Social and moral lessons of comedy are minors. Fonvizin's Minor (An experience of historical explanation of an educational play)

Denis Fonvizin’s immortal comedy “The Minor” is an outstanding work of Russian literature of the 18th century. Bold satire and truthfully described reality are the main components of this writer’s skill. Centuries later, every now and then in modern society heated debates arise about the main character of the play, Mitrofanushka. Who is he: a victim of improper upbringing or a vivid example of the moral decay of society?

The comedy “Brigadier” written by Fonvizin, which had a stunning success in St. Petersburg, became the basis of one of the world’s greatest literary monuments. After its publication, the writer did not return to drama for more than ten years, devoting himself more and more to state issues and tasks. However, the thought of creating a new book excited the author’s imagination. Let’s not hide the fact that, according to scientists, the first note related to “The Minor” was started back in the 1770s, long before its publication.

After a trip to France in 1778. The playwright had an exact plan for writing the future work. An interesting fact is that initially Mitrofanushka was Ivanushka, which naturally speaks to the similarity of the two comedies (Ivan was a character in “The Brigadier”). In 1781 the play was completed. Of course, a production of this type meant coverage of one of the most problematic issues of the noble society of that time. However, despite the risk, Fonvizin became the direct “instigator” of the literary revolution. The premiere was postponed due to the empress's hostility to any kind of satire, but it still took place on September 24, 1782.

Genre of the work

COMEDY is a type of drama in which the moment of effective conflict is specifically resolved. It has a number of signs:

1. does not entail the death of one representative of the warring parties;
2. aimed at “nothing” goals;
3. the narrative is lively and vivid.

Also in Fonvizin’s work, a satirical orientation is obvious. This means that the author set himself the task of ridiculing social vices. This is an attempt to veil life's problems under the guise of a smile.

“Minor” is a work built according to the laws of classicism. One storyline, one location, and all events take place within 24 hours. However, this concept is also consistent with realism, as evidenced by individual objects and places of action. In addition, the characters are very reminiscent of real landowners from the outback, ridiculed and condemned by the playwright. Fonvizin added something new to classicism - merciless and sharp humor.

What is the work about?

The plot of Denis Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor” revolves around a family of landowners who are completely mired in immorality and tyranny. Children became like their rude and narrow-minded parents, and their sense of morality suffered as a result. Sixteen-year-old Mitrofanushka is trying his best to finish his studies, but he lacks the desire and ability. The mother looks at this carelessly, she does not care whether her son will develop. She prefers that everything remain as it is; any progress is alien to her.

The Prostakovs “sheltered” a distant relative, the orphan Sophia, who differs from the rest of the family not only in her outlook on life, but also in her good manners. Sophia is the heiress of a large estate, which Mitrofanushka’s uncle, Skotinin, who is a great hunter, “looks” at. Marriage is the only available way to take over Sophia’s household, so the relatives around her are trying to persuade her into a profitable marriage.

Starodum, Sophia’s uncle, sends his niece a letter. Prostakova is terribly dissatisfied with this “trick” of her relative, who was considered dead in Siberia. The deceit and arrogance inherent in her nature is manifested in the accusation of a “deceptive” letter, supposedly “amorous”. Illiterate landowners will soon learn the true content of the message, resorting to the help of the guest Pravdin. He reveals to the whole family the truth about the Siberian inheritance he left, which gives him as much as ten thousand in annual income.

It was then that Prostakova came up with an idea - to marry Sophia to Mitrofanushka in order to appropriate the inheritance for herself. However, officer Milon, walking through the village with soldiers, “bursts” into her plans. He met with his old friend Pravdin, who, as it turned out, is a member of the vicegerental board. His plans include observing landowners mistreating their people.

Milon speaks of his long-standing love for a sweet person who was transported to an unknown place due to the death of a relative. Suddenly he meets Sophia - she is that same girl. The heroine talks about her future marriage to the undersized Mitrofanushka, from which the groom “flashes up” like a spark, but then gradually “weaken” with a detailed story about his “betrothed.”

Sophia's uncle has arrived. Having met Milon, he accepts Sophia’s choice, while inquiring about the “correctness” of her decision. At the same time, the Prostakovs' estate was transferred to state custody due to cruel treatment of the peasants. Seeking support, the mother hugs Mitrofanushka. But the Son did not intend to be polite and polite, he was rude, causing the venerable matron to faint. Waking up, she laments: “I am completely lost.” And Starodum, pointing at her, says, “These are the fruits worthy of evil!”

The main characters and their characteristics

Pravdin, Sophia, Starodum and Milon are representatives of the so-called “new” time, the Age of Enlightenment. The moral components of their souls are nothing more than goodness, love, thirst for knowledge and compassion. The Prostakovs, Skotinin and Mitrofan are representatives of the “old” nobility, where the cult of material well-being, rudeness and ignorance flourish.

• The minor Mitrofan is a young man whose ignorance, stupidity and inability to adequately analyze the situation do not allow him to become an active and reasonable representative of the noble community. “I don’t want to study, but I want to get married” is a life motto that fully reflects the character of a young man who does not take anything seriously.
• Sophia is an educated, kind girl who becomes a black sheep in a society of envious and greedy people.
• Prostakova is a cunning, careless, rude woman with many shortcomings and a lack of love and respect for all living things, except for her beloved son Mitrofanushka. Prostakova’s upbringing is only a confirmation of the persistence of conservatism, which does not allow the Russian nobility to develop.
• Starodum raises “his little blood” in a different way - for him Sophia is no longer a small child, but a mature member of society. He gives the girl freedom of choice, thereby teaching her the correct fundamentals of life. In it, Fonvizin portrays the type of personality that has gone through all the “ups” and downs,” becoming not only a “worthy parent,” but also an undoubted example for the future generation.
• Skotinin, just like everyone else, is an example of a “talking surname.” A person whose inner essence is more similar to some kind of rude, uncouth cattle than to a well-bred person.

Theme of the work

• The education of the “new” nobility is the main theme of the comedy. “Undergrowth” is a kind of allusion to the “disappearing” moral principles in people who are afraid of transformations. Landowners raise their offspring the old fashioned way, without paying due attention to their education. But those who were not taught, but were only spoiled or intimidated, will not be able to take care of either their family or Russia.
• Family theme. The family is a social institution on which the development of the individual depends. Despite Prostakova’s rudeness and disrespect towards all residents, she cherishes her beloved son, who does not at all appreciate her care or her love. This behavior is a typical example of ingratitude, which is a consequence of spoiling and parental adoration. The landowner does not understand that her son sees her treatment of other people and repeats it. Thus, the weather in the house determines the character of the young man and his shortcomings. Fonvizin emphasizes the importance of maintaining warmth, tenderness and respect in the family towards all its members. Only then will children be respectful and parents worthy of respect.
• The theme of freedom of choice. The “new” stage is Starodum’s relationship with Sophia. Starodum gives her freedom of choice, without limiting her with his beliefs, which can affect her worldview, thereby cultivating in her the ideal of a noble future.

Main problems

• The main problem of the work is the consequences of improper upbringing. The Prostakov family is a family tree that has its roots in the distant past of the nobility. This is what the landowners boast about, not realizing that the glory of their ancestors does not add to their dignity. But class pride has clouded their minds, they do not want to move forward and achieve new achievements, they think that everything will always be as before. That’s why they don’t realize the need for education; in their world, enslaved by stereotypes, it really isn’t needed. Mitrofanushka will also sit in the village all her life and live off the labor of her serfs.
• The problem of serfdom. The moral and intellectual decay of the nobility under serfdom is an absolutely logical result of the tsar’s unjust policies. The landowners have become completely lazy; they don’t need to work to support themselves. The managers and peasants will do everything for them. With such a social system, the nobles have no incentive to work and get an education.
• The problem of greed. The thirst for material well-being blocks access to morality. Prostakovs are fixated on money and power, they don’t care whether their child is happy, for them happiness is synonymous with wealth.
• The problem of ignorance. Stupidity deprives the heroes of spirituality; their world is too limited and tied to the material side of life. They are not interested in anything other than primitive physical pleasures, because they don’t know anything else at all. Fonvizin saw the true “human appearance” only in that person who was raised by literate people, and not by half-educated sextons.

Comedy idea

Fonvizin was a person, so he did not accept rudeness, ignorance and cruelty. He professed the belief that a person is born a “blank slate”, therefore only upbringing and education can make him a moral, virtuous and intelligent citizen who will benefit the fatherland. Thus, the glorification of the ideals of humanism is the main idea of ​​“Minor.” A young man who obeys the call of goodness, intelligence and justice is a true nobleman! If he is brought up in the spirit of Prostakova, then he will never go beyond the narrow confines of his limitations and will not understand the beauty and versatility of the world in which he lives. He will not be able to work for the good of society and will not leave anything significant behind.

At the end of the comedy, the author speaks of the triumph of “retribution”: Prostakova loses the estate and the respect of her own son, raised in accordance with her spiritual and physical ideals. This is the price to pay for miseducation and ignorance.

What does it teach?

Denis Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor,” first of all, teaches respect for one’s neighbors. The sixteen-year-old young man Mitrofanushka did not perceive the care of either his mother or his uncle at all; he took it for granted as a fact: “Why, uncle, have you eaten too much henbane? Yes, I don’t know why you deigned to attack me.” The natural result of rough treatment in the home is the ending where the son pushes away his loving mother.

The lessons of the comedy “Minor” do not end there. It is not so much respect as ignorance that shows people in the position they are carefully trying to hide. Stupidity and ignorance hover in the comedy like a bird over a nest, they envelop the village, thereby not letting the residents out of their own shackles. The author cruelly punishes the Prostakovs for their narrow-mindedness, depriving them of their property and the very opportunity to continue their idle lifestyle. Thus, everyone needs to learn, because even the most stable position in society can easily be lost if you are an uneducated person.

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1. Level of education.
2. School of life.
3. Moral foundations of education.
4. The role of ignorance and rudeness.

To educate means to prepare for life...
D. I. Pisarev

The problem of education was important and relevant in any time period. And the point here is not only that parents and children approach its solution in different ways, getting involved in an endless dispute between two generations. It is very important that each person puts into this concept what foundations are laid in education. This question is fully answered by D. I. Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor.”

In his work, the playwright creates a multifaceted image of such a concept as education. He tries not to ignore all objects: the level of training of people to perceive new knowledge, the moral foundations of this process. Each of the characters has their own level of upbringing. It is formed on the basis of two components. The first one is based on life experiences, and the second one is based on what teachers teach. If we consider the image of Mitrofanushka, the undergrowth from the comedy, from such a position, then he is given neither one nor the other. His life experiences are limited to his own home. What is outside this enclosed space is unknown to him. And despite the fact that he knows so little in this area, he does not consider it necessary to expand his horizons by studying various sciences, including geography. Why comprehend such a science when the coachman can take him where he is ordered?

Mitrofanushka also doesn’t learn anything from her teachers. On the contrary, it is precisely when he answers the lesson that we understand that his knowledge is based on distorted life observations. They are described by the playwright with a certain amount of irony.

P r a v d i n. Door, for example, which name: a noun or an adjective?

M i t r o f a n. Door? Which door?

P r a v d i n. Which door! This one.

M i t r o f a n. This? Adjective.

P r a v d i n. Why?

M i tr o f a n. Because it is attached to its place. Over there at the closet of the pole for a week the door has not yet been hung: so for now that is a noun. And what kind of knowledge can Mitrofanushka gain if history is taught to him by Starodum’s former coachman Vralman.

This is how the playwright shows that the undergrowth is completely uneducated. He doesn't know anything, and he doesn't want to know. Mitrofanushka clings to any straw so as not to go to class. That is why the famous phrase comes out of his mouth: “I don’t want to study, I want to get married.”

Other characters in this comedy are more well-mannered. And the point here is not only that they received an excellent education. The Skotinin family viewed this very negatively. But they were able to gain a wealth of experience. But life brings a lot of surprises and asks questions that make you rack your brains. For Starodum it was the school of Siberia, for Milon it was the service.

Sophia, despite such a young age, also had to see a lot in life. She received an education in her family, but life confronted her with the Prostakovs and Skotinins, who also taught the young girl many lessons. But the moral foundations that were laid in her home allowed her not to descend into the vulgar and selfish world of the Prostakovs’ house. She, living in a different atmosphere, immediately felt an alien environment. This is how Sophia talks about the hypocritical attitude of the mistress of the house towards her.

Sofia. Today, however, for the first time the local landlady changed her behavior towards me. Hearing that my uncle was making me an heiress, she suddenly turned from being rude and scolding to the point of being affectionate to the point of being mean, and I can see from all her circumlocutions that she intends me to be his son’s bride. Completely different moral foundations are laid in the nature of Skotinin, the owner’s brother. For him, the main thing is not even the moral content of a person. He doesn't pay any attention to him. Therefore, when courting Sophia, pigs come first, which he seems to think about in his dreams.

S k o t i n i n. ...yes, I will buy all the pigs from the world with them; Yes, you hear me, I’ll do it so that everyone will blow the trumpet: in this little area around here there are only pigs to live.

One of the teachers, Kuteikin, can also be included in this category of ignorant natures, who demands payment not for the knowledge that he invested in the child, but for the shoes that he “worn out at three years old.” It is very important to have a good role model in the upbringing process. In this case, several such samples can be distinguished. One of them is represented by the Prostakov family, in which the husband is under the thumb of his wife. It’s as if he sees and lives only through her eyes and words, without having his own opinion. At the same time, their son, Mitrofanushka, has a good sense of whose side the power is on. Therefore, he takes his mother’s side, realizing that this will certainly be followed by a reward. And this is so obvious that it even catches the eye of Skotinin, who tries not to interfere too much in his sister’s family affairs: “Well, Mitrofanushka! You, I see, are mother’s son, not father’s.”

But Fonvizin still adds Prostakova’s brother to this family duet, who is simply an example of rudeness and ignorance. He doesn’t know who is right and who is wrong and is ready to punish everyone. How could it be otherwise if his motto is: “If I weren’t Taras Skotinin, if not every fault is my fault.”

But the playwright gives us the opportunity to see other role models. Among them we can highlight Starodum, who acquired rich spiritual experience during his life. But he did not forget the behest of his father, who told him: “Have a heart, have a soul, and you will be a man at all times.” It is precisely such words that should become an example that one should not be ashamed to imitate. Episodic characters who serve as role models also appear in the work. Milo says about one of them: “The judge who, fearing neither vengeance nor the threats of the strong, gave justice to the helpless, is a hero in my eyes.”

All these options show different shades of moral behavior that should be adopted by virtuous young people who are only taking their first steps into this difficult life.

In the comedy, the writer raises another aspect of education when the characters begin to talk about ignorance. Satrodum defines the boundaries of this concept when he examines Mitrofanushka. He tells Prostakova, who defended her son’s ignorance, that “in human ignorance it is very comforting to consider everything as nonsense that you don’t know.” This was very correctly noted by Starodum. But the hostess doesn’t just disagree with this; on the contrary, she cites her parents as an example.

Ms. P r o s t a k o v a. Without sciences people live and lived. The deceased father was a commander for fifteen years, and at the same time he deigned to die because he did not know how to read and write, but he knew how to make and save enough.

But no matter how the characters approach the problem of education, the result of their actions is presented at the end of the work. Mitrofanushka pushes away his mother, who has invested a lot of effort in him. But the worst thing is that she is not lamenting the loss of someone whom she constantly looked after. Another thing is important to her: she has lost power. Only after this does Prostakova remember her son.

Ms. P r o s t a k o v a (waking up in despair). I'm completely lost! My power has been taken away! You can’t show your eyes anywhere out of shame! I don't have a son! That is, in the world of the Prostakovs, money, power, strength certainly come first, and then family. It is this approach that destroys the soul of the undergrowth. One can hope that military service will have a beneficial effect on him. But we should not forget that the basis of this personality is already based on ignorance, which will be very difficult to correct. Starodum once again reminds us of this at the end of the work: “These are the worthy fruits of evil!”

I would like to hope that it is not too late to change something and snatch Mitrofanushka from this dark kingdom of ignorance and rudeness. But the epigraph to our essay contains a very valuable remark that education helps one adapt to life. And based on this, we can say that it is Mitrofanushka who is least ready for life in new conditions. If you look at it from this angle, then you feel a little sorry for the undergrowth. However, the example of Fonvizin, presented in this form, becomes more visual and instructive not only for the writer’s contemporaries, but also for us, the readers and descendants.

It was not for nothing that N.V. Gogol called the work a “true social” comedy. In it, as if in miniature, the playwright depicted the entire society with its positive and negative qualities. But we can guess whose side the author is on, since all the negative characters are presented in a satirical light.

The theme of education plays a large role in this work. In fact, everything revolves around the theme of Mitrofanushka’s education, his teachers, the principles of his parents and others.

His mom and dad are practically proud that they weren't taught anything. They believe that wealth can be acquired without too much knowledge. They don’t even understand when a visiting uncle asks them about history and geography. They perceive the first subject as telling jokes, and the second... In their opinion, only cab drivers need it. And yet they want to teach their son reading and arithmetic. (Even the mother, apparently, does not know how to read. However, she cleverly hides it.)

Hired teachers visit the student for years, but he doesn’t try at all. He is not at all interested in studying. These teachers themselves are funny characters. Arithmetic is taught by former soldier Kuteikin, who could not find another job. He sincerely believes that he does not deserve money for such low results of his student. The second is former seminarian Tsyfirkin, who was afraid of the “abyss of wisdom”; he is greedy, counting how much he was not paid. And the most important teacher is Adam Vralman, a German who is actually a coachman. But he is a master at telling stories, giving compliments, and making jokes, so his family loves him very much.

The millionaire uncle (Starodub), too, although an educated man, says that you don’t need to fill your head with other people’s thoughts. But he is simply in favor of developing the soul and heart. He believes that everyone can be kind and brave. Courage can be manifested not only at the front, but in the service, in everyday life.

In general, Mitrofanushka is taught something, but very poorly. In fact, the teachers are not the best, and the student is the laziest. But there is no talk about education - they don’t set any good example for the guy, they laugh at kindness. I don’t stop him when he lies and is rude. Mitrofan only learns to suck up and deceive. Even if he was ignorant, he would at least be kind, but here he is aggressive.

In the finale, even the mother is disappointed in raising her son; she sees that he is not a good person. I think he still has a chance to improve.

Education and upbringing in the work Minor Fonvizin

Fonvizin wrote a work which he called “The Minor.” And it’s not for nothing that the name of the comedy is exactly that. It is this that gives a hint as to what the work will be about.

Fonvizin revealed many different topics in his work, since his work is precisely why it is intended to be considered a very deep and moral text. After all, although this work is hidden as a comedy, it is actually very moral, because it reveals what is very relevant in life - such as qualities: stupidity, greed, cruelty, indifference, and so on.

That is why the author shows how important it is to avoid this in life when raising your own children. And everything comes from the parents. After all, it is they who initially guide their child, giving him a good example, or a bad one. Although it depends on the child himself how to perceive everything that his parents give him. The author of the work strongly emphasizes and highlights the main topic - the topic of raising children in the family. And he not only scolds the parents of the main character - Nedoroslya, since these parents of his were once raised by other parents, themselves. Therefore, it shows how stupid and cruel such parents must have been if they raised such children.

Fonvizin shows in the comedy how parents try to raise their child. After all, the mother, whose name is Prostakova, and not without reason, wants to find a teacher who would teach the child well. But she manages to find just a fraudster who does not teach the child, who remains ignorant and stupid. And the father is rude and indifferent to his child in this case. He is more concerned about his position in society, as a case of even greater enrichment. In a word, the mother and father are not at all correctly raising a guy who is already quite tall, since adults simply do not have such skills and moral principles.

Essay Theme of education in Fonvizin’s comedy “Minor”

Upbringing and education play a huge role in the life of every person. It is on these two components that the success of every person in life depends, the attitude of this person to life, to the world around him and to other people depends.

The problem of education is of interest to both the state and every resident of the country. Many authors touch on this topic. One of these turned out to be D.I. Fonvizin wrote the comedy “The Minor.” It is in this work that the topic of human upbringing and education is acutely considered. The title immediately tells us that the work will not be about a well-developed and intelligent person, but about a dropout. Mitrofan, this is the name of the main character of the comedy, grows up in a family where such concepts as kindness, mercy, compassion and help are unfamiliar. He grows up following the example of his mother, who is cruel, treats people, despises others, and is a greedy and evil person.

Such an example forces the son to do the same. Mitrofan does not want to study at all. Education is alien to him. He does this only at the command of his mother, and she at the command of Peter the Great.

When reading this work, it is necessary to think not only for children, but also for their parents about the importance of good manners, correct examples of behavior and the importance of education.

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The original idea of ​​Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor” was to reveal the theme of education, which was very relevant in the Age of Enlightenment; a little later, socio-political issues were added to the work. The title of the play is directly related to the decree of Peter the Great, who banned the ability of young uneducated noblemen to serve and marry.

History of creation

The first manuscripts of sketches of “The Minor” date back to approximately 1770. To write the play, Fonvizin had to rework many works with the corresponding ideological content - the works of Russian and foreign modern writers (Voltaire, Rousseau, Lukin, Chulkov, etc.), articles from satirical magazines and even comedies written by Empress Catherine II herself. Work on the text was completely completed in 1781. A year later, after some obstacles from censorship, the first production of the play took place, with Fonvizin himself being the director, and the first publication of the play took place in 1773.

Description of the work

Action 1

The scene begins with a heated discussion of the caftan made for Mitrofanushka. Mrs. Prostakova scolds her tailor Trishka and Prostakov supports her in her desire to punish the careless servant. The situation is saved by the appearance of Skotinin, he justifies the unfortunate tailor. What follows is a comical scene with Mitrofanushka - he reveals himself to be an infantile young man, and also very fond of eating heartily.

Skotinin discusses with the Prostakov couple the prospects of his marriage with Sofyushka. The girl’s only relative, Starodum, unexpectedly sends news of Sophia’s acquisition of an impressive inheritance. Now the young lady has no end to suitors - now the “minor” Mitrofan appears on the list of candidates for husbands.

Act 2

Among the soldiers staying in the village, by chance, turns out to be Sofyushka’s fiancé, officer Milon. He turns out to be a good acquaintance of Pravdin, an official who came to deal with the lawlessness happening on the Prostakov estate. During a chance meeting with his beloved, Milon learns about Prostakova’s plans to arrange the fate of her son by marrying a now wealthy girl. What follows is a quarrel between Skotinin and Mitrofan over the future bride. Teachers Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin appear, they share with Pravdin the details of their appearance in the Prostakovs’ house.

Act 3

Arrival of Starodum. Pravdin is the first to meet Sophia’s relative and reports to him about the atrocities happening in the Prostakovs’ house in relation to the girl. The entire owner's family and Skotinin greet Starodum with hypocritical joy. The uncle’s plans are to take Sofiushka to Moscow and marry her off. The girl submits to the will of her relative, not knowing that he chose Milon to be her husband. Prostakova begins to praise Mitrofanushka as a diligent student. After everyone has left, the remaining teachers Tsyfirkin and Kuteikin discuss the laziness and mediocrity of their underage student. At the same time, they accuse the rogue, Starodum’s former groom, Vralman, of hindering the learning process of the already stupid Mitrofanushka with his dense ignorance.

Act 4

Starodum and Sofyushka are having a conversation about high moral principles and family values ​​- true love between spouses. After a conversation with Milo, having made sure of the young man’s high moral qualities, the uncle blesses his niece to marry her lover. What follows is a comical scene in which the unlucky suitors Mitrofanushka and Skotinin are shown in a very unfavorable light. Having learned about the departure of the happy couple, the Prostakov family decides to intercept Sophia on the way out.

Action 5

Starodum and Pravdin are having pious conversations, hearing a noise, they interrupt the conversation and soon learn about the attempt to kidnap the bride. Pravdin accuses the Prostakovs of this crime and threatens them with punishment. Prostakova begs Sophia's forgiveness on her knees, but as soon as she receives it, she immediately accuses the servants of being slow in kidnapping the girl. A government document arrives announcing the transfer of all the Prostakovs’ property to Pravdin’s custody. The scene of paying off debts to teachers ends with a fair denouement - Vralman’s deception is revealed, the modest hard worker Tsyfirkin is generously rewarded, and the ignorant Kuteikin is left with nothing. The happy young people and Starodum are preparing to leave. Mitrofanushka heeds Pravdin’s advice to join the army.

Main characters

Considering the images of the main characters, it is worth noting that the speaking surnames of the characters in the play express the one-linearity of their character and leave no doubt about the author’s moral assessment of the characters in the comedy.

The sovereign mistress of the estate, a despotic and ignorant woman who believes that all matters, without exception, can be solved with the help of force, money or deception.

His image is the focus of stupidity and lack of education. He has an amazing lack of will and unwillingness to make decisions himself. Mitrofanushka was called a minor not only because of his age, but also because of his total ignorance and low level of moral and civic education.

A kind, sympathetic girl who received a good education and has a high level of internal culture. Lives with the Prostakovs after the death of his parents. She is devoted to her fiancé, officer Milon, with all her heart.

A person who personifies the truth of life and the word of the law. As a government official, he is on the Prostakov estate in order to understand the lawlessness happening there, in particular the unfair treatment of servants.

Sophia's only relative, her uncle and guardian. A successful person who managed to bring his highly moral principles to life.

Sophia's beloved and long-awaited groom. A brave and honest young officer distinguished by high virtue.

A narrow-minded, greedy, uneducated person who does not disdain anything for the sake of profit and is distinguished by deceit and hypocrisy to a high degree.

Analysis of the work

Fonvizin’s “Minor” is a classic comedy in 5 acts, in which all three unities are strictly observed - the unity of time, place and action.

The solution to the problem of education is the central point of the dramatic action of this satirical play. The accusatory sarcastic scene of Mitrofanushka’s exam is a true culmination in the development of the educational theme. In Fonvizin's comedy, there is a collision of two worlds - each of them with different ideals and needs, with different lifestyles and speech dialects. The author innovatively shows the life of the landowners of that time, the relationship between the owners and ordinary peasant people. The complex psychological characteristics of the characters gave impetus to the subsequent development of Russian everyday comedy as a theatrical and literary genre of the era of classicism.

Final conclusion

Fonvizin's comedy became a unique iconic work for his contemporaries. In the play there is a vivid contrast between high moral principles, true education and laziness, ignorance and waywardness. In the socio-political comedy “The Minor,” three themes rise to the surface:

• the topic of education and upbringing;
• theme of serfdom;
• the theme of condemnation of despotic autocratic power.

The purpose of writing this brilliant work is clear - the eradication of ignorance, the cultivation of virtues, the fight against the vices that have afflicted Russian society and the state.

Education and upbringing in D. I. Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor” (lesson-seminar)

Goals: discuss problems of citizenship, upbringing and education in comedy; consider the problem of tradition and innovation in the play.

Progress of lessons

I. Checking the degree of comprehension of the content of the play.

– What do you see as the main meaning of the play? Did you find her final scene convincing?

– Who sets all the actions of the comedy in motion, becomes the center of all events?

Of course, not Starodum (he appears when the action has already gained momentum) and not Mitrofan, although Fonvizin named his play after him. Mitrofan is only a “likeness” of his mother and, for the time being, her obedient child. The main character of the comedy is Mrs. Prostakova. She leads the action, she is at the center of all events, constant skirmishes and clashes arise because of her. Let’s try to mentally “remove” her from “The Minor” - and the entire work will collapse. Its role is especially clearly realized when reproducing the main events of the plot:

 Mrs. Prostakova is going to marry Sophia to Skotinin;

 New plans for Sophia after a letter from Starodum;

 The arrival of Starodum and the efforts of Mrs. Prostakova to present to Sophia’s rich uncle all the advantages of Mitrofan;

 An attempt to kidnap Sophia and forcefully marry Mitrofan;

 Loss of the right to uncontrolled management of the estate and tragic disappointment in his son.

Thus, Prostakova not only “holds the house together,” as she boasts to Pravdin, but also the whole comedy. And if as a person she evokes acute rejection in the author, reader and viewer (“inhuman madam”, “despicable fury” with a “hellish disposition”, “evil landowner”), then as an artistic achievement of Fonvizin this image retains its expressiveness and power to this day day. This is no longer a classic character, characterized by one quality: Mrs. Prostakova is not only evil, cruel and ignorant, she is cunning, hypocritical, calculating, and enterprising. She combines mental limitations and practical acumen, moral baseness and selfless love for her son - all this together creates a full-blooded, living character that has captured the era and preserved the universal meaning to our time.

II. Preparing to write an essay.

1. Drawing up a characterization plan for the hero.

Teacher. Concluding the review of the comedy, we tried to characterize its main character - Mrs. Prostakova.

What is a characteristic? (Write the definition in your notebook.)

Characteristic - a description of a living person and character, that is, stable characteristics of a person, depending on his upbringing, circumstances and lifestyle and manifested in actions, deeds and statements.

Characteristics plan:

1) An idea that should be proven by the entire content of the work.

2) General information about the character.

3) Presentation of evidence and selection of illustrations for it from the text.

4) Conclusion and transition to the next thought.

5) Proof, generalization and new thought.

6) Final generalization.

Example of a plan (for Mitrofanushka’s characterization):

1) Education depends on the environment, the conditions of formation of a young person. This is exactly what D.I. Fonvizin claims in his comedy “The Minor.” This is the main idea of ​​the work.

2) Mitrofanushka is one of the main characters of the comedy. This is a 15-year-old teenager, the son of provincial landowners, despotic and ignorant nobles (general information about the character).

3) The name “Mitrofan” in Greek means “resembling a mother” - a logical transition to a new thought.

– do not overuse quotes;

– use different citing techniques;

– avoid repetition, look for synonyms;

– monitor the correct connection of words in a sentence;

– clearly formulate thoughts;

– give arguments;

– monitor the correspondence of the thought and the evidence to it;

– follow the logical relationship between thoughts and parts of the essay.

– What does the characters’ speech indicate? (The author, striving for truth in life, characterizes the personality itself through the character’s speech.)

– What are the features of Tsifirkin’s speech? Kuteikina? (Tsifirkin was a former soldier, and now an arithmetic teacher. His speech contains constant calculations, as well as military terms. Kuteikin is a half-educated seminarian; his speech is replete with forms of the Church Slavonic language: “utter darkness”, “woe to me, a sinner” , “I called and came,” etc.)

– What else characterizes the speech of these characters? (Kuteikin’s speech characterizes him as a cunning person, and Tsifirkin’s speech characterizes him as rude, straightforward and honest.)

III. Work on seminar issues(see homework after lesson 9) .

IV. Summing up the seminar.

“The idea of ​​​​raising an enlightened nobleman in the time of Fonvizin was not new. Peter I, Lomonosov, Catherine II and other great people of the 18th century spoke about the need for enlightenment.

But for Fonvizin everything is not so simple. He understands that enlightenment alone is not enough.

“Science in a corrupt person is a fierce weapon to do evil,” says Starodum. “Enlightenment elevates one virtuous soul.” First you need to cultivate virtue, take care of the soul, and only then - about the mind.

How to do it? We need a law to make virtue profitable<…>And it is not Prostakova and Skotinin who are to blame for their ill-will and ignorance, but those who set the laws. And the sovereign approves them. That’s who Fonvizin was aiming at.” (From the book “In the World of Literature.” 8th grade / edited by A. G. Kutuzov. - M., 1998.)

Teacher. Let's look again at comedy from the point of view of the requirements of classicism. And although its signs are found in the comedy (positive characters are portrayed one-sidedly, the principle of unity of time, place and action is preserved, the plot is based on a love affair, in the finale evil is punished, good triumphs), it is no longer possible to call “The Minor” a traditional classic work.

Having recreated the world of the Skotinins and Prostakovs, Fonvizin managed to give his comedy a deep generalizing meaning, revealing the social roots of the events he described. The humanistic pathos of the comedy is aimed at showing the detrimental nature of serfdom for people - both for the courtyard “slaves” (Trishka, Eremeevna, the girl Palashka), and for the gentlemen who have forgotten that “it is unlawful to oppress one’s own kind through slavery,” and who have lost their humanity dignity.

In the person of Mrs. Prostakova, Fonvizin created an unusually bright and vital character and, contrary to the canons of classicism, boldly showed that even this “despicable fury” can experience a feeling of suffering, can at least for a moment evoke, if not sympathy, then, in any case, understanding in the reader or viewer.

These features of the playwright’s work of the late 18th century. they say that classicism has already outlived its usefulness, that talented writers turned to depicting real life in all its complexity and contradictions.

Compiling a table“Traditions and innovation in the comedy “Minor” (according to variants).

Homework: write a mini-essay “How I saw Mitrofanushka (Prostakova)”, using a characterization plan for the hero.

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