Chatsky and Molchalin as two moral poles. Essay “Chatsky and Molchalin

"Griboyedov showed two poles human nature: Chatsky and Molchalin. Molchalin's sucking up against the directness and freshness of Chatsky's views.

Brief description of Molchalin

First, readers are introduced to Molchalin, the first pole. His speaking surname reflects the values ​​of a house paper worker. “At my age, I shouldn’t dare to have my own opinion... After all, you have to depend on others,” says Molchalin. He explains such statements with a simple phrase: “We are small in rank.” Apparently, the hero finds no other way to rise in society except by serving his superiors. I must say, he does this skillfully, smoothing the corners in many situations. For example, at the ball Famusov had an embarrassment, which our paper worker literally extinguished with his eternal courtesy. But luck, the main thing that such people rely on, is not always on Molchalin’s side. In the finale, his insincere romance with Sophia, skillfully invented for the sake of raising his rank, comes to the surface.

Brief description of Chatsky

Somewhere very far from Molchalin, at the opposite pole of society, is Chatsky. He is smart, sarcastic and confident. The hero's sharp tongue expresses a sharply hateful attitude towards the existing order of Moscow. He accuses almost everyone of pretense and turns out to be not so far from the truth. Chatsky's heated soul demands freedom, sincerity and justice. After unsuccessful attempts to instill his values ​​in people, he leaves the Famous House in the hope of finding a more understanding attitude.

Chatsky and Molchalin

Individuals of the same age, Molchalin and Chatsky, took such different paths, perhaps because they grew up in completely different worlds. Young Molchalin’s entourage asserted his dependence on people higher in the complex hierarchy civil service. Most likely, this family was not rich, and, having seen a sea of ​​examples of rising in rank through simple sucking up, he could not have a different picture of the world. Chatsky's family, on the contrary, was financially independent. The fact that the hero was engaged in translations indicates his education. It was knowledge that introduced the young man to the diversity of the world around him. And now “the one who, for the sake of the serf ballet, drove many wagons from mothers and fathers of rejected children” does not seem to Chatsky a normal, acceptable phenomenon of society, but turns into something about which one cannot remain silent.

As a result, such polarization of views on life can be explained by the great difference in the environment that raised the heroes.

Essay on the topic: “Chatsky and Molchalin in the comedy Woe from Wit”

Essay on the topic: the image of Famusov in the comedy Woe from Wit Essay: How does Chatsky’s attitude towards Sophia change during the action of A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit”?

Chatsky and Molchalin are rivals in the fight for Sophia’s heart

One of the main features of the comedy “Woe from Wit” by A.S. Griboyedov is the presence of two conflicts in it: love and social. Both storylines They are closely related to each other, and they are also united by some heroes. Chatsky and Molchalin in the comedy “Woe from Wit” are both rivals in the fight for the heart of Sophia, Famusov’s daughter, and opposing sides on many social issues.

Main character plays Alexander Andreevich Chatsky returns to Famusov's house after a three-year stay abroad. He left his beloved Sophia here and is now coming to her with serious intentions, in love and full of hope. But during Chatsky’s absence, Sophia began to look at their youthful romance differently and now calls it childish. Her heart is occupied by Molchalin, her father's modest and taciturn secretary, who lives in their house.

Chatsky's tragedy begins with the fact that he does not understand why Sophia has lost interest in him, and tries to find the reason for this. The second blow for the main character is that Molchalin was preferred to him, about whom Chatsky sarcastically said: “He just has little intelligence.” The characterization of Molchalin and Chatsky will help to understand why Sophia makes such a choice.

Why does Sophia prefer Molchalin over Chatsky?

Sofya Famusova, although she does not belong to zealous defenders“of the past century”, still the daughter of her father. The ideals of noble society were instilled in her from childhood. Although she is not like the conservative nobles of her circle, she absorbed many of the principles of their life with her father’s upbringing.

When in the first act of the comedy between Sophia and Lisa there is a conversation about Chatsky. It becomes clear that for her their love remained only a childhood memory. Of Chatsky’s merits, she singles out only his ability to make everyone laugh, but “you can share laughter with everyone.” With these words, she seems to absolve herself of responsibility for the fact that she is now playing a love game with Molchalin.

How do Chatsky and Molchalin appear before the reader in the comedy “Woe from Wit”?

Sophia herself characterizes Chatsky as follows: “Oster, smart, eloquent, especially happy with friends...” But the girl cannot understand and believe how a man in love can leave his beloved for three years for unknown purposes: “Ah! If someone loves someone, why bother searching and traveling so far?”

Arriving in Moscow, Chatsky arouses Sophia’s anger not only by jeopardizing her happiness with Molchalin. He also begins the conversation with Sophia by attacking her family and friends: “What about your father? All the English club is an old, faithful member to the grave? Has your uncle jumped back his eyelid?”

Chatsky himself does not understand why his words offend Sophia. He finds nothing wrong with them. The hero justifies himself by saying that his “mind and heart are not in harmony.”

But most of all, Sophia is hurt by Chatsky’s words about Molchalin. She sees in him a character from the novels that she reads. In her imagination, he is endowed with the features romantic hero. Chatsky immediately figured out Molchalin and his role in Famus society. Molchalin is “helpful and modest,” which means “he will reach the famous levels, because nowadays they love the dumb.”

Why will none of the heroes be with Sophia in the finale of the comedy?

In one of the episodes of the comedy “Woe from Wit,” Chatsky and Molchalin collide in a verbal duel, and gradually begins to open up to the reader true face Molchalin, which turns out to be not as simple as it seems at first glance.

Molchalin, like all representatives of the “past century” hated by Chatsky, strives to get high rank and position in society. Since he doesn’t have all this yet, he “needs to depend on others.” Chatsky doesn’t understand this: “Why is it necessary?” But Molchalin seems to have a clear life plan. He tries in every possible way to serve Famusov’s guests, praising the fur of Khlestova’s dog, which looks ridiculous and humiliating. He lives by the principle: “At my age I should not dare to have my own opinion.”

Even with your own small successes Molchalin is very proud of his service and boasts about them to Chatsky: “According to my efforts and efforts, since I am listed in the archives, I have received three awards.” Molchalin even dares to express sympathy for Chatsky due to the fact that he does not serve. He recommends that Chatsky improve relations with Tatyana Yuryevna, who “gives balls that couldn’t be richer.” She can help in obtaining the next rank or award, because “officials and officials are all her friends and all her relatives.” This is how people in Famusov’s circle are used to earning a position in society. Such is Molchalin.

Supporters of the “past century” do not understand Chatsky’s desire to serve “the cause, not individuals.” If Molchalin uses the ball as an opportunity to find channels for moving up the career ladder, then Chatsky prefers to separate time for fun and for business: “When in business, I hide from fun, when fooling around, I’m fooling around, and there are a lot of skilled people mixing these two crafts, I’m not one of them.”

The images of Chatsky and Molchalin in the comedy “Woe from Wit” are completely different. Chatsky has a fresh, active mind. He is brave both in love and in defending his views. Molchalin is unhurried and cautious both in society and in feelings. In his relationship with Sophia, he constantly thinks about how the world will react to their connection if it suddenly opens up, because “ gossips scarier than a pistol." It's amazing that they are like that different heroes could arouse love in the same woman.

This mystery will be revealed at the end of the play. Molchalin achieves Sophia's favor through deception. Under the mask of the silent and modest man a two-faced hero is hiding, who takes on the appearance of a lover only “to please the daughter of such a man.” He has no love for Sophia and no serious intentions towards her, unlike Chatsky.

However, Chatsky, having spent one day in the company of Moscow nobles, understands that his views are forever at odds with the views of Famus society. And Sophia for him is now a part, a child of that world into which he has no entry. He recommends that she make peace with Molchalin, whom she exposed. After all, this hero fully corresponds to the ideal of a husband accepted in the world: “A husband is a boy, a husband is a servant, from a wife’s pages - high ideal all Moscow men."

conclusions

Chatsky and Molchalin in Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” are completely different in nature and in value guidelines heroes. If society rejects Chatsky and accepts Molchalin, it means that it characterizes itself in accordance with this hero. Moscow nobles want to be worshiped, curried, and won over. They hold ceremonial worship and careerism in high esteem. Molchalin fits these ideals perfectly. Chatsky is superfluous in this society of people “passionate for rank.”

Characteristics of the images of Molchalin and Chatsky, the contrast of these characters can be used by 9th grade students in their essays on the topic “Famus society in the comedy “Woe from Wit””

Work test

The comedy “Woe from Wit” is a brilliant work by A. Griboedov. In it, the author talks about the life of noble Moscow in the 19th century. At this time, the foundations of the old era began to change, new, progressive Decembrist ideas were born. The comedy depicts the conflict between two eras, “the present century and the past century.” Representatives of the present century were progressively thinking people, such as the main character of the comedy Alexander Andreevich Chatsky. And representatives of the past century were irreconcilable conservatives, for example, Alexei Stepanovich Molchalin. Thus, Chatsky and Molchalin are representatives of two different public camps.

Chatsky and Molchalin belong to the same generation in age, they are young, and have certain views on life. Each of them is smart in their own way. Chatsky was brought up in Famusov's house from childhood, but now he does not live there. And Molchalin is the collegiate secretary and this moment lives in Famusov's house. It is worth noting that Molchalin, unlike Chatsky, belongs to the Famusov Society.

Alexey Andreevich Chatsky is a poor nobleman who received a good education. From an early age he was brought up in Famusov's house due to the death of his parents. As a child, he was good friends with Sophia. Having returned from abroad, he realized that he was in love with a girl, but she, in turn, did not reciprocate his feelings. Yes, and Sophia’s father was against marriage, because he believed that “whoever is poor is not a match for you,” and Chatsky had only 400 souls, which, according to Famusov, is not enough. By nature, Alexander Andreevich is a revolutionary, dreaming of selfless service to the Fatherland. Bright representative"this century". Chatsky is hostile to the Famusov society, because representatives of this society suffer from veneration, careerism and hypocrisy. People who are completely opposite to Chatsky in character and life goals. And that is why he is not understood in this society and is mistaken for a madman. The image of Chatsky is a type of enlightened person who freely expresses his opinion.

Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin is Famusov’s secretary. He is a peasant by origin, but strives to achieve success in society, receive a high rank, and become an influential person. He follows his father's instructions. In appearance, Molchalin seems modest, meek, quiet and compliant. But this is just a mask that he created to achieve his goal, and his goal is rank and wealth. Sophia is in love with Molchalin, and at the same time he is crazy about the maid Liza, and meets Sophia only for the sake of rank. Molchalin tries to please everyone everywhere, because he believes that just one word spoken to an influential person is enough to receive a rank or good location. Main life principle Molchalin is sycophantic and servile to his superiors, which is why he is a member of the “Famus society.” Molchalin is a saint of modern times, acting subtly and very successfully.

Thus, Chatsky and Molchalin are completely opposite people. A.S. Griboyedov created typical characters: Chatsky is the type of fighter, revolutionary, not afraid to express his point of view. Molchalin is a type of flatterer whose main goal is to please his superiors in order to achieve his goal. A. Griboyedov, depicting the types of Chatsky and Molchalin, invited his contemporaries and descendants to make their own moral choice, because even in our time we can find similar heroes. Therefore, we must think about and set ourselves the right life goals. On the one hand, achieving your goals with flattery and servility is effective, but it is more important to remain a person with great moral principles. Chatsky is exactly the person from whom we can learn this.

Along with the article “Essay on the topic: Chatsky and Molchalin in the comedy “Woe from Wit”” read:

The comedy “Woe from Wit” by A. S. Griboyedov is dedicated to the life of Russia in the first decades of the 19th century. At that time Russian nobility divided into two camps. Some nobles were supporters of conservatism, while others defended progressive ideas. The conflict between two groups of Russian society can be traced if we compare Chatsky and Molchalin - two heroes of the comedy “Woe from Wit”.

They are the same age, but youth is the only thing that Chatsky and Molchalin have in common. The characters differ sharply from each other in their views and personal qualities. Alexander Andreevich Chatsky - true patriot, ready to devote all his strength and talent to happiness home country. He returns to Russia with the desire to change better life Russian society, but sees that during his absence no changes have occurred. The same conservative morals prevail in the country. The hero criticizes falling and noble society, speaks ironically about Moscow:

What new will Moscow show me?

Yesterday there was a ball, and tomorrow there will be two.

Molchalin is completely satisfied with the life of lordly Moscow; he enthusiastically tells Chatsky about the delights of Moscow life. If the main character laughingly describes the representatives high society, then Molchalin shows reverence and respect for the cream of the Russian nobility. Secretary Famusov bows to the authority of rich and noble people and dreams of the same career. The ideal of life for him is this: “And win awards and have fun.” Therefore, Molchalin engages in sycophancy and hypocrisy, which help him advance in his career. He already has awards and is Famusov’s indispensable assistant, although Molchalin, by his own admission, has only two talents - moderation and accuracy. Chatsky has a lot of merits, but he does not serve anywhere. The reason is the reluctance to engage in hypocrisy and sycophancy, as the words of the proud and honest hero comedies:

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

To the advanced man era, there is no place for an intelligent and talented person in lordly Moscow, but this society needs a person like Molchalin. The main character bitterly says that the young sycophant “will reach the famous levels, because nowadays they love the dumb.” When you read the lines of the comedy, you become imbued with sympathy for Chatsky, who is surrounded in Famusov’s house only by enemies, forced to stay where wealth and rank are more important human soul. Griboedov's hero is accustomed to evaluating people by their personal qualities and services to the country. Chatsky always defends own opinion, he is an enemy of all authorities, and Molchalin professes completely different views. Alexander Chatsky’s laughter is caused by Molchalin’s words that we need to depend on more noble and rich people, to bow to the pillars of aristocratic Moscow, because “we are small in rank.” In comparison with Chatsky, Molchalin seems like a mediocre quiet person, whom the main character so aptly characterizes:

here he is, on tiptoe,

And not rich in words.

Even members of the Famus society recognize Chatsky’s talent and merits. The young nobleman, as Famusov says, “writes and translates well,” he is witty and ironic. The main character perfectly understands the benefits of science and education; Chatsky can be called one of the most educated people of the era. And Molchalin is typical representative“of the past century”, a supporter of all laws and morals existing in the country. Molchalin does not condemn serfdom, whose opponent is Chatsky. The main character sets his peasants free, which causes bewilderment and indignation in lordly Moscow.

I think that the attitude of the heroes of the comedy towards Sophia very clearly shows the difference between the two natures. Chatsky also shows his love in love. best qualities. Before us is sincere, gentle and noble man, only for the sake of his beloved, he came to the lordly Moscow he hated. For young nobleman Sophia is still the same dreamy, fragile, sensitive girl with whom he grew up and was brought up. Molchalin, even in love, strives to find personal gain. This careerist plays the role of a lover, because Sophia is the daughter of a rich Moscow gentleman, for whom Molchalin serves: And so I take the form of a lover to please the daughter of such a man. A hypocrite and a scoundrel, ready to do anything to move up to wealth and nobility.

Chatsky and Molchalin are two completely different people, representatives of opposing camps in Russian society early XIX century. It is not age, but views and beliefs that underlie the division into “the present century” and the “past century.” The young man Alexey Molchalin belongs to the old time, and Alexander Chatsky in comedy is an exponent of the advanced ideas of the era.

"Woe from Wit" - realistic work, where A.S. Griboedov gives a picture of the life of serfs in Moscow in the nineteenth
century. The content of the comedy is revealed primarily as a clash and change of two great eras of Russian life - the “century
present" and "past century". It (the clash) was an expression of the struggle between two political camps - the feudal camp
reaction, defenders of serfdom in the person of Famusov, and the frontline camp noble youth, whose appearance is embodied
Griboyedov in Chatsky.

The world of the Famusovs consists not only of feudal aces like Famusov and Skalozub, but also of those who serve them,
fawning officials - silent ones. If Famusov and Chatsky are people different generations, then Molchalin and Chatsky -
peers. The sharper the contrast between them. They oppose each other, and this opposition manifests itself both in love,
so in public conflicts. Molchalin is a staunch conservative, therefore the dialogue and mutual understanding between him and Chatsky
are impossible, and conflict is inevitable - their life ideals and behavior in society are absolutely opposite.

Molchalin is poor and rootless, but he set himself the goal of achieving “the level of famous.” And if it weren’t for Famusov,
Molchalin would have had to “smoke in Tver,” that is, serve with a minimum salary and almost without any opportunity
advance. However, Molchalin knows how to behave:

First, please all people without exception -
The owner, where he will live,
To the authorities with whom I will serve,
To his servant who cleans dresses,
Doorman, janitor, to avoid evil,
To the janitor's dog, so that it is affectionate.

Like Skalozub, Molchalin “has many channels to get rank.” For several years spent in Moscow, he managed
have a good career. But the main thing is that he managed to establish the necessary connections and acquire useful acquaintances. Unlike
Chatsky, Molchalin fits into Famusov society. This is “little Famusov”, because he has a lot in common with Moscow
"ace". For example, Molchalin’s attitude towards service is purely “Famusov’s”: he would like to “win awards and have fun
live." Molchalin considers dependence “on others” to be the basic law of life. Chatsky cannot understand “why are opinions
strangers are only holy.” Public opinion is sacred for Molchalin: “Ah! Evil tongues are worse than a pistol.”

Chatsky comes from a noble family. He is a hereditary nobleman and received a good education. Chatsky has
rich life experience, he traveled a lot, lived both in the village and abroad. Chatsky calls “the present century”
century of enlightenment and in every possible way praises the craving for knowledge, sciences and “high and beautiful” arts. Chatsky does not require
“no places, no promotion to rank.” He is ready to serve at the behest of duty, to “serve the cause”: “I would be glad to serve, to serve
sickening."

Chatsky is talented, “his speech is full of intelligence, wit,” he always says what he thinks, “he has a heart, and, moreover,
he is impeccably honest." Molchalin’s “talents” consist of “moderation and accuracy.” He is modest and helpful, because
that “in the ranks of “small”” cannot exist without “patrons.” Molchalin is a man devoid of dignity and honor, ready
to humiliate himself, to fawn, a person who does not have “his own judgments”, dependent on others. Slave morality is unacceptable to
Chatsky. “Why are other people’s opinions only sacred?” - he asks Molchalin with irony. He himself freely and directly expresses
his opinions, does not take into account the opinion of the world, does not depend on anyone, he does not attach of great importance connections in society,
he doesn't need patronage. Chatsky fearlessly says what he thinks about the “aces”. If the “emptiest man” is placed in
a sample, it means absolutely nothing to him. Foma Fomich, as he was, will remain for Chatsky “one of the most
stupid”, but powerful and well-connected!
Tatyana Yuryevna is “absurd.” For Chatsky, Molchalin is a complete nonentity, “the most pitiful creature”:

Helpful, modest, with a blush in his face.
Here he is on tiptoe and not rich in words.

In turn, Molchalin does not value Chatsky at all. In his eyes, Chatsky is a loser: “You were not given ranks,
service failure?

Molchalin is the antipode of Chatsky not only in his beliefs, but also in the nature of his attitude towards Sofia. “Warmed” by Famusov,
he deftly plays the role of a man in love with Sophia:

And now I take the form of a lover
To please the daughter of such a man

Chatsky’s love for Sophia is a sincere, ardent feeling. There is no secrecy, no falsehood in him. He's firmly
I am convinced that Sophia cannot fall in love with Molchalin:

With such feelings, with such a soul
We love you!.. The liar laughed at me!

When Molchalin’s hypocrisy towards Sophia was revealed, he simply chickened out. He crawls humiliatingly in front of a girl
not because he feels guilty, but because his career may suffer. Molchalin will probably redouble his efforts to
make amends to Sophia. It is impossible to stop the career of a person like Molchalin; he will “reach the degrees
famous."

Alas, “The silent ones are blissful in the world.” Chatsky underestimated Molchalin, he suffers defeats, but morally
remains the winner. Personalities like Chatsky “live and are not translated in society; they will always appear” when
sharp transitions from one century to another."