What is the grief that brings Chatsky’s mind? Griboyedov

One of famous comedies in Russian literature is Griboyedov’s work “Woe from Wit,” which broadly reveals to us the theme of society’s attitude to upbringing, education, and serfdom.

One of the heroes of this work, central figure and the main character is Alexander Andreevich Chatsky. This is a young man, a nobleman, who received a good education, open and honest, brilliant and passionate loving homeland, my house. He knows how to get along with people and understands them well. Returning to Moscow, to his beloved Sophia, he hopes for understanding and love in home, but sees big and profound changes there.

He notices that Sophia is cold with him, often irritable, she no longer loves him. And no matter how he tries to return to his previous relationship, nothing works out for him. Often, in response to all his memories and actions, he hears from Sophia that all this is: “Childishness!” He is tormented by many questions: why did she fall in love with such a terrible and selfish man as Molchalin, why doesn’t she see who he really is, doesn’t see him true face that his image is just her fantasy, and not a real sincere person.

Then Chatsky had to face the “Famus society”, its morals and ossified foundations. He is trying alone to resist this society, its representatives, to fight against lies and hypocrisy, the terrible attitude towards ordinary people, serfs. He argues with Famusov about his lifestyle and responds to all the advice to follow the example of his fathers:

“I would be glad to serve, but being served is sickening.”

He always tries to tell the truth face to face and sharply ridicules the vices of “Famus society.”

He wants to express everything that has accumulated in his soul, to show everyone that he suffers from such admiration for everything foreign, and society does not understand or share his suffering. Therefore, society, feeling the impossibility of accepting such a Chatsky, rejected him, calling him crazy. And the worst thing is that these rumors are spread about Chatsky by Sophia. It is clear that they could not have further relations, because Sophia took the side of her environment, became saturated with their morals. She does not have such a subtle mental organization to understand all the kindness and sincerity, honesty and romanticism of Chatsky.

And also one of Chatsky’s distinctive qualities is the fullness of feelings. This is shown in the way he loves and hates, he is ardent, hot and witty, eloquent, full of life and impatient. Therefore, these qualities make him open to mistakes and vulnerable.

He is the embodiment of the struggle for freedom, a mental struggle, not a bloody one. And he is alone in it, and the world of officials is huge and cruel. Therefore, without the slightest support and understanding, he has no choice but to leave. Two opposite worlds cannot exist side by side. After all, there is nothing left for him to look for here. But there remains hope that even being very far from Famusov’s house, he will not stop fighting for justice and new life. And this is the strength of Chatsky.

Chatsky in this work is a representative of the new generation, which brings a breath of fresh views and ideas into society, thereby rejecting everything outdated and old in its path. And I would like it to modern world there were as many people as possible who are not afraid to go against the rules of established systems, to offer new and promising ideas that will advance our society and culture to more high levels, thereby helping our country take a leading position in the world.

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Nesterova I.A. The tragedy of Chatsky in the comedy Woe from Wit [ Electronic resource] // Educational encyclopedia website

What is Chatsky’s tragedy and his problem?

The end of the eighteenth century is marked by the emergence large quantity satirical works. At the beginning of the 19th century, Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” was published, which took leading place among works of its genre. The comedy bore the stamp of Alexander's reforms and the War of 1812.

According to Goncharov, “the comedy “Woe from Wit” is both a picture of morals, and a gallery of living types, and an ever-sharp, burning satire, and at the same time a comedy... which can hardly be found in other literatures...”.

The main character of the work is A.A. Chatsky. He was born in a small noble family. His childhood was spent next to the Famusov family. He was connected with Sophia, first by friendship, and then by love.

Chatsky quickly became bored with the life of the Moscow nobility. He wanted to visit other countries. Returning to Moscow three years later, Chatsky realized that nothing had changed, but still he was glad to return home. “I wanted to travel around the whole world, but I didn’t travel a hundredth part.”

The most precious memories in a foreign land were memories of the homeland. In Moscow, Chatsky notes that morals in the capital have not changed at all. “When you wander, you return home, And the smoke of the fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us!” Chatsky is distinguished from all other characters in the comedy by his piercing intelligence and freshness of views. This is how Famusov speaks of him: “It’s a pity, it’s a pity, he’s a small head; And he writes and translates nicely.” Even Sophia, despite her dislike for Chatsky, says about him that he is “handsome, smart, eloquent...”.

Chatsky's tragedy is that his mind will not allow him to close his eyes to the chaos happening in secular society. An atmosphere of lies and subservience to more powerful and senior nobles and high-ranking officials. Chatsky cannot calmly look at the admiration for everything foreign:

Oh! if we are born to adopt everything,
At least we could borrow some from the Chinese
Their ignorance of foreigners is wise;
Will we ever be resurrected from the alien power of fashion?
So that our people are smart and cheerful.
Although, based on our language, he didn’t consider us Germans.

Chatsky criticizes the methods of upbringing and education operating in secular society. He is annoyed that anyone who is not too lazy becomes a teacher. Chatsky condemns the fashion for foreign teachers, who sometimes do not know how to speak Russian:

It’s not that they are far off in science;
In Russia, under a great fine,
We are told to recognize everyone
Historian and geographer!

Alexander Andreevich is outraged by the ugly manifestations of serfdom. He sees the attitude of the landowners towards the servants and openly protests against this. In a conversation with Famusova, he indignantly gives an example of the manifestation of serfdom:

That Nestor of noble scoundrels,
Surrounded by a crowd of servants;
Zealous, they are in the hours of wine and fights
Both honor and life saved him more than once: suddenly
He exchanged three greyhounds for them"!!!

Chatsky is a very educated person. He has great respect for science and art. His speech is figurative and rich in intonations. Chatsky is characterized by depth and constancy of feelings. He is very emotional and open. This is clearly manifested in his attitude towards Sophia. He loves her, sincerely, tenderly. Despite Sophia's neglect, he does not try to hide his feelings. There is no falsehood in Chatsky’s behavior. He does not say what he does not think, what he does not believe. Chatsky does not set himself the goal of rising in rank at any cost. He does not approve of servility and flattery for the sake of social position. He demands to serve “the cause, not individuals.” He says:

Ranks are given by people;
And people can be deceived.

Chatsky's tragedy is due to the fact that he moral principles can't live with hypocrisy secular society. He does not like the theft and idleness of officials, but he cannot do anything about it due to the fact that he is not endowed with rank and power. For the main character in a person, it is not important social status, And his moral principles and quality.

The tragedy of the comedy is aggravated by the fact that Chatsky, unlike most representatives of secular society, values ​​and respects the Russian people. He considers him "smart and cheerful."

Griboedov endows Chatsky with the ability to very subtly notice the characteristics of a person’s character, so he is the first to expose the scoundrel in Molchalin and bitterly notes that “Molchalins are blissful in the world...”.

Griboyedov creates tragic image a new person in an old society. However, everything new that Chatsky already has is the future, which is already being embodied and is preparing to change " old world", i.e. Famunsovshchina. However, Alexander Andreevich is not able to move from words to action. He finds himself alone with the old society and his criticism, unable to change anything. This is the tragedy of Chatsky, i.e. grief from the mind.

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The image of Alexander Chatsky successfully combined the features of a Byronic hero and an extra person. He is a herald of new orders, a man ahead of his time. That is why his personality is clearly contrasted in the comedy with all the other characters, and he is, in fact, lonely and misunderstood by his society.

Family, childhood and youth of the hero

Alexander Andreevich Chatsky is a hereditary nobleman, an aristocrat by birth. He was born in Moscow and from childhood was included in the world of high society so desired by many. Chatsky's parents died early, leaving their son a significant estate as an inheritance.

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Alexander Andreevich has no brothers and sisters - he only child in family. Most likely, Chatsky had no other relatives (even distant ones), since after the death of his parents, Chatsky was taken in by his father’s friend, Pavel Famusov, an official and a noble person in the circles of the aristocracy and Moscow circles in particular.

Chatsky lives in Pavel Afanasyevich’s house for some time. Having matured, he sets off on an independent voyage. Apparently, Famusov was a good teacher, since Chatsky kept memories of him Nice memories. Alexander Andreevich arrives at Famusov’s house full of positive thoughts and with friendly intentions.

Chatsky is a member of the English Club - a gentlemen's club for aristocrats. The English Club provided for a varied expression of social and political life. However, in general it boiled down to card games and lunch. Apparently, Alexander Andreevich was not his frequent guest. At first, this was due to his age; later, Chatsky goes abroad, which a priori makes it impossible to visit this club. At the end of the three-year period, Chatsky returns to his homeland, where the main events of Griboyedov’s comedy take place.

Abroad, Alexander Andreevich gets the opportunity not only to be impressed by the features of architecture and cultural heritage Europe, but also to learn about the peculiarities of relationships between people, their social and public position.

Personality characteristics

Like any other aristocrat, Chatsky received a basic education, which included basic concept about the arrangement of the world and economics, was trained foreign languages(in particular, French, as the most widespread of all foreign languages). In addition, Alexander Andreevich was trained in dance and music - this was commonplace for the aristocracy. Chatsky’s education did not end there, but moved into the form of self-development. Alexander Andreevich actively explores the world and is engaged in self-study and deepening your knowledge in one category or another. An active and inquisitive personality type and an inquisitive mind allowed Chatsky to accumulate a significant amount of knowledge, thanks to which he became a philosopher without reaching his gray hairs.

Chatsky was previously a member of military service, but he soon became disillusioned with military career and resigned. Alexander Andreevich did not start civil service. She was of little interest to him.

My later life he plans to devote himself to the affairs of his estate. However, in the eyes of the public, such an act looks like an unthinkable action - those around them believe that an adequate person cannot do this, because it is thanks to these two types of activities that a young man can make a name for himself and earn authority in society - other types of activities, even if they are beneficial and do not contradict the rules and principles of morality, are not accepted by others and are considered absurd.

Chatsky does not consider it a disadvantage to freely express his position - he thinks that this should be the norm in an educated society.

His speech is often sarcastic and ironic. Apparently, this is due to his outright opposition to other representatives of society. He is a sincere person, Chatsky believes that it is necessary to tell people the truth - he does not accept deceit and lies. Alexander Andreevich has a sensitive and sincere disposition. He is a passionate person, so it is difficult for him to control his emotions.

Chatsky recognizes the need for science and art in human life. People who neglect their education and development disgust Chatsky.

He sincerely loves his homeland and is filled with desire to improve the lives of his people, not only at the level of the aristocracy, but also at the level ordinary people.

Chatsky’s life position and his conflict with the Famusov society

Chatsky actively opposes the so-called Famus society - a group of aristocrats united by the personality of his teacher, important official- Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov. In fact, based on this group of aristocrats, a typical situation in aristocratic circles is shown. It is not unique individuals who speak through the mouths of representatives of Famus society, but typical individuals characteristic of high society. And their position is not exclusively theirs, but an everyday occurrence.

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First of all, the difference between Chatsky and his vision from Famusov and his hangers-on lies in his attitude to business management and the peculiarities of promotion career ladder– in the world of aristocracy, everything is decided by bribes and mutual responsibility – honor and pride have long been forgotten high society. They are ready to admire people who serve and are ready to please their boss in every possible way - no one appreciates people who do their job well, who are professionals in their field, and this is very upsetting young man. To the particular amazement of Alexander Andreevich, not only their own people take bribes, but also foreigners, for whom this is an unacceptable business.

The next stumbling block was the attitude towards activities, as well as science and art. In the vision of aristocrats, only civil service or military service is worthy of attention and honor - they consider other types of activities to be second-class and shameful for a person noble birth. They subject servants of science and muses to special hatred and persecution. This position lies, first of all, in an absolute disregard for education. Almost all representatives of Famus society think that science and education do not bring any benefit, but only take away energy and time from people. They have approximately the same opinion about art. They consider people who are ready to engage in science or art to be abnormal and are ready to ridicule them in every possible way.


Chatsky also gives an unsatisfactory characterization of landowners, having analyzed their attitude towards serfs - very often serfs are nothing to the nobles - they can be a commodity or a living toy in the hands of the aristocracy. This applies not only to people who unscrupulously performed their duties, but also to those who diligently served their landowner. Nobles can sell their serfs and even exchange them for dogs. In general, Griboedov, either personally or with the help of his heroes, never campaigned or criticized serfdom in general, as, however, he was not a supporter of it. His criticism is directed not at the building of relationships itself, but at specific cases of cruelty and injustice on the part of landowners towards their serfs.

Chatsky and Sonya Famusova

Alexander Chatsky and Sonya Famusova were longtime acquaintances - they had known each other since childhood. After the death of Chatsky’s parents, the girl actually replaced his sister - their relationship was always friendly and positive. As they grew older, they began to change, and childhood affection and friendship was replaced by love. However, the novel was prevented from fully developing by Chatsky’s trip and the fact that he left Famusov, which Sonya perceived not as an everyday occurrence associated with Chatsky’s achievement of a new stage in life - independent formation, but as disappointment. In her opinion, Chatsky left their house because he was bored with life there.

On his trip, Chatsky took with him not only warm memories of his teacher, but also his love for his daughter, Sonya. Upon returning home, he hoped to renew their relationship and develop it. Alexander Andreevich saw his future wife in the image of Sonya. However, immediately after his arrival, he was sharply opposed in his intentions to marry the girl by her father, who believed that only a rich man who was ready to pursue his career could apply for the position of his son-in-law. Chatsky did not fit the criteria - he was wealthy, but not rich enough, and he completely abandoned his career, which was perceived extremely negatively by Famusov. From that time on, Famusov’s childhood admiration gradually began to melt away.


Alexander Andreevich hopes that the girl’s feelings towards him are sincere, and they will be able to convince their father of the need for marriage. Sonya reciprocates Chatsky's feelings, however, over time it turns out that his beloved is no better than her father. Her gratitude and reciprocity are just a game for the public, but in fact the girl loves another person, and she was just fooling Chatsky.

The annoyed Chatsky accuses the girl of unworthy behavior and is sincerely glad that he did not become her husband, for this would have been a real punishment.

Thus, Alexander Chatsky’s image is generally humane and full of desire to change the lives of the people around him for the better. He sincerely believes in the benefits of science and art, and people who pay attention to their development arouse his interest and admiration. According to Chatsky, lies and self-interest should fade into the background, and goodness and humanity should take their place. People, in his understanding, should live guided by the laws of morality, and not by personal gain.

The image of Chatsky in the comedy “Woe from Wit” by Griboedov: the character and life of the hero (Alexander Andreevich Chatsky)

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He will come out of the fire unharmed,
Who will have time to spend a day with you,
Breathe the air alone
And his sanity will survive.

A.S. Griboyedov.

According to V.G. Belinsky, “Woe from Wit” is the noblest creation genius man. A I.A. Goncharov in his article “A Million Torments” wrote: “Woe from Wit” is both a picture of morals and a gallery of living types, an ever-sharp, burning satire, and at the same time a comedy.” And, apparently, this is why Griboyedov’s comedy is still interesting to readers; it does not leave the stages of many theaters. This is truly an immortal work.

In the play, which depicts just one day in the house of the Moscow master Famusov, Griboyedov raised the most important issues: about upbringing and education, about service to the fatherland and civic duty, about serfdom and admiration for everything foreign. He showed the struggle of the “present century” with the “past century”, Chatsky and Famus society.

In Famusov's house, relationships between people are built on lies and hypocrisy. Their main activities are “lunch, dinner and dance.” And into this house, where all the vices are covered up by ostentatious virtue, Chatsky bursts into a whirlwind. In the image of Chatsky, Griboyedov showed a man of a new mindset and soul, inspired by new ideas, looking for new, more modern forms life.

The play is based on love drama, which hides the social and ideological conflicts. It is in these conflicts that all of Chatsky’s torments and his tragedy are revealed. Chatsky comes to Famusov’s house to see the girl he loves, but this girl cheated on him. Chatsky suffers because Sophia chose the narrow-minded and helpful Molchalin over him, who has only two talents: “moderation” and “accuracy.” For all her spiritual inclinations, she belongs entirely to Famus society. She cannot fall in love with Chatsky, because he is completely opposed to this society by the turn of his mind and soul. Sophia finds herself among the “tormentors” who insulted Chatsky’s bright mind and fiery feeling. Therefore, Chatsky’s personal drama develops into a public one and determines his fate as a lonely dreamer in Famus’s world.

Chatsky is being tortured social problems, he understands the horror of serfdom, under which every independent thought, every sincere feeling, when “rejected children from mothers and fathers” are driven “to the serf ballet” in order to satisfy the desire of the master, when people are exchanged for “three greyhounds.” Chatsky sees that people in power are not concerned about the problems of the people and the state, they only:

They found protection from court in friends, in kinship,
Magnificent building chambers,
Where they spill out in feasts and extravagance.

And, of course, in such a society it is not the Chatskys with their intelligence who are blissful, but the Molchalins, who know how to “pat a pug here at the right time, rub in a card there at the right time.” And a person like Chatsky, who “will focus his mind hungry for knowledge on science, or in his soul God himself will arouse a fervor for creative, high and beautiful arts,” will be forever expelled from such a society.

Chatsky is a man of the new world. He does not accept the laws of life of old Moscow. He has his own idea of ​​serving the fatherland. In his opinion, one must serve honestly, “without demanding either places or promotion to rank.” Chatsky opposes people who value only wealth and rank, who are afraid of truth and enlightenment. He connects the progress of society with the flourishing of personality, the development of science and education, which is alien to Famus society. A person who has received a good education and has a brilliant mind does not want to accept people like “Uncle Maxim Petrovich” as models, because he does not see any moral merits in them and can declare this publicly. Chatsky questions the moral authority of fathers, speaking about “the meanest features of the past life” and comparing new Age with the past century, not at all in favor of the past. Chatsky is not only an exposer of lies, he is also a fighter. A fighter for the cause, for the idea, for the truth. To all of Famusov’s advice to stop acting out and follow the example of his fathers, he replies: “I would be glad to serve - it’s sickening to be served.”

In Famusov's society, Chatsky's ideas, his speeches and suffering remain incomprehensible. He wants to express everything that has accumulated in his soul. At the ball in Famusov’s house, he turns everyone gathered against himself, because his coexistence with the “Moscow people” is impossible. Society, sensing this, defeated him and ridiculed him. Chatsky was declared crazy for his dissent. His torment remained unresolved.

Griboyedov's comedy talks about a person's grief stemming from his mind. It is Chatsky’s mind that puts him outside Famusov’s circle. The best human qualities make him an “eccentric” to those around him, “ strange man", and then - just a madman. Chatsky is eager to “ free life"," "to the pursuit of science and art" and requires "service to the cause, not to individuals." The tragedy of Chatsky is the tragedy of “a mind hungry for knowledge.” Comedy gives Chatsky only “a million torments.” He is among people who do not live, but play their role. Chatsky is amazed that he does not find anything human in them. He cannot and does not want to remain among them any longer and leaves. Such a game is unnatural and unacceptable for him:

Get out of Moscow! I don't go here anymore.
I’m running, I won’t look back, I’ll go looking around the world,
Where there is a corner for the insulted feeling.
Carriage for me, carriage!

According to I.A. Goncharova, “Chatsky is broken by quantity old power, inflicting on her in turn death blow the quality of fresh strength...Chatsky begins a new century - and this is his whole meaning and his whole mind.”

One and, perhaps, the main conflict of the comedy “Woe from Wit” by A. S. Griboedov is the confrontation between the “past century” and the “present century”.

The main representative of the “past century” can be called Famusov. For the Famus society, other people’s opinions were important. Such people paid no attention to their place in society, completely forgetting about morality. Service was a certain source of elevation in society. Moreover, the Famus society served, or rather served, not deeds, but specific individuals.

Famusov’s ideal is Maxim Petrovich. This is an important image in the work, as it shows the lifestyle of the “past century” in an exaggerated form. Having fallen in front of the empress, the hero deliberately fell several more times, creating a comical situation for the public, thereby earning the respect of the empress herself. The ability to “help yourself” brings such people everything: from a place in society to wealth.

But his ideas of humanity and morality turn out to be unnecessary for society, so he ends up in his own way “ extra person" After all, people like Chatsky can threaten the warm places of people with conservative views. Chatsky condemns the lack of development and progress in society. He denounces people who have influential relatives who are allowed almost everything.

Clash of views occur not only on the issue of service and education, they also collide family values. Famusov believes that love should be built on money, and poor people are not a match for his daughter. Chatsky is of the opinion that it is the qualities of a person that are the main criterion of love. Feelings are more important to him than money.

Despite all the correctness of Chatsky’s views, he is forced to retreat due to the large number of the “past century.”

Thus, the conflict between Famusov and Chatsky is a clash of two generations, two different worldviews. And Chatsky’s retreat does not mean his defeat. After all, the Famusovs will have to retreat, since the new will definitely win.

Option 2

Goncharov says that Chatsky is the figure who determines the entire conflict of the comedy as a whole, and one cannot but agree on this. He completely agrees with what is happening. This is how the key problem of the work is determined - a generational conflict arises. Each of them has their own perception of the world, they look at what is happening around them in a special way, each of them has their own goals, which they intend to achieve using their own methods and capabilities.

Such people do not intend to lie and adapt to the world around them; they do not depend on what the people around them, who are partly envious, say about them. Therefore their collision with public opinion becomes inevitable. They constantly clash. It is this problem that Griboedov raises in his own comedy called “Woe from Wit”; it remains relevant in our time, because the picture of society has been preserved to this day.

At the same time, there is opposition from Chatsky, who is considered a fairly wise and experienced person, but at the same time often makes wrong decisions that lead to different consequences. He has to confront another society, which is standard; everyone is accustomed to living according to the usual pattern, which becomes part of Famus’s environment and society.

Chatsky is accustomed to serving the Motherland as a whole, he does not divide it into individuals, while Famus society is accustomed to honoring individual officials. And Famusov himself is shown by the author from different sides, he says that the man is completely against enlightenment, he would easily burn all the books he has.

Thus, the conflict develops not only on the difference between generations and worldviews, but also on the fact that one of them strives for any form of education, and the second rejects it with all his might. Therefore, they cannot agree with each other, they constantly argue, and Chatsky as a whole is outraged by the society that Famusov organized from people who are not ready to increase their own level of development. This is how a basic conflict and contradiction arises from a society in which no one can find mutual language, because they have different levels development and attitude towards the world around us, as well as the knowledge it offers.

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