The composition of the story is an old genius. Lesson-reflection on the topic “Man and Society” (based on the story by N.S.

From the middle of the nineteenth century, people began to create in Russia who madly love their homeland, believe in the people, smart and talented, stand for freedom in all its manifestations, and oppose the idea of ​​the little man.

Leskov becomes one of the classics who touch upon deep topics.

“The Old Genius,” the analysis of which reveals a deeper meaning of the work than might seem at first glance, amazes the reader from different sides.

Briefly about the author

Leskov's work "Old Genius" is one of the writer's most successful creations.

Nikolai Semenovich Leskov is one of the most popular authors of Russia. He created stories and novels about the destinies of ordinary people. It is impossible to find lies or hypocrisy in his work, because he wrote about what he knew thoroughly. Interestingly, he also wrote in a genre that is not particularly typical for Russian literature - Christmas stories. The author did not believe in the church, especially after his rapprochement with Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy. He ridiculed the vices of the clergy by simply telling the truth. Knowing full well that his works would not be understood by politicians and writers, he continued to write. At the same time, he himself said that he would not show his story “Night Owls” to anyone, he would keep it in a locked desk drawer, because, most likely, no one would understand what he wanted to say.

Great works

However, in the second half of the twentieth century, Nikolai Semenovich joined the ranks of recognized authors not only among compatriots, but also among foreign connoisseurs. Among his most well-deserved creations are such works as “Nowhere” (1864), “Outlooked” (1865), “Islanders” (1866), “On Knives” (1870), “Cathedral People” (1872), “A Seedy Family” " (1874) and "Devil's Dolls", published in 1890.

The old lady trusted the young dandy from St. Petersburg because she was well acquainted with his mother, a decent woman. So she lent him a large sum of money. To do this, she had to put up her estate as collateral. She was sure that the money would be returned to her, but several years passed and the debtor never showed up. The old woman has to go in search of him. She comes to St. Petersburg, where the court makes a decision according to which the debtor is obliged to repay the debt. Only for this they had to hand him a paper with a receipt. The dandy had many high and respected patrons, and therefore no one dared to give him the paper. Later it becomes known that the dandy lives with his mistress, but is registered in an apartment building, and there is no way to deliver the document to the address. The old woman is in despair, because not only she lives in the house, but also her sick daughter and granddaughter. People understand that what is happening is unfair, everyone feels very sorry for the old woman, but no one is willing to help.

However, there is a man who calls himself a genius, who asks for 500 rubles for help. Meanwhile, the dandy and his rich lady go on a trip. The genius in the person of the volunteer negotiates with the Serbian fighter, the debtor is stopped on the day of departure, he is obliged to introduce himself, after which he is immediately handed a paper. The whole point is that now he cannot go abroad unless he pays off the debt, which he has to do. When Leskov is read, it becomes clear that the master of words was able to show, using the example of just one case, the entire opacity of the judicial system, the optional execution of laws for high-ranking officials and people who occupy a prominent place in society.

About the appearance of a masterpiece

Love for Russia inspired the author to learn more and more new things about it and to reflect his thoughts on paper. Nikolai Semenovich served as a scribe in court for several years. He was well versed in the bureaucratic component of the judicial system, saw its weaknesses and strengths, the impossibility of an ordinary person without high-ranking patrons to defend the truth before modern law. The writer explained to us a situation in which any of us could find ourselves. We can realize how great the inequality of citizens was before the court, and also find out what the author wanted to convey to us, just by reading Leskov. It, like the full version of the work, makes you think about pressing topics, as well as rethink some things.

Important Details

In the story, the author describes a story, on the one hand, typical, about inequality and bureaucracy, on the other, interesting and thoughtful, about heroes with original character traits. The old woman, for example, is kind to everyone, she does not want harm even to the person who acted meanly to her. Laws and officials are not important to her, because she is simple-minded enough not to bother with conventions. The “old genius” is faced with the task of catching a fraudster, and he, using all his experience, logic and cunning, develops a plan. The image of a debtor is captured from small details.

This is a selfish and narcissistic person, otherwise how could he do this to people? He is unable to earn an honest living and wants to spend his whole life having fun. Leskov (the story “The Old Genius”) shows us how the brain of a former official works, what some people from the younger generation are like, who do not want to do anything, but only get what is ready, without straining at all.

Story composition

The idea is the little man's vulnerability to corrupt bureaucrats. The author argues that if the state is unable to protect people, ensure their rights and comply with laws, then people must do all this themselves. The plot itself is based on the observer's stories about what is happening. There are multiple artistic techniques that from time to time create a tragicomedy effect. An interesting feature is that the author is the protagonist of the work, which he talks about. He feels sympathy for the old woman, wants to help her somehow, but does not believe that she will be able to achieve the truth, so he simply gives her some money. It is interesting that such a happy outcome occurs precisely during the Christmas holiday. This is hardly an accident, because the author really believes in the spiritual principle inherent in every person.

Unknown Leskov

"Old Genius" (critics' reviews confirm this) reflected a true picture of what was happening. It reveals both positive and negative character traits characteristic of a Russian person. The author showed the depth of a person’s talent. With his characteristic irony and sharpness of statements, he described the class of officials, all their reluctance to work, to bring at least some benefit to the state and the people.

Old genius analysis of Leskov's story

History of creation. N. S. Leskov's story "The Old Genius" was first published in two issues of the magazine "Oskolki" (1884). In 1886, the work was included in the writer’s collection “Yuletide Stories.”

Meaning of the name. The title of the story and the epigraph to it are ironic. Well-known expressions can be applied to the way in which the “desperate doc” helped the poor old woman: “simple to the point of genius,” “everything ingenious is simple.”

It would never even occur to “ordinary minds” to achieve justice in this way.

Genre. A tragicomic story.

Theme and plot. The central theme of the work is fraud. The “good old lady” falls for the trick of a clever swindler, mortgaging her house and borrowing him all the money received. When she realizes that the “high society dandy” is not going to repay the debt, she has to turn to the authorities.

The old woman is surprised to learn that there is no way to influence the fraudster by legal means. The whole problem is to hand over a special paper to the “debtor with a receipt,” but none of the lower police ranks dares to do this. The rich deceiver has some kind of "powerful relationship."

In search of the truth, the old woman turns to the “higher spheres,” but there she is struck even more severely. According to the law, the debtor must be given the paper at his place of registration, and since the young man is not permanently registered anywhere, it is extremely difficult to catch him. A simple-minded old woman cannot understand such ingenious subtleties of legislation.

Her attempts to “grease” the wheel of the bureaucratic machine with three thousand also do not bring results. The only hope for the old woman is given by some “dark person”, promising to settle the whole matter for only five hundred rubles. She suspects some kind of deception, but upon learning that the person who deceived her is going abroad, she decides to accept the offer.

The denouement is similar to an anecdote, confirming the phrase from the story - “in Russia there is no impossibility.” Having hired the executor of the entire plan (the “Serbian fighter”), the genius, along with him and the old woman, arrive at the train on which the debtor is supposed to leave. The "Serbian Slayer" strikes the crook three times in the face. A policeman immediately appears and draws up a report, during which the identity of the dandy is revealed and he is finally given the necessary paper. The debtor does not have the right to travel abroad, so he immediately writes out a check for the required amount to the delighted old lady.

Issues. The complexity of the legislation even in our time creates a wide field of activity for all kinds of scammers. Officials are obliged to strictly adhere to the laws, so they often find themselves at a dead end in the face of the cunning of deceivers. The “old genius” acts by adhering to the proverb: “To live with wolves is to howl like a wolf.”

If the law is powerless against a major crime, then a minor offense can help. It costs nothing for the “Serbian fighter” to serve three months in prison for three hundred rubles. But the self-confident dandy is forced to pay off the deceived old woman.

Heroes. An old landowner, a dandy swindler, an “old genius,” a “Serbian fighter.”

What the author teaches. Despite the comic nature of the work, he wants to convey a bitter thought to the reader. The huge bureaucratic system is extremely inefficient. Rich scammers will always find loopholes in it, and ordinary people will remain deceived. We can only rely on such “geniuses” who are not shy in choosing the means to achieve the goal.

“Living life is not a field to cross,” says popular wisdom. There are no smooth, straight paths. People face many problems that require non-trivial solutions. But the good thing about reality is that there are always those who are ready to come to the aid of the weak, to extend their reliable hand to them. N. S. Leskov tells about the cunning and ingenuity of the “passage genius” who restores justice

In 1884, the humorous magazine “Oskolki” published the work “The Old Genius.” Nikolai Semyonovich was haunted by the feeling of a “deaf dead end” when everything noble and honest was dying around him. Those who deserved nothing but contempt and censure quickly rose to the top and occupied leadership positions.

The writer loved his homeland immensely and felt emotional excitement for its future. In the story, the author emphasizes that he is not ready to put up with bureaucratic arbitrariness and will expose violations of the rule of law in its various manifestations.

Genre, direction

Leskov is a representative of the realistic movement in literature. The motive of exposing the bureaucratic bacchanalia that occurs at all levels runs like a red thread through the story.

The techniques of irony and sarcasm are used by the master in order to focus readers’ attention on the realities of that time.

The essence

A kind old woman, having mortgaged her house, borrows a large sum of money from a high-society dandy. When the deadline for repayment of the debt approaches, the young man disappears, leaving the landowner in distress: failure to repay the loan threatens her, along with her granddaughter and immovable daughter, with the whole family ending up on the street.

The old woman goes to St. Petersburg “to seek justice,” but the executive authorities, expressing sympathy for her, cannot help her. Ivan Ivanovich, an official who believes that nothing is impossible, offers his services. The very next day, he “turns things around” in such a way that the policeman personally hands the deceiver his receipt for the return of the money. This allows the situation to move forward and forces the “swindler” to fully repay the debt.

The main characters and their characteristics

1. Important quality old landowners- “beautiful honesty.” She is generous, does not refuse to help those who turn to her, and takes care of loved ones. The troubles that periodically arise in her life force her to act decisively and not give up. Despite the fact that she was “burned,” her heart still retains faith in human sincerity and decency.
2. Ivan Ivanovich- a businessman with a remarkable mind and excellent logic. He enjoys looking for a way out of difficult situations. It is not in his rules to profit from other people’s misfortunes (he takes small amounts for his services), the most important thing is to provide assistance. Decency, commitment, kindness and humanity are the main character traits that inspire trust in him. He is a man of word and honor, which, above all, encourages others to “reveal” their secrets to him.
3. High society dandy- an egoist who lives at the expense of others. He belongs to one of those families for which brilliant prospects open up. He is paid a high salary every month for his service, and he receives huge income from his estates. It would seem that there is everything to live with dignity. But the hypocritical use of people to increase his own capital becomes his ineradicable habit.
4. "Serbian Slayer"“- Ivan Ivanovich’s assistant, a practical implementer of his ideas. I am sure that everything can be arranged, but first you need to drink for courage. He wears a military suit and has an unkempt appearance. No permanent housing.
5. Narrator– a minor character who has his own vision of the events taking place. He acts as an observer who sincerely sympathizes with the landowner, but does not believe in the triumph of justice.

Themes

Leskov continues in literature the theme of the insecurity of the “little man,” which is closely intertwined with the main theme of his work - righteousness.

It is no coincidence that Ivan Ivanovich appears in the story. He is a righteous man who helps those in need. The old woman tried all sorts of options to “restrain” the impudent man, but nothing worked. She was overcome with despair. Then this mysterious guardian angel seemed to descend to mortal earth and help the defenseless soul. Justice has prevailed.

No matter how those in power dodge, no matter what “patrons” they choose for themselves, the path of lies and humiliation of their own kind will never bring success. The truth will always take its rightful place.

Problems

1. The problem of lack of rights. How many destinies are there in Russia that have suffered from the bureaucratic apparatus? Is the individual without rights in our vast country? – these main questions deeply concern the author. Where fear reigns, nothingness reigns. Leskov wanted readers to understand this grim truth.
2. The problem of irresponsibility and impunity. The high society dandy is a pure freeloader. He lives on everything ready-made, he is accustomed to impunity. Why do parasites appear in society, heartlessly taking away the last money from ordinary people? Surely, they would stop their “dirty” activities if the enforcement and punishment authorities brought them to justice. In the story, neither the bailiffs nor the police dare to say even an unnecessary word to the brazen deceiver, since they are very afraid of his influential relative.
3. Cronyism and nepotism. One of the problems of the story is patronage of the “native little man.” There is a certain segment of the population in Russia towards whom those in power cannot, and indeed do not want, to “take measures” unless things get worse for themselves. The poor old woman tried as hard as she could to seek the truth from the “higher-ups,” but it all turned out to be in vain. The young slacker had some powerful kinship that prevented him from being caught.
4. The Problem of Compassion. How hard should the heart of a man who has deprived an old woman, a child and his sick mother of a home become hardened? The callousness and heartlessness of the young dandy is amazing.

the main idea

The life of a writer has not been easy. Injustice, flattery, hypocrisy surrounded him. But the belief that all was not lost, that there would always be a “good person” quietly doing good, helped him fight for justice. This faith is the main idea of ​​the work. It is always warm and calm to be around the righteous. It was precisely these people that the master was inspired by, pinning his brightest hopes for the future on them.

The meaning of the work is that one must believe in the best, despite everything. Then someone will certainly appear who can help and protect from adversity. The Russian people are not without rights. He has ingenuity, integrity, and the breadth of his soul. Resourcefulness and the desire to do good help a person take his rightful place in life.

Interesting? Save it on your wall!

To the question Analysis of the story “Old Genius” by Nikolai Semenovich Leskov asked by the author chevron the best answer is The work of N. S. Leskov is an important stage in the formation of the national identity of Russian literature. He was not afraid to speak the most bitter truth about his country and his people, because he believed in the possibility of changing them for the better. In his works he pays special attention to the fate of common people. And although the heroine of the story “Old Genius” is not a peasant woman, but a landowner, she is a poor old woman who finds herself in a hopeless situation. This woman is portrayed with great authorial sympathy: “out of her kindness and simplicity,” “she rescued one high-society dandy from trouble by mortgaging for him her house, which was the old woman’s entire property and her real estate.” Then the writer will emphasize her exceptional honesty.
The court case started by the heroine will be resolved quickly and favorably for her. But the authorities will not move beyond this. No one wants to get involved with a young man who behaves in an openly unscrupulous manner (“we are all tired of him”), but remains unpunished because “he had some powerful relationship or property.” Therefore, they could not even hand him a court document, advising the old woman to stop trying to get him to pay the debt, although they sympathized with her. This is the “little thing of life” depicted by N. S. Leskov. There is no furious condemnation of the helpless authorities, no dishonest young man, no simple-minded old woman who believes people only because she “has dreams” and has a premonition. But behind this situation, so simply and artlessly conveyed, there arise the author’s serious and profound conclusions. When reading this story, the question involuntarily arises: if such a petty trial of not just an unresponsive peasant, but a landowner, and not with God knows what significant persons, but with a young dandy from a noble family, could not be resolved by either lower or higher authorities, then what Are the authorities even good then? And what is it like for people to live with such lack of rights? The story is written about post-reform times, and the writer shows that the essence of the state system has remained the same, that the fate of people is of little concern to officials of all ranks, that the law “who is richer is right” continues to govern life. Therefore, ordinary people will suffer from injustice if other equally simple, but honest, decent and resourceful people do not come to their aid, where is the “genius Ivan Ivanovich” in this story. And N. S. Leskov fervently believed in the existence of such people and it was with them that he pinned his hopes for the revival of Russia, for its great future.

N. S. Leskov “Old genius”.

Work with text.

- When does the story take place? ? (in the 2nd half of the 19th century)

Chapter 1. - So, for what purpose did the little old lady come to St. Petersburg? (she had a “blatant case”).

- How do you understand the meaning of the word“blatant ”? causing confusion, indignation, ,

- What was this “egregious matter”? (out of her kindness and simplicity, she helped out a high-society dandy by borrowing him fifteen thousand).

Why did the old lady decide to help “one high society dandy” out of trouble? (“purely out of sheer participation, helped me out of trouble,” “in the name of an old friendship” for his mother))

- What character traits does the author highlight in her? ("good old lady"

The poor old woman, along with her crippled daughter and granddaughter, evokes pity in the reader. It’s just not possible to help her. The offender, a high-society dandy, fraudulently borrowed a huge sum of money from the poor man. As a result, both she and her family may lose their only wealth - the house in which they live.

- Divide your notebook into two columns. In the first column, write down the character traits and actions of the old lady, in the second - the dandy.

- What did the old woman decide to do to avoid trouble?

Chapter 2.

- Why were the old lady’s efforts unsuccessful?

- Why can't you rein in a debtor? ("He had some powerful kinship or property that could not be restrained like any other sinner »)

- What does this mean?

- Do you think this has happened before? What words indicate this fact? (“You are not the first, and you are not the last.”

- How does the old woman treat the debtor, and people in general? (so that it would be good for me and everyone else).

- How does she respond to the dandy? (he was tired, but a good man).

Chapter 3 - How did you understand the expression “needs to be lubricated " - With. 19?

- What came out of the old lady’s idea?lubricate ”?

- What is the meaning of the phrase “In Russia there is no impossibility ” (19 pages)? (The phrase suggests the uniqueness of the mysterious Russian soul. Indeed, in Russia there is a place for everything - villainy - through which the defenseless and unfortunate will be offended, and at the same time - a noble cause that will correct the situation of the poor fellow)

- This is the first time we encounter the word “genius”; from whose lips does this word sound? (Ivan Ivanovich, “dark personality” p. 20).

- What does he call genius? (thoughts in your forehead).

- Comment on the words of Ivan Ivanovich: “The current ones charge many thousands, but we charge hundreds”?

- Why did the old woman believe Ivan Ivanovich? (Premonition p. 21).

Chapter 4. - Did the narrator believe that the old woman would be able to get her money back? (doubted)

- Why did he help her with money? (regretted p. 22).

- What needed to be done to get the money back? (hand over “some” piece of paper that could save her case)

- What did the narrator wait with curiosity for? (“What other tricks do they contrive to cheat in St. Petersburg” - p. 22).

- How do you understand the words “stuffiness”, “cheat”?

- How are these words stylistically colored?

- What does “passenger” mean? “passenger genius”? What word is it derived from? What does “passage” mean?strange and unexpected incident (obsolete).

Chapter 5.

- Who it "Serbian fighter "? (executor of the plan, participant in the wars of Serbia and Turkey).

- What did he look like? (all tattered, and in his teeth there is a piece of newsprint, page 23).

- How did he achieve the delivery of the paper to the debtor?

- Do you consider a person to be a genius, “who settled such a difficult matter ”?

- Why do you think he decided to help the old lady?

- Does Leskov give any details from his life?

- What is Leskov trying to achieve by calling him Ivan Ivanovich?In the story “The Old Genius,” Leskov shows how one man’s ingenuity helped a poor, defenseless old woman. And in this work the Russian national character is shown in all its glory. After all, the hero-official who was able to come up with a truly brilliant plan is a typical Russian person. In the story, his name seems too ordinary - Ivan Ivanovich, and this is another proof

- What kind of person is this? (an ordinary, simply good and decent person, who takes pity on the unfortunate old woman, restores justice and returns the lost faith in the obligatory triumph of good and the inevitability of retribution for evil).

- Really. The poor official who decided to help the old woman is shown very sparingly in the work. Leskov says practically nothing about him. He does not provide any details from his life, but, nevertheless, the image seems quite recognizable.

Leskov is not sorry for the “passage genius” to have such a high definition; he does not put any irony into it. Genius punished “villainy,” and for the author it is not the small “scale” of genius that is important, but its high essence is important.

Human talent, no matter what it manifests itself in, always brings a bright, life-affirming beginning to life. Because, according to Leskov, it is connected with the spiritual beauty and warmth of the human heart.

- Why “Old Genius”? Does age matter for geniuses?

He knew life well, instinctively understood that in a society constrained by etiquette and respect for rank, such incidents are inevitable, and knew how to find the right moves to solve problems

- Which character traits emphasized by Leskov in Franta? What did he mean by this? (working with a table).

- Do you think that the incident that the author told readers about can only be connected with Leskov’s time? And today one can often see how a minimal deviation from the letter of the law deprives government officials of the right to adequately respond to certain crimes, and in court a known criminal can be acquitted if his lawyer manages to find legal tricks according to which the accused cannot be punished, although no one doubts that he committed crimes.

This contradiction is clearly visible in the dialogue from the film “The meeting place cannot be changed,” where Zheglov, having no factual evidence that Kirpich was cutting bags on the tram, throws his wallet at him, and Sharapov, having learned about this, is very indignant, calling on Zheglov to act strictly in law. To which Zheglov, a man with uninhibited thinking, succinctly replies: “A thief should sit in jail !»

Etched beast