Starodum biography. The image of Starodum in the comedy Nedorosl: characteristics, short biography, quotes
Starodum is one of the main characters in the comedy of the talented 18th century playwright Denis Fonvizin. This character became an example of humanity and a symbol of enlightenment for his contemporaries. His image is contrasted with the ignorance and greed of other characters in the play “The Minor.” Characteristics of Starodum are the topic of this article.
Comedy
The play was first staged on the theater stage in 1782. But she is also interesting to the modern viewer. One of famous works in world drama is the comedy “Minor.” Characteristics of Starodum - key topic All in all artistic analysis plays by Fonvizin. But before we begin to study this image, a few words should be said about the relevance of the classic work, which evokes a warm response even among representatives of the 21st century.
Meaning of the name
The work “The Minor” is dedicated to the consequences of a soulless and idle life. The characteristics of Starodum are briefly outlined below. The name of this character, like other characters in the play, carries a semantic load. These are the norms of classic comedy. Starodum is a person with an old worldview. In this case, such a hint has a positive connotation. With its help, the author points out the desire of his hero to follow the principles of the reign of Peter I.
Starodum prototypes
Having a clear idea of what an honest person should be and what his actions should be, Fonvizin created the image of Starodum. It combined the best moral qualities that advanced and enlightened people of the second half of the eighteenth century strived for. But was there a living example-ideal among the author’s contemporaries?
Some critics believe that the character is Count I.I. Panin, one of the most advanced personalities of the time, who took an active part in the project of limiting autocracy. This man was also the mentor of Paul I. Is there any similarity between this man and positive hero Comedy "Minor"? The characterization of Starodum points to traits characteristic of another, no less famous public figure of the 18th century. There is an opinion that, by introducing the image of Starodum into his works, the author referred to one of the largest figures of the Russian Enlightenment - a journalist, publisher and public figure. One way or another, the characterization of Starodum from the comedy “The Minor” allows us to say that this character is the personification of wisdom, kindness, honesty and respect for people.
Role in a comedy
Starodum appears in the play quite late - at the end of the first appearance. He does not take active actions. Its function is to establish justice. By the time it appears, the conflict in the comedy has already been outlined. His duty is to save his niece from the stupid but cunning Prostakova. This heroine is a collective image of the worst representatives of the old nobility. She is absolutely ignorant and extremely mercantile. And she contains such qualities as cowardice and a tendency towards tyranny, which, when combined, turn her into a vile and disgusting lady.
Her only positive quality is boundless love for his son, which, however, has such monstrous forms that it turns, rather, into a terrible vice. The image of this heroine and the characterization of Starodum from the comedy “The Minor” in comparison allow us to conclude that these characters create an antithesis.
Thinker
Starodum does not take active steps. His “deliverer” function is somewhat weakened. The main task is performed by Milon and Pravdin. However, Sophia's uncle appears in the work as a kind of thinker. He expresses Political Views, formulates a moral position. With his speeches, he seems to give the reader the opportunity to understand why justice nevertheless triumphed and evil was punished.
One of the complex topics in the history of Russian literature is the characterization of Starodum from the comedy “The Minor.” Representatives of the older generation are somewhat familiar with the quotes of this character. For modern schoolchildren, this work (as well as the system of images in it) is a difficult topic. In order to master it, you need to have an idea of the socio-political situation in Russia in the second half of the eighteenth century.
Satire
Limited and meager spiritual world The nobles were ridiculed harshly by later authors. Both Gogol and Saltykov-Shchedrin spoke about the idleness and ignorance of representatives of this social stratum. Fonvizin was one of the first to expose in his work the human insignificance and stupidity of the Russian nobleman - in the work “The Minor.”
The characterization of "Starodum", however, allows us to conclude that the satire on representatives of this class is not of a general nature. The author ridicules a certain category of nobles. Starodum is a supporter of the Petrine era. He and others like him do not recognize the policies of Catherine II. The educational program she is conducting is, in his opinion, distorted and incorrect in form. And its main drawback is that the empress moved away from the principles that were fundamental to the reign of Peter I. Political position The playwright can be understood by considering the main criteria used in the characterization of Starodum from the comedy “The Minor.” Quotes from this character can be found below. It is these statements that create the characteristic artistic image, which encapsulates the author’s ideological position:
- “Ranks begin - sincerity ceases...”
- “Without a soul, an enlightened, clever woman is a pitiful creature.”
- “It’s better to lead life at home than in someone else’s hallway.”
- “I know, I know that a person cannot be an angel. You don’t even have to be a devil.”
- “Respect! Only respect should be flattering to a person - spiritual; and only those who are in rank not by money, and in the nobility not by rank, are worthy of spiritual respect.”
- “In human ignorance, it is very comforting to consider everything as nonsense that you don’t know.”
- “Everyone should seek his happiness and benefits in that one thing that is lawful.”
Soul or mind
The time in which the comedy was created is permeated with the spirit of enlightenment. The need for education and a proper upbringing system is the idea behind the comedy “The Minor.” The characteristics of Starodum still do not come down solely to such qualities as prudence and wisdom. It is also kindness and mercy. may be low and shallow. And a person who is not sufficiently educated is capable of pure, noble deeds.
A classic character who embodies the aspirations of representatives of the Russian Enlightenment is Starodum (“Undergrowth”). The characteristics, quotes and role of this character presented in this article recreate the picture of the time in which the Russian playwright lived and allow us to understand how he saw the ideal Russian nobleman.
He speaks mainly through the mouth of Starodum. Of all the characters in the play, he is apparently especially sympathetic to the author. Starodum stands out among other reasoners with a simpler and more natural language. By calling Sophia's uncle Starodum, Fonvizin wanted to show that his way of thinking belongs not to the contemporary Catherine era, but to the old Peter the Great era. In fact, although Starodum does not approve of many things in his contemporary society, he partly agrees in views and opinions with Catherine herself and with some modern philosophers.
Heroes of Fonvizin's "Undergrowth"
“An honest person,” says Starodum, “must be a completely honest person,” that is, he must have all the virtues at once. His understanding of the meaning and significance of nobility is remarkable. Usually the word “nobleman” is understood in the sense of a person of noble birth. Starodum believes that a real nobleman is one whose thoughts and actions are noble - “a nobleman unworthy of being a nobleman - I don’t know anything meaner than him in the world!” he exclaims. The duty of a nobleman, first of all, is to serve, not in order to receive ranks and awards, but because “it is dishonor to do nothing when there is so much to do: there are people to help, there is a fatherland to serve!” This is a concept instilled in the nobles by Peter the Great.
Fonvizin. Minor. Maly Theater performance
Starodum, of course, did not approve of the “Decree on the Liberty of the Nobility” of Peter III, especially since he saw the example of such nobles as Skotinin and Prostakova, who understood the liberty of the nobility as the right to indulge in arbitrariness with impunity and brutally treat their peasants. Fonvizin, through the mouth of Starodum, expresses his views on the duties of the tsar, on the harm of court flattery and on court life in general; talking about family life, about marital relationships and raising children; in this last issue, the influence of Rousseau and the views of Empress Catherine II are noticeable. Starodum puts the education of the heart, “good morals,” above the mind, mental development.
Several years after the comedy “The Minor” was written, Fonvizin wanted to publish a magazine called “Starodum, or a friend of honest people.” In articles written for this magazine, Fonvizin exposes the same social shortcomings that are depicted in his comedies. The tone of his satire becomes increasingly harsh and merciless. This did not please Empress Catherine, who believed that satire should be “of the smiling kind.” In addition, in some articles the author directly ridicules Catherine's court and criticizes some of the views and opinions of the empress herself. All this led to Catherine banning the publication of the magazine.
>Essays based on the work Minor
Life of Starodum
His actions are not as important as his speeches and instructions. It personifies a kind of confession, instruction and moral commandment for future generations. He warns people about the developing evil in society, trying to stop this process. Starodum is the uncle of the main character Sophia. He lives according to the principles of the “old” era, the era of Peter I. The hero always repeats that a person’s heart and soul should come first.
Raising a worthy nobleman, according to Starodum, is a matter for the state. The hero is sixty years old and is already a retired employee. He does not regret anything for his niece, so he decided to leave her his hard-earned fortune. In order to make Sophia happy, he is ready to do a lot. Being a discerning man, he himself finds her a groom and is not mistaken with his choice, since the girl has already liked Milon for a long time. He has a negative attitude towards the Prostakovs, as he sees right through them.
It is largely thanks to Starodum that at the end of the work everything turns out well. Characters with a naturally good heart receive good, while evil characters reap the fruits of evil. By nature, Starodum is, first of all, a deep patriot. He was brought up on Peter's discipline and respects the will of the state. He himself is a representative of the nobility, but sharply opposes those who lead a dishonest lifestyle.
He respects science, but believes that without such a quality as good behavior, even the most clever man doomed to suffer. His main motto: “Have a heart, have a soul - and you will be a man at all times.” There is a whole series of wise views in Starodum’s speeches. Despite the fact that all the good characters in the comedy are depicted a little paler than those who symbolize evil, the author makes it clear that they contain seriousness and wisdom. Such characters as Prostakovs and
This famous play by Fonvizin was written by him in 1782. The heroes of the comedy were people from different social strata of the 18th century: nobles, serfs, government officials and self-proclaimed fashionable teachers. Before revealing the topic “Biography of Starodum” more fully, let’s dwell a little on the inhabitants of the Prostakovs’ house, because it all began with them.
Prostakovs
So, the main characters: the undergrowth - sixteen-year-old Mitrofanushka - and his mother, Mrs. Prostakova, who is the main negative character this work. She is cruel and capricious and wants to marry her mediocre son Mitrofan, who is absolutely indifferent to everything. He does not love his mother, he only pretends to because of her strong and domineering character.
Prostakova, having learned that her husband’s niece Sophia (a very decent and educated girl) had become the heiress of a huge fortune that her precious uncle Starodum bequeathed to her, decided at all costs to marry her to her lazy Mitrofanushka. However, Starodum’s relatives buried him long ago, and now from this very moment his name comes to the fore. In the Prostakovs' house, everyone begins to go crazy because of Sophia's inheritance, because 10 thousand is not a trifling amount at that time. Who is Starodum and where did he come from?
Biography of Starodum
He presented Starodum as one of the noblest and most positive characters. He became his like-minded person. Indeed, in the work “The Minor” a lot of political, social, pedagogical and moral issues are touched upon.
The writer deliberately leaves the question open whether Starodum was a landowner, but it becomes known that he did not take root at the royal court and then went to Siberia. According to the hero’s own words, they get money there without exchanging it for their conscience, they do not meanly curry favor and do not rob the fatherland, earning it from the land, which does not know hypocrisy and will be more just than people, and pays faithfully and generously for honest work.
"Trading nobility"
Fonvizin in Starodum’s entrepreneurship reflects the real process of the economic life of the Russian nobility, which attracted his special attention after the writer translated a French treatise entitled “The Trading Nobility, Opposed to the Military Nobility.”
Starodum's biography says that he got rich in gold mines, his goal was to ensure a comfortable future for his only and beloved niece, Sofiushka. Starodum's thoughts are wise and valuable, he tells her that he has acquired such a fortune that can allow her to marry even a poor man, but most importantly - worthy person. He does not connect the well-being of his niece with the ownership of serfs.
And this is no coincidence: Fonvizin wrote the play at a time when Russia was trying to learn lessons from the peasant war of 1773-1775. and thought about its reasons, which almost led the feudal-noble state to destruction and death. But, having suppressed popular indignation, the state nobles of Catherine II further strengthened and expanded the privileges of the ruling class. The poor people in the face of the law looked even more powerless and helpless. In the play "The Minor" these political issues became very acute and topical.
Freethinker, revolutionary and reformer
Starodum's biography, which he himself tells to his interlocutors, in particular Pravdin and Milon, includes information that he is 60 years old. His surname suggests that he follows the principles of the old era - the era of Peter I. Starodum recalled the words of his father, who always told him that you need to have a heart and soul, and then you will be a man at all times.
In this satirical play, Starodum appears only towards the end of the first act. Together with Pravdin and Milon, he saves Sophia from Prostakova’s bullying and evaluates the upbringing of the ignorant and stupid Mitrofan.
Starodum’s characterization suggests that in his soul he is a great reformer and revolutionary. He is fed up with state injustice, where truth and honest service have long been devalued, everything is decided by connections, opportunism and servility. Starodum's upbringing did not allow him to calmly look at how some of his close friends achieved their goal with cunning and impudence. That is why he left the service, because he could no longer watch how the wrong people climbed the career ladder, while the smartest and most worthy remained behind the doors.
Aphorisms of Starodum
Thanks to his honest heart, education and moral education, he proclaims where all the laws of government will be reasonable and fair.
It is also interesting that Starodum’s aphorisms are worthy of admiration, because he says very correct things, for example, that without a soul, the most enlightened clever woman becomes a pitiful creature. He never tires of repeating that raising a real nobleman is a matter of the state. And this should include the education of the heart and mind. At the same time, he puts the education of the heart in first place.
Starodum's characteristics indicate that he is straightforward, simple-minded and insightful. He sees right through the entire rotten Prostakov family and says everything he thinks about them to their faces.
Premiere of the play
In the play “The Minor,” Fonvizin conveyed his personal idea of “honest people” and observations of what they should be like in their living personification. And therefore the image of Starodum is not accidental here. The production of "The Minor" was delayed for some time for obvious reasons. “Evil” arrows rained down overnight, with the help of which those individuals who saw themselves in an impartial form in the play wanted to prevent its release. And, apparently, Fonvizin himself had to resort to influential patrons to remove all obstacles.
In 1782, on September 24, the premiere of the play nevertheless took place on the stage of the St. Petersburg Free Russian theater. The director himself was the author of the work. And, curiously, not a single syllable had to be changed in the play, so the success was deafening.
One of those who saw the premiere said that some comic scenes caused fleeting laughter, but the serious scenes were listened to with great thirst and attention by the entire secular public, who at that time loved hints and comments on secular weakness and the savagery of some customs of that time. The play, thanks to the liveliness of the dialogue, humor, aphorisms, interesting quotes and educational character, helped some to see the Prostakovs in themselves, who then expelled false teachers like Vralman and Tsyfirkin from their homes.
Conclusion
The play “The Minor” became the only one that was firmly established in Russian drama of the 18th century. In the era of classicism, she condemned the traditional noble education, the “savagery” and “evil nature” of the provincial nobility. All characters are clearly divided into positive and negative, as their surnames hint at: Starodum, Pravdin, Prostakovs, Skotinins, etc.
First of all, you need to understand that the comedy “Minor” is a vivid example of a play from the era of classicism, and all the characters in it have an unambiguous positive or negative character. Besides, everything characters have speaking names, only after reading which, the reader begins to form his own opinion and understanding of the characters.
In contact with
Characteristics of Starodum in the comedy “The Minor” by Denis Fonvizin
The image of Starodum in the comedy “The Minor”- one of the strongest and most unambiguous. Against the background of this hero, other comedy characters, especially negative ones, are revealed especially brightly, fully revealing their already unsightly character traits. Without a doubt, Starodum is one of the key figures in the entire work, and life principles Starodum are relevant and deserve respect and in our days.
Fonvizin’s comedy describes not just events relating to one family; using its example, the entire life and customs of the nobility and the life of the landowners for the most part are described. Of course, Sophia's uncle is one of the main characters in the play, in addition, he is a reasoner - that is, through his lips the author speaks to us, conveys the morality that he puts into his work.
Characteristics and image of Starodum
Biography and upbringing of Starodum
From all the above points, one can form a fairly complete image of the hero - a straightforward and honest man of advanced years, who puts honor and dignity above all else, and other people’s desires to make money at someone else’s expense, rudeness and bestiality, cause him ardent rejection. His straightforwardness and sincerity, others often mistake it for rudeness and harshness. Never in his deeds, thoughts and words did the hero go against himself - if he felt rejection, he never agreed with it and did not put up with it.
If we talk about the aphorisms of this character, from the text of the play, a dozen, if not a hundred, can be identified. However, the most important thing, both according to Starodum and Pravdin, is the following:
“...I have a rule - don’t start anything in the first movement...”
- What documents should an individual entrepreneur have?
- Accounting for individual entrepreneurs - rules and features of independent reporting under different tax regimes Primary documentation for individual entrepreneurs
- Accounting for individual entrepreneurs: features of accounting in individual entrepreneurs?
- How to privatize an apartment, everything about privatization List of documents for privatization of an apartment