Who is a little man in Russian literature? Research work “The image of the “little man” in Russian literature

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………….4

Main part…………………………………………………………………………………………4

Chapter 1. “Little Man” Akaki Akakievich Bashmachkin……………………………………..4

Chapter 2. "Little Man" in the works "The Station Agent", "The Bronze Horseman", " Captain's daughter"……………………………………………………………..4

Chapter 3. . "Death of an Official" "Man in a Case". "The triumph of the winner."

"Chameleon". "Thick and thin"…………………………………………………………………………………6

Chapter 4. . "Poor people." "Crime and Punishment". ……………………..7

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7

Conclusions…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7

Used literature…………………………………………………………………………………...8

Applications……………………………………………………………………………………………………………9

Hypothesis: Man - does that sound proud?

Target: Identify image features of this type heroes in literature and understand the reasons for the appearance of such people in society

Objectives: read works of Russian literature of the 19th century: the story "The Overcoat", the story "The Station Warden", "The Bronze Horseman", "The Captain's Daughter"; study critical literature on the story; familiarize yourself with Internet resources on this issue.

Methodology:

1. At the stage of determining the needs of students, the following methods will be effective:

A) studying a student questionnaire that determines the level of their knowledge on the topic;

B) the use of an analytical table that reveals the degree of understanding of the essence of the proposed study.

This stage is extremely important, as it allows the teacher to adjust the work on the project, and the students to assess their own abilities and correlate them with the objectives of the project.

2. During the students’ work on the project, it is possible to use a wide variety of methods:

a) drawing up a map plan for the upcoming work, which will allow students to feel

responsibility for one’s own learning, as well as to introduce assessment criteria for each stage of work;

b) “brainstorming” - in order to concentrate ideas about the upcoming work;

c) informal observations of the teacher, which will support the adjustment of the study and provide grounds for objective assessment;

d) feedback from peers, helping the student evaluate the quality of his work and relate it to needs general research in Group;

e) self-assessment and reflection, giving the student the opportunity to evaluate his own work and think about methods for improving it;

f) reports on the implementation of key stages of the project, presented in the form of rough sketches, plans, diagrams, informal questionnaires in which students express their thoughts on the progress of the research. These methods will allow the teacher and students to constantly evaluate the progress of work on the project and will contribute to the development of high-level thinking skills.

3. After completing the project, it is expected to evaluate the following final works of students:

a) reports - presentations on the research conducted;

b) speeches at the final student conference;

V) creative works in the form of essays and wiki articles;

d) dramatization of fragments of Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General”

e) student portfolio with research materials.

When assessing at each stage of work on the project, the depth and completeness of the research, the use of various learning resources, creativity, the ability to connect a problem with other areas of science and see the prospects for its development.

What do I know: Spiritual world " little man"sparse, uninteresting.

What else needs to be found: to uncover true face, spiritual potential“little man” using the example of the image of Bashmachkin from Gogol’s story “The Overcoat”, Samson Vyrin from the story “The Station Warden” and heroes of other works.

Introduction

The definition of “little man” is applied to the category of literary heroes of the era of realism, usually occupying a rather low place in the social hierarchy: a minor official, a tradesman, or even a poor nobleman. The image of the “little man” turned out to be all the more relevant the more democratic literature became. The very concept of “little man” was most likely introduced into use by Belinsky (1840 article “Woe from Wit”). The theme of the “little man” is raised by many writers. It has always been relevant because its task is to reflect life common man with all her experiences, problems, troubles and little joys. The writer takes on the hard work of showing and explaining the lives of ordinary people. “The little man is a representative of the entire people. And each writer represents him in his own way.

The project is dedicated to a cross-cutting theme in Russian literature - the evolution of the image of the "little man". This topic is quite capacious; it reflects many literary and social processes, which took place in Russia throughout the 19th century. The works contain rich material for the development of this topic, for the development of analytical abilities, thinking, and general intelligence of students. The project method will allow us to consider this topic comprehensively, in integration with psychology, sociology, and the realities of the modern world.

Main part

Chapter 1. “Little Man” Akaki Akakievich Bashmachkin

It often happens in life that cruel and heartless people who humiliate and insult the dignity of other people often look more pathetic and insignificant than their victims. The same impression of spiritual meagerness and fragility from the offenders of the petty official Akaki Akakievich Bashmachkin remains with us after reading Gogol’s story “The Overcoat”. Akaki Akakievich is a real “little man”. Why? Firstly, he stands on one of the lowest steps of the hierarchical ladder. His place in society is not noticeable at all. Secondly, the world of his spiritual life and human interests is extremely narrowed, impoverished, and limited. Gogol himself characterized his hero as poor, mediocre, insignificant and unnoticed. In life, he was assigned an insignificant role as a copyist of documents for one of the departments. Brought up in an atmosphere of unquestioning submission and execution of orders from his superiors, Akaki Akakievich Bashmachkin was not used to reflecting on the content and meaning of his work. Therefore, when he is offered tasks that require the manifestation of elementary intelligence, he begins to worry, worry, and ultimately comes to the conclusion: “No, it’s better to let me rewrite something.” Bashmachkin's spiritual life is also limited. Collecting money for a new overcoat becomes for him the meaning of his whole life, filling it with the happiness of anticipation of fulfillment cherished desire. The theft of a new overcoat, acquired through such hardships and suffering, becomes truly a disaster for him. Those around him laughed at his misfortune, and no one helped him. The “significant person” shouted at him so much that poor Akaki Akakievich lost consciousness. Almost no one noticed his death. Despite the uniqueness of the image created by the writer, he, Bashmachkin, does not look lonely in the minds of readers, and we imagine that there were a great many of the same humiliated people who shared the lot of Akaki Akakievich. Gogol was the first to talk about the tragedy of the “little man,” respect for whom depended not on his spiritual qualities, not on education and intelligence, but on his position in society. The writer compassionately showed the injustice and oppressiveness of society in relation to the “little man” and for the first time called on this society to pay attention to the inconspicuous, pitiful and funny people, as it seemed at first glance. It’s not their fault that they are not very smart, and sometimes not smart at all. But they don’t harm anyone, and this is very important. So why then laugh at them? Maybe you can't treat them with more respect, but you can't offend them. They, like everyone else, have the right to decent life, the opportunity to feel like full-fledged people.

Chapter 2. “Little Man" in works"The Station Agent", "The Bronze Horseman", "The Captain's Daughter"

The greatest poet of the 19th century also did not leave the theme of the “little man” unnoticed, only he turned his gaze not to the image of the kneeling man, but to the fate of the unfortunate man, showing us his pure soul, unspoiled by wealth and prosperity, who knows how to rejoice, love, and suffer. This is the story "The Station Agent", part of the cycle of "Belkin's Tales". Pushkin sympathizes with his hero. Initially, his life is not easy. “Who hasn’t cursed the stationmasters, who hasn’t scolded them? Who, in a moment of anger, hasn’t demanded from them a fatal book in order to write into it their useless complaint about oppression, rudeness and malfunction? Who doesn’t consider them monsters of the human race, equal to the deceased clerks, or at least the Murom robbers? Let us, however, be fair, we will try to enter into their position and, perhaps, we will begin to judge them much more leniently. What is a stationmaster? A real martyr of the fourteenth class, protected by his rank only from beatings, and then not always... I have peace neither day nor night. The traveler takes out all the frustration accumulated during a boring ride on the caretaker. The weather is unbearable, the road is bad, the driver is stubborn, the horses don’t carry - and the caretaker is to blame. Entering his poor home, the traveler looks at him as an enemy; it would be good if he soon managed to get rid of the uninvited guest; but if the horses didn’t happen? God! what curses, what threats would rain down on his head! In the rain and slush, he is forced to run around the yards; in a storm, in the Epiphany frost, he goes into the hallway, just to rest for a minute from the screams and pushes of an irritated guest... Let's look into all this thoroughly, and instead of indignation, our hearts will be filled with sincere compassion." This is Pushkin's text, but behind it we hear Radishchev's voices and Karamzin. But the hero of the story - Samson Vyrin - is quite happy and calm, he has long adapted to the conditions of service, his beautiful daughter Dunya helps him run a simple household. He dreams of simple human happiness, hoping to nurse his grandchildren, to spend his old age with his family. But fate is preparing a difficult test for him. The passing hussar Minsky takes Dunya away, without thinking about the consequences of his action. The unfortunate father hopes to return his daughter, but how can he compete with the rich hussar! After an unsuccessful attempt to return his daughter, when the hussar " strong hand, grabbed the old man by the collar and pushed him onto the stairs,” Vyrin was no longer able to fight. He “thought, waved his hand and decided to retreat.” Samson died in longing for his daughter, grieving about her possible deplorable fate. Evgeny, the hero of “Copper horseman" looks like Samson Vyrin.

…Our hero
Lives in Kolomna, serves somewhere,
Avoids nobles...

He does not make great plans for the future; he is satisfied with a quiet, inconspicuous life.

What was he thinking about? About,
That he was poor, that he worked hard
He had to deliver to himself
Both independence and honor;
What could God add to him?
Mind and money.

He also hopes for his personal, albeit small, but much-needed family happiness.

Marry? To me? Why not?
It's hard, of course.
But well I'm young and healthy
Ready to work day and night;
I’ll arrange something for myself
Shelter humble and simple
And in it I will calm Parasha.
Perhaps a couple of weeks will pass -
I’ll get a place, Parashe
I will entrust our family
And raising children.
And we will live, and so on until the grave
We'll both get there hand in hand
And our grandchildren will bury us.

But all his dreams are in vain, because evil fate bursts into his life: the elements destroy his beloved. Evgeniy cannot resist fate; he quietly experiences his loss. And only in a state of madness does it threaten To the Bronze Horseman, considering the culprit of his misfortune to be the man who built the city on this ruinous place. Pushkin looks at his heroes from the outside. They do not stand out for their intelligence or their position in society, but they are kind and decent people, and therefore worthy of respect and sympathy. In the novel "The Captain's Daughter" the category of "little people" includes Pyotr Andreevich Grinev and Captain Mironov. They are distinguished by the same qualities: kindness, justice, decency, the ability to love and respect people. But they have one more thing good quality- remain faithful this word. Pushkin included the saying in the epigraph: “Take care of your honor from a young age.” They saved their honor. And just as dear as the heroes of his previously mentioned works.

Chapter 3.. "Death of an Official" "Man in a Case." "The triumph of the winner." "Chameleon". "Thick and thin".

“Little Man” is constantly found on the pages of works. This is the main character of his work. Chekhov's attitude towards such people is especially evident in his satirical stories. And this attitude is unambiguous. In the story “The Death of an Official,” the “little man” Ivan Dmitrievich Chervyakov constantly and obsessively apologizes to General Brizzhalov for accidentally spraying him when he sneezed. “I sprayed him!” thought Chervyakov. “Not my boss, a stranger, but still awkward. I need to apologize.” Keyword in this thought - “boss”. Chervyakov probably wouldn’t endlessly apologize to an ordinary person. Ivan Dmitrievich has a fear of his superiors, and this fear turns into flattery and deprives him of self-respect. A person has already reached the point where he allows himself to be trampled into the dirt; moreover, he himself helps to do this. We must give the general his due; he treats our hero very politely. But the common man was not accustomed to such treatment. thinks that he was ignored and comes to ask for forgiveness several days in a row. Brizzhalov gets fed up with this and finally yells at Chervyakov. “Get out!” the general, suddenly blue and shaking, barked.
“What, sir?” Chervyakov asked in a whisper, dying of horror.
-Go away!! - the general repeated, stamping his feet.
Something came off in Chervyakov’s stomach. Seeing nothing, hearing nothing, he backed away to the door, went out into the street and trudged... Arriving automatically home, without taking off his uniform, he lay down on the sofa and... died." This is what fear of senior officials, eternal admiration and humiliation before them. To more fully reveal the image of his hero, Chekhov used a “speaking” surname. Yes, Ivan Dmitrievich is small, pitiful, like a worm, he can be crushed without effort, and most importantly, he is just as unpleasant.

In the story “The Triumph of the Winner,” Chekhov presents us with a story in which a father and son humiliate themselves before their boss so that the son can get a position.
“The boss was telling the story and, apparently, wanted to seem witty. I don’t know if he said anything funny, but I just remember that my dad pushed me in the side every minute and said:
-Laugh!...
... - Yes, yes! - Dad whispered. - Well done! He looks at you and laughs... This is good; Maybe he’ll actually give you a job as an assistant clerk!”
And again we are faced with admiration for superiors. And again this is self-deprecation and flattery. People are ready to please the boss to achieve their insignificant goal. It doesn’t even occur to them to remember that there is simple human dignity that cannot be lost under any circumstances. I wanted all people to be beautiful and free. “Everything in a person should be beautiful: face, clothes, soul, and thoughts.” Anton Pavlovich thought so, therefore, ridiculing primitive man in his stories, he called for self-improvement. Chekhov hated self-humiliation, eternal servility and admiration for officials. Gorky said about Chekhov: “His enemy was vulgarity, and he fought against it all his life.” Yes, he fought against it with his works, he bequeathed to us to “squeeze the slave out of ourselves drop by drop.” Perhaps such a vile lifestyle of his “little people”, their low thoughts and unworthy behavior are the result of not only personal character traits, but also their social status and the order of the existing political system. After all, Chervyakov would not have apologized so zealously and lived in eternal fear of officials if he had not been afraid of the consequences. The characters in the stories “Chameleon”, “Thick and Thin”, “Man in a Case” and many others have the same unpleasant character traits. Anton Pavlovich believed that a person should have a goal, the fulfillment of which he will strive, and if there is none or it is completely small and insignificant, then the person becomes just as small and insignificant. A person must work and love - these are the two things that play main role in the life of any person: small and not small.

Chapter 4. . "Poor people." "Crime and Punishment".

If Chekhov’s characters are humiliated and do not realize their insignificance, then Dostoevsky’s “little man” fully understands his uselessness, uselessness.

In the novel "Poor People" we're talking about about "little people". Makar Devushkin and Varvara Alekseevna also belong to the lower class of society. They want to live well, work, hope for their happiness. Makar Devushkin loves Varenka very much, he is like a father to her: he buys her what she dreams of, although she does not ask him for it, and he himself remains virtually without food, becomes a debtor to the owner of the house in which he lives. Varenka, having learned about Makar Devushkin’s misfortune, tries to help him: she sends him money so that he can pay the hostess and buy something for himself. It should be noted that she gives away far from extra money earned by her painstaking work. Pity and kindness are characteristic of this gentle girl and her friend - Makar Devushkin, who once saved her from an evil relative. Mutual assistance is very important here, because this is the only thing these people can hope for. The author with his works wanted to point out the problems of the disadvantaged. They are forced to live in dark, dirty, nasty and smelly areas of the city. And what did many of them do to deserve this? What did Sonya Marmeladova do to deserve this? What did Makar Devushkin and Varvara Alekseevna deserve this? This is what Dostoevsky draws attention to. His “little man” knows how to reason. He is not only “humiliated and insulted”, realizing his insignificance, he is also a philosopher who poses questions of the greatest importance to society.

Conclusion

The idea of ​​the “little man” changed throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Each writer also had his own personal views on of this hero. But already from the second third of the 20th century this image disappears from the pages of literary works, because the method socialist realism does not imply such a hero. In the process of studying the subject, we came to the conclusion that it was impossible to identify any system for changing the views of writers on these heroes. But you can find common ground in views different writers. For example, writers of the first half of the 19th century (Pushkin, Lermontov, Gogol) treat the “little man” with sympathy. Griboyedov stands apart, he looks at this hero differently, which brings his views closer to the views of Chekhov and partly Ostrovsky. Here the concept of vulgarity and self-humiliation comes to the fore. In the minds of L. Tolstoy, N. Leskov, A. Kuprin, a “little man” is a talented, selfless person. Such a diversity of views of writers depends on the characteristics of their worldview and on the diversity of human types that surrounds us in real life.

conclusions

As a result of the work, we came to the conclusion that a person is not just a physiological and social being living among other people, but also a person endowed with his own rich inner world, feelings, thoughts, and rights. Gogol was the first to talk about the tragedy of the “little man,” respect for whom depended not on his spiritual qualities, not on education and intelligence, but on his position in society. The writer compassionately showed the injustice and despotism of society in relation to the “little man” and for the first time called on this society to pay attention to people who were invisible, pitiful and funny, as it seemed at first glance. It’s not their fault that they are not very smart, and sometimes not smart at all. But they don’t harm anyone, and this is very important. So why then laugh at them? Maybe you can't treat them with more respect, but you can't offend them. They, like everyone else, have the right to a decent life, to the opportunity to feel like full-fledged people.

References.

Textbooks, teaching aids, reading books, laboratory manuals, reference material, etc.

Printed materials Dictionaries, manuals, reference materials, etc.

1. Voropaev Vasilievich Gogol. Russian writers. 19th century. – M., 2000.

2. "Overcoat"

3. "Crime and Punishment"

4. "Inspector"

5. Esin and techniques for analyzing a literary work. – M., 2000.

6. Lotman space in Gogol’s prose. – M., 1978.

7. Mann by Gogol. – M., 1978.

8. Gogol’s Mashinsky world. – M., 1983.

Composition

“Pain about a person” - that’s probably main topic Russian literature of the 19th century. Compassion for tragic fate“little man” formed the basis of the work of all Russian writers. And the first in this row was, of course, A.S. Pushkin.

In 1830, Pushkin wrote five stories, combined common name and the general narrator, “Belkin’s Tale.” Of these, the most touching and at the same time the saddest is, it seems to me, the story “The Station Agent.” In it, the poet first brought to the pages of Russian literature the “little man” - Samson Vyrin. Pushkin very accurately described his social position - “a real martyr of the fourteenth grade.”

The caretaker of the small postal station endured a lot in his miserable life, endured a lot. Almost every one of those passing by, wittingly or unwittingly, offended him, taking out their frustration on him, the unresponsive official. bad roads and delay of horses. He had one joy - his daughter Dunya, whom he loved more than life itself. But he lost her too: Dunya was taken with him to St. Petersburg by a passing officer, Minsky. Vyrin tried to achieve the truth, but everywhere he was driven away. And the poor official could not bear the insult - he became an alcoholic and soon died. Pushkin clearly showed Samson Vyrin with sympathy, a deeply unhappy man, with his small, but no less sad drama.

“The Little Man” is dedicated to N. V. Gogol’s story “The Overcoat,” which V. G. Belinsky called “ deepest creation" writer. Main character story - Akaki Akakievich Bashmachkin, “eternal titular adviser.” All his life he “zealously and lovingly” copied papers in the department. This rewriting was not only his work, but also his calling, even, one might say, his life's purpose. Bashmachkin worked without straightening his back all day at work and took papers home, and copied some of the most interesting ones for himself - as a keepsake. His life was eventful and interesting in its own way. But one thing upset Akaki Akakievich: the old overcoat, which had served him faithfully for decades, finally fell into such “decay” that the most skilled tailor could no longer repair it. Bashmachkin’s existence acquired a new content: he began to save money to sew a new overcoat, and dreams about it warmed his soul for many years. winter evenings. This overcoat, which became the subject of Bashmachkin’s constant thoughts and conversations, acquired almost mystical significance for him. And when it was finally ready, Bashmachkin, rejuvenated and spiritualized, appeared in it for service. It was the day of his celebration, his triumph, but it ended unexpectedly and tragically: at night, robbers took away his new overcoat. For the poor official it was a disaster, the ruin of his whole life. He turned to a certain significant person"for help, begging to find and punish the robbers, but his request seemed too insignificant to the important general to pay attention to it. And the loss became fatal for Bashmachkin: he soon fell ill and died. Gogol urged the reader to love the “little man” because he is “our brother”, because he is also a person.

The theme of the “little man” was continued by F. M. Dostoevsky, who very accurately said about himself and his contemporaries: “We all came out of Gogol’s “The Overcoat.” Indeed, the main characters of almost all of his works were “little people”, “humiliated and insulted.” But, unlike Gogol’s hero, Dostoevsky’s heroes are capable of openly protesting. They do not accept the terrible reality; they are able to tell the bitter truth about themselves and about the society around them.

Their spiritual world not as limited and wretched as Bashmachkin’s. They feel the injustice and cruelty of the world of profit and money more acutely than he does. Thus, the poor official Marmeladov, thrown to the very bottom of life, retained his soul and did not become a scoundrel and a scoundrel. He is much more humane than the “masters of life” - Luzhin and Svidrigailov. Marmeladov’s monologue in the tavern is not only a regret about his ruined life, but also a bitter reproach to the whole society.

Sonya Marmeladova was forced to sell herself in order to prevent the little children of her stepmother, Katerina Ivanovna, from starving to death. She suffers for the pain of all people, all the orphaned and wretched. Sonya helps not only her family, she strives to help complete strangers. It was Sonya who became the moral and spiritual support for Raskolnikov: Sonya bore his “cross” with him - she followed him to hard labor. This is her strength and her greatness - the greatness of self-sacrifice in the name of people, of which only an extraordinary person was capable.

The works of Russian writers make us painfully think about the meaning human life, about the purpose of man. Together with their heroes, we learn to respect the human person, sympathize with her pain and empathize with her spiritual quest.

Anikin A. A. The definition of “little man” is a true long-liver in school and university literary criticism. Devoid of scientific dryness, it is also convenient for exam topics. Therefore, it is natural that a certain semantic and emotional stereotype has developed that accompanies this expression. Even themselves literary heroes This is how they openly recommend themselves: “I, sir, am a little man” (Kuligin from A.N. Ostrovsky’s play “The Thunderstorm”), with the natural addition: “You can offend me!” This, it would seem, is the whole simple meaning of this name. But this is clearly a crafty simplicity, which, due to its many years, or even centuries of existence, turns out to be completely unproductive both for literary analysis and for living, explanatory writing. This apparent simplicity is aggravated by the fact that the image of the “little man,” out of compassion, is usually made younger: good, when his pedigree is traced back to “Poor Lisa” N.M. Karamzin, otherwise they’ll throw back another half century and give N.V. as a “father.” Gogol with the story “The Overcoat”. If we look impartially, not through established dogmas, we will see a different picture. First, not every poor person depicted will respond to this theme. The same Kuligin is filled with such pretentious pathos that the definition of “little man” is more a mask than authenticity. He wants to “command thunder with his mind,” he will reject all natural laws and invent the “perpeta mobile,” the notorious perpetual motion machine, a symbol of human pride; he sees himself as a rich man, the owner of a million, a judge and benefactor of the people, almost a mouthpiece of God (in the final remark “she is now before a judge who is more merciful than you”), and it is hardly possible to “offend” him: they are too annoying and defiant to him demands to “finance” it, Kuligin’s inventive whims... Secondly, already from Kuligin’s short assessment it is clear that the content of the image with the “little man” emblem is far from monotonous, rather paradoxical, and this is what makes this topic interesting and lively, despite known costs of any stable expression. In short, the prevailing pattern is that the “little man” is viewed as a victim of one or another social relationship: if he is good (let’s say, like Samson Vyrin), then society unfairly keeps him in the fourteenth, last class; if he is bad, like ninth-grade official Akakiy Bashmachkin, then society is to blame for his shortcomings (remember that N.G. Chernyshevsky called Akakiy Akakievich nothing less than an “idiot”: “a complete ignoramus and a complete idiot, incapable of anything” , 5, 323). To discuss a topic in such a spirit is not only vulgar or uninteresting, but the main thing is that it does not mean understanding the text, but fitting it into an ideological scheme that remains tenacious, despite the seeming change of social ideologies. So, in the future we will turn to the same images of Pushkin and Gogol, but we emphasize that building the social protection of their heroes is not part of author's position, and this, however, does not at all negate the motive of compassion: the authors see their heroes not in socio-political coordinates, but rather put them before God, before eternity, before entities human existence(bright symbolic episodes: the parable of prodigal son, choosing a name, death and transformation, etc.).

The theme of the “little man” becomes especially relevant in Russian literature in the second half of the 19th century, when authors and readers are already tired of reading about extremely smart and talented “supermen”, they want to see ordinary people in the works.

The appearance of the theme of the little man in Pushkin

The first in this tradition was A.S. Pushkin in his “Tales of the late Ivan Petrovich Belkin” (1830), which contain five short stories: “The Young Lady-Peasant Woman”, “The Station Warden”, “The Blizzard”, “The Undertaker” and “The Shot”.

They all become heroes ordinary people, not distinguished by any outstanding features. They are not superfluous in their society, they occupy their insignificant place in it - this is typical representatives Russian society after the Decembrist uprising. And they are told by the same simple storyteller - a little man who reliably conveys simple life.

Particularly expressive in this regard is the story “The Station Agent”, in which, using the example of the main character, we understand that there are no “little” people; Each of them has their own problems that are important to someone, to which society does not want to react.

The reader feels sorry " little hero" Samson Vyrin and his daughter Dunya, the reader understands that any person deserves happiness.

Development of the theme of the little man in Gogol

It was this story that was a kind of basis for N.V. Gogol, when he comes up with a plot for his story “The Overcoat” (1842). Here we, as in “The Station Agent,” see an ordinary small person, whose problems society does not want to accept.

Akaki Akakievich Bashmachkin sadly serves every day in his department, his only joy in life is his shabby overcoat. When she is kidnapped, no one wants to help the “little man” in his grief, and in the end Bashmachkin dies of frustration.

After death, he flies in the form of a ghost through the streets of St. Petersburg, tearing off the greatcoat from passers-by - in this way he strives to achieve the highest justice.

The role of the story “The Overcoat” in Russian literature was enormous - it was considered “ Starting point“authors who later called their movement the “natural school.”

The focus of the literature of this period is on ordinary people and their usual life, without understatement and without embellishment. Consequently, the “little man” became a typical character for this movement, as well as his rather big problems.

The theme of the little man in Dostoevsky

F.M. also belonged to this direction. Dostoevsky, whose favorite theme was the description of the life of the “humiliated and insulted.”

He develops this same theme partially in the story Poor People, but mainly in his novel Crime and Punishment. Particularly interesting here is the image of the main character Rodion Raskolnikov - although he imagines himself above all other people, in fact he is the same “little man”.

However, Dostoevsky’s “little man” goes further than the previous ones: he himself talks about his difficult life, he does not silently submit to circumstances. Other heroes of the novel are the same characters - the unfortunate Sonechka Marmeladova, Raskolnikov’s sister Dunya, Marmeladov himself...

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Introduction

In this study, we must find out what defines the expression “Little Man” and find examples in works familiar to everyone.
Target research - find out true meaning this statement, and also try to find this type of people in literature, and then in your environment.
The material used can be used in literature and Russian language lessons.
Research methods: search, selective, semantic, informational, method of analysis and synthesis.

1. The concept of “Little Man”.

So who is this small man? This is not at all someone whose height is less than average. A small person is a type of person who is not distinguished by willpower or self-confidence. Usually, this is a squeezed, closed person who does not like conflicts and causing harm to others. In works of literature, such people are usually in the lower classes of the population and do not represent any value. This is psychological characteristics this hero in literary works. However, it was not for the same reason that their writers showed that everyone was convinced of their insignificance, but in order to tell everyone that this “little man” also has within himself Big world, understandable to every reader. His life resonates in our soul. He deserves to the world turned to face him.

2. Examples in works

Let’s consider how the image of the “little man” appeared and developed in Russian literature, let’s make sure that it has its own history and its own future.

N.M. Karamzin " Poor Lisa»

In this work, an excellent representative of a little person can be main character- peasant woman Lisa, which is obliged to provide for its own life. She is kind, naive, chaste, which is why she is quickly consumed by her love for Erast. Having turned her head, he soon realizes that he was not in love with Lisa, and all his feelings were only a temporary effect. With these thoughts, he marries a rich widow, without burdening Lisa with explanations of his loss. Finally, she, having learned that her beloved had betrayed her, is unable to contain such intense torment - she is thrown into the river. Lisa shows herself as a small person not only because of her status, but also because of her lack of strength to withstand rejection and learn to live with the resulting pain in her heart.

N.V. Gogol "The Overcoat"

This character, like no other, can show the nature of a little person in every detail. The main character of this story is soft, simple-minded, living a completely mediocre life. He was small in stature, in abilities, and in social status. He suffered from humiliation and mockery of his personality, but preferred to remain silent. Akaki Akakievich Before acquiring the overcoat, he remained an inconspicuous commoner. And after purchasing the desired item, he dies of grief, not having time to enjoy the work done due to the loss of his overcoat. It was precisely because of his closeness from the world, from people and his reluctance to change anything in his life that this character became famous as a little person.

A.S. Pushkin "Station Warden"

A hero can become a shining example of a little person Samson Vyrin, who showed himself to be a benevolent, good-natured character, trusting and simple-minded. But in the future, the loss of his daughter did not come easily to him, because of longing for Duna and all-consuming loneliness, Samson eventually died without seeing her due to the indifference of those around him.

F. M. Dostoevsky “Crime and Punishment”

Marmeladov in this work showed himself as an extraordinary person suffering due to inaction. Thanks to his addiction to alcohol, he constantly lost his job, because of which he could not feed his family, which is one of the confirmations of his small nature. Mr. Marmeladov himself considers himself a “pig”, “beast”, “cattle” and “scoundrel” who should not be pitied. This shows that he is well aware of his situation, but is not going to change absolutely anything.

Maxim Maksimovich is a nobleman. However, he belongs to an impoverished family and does not have influential connections. The hero presented his weakness and his vices as a drama on a universal scale. In the end, it was his weakness and spinelessness that destroyed him - unable to get rid of alcohol addiction, at the same time ruining his health (they said about him: “with a yellow, even greenish face swollen from constant drunkenness and with swollen eyelids”), he falls in an intoxicated state under horses and dies from his injuries almost on the spot. This hero perfectly shows a little man who has independently driven himself into a hopeless situation.

"Little Man" in the literature of the 20th century.

V.G. Belinsky said that all our literature came from Gogol’s “The Overcoat”. This fact can be confirmed by taking almost any work written later. In “The Overcoat,” Gogol showed us that sometimes it is important to convey not the situation itself, but how the situation affects a person, his inner world and sensations that overwhelm you to the very top. What is important is what happens inside, not just outside.
Thus, we want to give examples of a little man living between the lines in more modern works of the 20th century (mostly Soviet) works, showing that in the subsequent development of literature, the theme of internal experiences did not lose its importance, still settling in the plot of any story.

L.N. Andreev " Petka in the country"

An example of this would be the work “Petka at the Dacha,” where this time the main character is a simple errand boy. He dreams of a simple life, where one day would not be like the next. But no one listens to Petya, doesn’t even take a single word seriously, just continues to shout “Boy, water!” One day, luck smiles on him, and he goes to the dacha, where he realizes that this is exactly the place where he would like to run away without looking back. However, fate plays with him again cruel joke, and Petya is sent back to grayness weekdays. Having returned, he still warms himself with memories of the dacha, where the peak of his happy days froze.
This work shows us that even a child can be a small person, whose opinion, in the opinion of adults, is not at all necessary to be taken into account. Indifference and misunderstanding on the part of others simply squeezes the boy, forcing him to bend under unwanted circumstances.

V.P. Astafiev "Horse with pink mane»

This story may bolster earlier arguments. The story “The Horse with the Pink Mane” also tells the story of a boy who dreamed of a horse gingerbread coated with pink icing. Grandma promised to buy him this gingerbread if he picked a bunch of berries. Having collected them, the main character was forced to eat them through ridicule and taking them “weakly”, which is why, in the end, there were only a small handful of berries. After his trick, Vitya Before she has time to tell her grandmother about the lie, she leaves. All the time that she was away from home, the boy reproached himself for his deed and mentally understood that he did not deserve the promised gingerbread.
Again, we can say that being bullied by others, making fun of someone's weaknesses, ultimately leads to disappointment, self-hatred and regret.

Conclusion

Based on the research obtained, we can finally draw a conclusion about who, after all, this “little man” is and what he is.
First, it must be said that the theme of the “little man”, from the moment of its introduction by the first works (such as “The Station Agent”; “The Overcoat”) has become one of the most important and relevant even to this day. There is not a single book where the theme of the feelings and experiences of the heroes is not touched upon, where the whole importance internal storm of emotions that rages daily in ordinary person living in its time. So who, after all, is the “little man”?

It could be a person who has been driven into the abyss of loneliness and melancholy external circumstances or surroundings. And it could also be someone who didn’t bother to save himself from the misfortune that befell him. A small person is usually not something important. He doesn't have tall social status, a large fortune or a huge line of connections. His destiny can be obtained in many ways.
But in the end, every little person represents a whole personality. With your problems, with your experiences. Don't forget how easy it is to lose everything and become just as depressed by life. This is the same person who also deserves salvation, or at least simple understanding. Regardless of privileges.

Bibliography

1) A. S. Pushkin - “ Station Agent" // www.ilibreri.ru

2) N.V. Gogol - “The Overcoat”. // N.V. Gogol "Tales". - M, 1986, p. 277 - 305.
3) F. M. Dostoevsky - “Crime and Punishment.” - vol. 5, - M., 1989

4) N. M. Karamzin - “Poor Liza.” - M., 2018
5) L. N. Andreev - “Petka at the dacha” //www. ilibreri.ru
6) V. P. Astafiev - “Horse with a pink mane” // litmir.mi
8) “http://fb.ru/article/251685/tema -malenkogo -cheloveka -v -russkoy -literature ---veka -naibolee -yarkie -personaji"

Application

List of characters analyzed:
Lisa - N.M. Karamzin “Poor Liza”

Akaki Akakievich (Bashmachkin) - N.V. Gogol "The Overcoat"
Samson Vyrin - A.S. Pushkin "Station Warden"

Maxim Maksimovich (Marmeladov) - F. M. Dostoevsky “Crime and Punishment”

Petka - L.N. Andreev “Petka at the dacha”
Vitya - V. P. Astafiev “Horse with a pink mane”