owners and ordinary peasant people. The complex psychological characteristics of the characters gave impetus to the subsequent development of Russian everyday comedy as a theatrical and literary genre of the era of classicism.

Hero Quotes

Mitrofanushka- “I don’t want to study, I want to get married”;

— “The direct dignity in man is the soul” and many others.

Prostakova — « People live and lived without sciences"

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, true 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 brilliant work is clear - the eradication of ignorance, the cultivation of virtues, the fight against the vices that have afflicted Russian society and the state.

In the comedy “The Minor,” Pravdin is a positive hero, an honest official with humane views on estate management. According to the plot of the work, a man on duty ends up in the village of Prostakova in order to expose and stop the atrocities occurring there, punish the cruel landowners and take the estate under his own guardianship. The official successfully resolves an acute situation, punishing the guilty and helping those in need.

In “The Minor” as a classic play, the names of the characters largely determine their personal qualities and role in the work. Pravdin was no exception. In “The Minor,” the character’s personality characteristics fully correspond to the meaning of his last name – “Pravdin” from “truth,” that is, the hero is the bearer of truth and impartial justice. In the comedy, the official acts as an auditor, personifying the letter of the law, the highest justice and severity in decisions - he punishes the guilty, taking the village from the Prostakovs, finds out which of the teachers served honestly and who only deceived Prostakova. The man also decides Mitrofan’s fate, taking him into his service.

The character Pravdin plays important V ideological plan comedies. In his image, Fonvizin portrayed the ideal of a humane and educated education official who deservedly rewards and punishes. For the author, Pravdin is the personification of humane, rational truth in the last instance.

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“The Minor” is a play in five acts written by Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin. A cult dramatic work of the 18th 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, but 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 give 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 a noble and honest man who wished well for his niece. Moreover, Sophia already had a betrothed - officer Milon, who had just stopped with his regiment in the village of Prostakov. Starodub knew Milo 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 - Milo 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 is supposed to be in New World society, but she does not understand the true value of 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 by his mother's love, he is capricious, cruel to servants and teachers, pompous, and 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 his future wife will heal, Skotinin only says that he will give her the best light. In his system of coordinates, this is precisely what marital happiness consists of.

Sophia

Positive female image of the work. 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, 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-protector, an ideal young man, a 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.

Home education Mitrofana 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 the light hand of Fonvizin, it was precisely this negative connotation that became attached to the word in the modern Russian language.

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 person into an educated, self-sufficient person. This transformation requires effort and perseverance.

Place in literature: Russian literature XVIII centuries → Russian drama of the 18th century → The work of Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin → 1782 → The play “The Minor.”

There are not many positive characters in Fonvizin's comedy "The Minor", but they all carry a certain idea. This role is also played by Pravdin, a government official who settled with the Prostakovs in order to reveal their cruelty towards the peasants. He values ​​human rights and is convinced that nothing can justify tyranny over peasants. He carries out his task with zeal and exposes the atrocities of the Prostakovs to the law.

There is no doubt that this character's surname is telling. It means that the hero stands for the truth, brings justice. He is dominated by such qualities as humanity, devotion to his principles and the desire to serve for the good of his country. And also patience and dedication, which lead to a happy ending.

From the first pages of our acquaintance with this character, we can be convinced of his honesty. He refuses to read a letter that is not addressed to him, and agrees only after a personal request from Sophia herself. This suggests that he is well-educated and always follows his own ideas about morality. Also from his conversations with Milo, it becomes clear that he is not only an honest official, but also a devoted friend. He sincerely rejoices at the happiness of Milon and Sophia and readily helps them when the need arises.

His respectful attitude towards Starodum is also noteworthy. Starodum, being wise man Having seen a lot in his life, he easily recognizes in Pravdin a highly moral and honest person. This is how Sophia sees him too. From the very moment they met, she was convinced of the deep education of this man and found it pleasant to communicate with him.

At the end of the play, Pravdin talks about the purpose of his stay in the Prostakovs’ house and announces that management of the house is now passing into his hands. Despite his power and position, Pravdin never abuses his powers and always follows the letter of the law and his own convictions. Justice triumphs, and the tyranny of the evil Prostakova and the cowardice of her husband are severely punished.

Pravdin personifies the strength of the state, its ability to protect the weak and punish the guilty. Fonvizin believes that it is precisely such honest and educated people and the future of the country is being built. He sets Pravdin as an example to all government officials, believing that there are many such Pravdins, and they are ready to happily stand up for the truth.

Essay about Pravdin

Pravdin is a government official who is called upon to understand the affairs of the Prostakov landowners. He learns about Prostakova’s greed and stinginess, and also that she takes away everything she has from Sophia. Using the help of Starodum and Milon, he takes away the estate from Prostakova, thereby punishing the landowner for everything she has done, mocking her greed and stupidity.

This hero, like everyone else in this comedy, bears a surname that characterizes him. Pravdin is a very honest and sincere person, he always does what is right and fair. From the very beginning of our acquaintance with this character, we can be convinced that he is very well-mannered and honest - he did not want to read a letter that was not addressed to him, but agreed only after Sophia personally asked him.

Pravdin serves as governor and controls the decrees of the entire province. He considers his main goal in life to be to stop the cruelty of nobles against ordinary serfs. In those days, landowners were very cruel to poor peasants. And especially the Prostakov family. Since the peasants could not stand up for themselves, Pravdin strictly monitored order in his province and, in particular, watched the Prostakovs.

Pravdin has a lot in common with Starodum. They both share each other's opinions and are educated, literate and well-read people, both heroes do not tolerate cruelty and first of all look at the qualities of a person, and not at his financial situation and rank.

Pravdin has a positive and bright side in this comedy, since with his help the author shows the image in this comedy that all is not lost and there are still such noble people as Pravdin.

We cannot say that the hero is involved in a love conflict in a comedy. Fonvizin gives this role to Milon, Sophia’s lover. And he is not one of the people who is vying for the girl's hand. Pravdin stands aside in this conflict. But, nevertheless, he plays an important role in the play. As a representative of the authorities, it is he who takes away their estate from the Prostakovs, punishing them for greed and ignorance.

Pravdin never takes bribes, because he believes that this is very mean and low. But many landowners do not understand him, since they have been accustomed to lying and acting dishonestly all their lives. The author shows that if there are people like Pravdin, then everything is not hopeless and the problems with cruelty against serfs will improve.

Option 3

The writer A. Fonvizin endowed his work “The Minor” with a large number of negative characters. But their number does not include the image of Pravdin; even the surname itself emphasizes this characteristic feature. For this person, the most important thing in life is the truth. He is an ordinary official, not indifferent to justice, tirelessly fighting for human rights. He is concerned, in his opinion, with the consumerism and cruel treatment of peasants. He is trying in every way to convict the Prostakovs.

Initially, in the work, Pravdin appears before the reader as an honest person. This is clearly visible in his decisive refusal to read someone else’s letter, however, at Sophia’s insistence, he still does it. In the image of this hero one can find traits of devotion and sincerity towards his friend Milo. He is always ready to lend a helping hand if it is in his power.

Another one positive trait- respectful attitude towards older people, namely the elderly hero Starodum. Wise old man, like Sophia, see in an official an honest, highly moral person. They have pleasant, peaceful conversations from the very first meeting.

The play ends with the fact that it reveals the reason for Pravdin’s appearance in the Prostakovs’ house. He declares his rights to manage the entire house and household of the countess. Moreover, his right is absolutely legal, without exceeding his powers. And the official is driven only by personal convictions.

In his view, bribery is a very vile and pathetic act, which he suppresses with his example. Pravdin does not find supporters of his beliefs and therefore most landowners do not understand and do not want to accept his moral values.

The positive hero, Pravdin, ultimately manages to teach the Prostakov family a lesson for their outrage. This looks like a demonstration of the powerful state power, capable of restoring justice between people of unequal status.

Heroes like Pravdin set an example for government officials and can truly shape the future of the country. To do this, you just need to strictly follow the established laws.

Essay 4

This character is the personification of an honest and humane official, an example of what a person in public service should be.

The essence of this minor character (like other heroes of the comedy) is expressed, in the traditions of the times of its creation, by his surname. If the Prostakovs and, in particular, Mitrofanushka, personify the vices inherent in the ruling class, then Pravdin is introduced into the works as the “punishing sword of the state,” the one who will give everyone what they deserve.

One of the purposes of writing a comedy, as its name suggests, is the author’s desire to condemn nobles who want to live for their own pleasure, and not serve the state, as law and custom dictate. In this regard, Pravdin, who restores order, is shown as an ideal landowner and civil servant. At least the author doesn't say anything about its shortcomings.

In addition to unswervingly following his duty, Pravdin is shown as a humane, polite and courteous person. However, Pravdin’s main advantage (besides the honest performance of his duties) is his commitment to education. The play constantly ridicules both the stupid and ignorant landowners and Mitrofanushka’s mediocre and lazy teachers, thanks to whom he did not become a worthy officer or official. Because of this, the author emphasizes Pravdin’s desire to fight ignorance, in which he sees the root of evil. The official not only fulfills his direct duties by appointing minors to the public service, and prevents the Prostakovs from showing cruelty towards the serfs, depriving them of the opportunity to dispose of their estate. He identifies Mitrofanushka's unworthy teachers, giving them what they deserve.

In general, we can conclude that in the image of Pravdin the author depicted power as such. Not being, of course, an opponent of the existing system, believing that there is no need for radical changes, and education and honest officials are enough to eliminate shortcomings, Fonvizin created the image of one of them. Pravdin shows a way to solve the problems facing society, a role model that the author encourages to follow.

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