Chernyshevsky new people. New people in the novel N
Chernyshevsky wrote his novel “What is to be done?” at a rather difficult time. This was 1863, when any wrong word could lead to conviction and a long prison sentence. So, first of all, it is worth noting the skill of the writer. He designed the work in such a way that it passed muster, but every reader could see the author's true message.
One of the main features of the novel is critical realism and revolutionary romanticism.
They connected and introduced a completely new style. Chernyshevsky showed a real picture of the world. He predicted a revolution. However, the novel does not consist of one socialist idea, although the latter occupies a central place in it. In addition to utopian dreams of the future, the novel also contains a rather serious analysis of the present.
The novel is mostly dedicated to “new people”. Because the author cares about them. On the opposite side are the “old people”. Throughout all the pages, the writer pits them against each other, compares their goals, vision, and life positions. There are also the author’s conclusions. But the important thing is that we ourselves can draw our own conclusions.
What is the main conflict? Young people are always ready to change something, but old people do not want to leave their homes. It is difficult to overestimate the relevance of the topic here.
In analyzing these two groups of people, we will begin with the question of happiness. The generation of fathers cares only about themselves. They don't tend to worry about others. Other people's defeats do not affect their hearts. The happiness of the new generation lies in something completely different. They understand the essence of society, they understand how important it is to be together and help others. This is their strength. The previous regulations do not allow them to open up normally.
Chernyshevsky completely agrees with the new people.
Chernyshevsky never defended egoism in its literal sense.
The “reasonable egoism” of Chernyshevsky’s heroes has nothing to do with selfishness, self-interest, or individualism. Its goal is the benefit of the whole society. Vivid examples of people who move according to this principle include the Mertsalovs, Kirsanovs, Lopukhovs, etc.
But what I like most is that they do not lose their uniqueness. They are bright personalities, despite the fact that they are driven by ideas for the benefit of society. They work to overcome their shortcomings. And the more difficult this work is, the happier they are later. “Reasonable selfishness” is also self-care, but it does not harm anyone, but only helps people become better.
The women's issue cannot be overlooked. Its essence here is in understanding the role of women in society and family. Chernyshevsky emphasizes the strength of a woman, her intelligence. She can be successful not only in the family, but also at work.
She now has the right to individuality, education, dreams and success. Chernyshevsky reconsiders the place of women both in society and in the family.
"What to do?" - this is an eternal question for many people. Chernyshevsky presented us with more than just an artistic story with meaning. This is a serious philosophical, psychological and social work. It reveals the inner world of people. I think that not every great psychologist or philosopher could show the realities of our days so clearly and truthfully.
Updated: 2017-01-16
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“NEW PEOPLE” IN CHERNYSHEVSKY’S NOVEL “WHAT TO DO?” Chernyshevsky's realistic novel was consciously oriented towards the tradition of world utopian literature. The author consistently sets out his point of view on the socialist ideal. But what to do?" is also a deeply didactic novel. The utopia created by the author acts as a model. This is an experience that has already been done, yielding positive results.
What sets the novel apart from the entire utopian European tradition is that Chernyshevsky paints not only a picture of a bright future, but also the ways of approaching it. People who have achieved the ideal are also depicted. The very subtitle of the novel, “From Stories about New People,” indicates their exceptional role.
The author constantly emphasizes the typology of “new people” and talks about the whole group. “These people among others are as if among the Chinese there are several Europeans, whom the Chinese cannot distinguish one from another*. Each hero has common traits for the group - courage, ability to get down to business, honesty.
For Chernyshevsky it is extremely important to show the development of “new people”, their separation from the general mass. The only character whose past is examined in careful detail is Verochka. What allows her to free herself from the environment of “vulgar people”? According to Chernyshevsky, labor and education. “We are poor, but we are working people, we have healthy hands. If we study, knowledge will free us; if we work, labor will enrich us.”
Verochka's education (boarding school and piano teacher) was very high for a woman of that time. She was fluent in French and German, which gave her unlimited opportunities for self-education.
Kirsanov, Lopukhov and Mertsalov enter the novel as already established people. It is characteristic that doctors (an allegory: their calling is to treat people and society from diseases) appear in the novel while writing a dissertation - work and education merge into one. In addition, the author makes it clear that if both Lopukhov and Kirsanov come from poor and humble families, then they probably have behind them poverty and labor, without which education is impossible. This early exposure hardly gives the "new person" an advantage over other people.
A characteristic fact is that Vera Pavlovna’s marriage is not an epilogue, but only the beginning of the novel. The main thing is that, in addition to the family, Verochka is able to create a wider association of people. Here the old utopian idea of the commune appears - the phalanstery.
Work gives “new people”, first of all, personal independence, but in addition, it is also active help to other people. The author condemns any deviation from selfless service to work - just remember the moment when Verochka is about to go after Lopukhov, leaving the workshop.
If once labor was necessary for “new people” to receive an education, now the heroes are trying to educate people in the process of labor. Connected with this is another important philosophical idea of the author in depicting the “new people” - their educational activities.
We know Lopukhov as an active promoter of new ideas among young people and a public figure. Students call him “one of the best heads in St. Petersburg.” Lopukhov himself considered work in the office at the plant to be very important. “The conversation (with the students) had a practical, useful goal - to promote the development of mental life, nobility and energy in my young friends,” Lopukhov writes to his wife. Naturally, such a person could not limit himself to learning to read and write. The author himself hints at revolutionary work at the factory among the workers: “And you never know what” Lopukhov does, besides teaching literacy.
For readers of that time, the mention of Sunday workers' schools meant a lot. The fact is that by a special government decree in the summer of 1862 they were closed. The government was afraid of the revolutionary work that was carried out in these schools for adults, workers, and revolutionary democrats. The original intention was to direct the work in these schools in a religious spirit. It was prescribed to study in them the Law of God, reading, writing and the beginnings of arithmetic. Each school had to have a priest to monitor the good intentions of the teachers. It was precisely such a priest in Vera Pavlovna’s “lyceum of all kinds of knowledge” that Mertsalov should have been, who, however, was preparing to read forbidden Russian and world history, and not the Law of God. The literacy that Lopukhov and other “new people” were going to teach to the worker listeners was also unique. There are examples when progressively minded students explained in class the meaning of the words “liberal,” “revolution,” and “despotism.”
The educational activities of the “new people” are a real approach to the future.
A few words should probably be said about the relationship between “new” and “vulgar” people. In Marya Alekseevna and Polozov, the author sees not only, in Dobrolyubov’s words, “tyrants,” but also practically gifted, active people who, under other circumstances, are capable of benefiting society. Therefore, you can find features of their similarities with children. Lopukhov very quickly gains confidence in Rozalskaya; she respects his business qualities (primarily his intention to marry a rich bride). However, the complete opposite of the aspirations, interests and views of the “new” and “vulgar” people is clearly visible. And the theory of rational egoism gives the “new people” an undeniable advantage.
The novel often talks about selfishness as an internal motivator of human actions. The author considers the most primitive thing to be the selfishness of Marya Alekseevna, who does no harm to anyone without monetary payment. The selfishness of wealthy people is much more terrible. He grows on “fantastic” soil - on the desire for excess and idleness. An example of such egoism is Soloviev, who plays out his love for Katya Polozova because of her inheritance.
The selfishness of the “new people” is also based on the calculation and benefit of one person. “Everyone thinks most of all about himself,” says Lopukhov to Vera Pavlovna... But this is a fundamentally new moral code. Its essence is that the happiness of one person is inseparable from the happiness of other people. The benefit and happiness of the “reasonable egoist” depends on the state of his loved ones and society as a whole. Lopukhov frees Verochka from a forced marriage, and when he is convinced that she loves Kirsanov, he leaves the stage. Kirsanov helps Katya Polozova, Vera organizes a workshop. For heroes, following the theory of reasonable egoism means taking into account the interests of another person with every action. For the hero, the mind comes first; the person is forced to constantly turn to introspection and give an objective assessment of his feelings and position.
As you can see, the “reasonable egoism” of Chernyshevsky’s heroes has nothing to do with selfishness or self-interest. Why is this still the theory of “egoism”? The Latin root of this word “ego” - “I” indicates that Chernyshevsky puts a person at the center of his theory. In this case, the theory of rational egoism becomes the development of the anthropological principle that Chernyshevsky put at the basis of his philosophical idea.
In one of the conversations with Vera Pavlovna, the author says: “...I feel joy and happiness” - that means “I want all people to be happy” - humanly speaking, Verochka, these two thoughts are one.” Thus, Chernyshevsky states that the creation of favorable conditions for the life of an individual is inseparable from improving the existence of all people. This reflects the undoubted revolutionary nature of Chernyshevsky’s views.
Many moral principles of the “new people” are revealed in their attitude to the problem of love and marriage. For them, man and his freedom are the main value in life. Love and humane friendship form the basis of the relationship between Lopukhov and Vera Pavlovna. Even a declaration of love occurs during a discussion of Verochka’s position in her mother’s family and the search for a path to liberation. Thus, the feeling of love only adapts to the situation that has arisen (it should be noted that such a statement entered into controversy with many works of the 19th century).
The “new people” also solve the problem of women’s emancipation in a unique way. Although only church marriage is recognized, a woman must remain financially and spiritually independent of her husband during marriage. Starting a family is only one of the milestones on the way to approaching the ideal.
Associated with the “new people” is the theme of the revival of the fallen woman. The meeting with Kirsanov gives Nastya Kryukova the strength to rise from the bottom. Julie, who lives among “vulgar people,” does not have such an opportunity. In addition, a two-way connection is visible: people who are reborn thanks to the support of “new people” themselves join their ranks.
According to Chernyshevsky, only children make a woman happy and a family a family. It is with the upbringing of children and their future that the author connects Vera Pavlovna’s second marriage. It becomes a real bridge to the future.
The heroes of Chernyshevsky’s novel “What to do?” - commoners, new heroes of literature. Underestimating the role of the working class, Chernyshevsky predicts to revolutionary democrats, commoners, victory and the approach of the future.
The “new people” that Chernyshevsky wrote about in his novel were representatives of a new phase in the development of society at that time. The world of these people was formed in the struggle against the old regime, which had outlived its usefulness, but continued to dominate. The heroes of the novel at almost every step encountered difficulties and adversities of the old order and overcame them. The “new people” in the work are commoners. They were determined, had a goal in life, knew what they should do, and were united by common ideas and aspirations. “Their main desire is to
The people were free, happy, and lived in contentment.” The “new people” believed in their people, saw them as decisive, powerful, and capable of fighting. But in order for him to achieve his goal, he must be taught, inspired and united.
The commoners, who are the heroes of Chernyshevsky’s novel, have a developed sense of self-esteem, pride, and the ability to stand up for themselves. The author writes: “Each of them is a courageous person, who does not hesitate, who does not yield, who knows how to take up a task, and if he takes it up, then he grasps it tightly, so that it does not slip out of his hands. This is one side of their properties; on the other hand, each of them is an impeccable person
Honesty, such that the question does not even occur to you: can you rely on this person in everything, unconditionally? This is as clear as the fact that he is breathing through his chest; as long as this chest breathes, it is hot and unchanging, feel free to lay your head on it...” Chernyshevsky was able to show their common, typical features, but also the characteristics of each of them.
Lopukhov and Kirsanov always relied only on themselves, worked together in the name of a high goal - to develop and improve science, selfless, helping those who need help, who deserve it. They did not seek profit in treating the sick. But Dmitry Sergeevich is calmer, Alexander Matveevich is an emotional and artistic person.
It was difficult for Vera Pavlovna to live in her own home due to the constant oppression and reproaches of her mother, but she did not break under the oppression, did not surrender to the mercy of the old order. This heroine was strong by nature, from an early age she had her own views on life, she always wanted freedom and a life without lies. It was not her habit to be disingenuous in front of people and, most importantly, in front of herself. She could not build her happiness on the misfortune of others, and did not tolerate being treated like a thing. Vera Pavlovna tried to understand the rational structure of society, so she created a sewing workshop with fair procedures and conditions. She is not interested in money, she wants to see the process itself. By doing good for yourself, you do good for others. Vera Pavlovna, creating a workshop, sets out to educate “new people”. She believes that there are a lot of good people, but they need to be helped, and they will help others, and there will be more “new people.” Vera Pavlovna is a different character than Katerina Polozova.
Rakhmetov is a special person, of all the others he is the most active. He understands that the struggle for a new world will be life and death. By all possible means he prepares himself for it. This hero is “the salt of the earth, the engine of engines.” He renounced his personal interests for the sake of one goal. Has enormous energy, endurance, clarity of thoughts and behavior. As Chernyshevsky writes: “Rakhmetov is an ebullient person, he was a master of business, he was a great psychologist.”
“And Lopukhov, and Kirsanov, and Vera Pavlovna, and Polozova, and Rakhmetov are people of strong passions, great experiences, and rich temperament. But at the same time, they can control their feelings and subordinate their behavior to the great tasks of the common cause.” “New people” are people of high ideals. Activity for them was the implementation of these ideals. All “new people” lived according to the “theory of rational egoism.” By doing things for themselves and in their own name, they also benefit others. According to Chernyshevsky, “new people” behave the same in all situations: they remain human under any circumstances. “New people” are not two-faced. The heroes of Chernyshevsky’s novel respect their loved one, do everything to make his life better, and treat each other as equals. That is why their love is pure and noble.
In the novel by G.N. Chernyshevsky, a special place belongs to the so-called “new people”. They are between ordinary people, immersed in their selfish interests (Marya Alekseevna), and a special person of modern times - Rakhmetov.
Chernyshevsky’s “new people” no longer belong to the dark old world, but they have not yet entered another. Vera Pavlovna, Kirsanov, Lopukhov, and Mertsalovs found themselves at this intermediate stage. These heroes already solve the problems of family and social life in a different way. They gradually discard the conventions of the old world and choose their own path of development. In order to decide on such a path of development, which consists of reading, observing life, “no sacrifices are required, no hardships are asked...” “Intermediate” heroes prefer the peaceful path of intellectual development, the awakening of an ordinary person, accessible to the majority. At the height at which Vera Pavlovna, Kirsanov, Lopukhov stand, “all people must stand, can stand.” And this can be achieved without sacrifice or hardship.
However, Chernyshevsky knows that, in addition to development, reading and observation of life, a heroic struggle against tyranny and despotism, social inequality and exploitation is needed. “The historical path,” says G.N. Chernyshevsky - not the sidewalk of Nevsky Prospekt; it goes entirely through fields, sometimes dusty, sometimes dirty, sometimes through swamps, sometimes through wilds. Anyone who is afraid of being covered in dust and getting their boots dirty should not take up public activities.”
According to the author, not everyone is ready for such a struggle. Therefore, Chernyshevsky divides “new people” into “ordinary” (Lopukhov, Kirsanov, Vera Pavlovna, Mertsalovs, Polozova) and “special” (Rakhmetov, “a lady in mourning”, “a man of about thirty”).
The selection of these two types among the positive characters of the novel has its own philosophical and socio-historical reasons. But the writer does not contrast “special” people with “ordinary” people, the leaders of the revolutionary movement with ordinary figures, but outlines the connection between them. So, Lopukhov saves Vera Pavlovna from an unequal marriage, creates a family with her based on freedom, mutual understanding, and trust. The heroine herself does not want to go through life like her mother Marya Alekseevna. She does not want to live in constant lies, selfishness, and the struggle for existence by any means. Therefore, in Lopukhov she finds her salvation.
The heroes commit a fictitious marriage. They are organizing their economic activities in a new way. Vera Pavlovna starts a sewing workshop and hires dressmakers who live together. Describing in detail the activities of Vera Pavlovna in the workshop, G.N. Chernyshevsky emphasizes the new nature of the relationship between workers and the mistress. They are not so much of an economic nature as they are based on achieving a common goal, mutual assistance, and good attitude towards each other.
The atmosphere in the workshop is reminiscent of a family. The writer emphasizes that Vera Pavlovna thus saved many of her charges from death and poverty (for example, Masha, who later became her maid). Here we see the enormous importance of G.N. Chernyshevsky assigns the role of labor. According to the writer, work ennobles a person, therefore “new people” should strive to direct their work for the benefit of others, thereby protecting them from the harmful influence of destructive passions. In the sphere of activity of “ordinary” people, Chernyshevsky included educational work in Sunday schools (teaching Kirsanov and Mertsalov in a group of sewing workshop workers), among the advanced part of the student body (Lopukhov could spend hours talking with students), at factory enterprises (Lopukhov’s classes in the factory office) .
The name of Kirsanov is associated with the plot of a clash between a common doctor and the “aces” of a St. Petersburg private practice - in an episode of the treatment of Katya Polozova, as well as the theme of scientific activity. His experiments on the artificial production of protein are welcomed by Lopukhov as “a complete revolution in the whole question of food, the whole life of mankind.”
These scenes reflected the writer's socialist views. Although time has shown that in many ways they turned out to be utopian and naive. The author of the novel himself deeply believed in their progressive role. At that time, the opening of Sunday schools, reading rooms, and hospitals for the poor was widespread among progressive youth.
Thus, G.N. Chernyshevsky accurately noticed and reflected the new positive trends of the era using the example of Vera Pavlovna’s workshop. The “new people” in his novel resolve their personal, intra-family conflicts differently. Although outwardly their family seems prosperous, friendly, and quite successful, in reality everything is different. Vera Pavlovna respected her husband very much, but never felt anything more for him. Unexpectedly, the heroine realized this when she met her husband’s best friend, Kirsanov. Together they took care of Lopukhov during his illness.
Vera Pavlovna has completely different feelings for Kirsanov. True love comes to her, which plunges her into absolute confusion. But in this episode, the key role is played not by the love story between Kirsanov and Vera Pavlovna, but by Lopukhov’s act. He does not want to interfere with his wife’s happiness; he cannot build a family on a lie. Therefore, he, like a true man of modern times, withdraws himself and stages suicide.
Lopukhov commits such a brave act because he does not want to cause his wife unhappiness or be the cause of her moral torment. Vera Pavlovna was inconsolable for a long time. Only Rakhmetov managed to revive her to life. There were no obstacles to the development of love for Kirsanov. As a result, Chernyshevsky’s heroes create a real family, based not only on mutual respect, but also on deep feeling.
The life of a new person, according to G.N. Chernyshevsky, must be harmonious socially and personally. Therefore, Lopukhov is not left alone either. He saves Mertsalova from death and marries her. And in this marriage he finds well-deserved happiness. Moreover, G.N. Chernyshevsky goes further, depicting ideal relationships between people, without mutual hostility, anger, or hatred. At the end of the novel we see two happy families: the Kirsanovs and the Lopukhovs, who are friends with each other.
Describing the life of “new people,” the writer focuses our attention on the economic and personal side of the heroes’ lives. With their help, he proves that the unjust, inhumane principles of life of the old world are outdated, and in society there is a desire for renewal, new relationships between people.
In the literature of the 1850-1860s, a whole series of novels emerged, called novels about “new people”.
By what criteria is a person classified as a “new people”? First of all, the emergence of “new people” is determined by the political and historical situation of society. They are representatives of a new era, therefore, they have a new perception of time, space, new tasks, new relationships. Hence the prospect for the development of these people in the future. So, in literature, “new people” “begin” with Turgenev’s novels “Rudin” (1856), “On the Eve” (1859), “Fathers and Sons” (1962).
At the turn of the 30s and 40s, after the defeat of the Decembrists, ferment occurred in Russian society. One part of him was overcome by despair and pessimism, the other by scrupulous activity, expressed in attempts to continue the work of the Decembrists. Soon public thought takes a more formalized direction - a propaganda direction. It was this idea of society that Turgenev expressed in the type of Rudin. At first the novel was called “Nature of Brilliant.” “Genius” in this case means insight, the desire for truth (the task of this hero is, indeed, more moral than social), his task is to sow “reasonable, good, eternal”, and he fulfills this with honor, but he lacks nature , lack the strength to overcome obstacles.
Turgenev also touches on such a painful issue for Russians as the choice of activity, fruitful and useful activity. Yes, every time has its own heroes and tasks. The society of that time needed Rudina enthusiasts and propagandists. But no matter how harshly the descendants accuse their fathers of “vulgarity and doctrinaire,” the Rudins are people of the moment, of a specific situation, they are rattles. But when a person grows up, there is no need for rattles...
The novel “On the Eve” (1859) is somewhat different; it can even be called “intermediate”. This is the time between Rudin and Bazarov (again a matter of time!). The title of the book speaks for itself. On the eve of... what?.. Elena Stakhova is at the center of the novel. She is waiting for someone... she must love someone... Who? Elena's internal state reflects the situation of the time; it covers the whole of Russia. What does Russia need? Why did neither the Shubins nor the Bersenyevs, seemingly worthy people, attract her attention? And this happened because they lacked active love for the Motherland, complete dedication to it. That is why Elena was attracted to Insarov, who was fighting for the liberation of his land from Turkish oppression. Insarov's example is a classic example, a man for all times. After all, there is nothing new in it (for unfailing service to the Motherland is not new at all!), but it is precisely this well-forgotten old thing that Russian society lacked...
In 1862, Turgenev's most controversial, most poignant novel, Fathers and Sons, was published. Of course, all three novels are political, novels of debate, novels of controversy. But in the novel “Fathers and Sons” this is especially well noticed, for it manifests itself specifically in the “fights” of Bazarov with Kirsanov. “Fights” turn out to be so irreconcilable because they present the conflict of two eras - the noble and the common.
The acute political nature of the novel is also shown in the specific social conditioning of the “new man” type. Evgeny Bazarov is a nihilist, a collective type. Its prototypes were Dobrolyubov, Preobrazhensky, and Pisarev.
It is also known that nihilism was very fashionable among young people of the 50s and 60s of the 19th century. Of course, denial is the path to self-destruction. But what caused it, this unconditional denial of all living life, Bazarov gives a very good answer to this:
“And then we realized that chatting, just chatting about our ulcers, is not worth the effort, that it only leads to vulgarity and doctrinaire; we saw that our clever people, the so-called progressive people and accusers, are no good, that we are engaged in nonsense... when it comes to our daily bread...” So Bazarov took up the task of obtaining “daily bread.” It's not for nothing that he doesn't tie his
profession with politics, but becomes a doctor and “tinkers with people.” In Rudin there was no efficiency; in Bazarovo this efficiency appeared. That's why he is head and shoulders above everyone else in the novel. Because he found himself, raised himself, and did not live the life of an empty flower, like Pavel Petrovich, and, moreover, he did not “spent day after day,” like Anna Sergeevna.
The question of time and space is posed in a new way. Bazarov says: “Let it (time) depend on me.” Thus, this stern man turns to such a universal idea: “Everything depends on the person!”
The idea of space is shown through the internal liberation of the individual. After all, personal freedom is, first of all, going beyond one’s own “I”, and this can only happen by giving oneself to something. Bazarov devotes himself to the cause, the Motherland (“Russia needs me...”), and feeling.
He feels enormous strength, but he cannot do something the way he wants. That's why he withdraws into himself, becomes bilious, irritated, gloomy.
While working on this work, Turgenev gave great progress to this image and the novel acquired a philosophical meaning.
What was this “iron man” missing? Not only was there not enough general education, Bazarov did not want to come to terms with life, did not want to accept it as it is. He did not recognize human impulses in himself. This is his tragedy. He crashed against people - that’s the tragedy of this image. But it’s not for nothing that the novel has such a reconciling ending, it’s not for nothing that Evgeniy Bazarov’s grave is holy. There was something natural and deeply sincere in his actions. This is what comes to Bazarov. The direction of nihilism has not justified itself in history. It formed the basis of socialism... The novel-continuation, the novel-response to Turgenev’s work was the novel “What is to be done?” N. G. Chernyshevsky.
If Turgenev created collective types generated by social cataclysms and showed their development in this society, then Chernyshevsky not only continued them, but also gave a detailed answer, creating a programmatic work “What is to be done?”
If Turgenev did not indicate the background of Bazarov, then Chernyshevsky gave a complete story of the life of his heroes.
What distinguishes Chernyshevsky’s “new people”?
Firstly, these are commoner democrats. And they, as you know, represent the period of bourgeois development of society. The emerging class creates its own new, creates a historical foundation, and therefore new relationships, new perceptions. The theory of “reasonable egoism” was an expression of these historical and moral tasks.
Chernyshevsky creates two types of “new people”. These are “special” people (Rakhmetov) and “ordinary” people (Vera Pavlovna, Lopukhov, Kirsanov). Thus, the author solves the problem of reorganizing society. Lopukhov, Kirsanov, Rodalskaya reorganize it with creative, constructive, harmonious work, through self-education and self-education. Rakhmetov - “revolutionary”, although this path is shown vaguely. That is why the question of time immediately arises. That is why Rakhmetov is a man of the future, and Lopukhov, Kirsanov, Vera Pavlovna are people of the present. For Chernyshevsky’s “new people”, internal personal freedom comes first. “New people” create their own ethics, solve moral and psychological issues. Self-analysis (unlike Bazarov) is the main thing that distinguishes them. They believe that the power of reason will instill in a person “the good and the eternal.” The author looks at this issue in the formation of the hero from the initial forms of struggle against family despotism to preparation and “change of scenery.”
Chernyshevsky argues that a person must be a harmonious person. So, for example, Vera Pavlovna (the issue of emancipation), being a wife, mother, has the opportunity for social life, the opportunity to study, and most importantly, she has cultivated in herself a desire to work.
Chernyshevsky’s “new people” relate to each other “in a new way,” that is, the author says that these are completely normal relationships, but in the conditions of that time they were considered special and new. The heroes of the novel treat each other with respect, delicately, even if they have to step over themselves. They are above their ego. And the “theory of rational egoism” that they created is only deep introspection. Their selfishness is public, not personal.
Rudin, Bazarov, Lopukhov, Kirsanovs. There were - and there were no. Let each of them have their own shortcomings, their own theories that time has not justified. But these people gave themselves to their Motherland, Russia, they rooted for it, suffered, so they are “new people.”
