The present century is a work of woe from the mind. “The present century” and the “past century” in Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit”
ATTITUDE TO EDUCATION
The present century: The main representative of the present century in comedy is Chatsky. He is smart, well-developed, “knows how to talk,” “he knows how to make everyone laugh, he chats and jokes.” Unfortunately, his intelligence makes him feel “out of place” in Famus society. People do not understand and do not listen to him, and towards the end of the work they consider him crazy.
The past century: In the work, Famusov (it is he and his society that are considered as representatives of the past century) has a very negative attitude towards education: “They would take the books and burn them.”
(In a conversation about Sophia:) “Tell me that it’s not good for her to spoil her eyes, and reading is of little use: French books make her sleepless, but Russian books make it painful for me to sleep.” “Learning is the plague, learning is the cause.” “He’s been reading fables all his life, and these are the fruits of these books” (about Sophia).
Famusov believes that education is a completely unnecessary part human life that, having money, a person does not need either education or books (as a way of entertainment).
ATTITUDE TO THE SERVICE
The present century: Chatsky was in military service. His main goal is business, not profit, rank. Service is necessary for self-development and improvement of abilities. “I would be glad to serve, but being served is sickening.”
The past century: For Famusov, service is, first of all, receiving a rank. Military service- also a way to develop a career, and a career is money.
Famusov believes that a person without money is a nobody - a person of the lowest class.
ATTITUDE TO WEALTH AND RANK
The present century: For Chatsky, wealth is not the main characteristic of a person, although he understands that it is an indicator of power (in any century). “And for those who are higher, flattery was woven like lace.” - people are ready to say goodbye to pride and do anything for the sake of money. "Ranks are given by people, but people can be deceived."
The past century: Wealth is the definition of position in society. If a person is rich, then Famusov. most likely, he will happily start communicating with him (These are visits to dear guests, and also, perhaps, benefits for himself). Of course, Famusov also wants to find a rich husband for his daughter Sophia - to improve his own income. "Whoever is poor is not a match for you." “Be inferior, but if there are two thousand family souls, that’s the groom.”
ATTITUDE TOWARDS FOREIGNERS
The present century: While in Europe, Chatsky got used to its variability, life, movement, fashion. “What new will Moscow show me?” "How with early times We are accustomed to believe that without the Germans we have no salvation." "Ah, if we were born to adopt everything, even if we could borrow a little from the Chinese, their wise ignorance of foreigners. Will we ever be resurrected from the alien power of fashion? So that our smart, cheerful people, even by language, do not consider us Germans.”
The past century: Having become accustomed to his generation, Famusov does not welcome French fashion. Not approving of books at all, he dislikes French novels even more. "French books make her sleepless." When Famusov found Molchalin at Sophia’s: “And here are the fruits of these books! And all the Kuznetsk swearing, and the eternal French, from there fashion for us, and authors, and muses: destroyers of pockets and hearts! When will the Creator deliver us from their hats! Cheptsov! And hairpins! And pins! And book and biscuit shops!"
ATTITUDE TO FREEDOM OF JUDGMENT
This century: First of all, you need to listen to yourself and your mind. “Why are other people’s opinions only sacred? I believe my own eyes.” In a conversation with Molchalin, Chatsky completely disagrees with him that “at their age they should not dare to have their own judgments.” But, unfortunately, the availability own opinion leads him to troubles in Famus society.
The past century: “Today, more than ever, there are more crazy people, deeds, and opinions.” Accordingly, all troubles occur due to the emergence of other people’s own opinions. In Famus society, it is beneficial to keep with you those who do not have such a “flaw”. People must live and act strictly according to the template, obeying, most importantly, people who are higher in rank.
ATTITUDE TO LOVE
Current century:
1) For Chatsky, love is, first of all, a sincere feeling. Despite this, he knows how to think sensibly and puts love no higher than reason.
2) Raised on French novels, Sophia completely loses herself in her dreams, which are often very different from reality. This makes her blind, not seeing that Molchalin is looking exclusively for profit from their “love.” “I don’t care what’s in it, what’s in the water!”, “ happy hours do not notice".
3) Molchalin hardly understands the concept of “sincere love”. Beautiful words are the only way he influences Sophia, for whom this and the ideal fictional image she created of him are quite enough. Sofia for Molchalin - perfect way get close to her father's money. According to Chatsky, Molchalin is not worthy of love. At the same time, he manages to flirt with Lisa. As a result, for him Sophia is a benefit, Lisa is entertainment.
The past century: Famusov does not believe in the existence of love, since he himself is in love only with his own income. In his opinion, marriage is about good connections, a rise in career ladder. “That beggar, that dandy friend, is a notorious spendthrift, a tomboy; What a commission, creator, to be the father of an adult daughter!”
“THE PRESENT CENTURY” AND “THE PAST CENTURY” IN GRIBOEDOV’S COMEDY “WOE FROM MIND”
Plan.
1. Introduction.
“Woe from Wit” is one of the most topical works in Russian literature.
2. Main part.
2.1 The collision of the “present century” and the “past century”.
2.2. Famusov is a representative of the old Moscow nobility.
2.3 Colonel Skalozub - representative of the Arakcheevskaya army environment.
2.4 Chatsky is a representative of the “present century”.
3. Conclusion.
The collision of two eras gives rise to change. Chatsky is broken by quantity old power, causing her, in turn, death blow quality of fresh strength.
I. Goncharov
The comedy “Woe from Wit” by Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov can be called one of the most topical works in Russian literature. Here the author touches on the pressing issues of that time, many of which continue to occupy the minds of the public even many years after the creation of the play. The content of the comedy is revealed through the collision and change of two eras - “the present century” and the “past century”.
After Patriotic War 1812 in Russian noble society a split occurred: two public camps formed. The camp of feudal reaction in the person of Famusov, Skalozub, and other people in their circle embodies the “past century.” New times, new beliefs and advanced positions noble youth represented by Chatsky. Griboedov expressed the clash of “centuries” in the struggle of these two groups of heroes.
“The Past Century” is presented by the author by people of different positions and ages. These are Famusov, Molchalin, Skalozub, Countess Khlestova, guests at the ball. The worldview of all these characters was formed in the “golden” age of Catherine and has not changed in any way since then. It is this conservatism, the desire to preserve everything “the way the fathers did it,” that unites them.
Representatives of the “past century” do not accept novelty, and see enlightenment as the cause of all the problems of the present:
Learning is the plague, learning is the reason,
What is now, more than ever,
There were crazy people, deeds, and opinions.
Famusov is usually called a typical representative of the old Moscow nobility. He is a convinced serf owner and sees nothing reprehensible in young people learning to “bend over backward” and serve in order to achieve success in their careers. Pavel Afanasyevich categorically does not accept new trends. He bows to his uncle, who “ate on gold,” and the reader understands perfectly well how his numerous ranks and awards were received - of course, not thanks to his faithful service to the Motherland.
Next to Famusov, Colonel Skalozub is “a golden bag and aims to become a general.” At first glance, his image is caricatured. But Griboyedov created a completely truthful historical portrait representative of the Arakcheevo army environment. Skalozub, like Famusov, is guided in life by the ideals of the “past century,” but only in a rougher form. The purpose of his life is not to serve the Fatherland, but to achieve ranks and awards.
All representatives of Famus society are egoists, hypocrites and self-interested people. They are only interested in their own well-being, social entertainment, intrigue and gossip, and their ideals are wealth and power. Griboedov exposes these people in Chatsky's passionate monologues. Alexander Andreevich Chatsky - humanist; it protects the freedom and independence of the individual. In the angry monologue “Who are the judges?” the hero denounces what he hates serfdom, highly appreciates the Russian people, their intelligence, love of freedom. Chatsky’s groveling before everything foreign evokes a sharp protest.
Chatsky is a representative of the progressive noble youth and the only hero in the comedy who embodies the “present century.” Everything says that Chatsky is a bearer of new views: his behavior, lifestyle, speech. He is confident that the “age of submission and fear” should become a thing of the past, along with its morals, ideals and values.
However, traditions days gone by are still strong - Chatsky is convinced of this very quickly. Society sharply puts the hero in his place for his straightforwardness and audacity. The conflict between Chatsky and Famusov only at first glance appears to be an ordinary conflict between fathers and children. In fact, this is a struggle of minds, views, ideas.
So, along with Famusov, Chatsky’s peers, Molchalin and Sophia, also belong to the “past century.” Sophia is not stupid and, perhaps, in the future her views could still change, but she was raised in the company of her father, on his philosophy and morality. Both Sophia and Famusov favor Molchalin, and let him “not have this mind, / What a genius is for others, but for others a plague.”..
He, as expected, is modest, helpful, silent and will not offend anyone. They do not notice that behind the mask of the ideal groom lies deceit and pretense aimed at achieving the goal. Molchalin, continuing the traditions of the “past century,” is meekly ready to “please all people without exception” in order to achieve benefits. But it is him, and not Chatsky, that Sophia chooses. The smoke of the Fatherland is “sweet and pleasant” to Chatsky.
After the lapse of three years he returns to native home and at first he was very friendly. But his hopes and joys are not justified - at every step he runs into a wall of misunderstanding. Chatsky is alone in his opposition to Famus society; Even the girl he loves rejects him. Moreover, the conflict with society is closely intertwined with Chatsky’s personal tragedy: after all, it is with Sophia’s suggestion that conversations about his madness begin in society.
Let's think!
- How do you understand the statement “this century”?
- What does “past century” mean?
- Which of the heroes can be attributed to the “present century”, and which to the “past century”? Why did you decide so?
- Can we rephrase our lesson topic?
- What will it sound like then?
- “Chatsky and Famusov”, “Chatsky and Famusov Moscow” “Chatsky and Famusov Society”, etc.
- Those. today we have to compare these heroes(these polarities) and identify the main criteria, on which they diverge, i.e. find out the reasons for dividing “centuries” into “present” and “past”
- Which episode has the most first reveals itself different attitude heroes in things (phenomena) in one area or another?
- Conversation between Famusov and Chatsky - action 2 phenomenon 2 .
comparison table
- Attitude to wealth, to ranks.
Chatsky: « We found protection from court in friends, in kinship , Magnificent building chambers, Where they are poured into feasting and extravagance , And where foreign clients will not resurrect the meanest traits of their past lives,” “ And to those who are higher, flattery how they wove lace..."
Famusov: « Be bad , yes, if there is enough, Two thousand showers generic, that and groom »
comparison table
2. Attitude to the service.
Chatsky: “I would be glad to serve, being served is sickening ", "Uniform! one uniform! In their former life, he once covered, embroidered and beautiful, their weakness, their poverty of reason; And we follow them on a happy journey! And in wives and daughters there is the same passion for the uniform! How long ago did I renounce tenderness towards him?! Now I can’t fall into this childishness... »
Famusov: « And I have, what's the matter, what's not the matter , my custom is this: signed, off your shoulders »
comparison table
3. Attitude towards foreignness.
Chatsky: “And where foreign clients will not be resurrected The meanest features of the past life ", "Like from early times got used to it we believe That without the Germans we have no salvation ».
Famusov: « The door is unlocked for the invited and the uninvited, especially for foreigners."
comparison table
4. Attitude towards education.
Chatsky: « That, today, just as in ancient times, they are busy recruit teachers shelves More than , at a price cheaper ?… Us everyone is ordered to confess historian and geographer"
Famusov: « Take it all I should burn the books ", "Learning - there's a plague , learning is the reason that now it’s more important than ever, crazy people divorced both deeds and opinions."
comparison table
5. Attitude towards peasants.
Chatsky: “That Nestor of noble scoundrels, surrounded by a crowd of servants; Zealous, they saved his honor and life more than once in the hours of wine and fight: suddenly, on them he traded greyhounds for three dogs !!!»
Famusov: Famusov is a defender of the old century, the heyday of serfdom ( bring examples from the text his relationship with servants and peasants, perhaps not only his).
comparison table
6. Attitude to Moscow morals.
Chatsky: "Yes and who in Moscow did not have their mouths clamped , lunches, dinners and dances?
Famusov: “To Praskovya Fedorovna’s house on Tuesday I'm invited to trout ", "On Thursday I called to the funeral ", "Or maybe on Friday, or maybe on Saturday I have to baptize a widow, a doctor's wife …»
comparison table
7. Attitude towards nepotism, patronage*
Chatsky: "A judges who ? - For the antiquity of years K free life their the enmity is irreconcilable …»
Famusov: “I have servants with me strangers Very rare , More sisters, sisters-in-law, children »
*patronage, influential support from someone, facilitating the organization of someone’s affairs
comparison table
8. Attitude towards freedom of judgment
Chatsky: “For mercy, you and I are not guys, Why are other people's opinions only sacred? ?»
Famusov: “*Learning is the plague, learning is the reason. What is worse now than then, crazy people and deeds and opinions »
comparison table
9. Attitude towards love
Chatsky: “And what do I want when everything is decided? I have to get into a loop , but she’s funny.”
Famusov: «* Be bad , yes, if there is enough Shower of a thousand two ancestral ones, - he and the groom »»
comparison table
10. Ideals.
Please conclude what is the ideal for everyone? Confirm your opinion.
Chatsky: Chatsky's ideal - free independent person, alien to slavish humiliation.
Famusov: Famusov's ideal - nobleman Catherine's century, " hunters to be mean"
Conclusion:
- What do you think underlies this difference between the characters (representatives)?
- Which one do you agree with more? Who is closer to you? Why?
- Is comedy relevant now?
Homework.
- Working with comedy text. Characteristics of A.Molchalin.
- Find quotes, by which you can compare Chatsky and Molchalin.
- What characteristics would you compare them by? ( your approximate criteria)
The "present" century and the "past" century in Griboyedov's comedy "Woe from Wit"
The present century and the past century
A. S. Griboyedov
"Woe from Wit" is one of the most topical works of Russian drama. The problems posed in the comedy continued to worry the Russian social thought and literature many years after its birth.
“Woe from Wit” is the fruit of Griboedov’s patriotic thoughts about the fate of Russia, about ways of renewal and reconstruction of its life. From this point of view, the comedy illuminates the most important political, moral and cultural issues era.
The content of the comedy is revealed as a collision and change of two eras of Russian life - the “present” century and the “past” century. The border between them, in my opinion, is the War of 1812 - the fire of Moscow, the defeat of Napoleon, the return of the army from foreign campaigns. After the Patriotic War, two public camps emerged in Russian society. This is the camp of feudal reaction in the person of Famusov, Skalozub and others, and the camp of advanced noble youth in the person of Chatsky. The comedy clearly shows that the clash of centuries was an expression of the struggle between these two camps.
In the enthusiastic stories of Fvmusov and the accusatory speeches of Chatsky, the author creates an image of the 18th, “past” century. The “past” century is the ideal of Famusov’s society, because Famusov is a convinced serf owner. He is ready to exile his peasants to Siberia for any trifle, hates education, grovels before his superiors, currying favor as best he can to receive a new rank. He bows to his uncle, who “ate on gold,” served at the court of Catherine herself, and walked “all in orders.” Of course, he received his numerous ranks and awards not through faithful service to the fatherland, but by currying favor with the empress. And he diligently teaches this vileness to young people:
That's it, you are all proud!
Would you ask what the fathers did?
We would learn by looking at our elders.
Famusov boasts of both his own semi-enlightenment and that of the entire class to which he belongs; boasting that Moscow girls “bring out the top notes”; that his door is open to everyone, both invited and uninvited, “especially from foreigners.”
In the next “ode” by Fvmusov there is praise to the nobility, a hymn to servile and selfish Moscow:
For example, we have been doing this since ancient times,
What honor for father and son:
Be bad, but if you get enough
Two thousand family showers - he and the groom!
Chatsky’s arrival alarmed Famusov: expect only trouble from him. Famusov turns to the calendar. This is a sacred rite for him. Having begun to list the upcoming tasks, he comes into a complacent mood. In fact, there will be a dinner with trout, the burial of the rich and respectable Kuzma Petrovich, and the doctor’s christening. Here it is, the life of the Russian nobility: sleep, food, entertainment, more food and more sleep.
Next to Famusov in the comedy stands Skalozub - “and a golden bag and aims to become a general” Colonel Skalozub typical representative Arakcheevskaya army environment. At first glance, his image is caricatured. But this is not so: historically it is quite true. Like Famusov, the colonel is guided in his life by the philosophy and ideals of the “past” century, but in a rougher form. He sees the purpose of his life not in serving the fatherland, but in achieving ranks and awards, which, in his opinion, are more accessible to a military man:
I'm pretty happy in my comrades,
Vacancies are currently open:
Then the old ones will be turned off,
The others, you see, have been killed.
Chatsky characterizes Skalozub as follows:
Khripun, strangled, bassoon,
A constellation of maneuvers and mazurkas.
Skalozub began to make his career from the moment when the heroes of 1812 began to be replaced by stupid martinets, slavishly loyal to the autocracy, led by Arakcheev.
In my opinion, Famusov and Skalozub take first place in the description of lordly Moscow. The people of Famusov's circle are selfish and selfish. They spend all their time in social entertainment, vulgar intrigues and stupid gossip. This special society has its own ideology, its own way of life, its own outlook on life. They are sure that there is no other ideal than wealth, power and universal respect. “After all, only here they value the nobility,” says Famusov about lordly Moscow. Griboyedov exposes the reactionary nature of feudal society and thereby shows where the dominance of the Famus family is leading Russia.
He puts his revelations into the monologues of Chatsky, who has sharp mind, quickly determines the essence of the subject. For friends and enemies, Chatsky was not just smart, but a “freethinker,” belonging to the progressive circle of people. The thoughts that worried him disturbed the minds of all progressive youth of that time. Chatsky arrives in St. Petersburg when the “liberalist” movement is born. In this environment, in my opinion, Chatsky’s views and aspirations take shape. He knows literature well. Famusov heard rumors that Chatsky “writes and translates well.” Such a passion for literature was typical of free-thinking noble youth. At the same time, Chatsky is also fascinated by social activity: we learn about his connection with the ministers. I believe he even managed to visit the village, because Famusov claims that he “made a fortune” there. One can assume that this whim meant good attitude to the peasants, perhaps some economic reforms. These high aspirations of Chatsky are an expression of his patriotic feelings, hostility towards lordly morals and serfdom in general. I think I won’t be mistaken in assuming that Griboedov, for the first time in Russian literature, revealed the national historical origins of the Russian liberation movement of the 20s of the 19th century, the circumstances of the formation of Decembrism. It was the Decembrist understanding of honor and duty that public role people are opposed to the slave morality of the Famusovs. “I would be glad to serve, but it’s sickening to be served,” Chatsky declares, like Griboedov.
Just like Griboyedov, Chatsky is a humanist who defends the freedoms and independence of the individual. He sharply exposes the feudal basis in an angry speech “about judges.” Here Chatsky denounces the serfdom he hates. He highly evaluates the Russian people, speaks of their intelligence and love of freedom, and this, in my opinion, also echoes the ideology of the Decembrists.
It seems to me that comedy contains the idea of independence of the Russian people. The groveling before everything foreign and the French upbringing, common among the nobility, provoke a sharp protest from Chatsky:
I sent wishes away
Humble, yet out loud,
So that the unclean Lord destroys this spirit
Empty, slavish, blind imitation;
So that he would plant a spark in someone with a soul;
Who could, by word and example
Hold us like a strong rein,
From the pitiful nausea on the stranger's side.
Obviously, Chatsky is not alone in comedy. He speaks on behalf of the entire generation. A natural question arises: who did the hero mean by the word “we”? Probably the younger generation taking a different path. Famusov also understands that Chatsky is not alone in his views. “Today there are more crazy people, deeds, and opinions than ever before!” he exclaims. Chatsky has a predominant optimistic idea of the nature of his contemporary life. He believes in the offensive new era. Chatsky says to Famusov with satisfaction:
How to compare and see
The present century and the past:
The legend is fresh, but hard to believe.
Until quite recently, “it was an age of obedience and fear.” Today, a sense of personal dignity is awakening. Not everyone wants to be served, not everyone is looking for patrons. Public opinion arises. It seems to Chatsky that the time has come when it is possible to change and correct the existing serfdom through the development of advanced public opinion, the emergence of new humane ideas. The fight against the Famusovs in comedy has not ended, because in reality it has just begun. The Decembrists and Chatsky were representatives of the first stage of the Russian liberation movement. Goncharov noted very correctly: “Chatsky is inevitable when one century changes to another. The Chatskys live and are not transferred in Russian society, where the struggle between the fresh and the outdated, the sick and the healthy continues.”
“The present century” and “the past century.”
In the comedy “Woe from Wit,” written at the beginning of the 19th century, A. S. Griboyedov touches on many serious issues of social life, morality, and culture that are relevant in the era of the change of centuries, when social foundations are changing and contradictions between representatives of the “present century” and "the century of the past."
People meet in the work different society from Famusov and Khlestova to serf servants. The representative of an advanced, revolutionary-minded society is Alexander Andreevich Chatsky; he is opposed to the conservative Famusov society, which includes older generation(Skalozub, Khryumina), and youth (Sofia, Molchalin). “The past century” is not only an indicator of age, but also a system of outdated views.
So what are the main contradictions between the “present century” and the “past century”?
Members of the Famus society value a person only by origin, wealth, and position in society. Their ideals are people like Maxim Petrovich, an arrogant nobleman and a “hunter of indecency.” All character traits rank honors of that time are clearly expressed in the image of Mochalin: he is silent, afraid to express his opinion, seeks the favor of everyone whose rank is higher than his own, in order to become important official, he is ready for a lot. For Chatsky the main thing human quality is rich spiritual world. He communicates with those who are really interesting to him and does not curry favor with the guests of Famusov’s house.
The goal of life for Pavel Afanasyevich and others like him is career and enrichment. Nepotism is common in their circles. Secular people serve not for the benefit of the state, but for personal gain, this is confirmed by the statement of Colonel Skalozub:
Yes, to get ranks, there are many channels;
I judge them as a true philosopher:
I just wish I could become a general.
Chatsky, on the other hand, does not want to serve “persons”; it was he who made the statement: “I would be glad to serve, but it’s sickening to be served.”
Alexander Andreevich - wonderful educated person. He spent three years abroad, which changed his worldview. Chatsky is the bearer of new revolutionary ideas, but it is precisely everything new and progressive that frightens the Famus society, and these people see the source of “freethinking” in education:
Learning is the plague, learning is the reason,
What's worse now than ever?
There were crazy people, deeds, and thoughts.
Society saw in Chatsky a person who contradicted basic moral principles, which is why the rumor about his madness spread so quickly, and it was not difficult for anyone to believe in him.
Representatives of two centuries have different views on love. Famusov from the brightest and pure feeling managed to benefit: for his daughter, he chose Skalozub as her husband, who “both has a golden bag and aims to be a general.” It is clear that with such an attitude, oh true love there is no need to talk. Chatsky kept for many years sincere feelings to Sophia. Returning to Moscow, he hoped for reciprocity, but Sophia found herself under the strong influence of her father’s society, and also, having read French novels, she found herself “both a boy-husband and a servant-husband” Molchalin, and he, in turn, with With the help of Sophia he was going to receive another rank:
And now I take the form of a lover
To please the daughter of such a man
The only time the opinions of Famusov and Chatsky coincide is on the issue of the influence of foreigners on Russia, but each has their own reasons. Chatsky says how true patriot, he is an opponent of “empty, slavish, blind imitation” of foreigners, he is disgusted to listen to the speech of people of Famus’s society, where “a mixture of languages: French and Nizhny Novgorod” dominated. Famusov has a negative attitude towards foreigners only because he is a father, and his daughter might accidentally marry some Frenchman:
And all the Kuznetsky Bridge and the eternal French,
From there fashion comes to us, both authors and muses:
Robbers of pockets and hearts.
In a collision with Famusovsky society Chatsky is defeated, but he remains undefeated, because he understands the need to fight the “past century.” He believes that the future belongs to his fellow souls.
