Saltykov-Shchedrin, analysis of the work history of one city, plan. M.E
History of creation
The idea of creating “The History of a City” arose from M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin in the late 50s. XIX century. In a number of works of the early 60s. The mythical city of Foolov appears. During the creation of the cycle “Pompadours and Pompadours,” the writer had the idea to write “Essays on the city of Bryukhov,” symbolizing the despotism of administrative power.
All these developments led to the fact that in 1868 Saltykov-Shchedrin began work on “The Foolov Chronicler.” “The History of One City” was published in parts in the journal “Otechestvennye zapiski” during 1869-1870. In a separate edition in 1870, the writer rearranged the chapters and made some changes.
After the publication of the chapters of “History” began, a hail of criticism fell on Saltykov-Shchedrin. The writer was accused of disrespect for the Russian past and distortion of facts. The work was perceived as a “historical satire.”
Meaning of the name
“The History of One City” is an ironic parallel with “The History of the Russian State” by N. M. Karamzin. In contrast to the fundamental work of the famous historian, the writer in a small symbolic work expresses his view on the fate of the Russian people using the example of a typical city.
main topic
The main theme of the work is the historical formation of the Russian state system, based on the unlimited power of the kings and the obedience of the people.
There are indeed a lot of historical parallels in “History”. The chapter “On the Roots of the Origin of the Foolovites” is the author’s adaptation of the chronicle news about the calling of the Varangians. 22 Foolov’s mayors - the number of Russian tsars from Ivan the Terrible to 1870. “Foolov’s civil strife” simultaneously recalls the Time of Troubles of the early 17th century and the era of “court coups.” The dismissal of Negodyaev “for disagreement... regarding constitutions” is an allusion to the overthrow of Paul I. Accompanied by “bloodshed” and violence, “wars for enlightenment” are the radical reforms of Peter I and the liberal reforms of Alexander II. Finally, the ominous Gloomy-Burcheev is a caricature of A. A. Arakcheev.
The fantastic interweaving of these connections with real story only emphasizes the author’s main desire - to give big picture Russian life of the 9th-19th centuries.
Critics were especially outraged by the unflattering descriptions of their ancestors. However, the names of the tribes (Bunglers, Rukosui, Lipslaps, etc.) were taken by Salytkov-Shchedrin from Dahl’s dictionary. Their behavior (“they ruined... their lands, “violated their wives and maidens”) fully corresponds to the testimony of real chroniclers. What else, if not stupidity, can explain the fact that the ancient bunglers could not restore order themselves and turned to someone else’s prince for help (a retelling of a fragment from the Tale of Bygone Years).
From the very foundation of the city of Foolov (or Ancient Rus') the townspeople considered the main quality of rulers to be a tendency to violence. The “Inventory of City Governors” lists the actions that made them famous: “I didn’t trust anyone to beat me without myself,” “I killed many police captains to the point of bleeding,” “I burned down thirty-three villages,” etc. The end of the careers of many looks no less “remarkable.” mayors: “beat... with a whip and... exiled to Berezov”, “torn to pieces by dogs”, “found in bed, eaten by bedbugs”, etc.
Following the example of the rulers, the Foolovites themselves become incredibly cruel. Moreover, this cruelty can be directed against anyone. During the “internecine strife”, the first thing they do is throw off “with a roll... Styopka and Ivashka,” who simply turned up at hand. Then “they drowned two more citizens,” etc., etc.
Violence is an integral part of Foolov's life. Without it, the people fall into “freethinking” and “liberalism,” which, in turn, lead to the ruin of their entire economic life. Even “for enlightenment” there are wars going on in Foolov, reminiscent of how Peter I himself chopped off beards and forcibly introduced potatoes.
The main distinguishing quality of the Foolovites is humility even in the face of the most terrible punishments: “cut them into pieces if you want; If you want, eat it with porridge.” Their resistance is based on inaction: “they stubbornly stood on their knees.”
The ending of the fantastic “History” comes closer to reality. The peak of the Foolovites’ suffering is the appearance of Gloomy-Burcheev, personifying horror, “amazing narrow-mindedness” and “inflexibility, almost bordering on idiocy.” His cherished dream is to introduce barracks order everywhere - a clear allusion to Arakcheev’s “military settlements”. Even the obedient Foolovites for centuries could not tolerate this. The appearance of “unreliable elements” and “treason” clearly indicates the Decembrist movement. The lost “leaflets” probably contained information about the uprising of 1825.
It was not for nothing that Gloomy-Burcheev warned: “Someone is coming... who will be more terrible than me.” The last mayor of Interkhvat-Zalikhvatsky, who “burned the gymnasium and abolished the sciences,” was Nicholas I, whose reign became a symbol of conservatism and reaction.
Composition
The work consists of three main parts. The introduction consists of: a preface by the author (“From the Publisher”), the arguments of Foolov’s chroniclers and a brief “Inventory for the mayors.” The main part is the preserved chronicle information about the most significant “rulers” of the city. The final part contains the writings of the mayors themselves (“Substantiating documents”).
What the author teaches
Saltykov-Shchedrin draws readers' attention to the fact that all the problems of the Russian government system arose a very long time ago. The desire of the rulers to “slash” and “burn”, together with the eternal obedience of the population, became typical of the Russian way of life and self-awareness
M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin is one of the most famous satirists of the 19th century. The writer has proven himself in many genres of literature, such as novels, stories, stories, essays, and fairy tales.
Almost all works of Saltykov-Shchedrin have satirical orientation. The writer was outraged by Russian society by the unfair attitude of masters towards slaves and the obedience of the common people to senior officials. In his works, the author ridiculed the vices and imperfections of Russian society.
The genre is quite difficult to determine: the author wrote it in the form of a chronicle, but the events depicted here seem absolutely unreal, the images are fantastic, and what is happening is like some kind of nightmare, crazy dream. In the novel "The History of a City" Shchedrin reflects the most terrible aspects of the life of Russian society. In his work, the writer does not directly talk about problematic situation in our country. Despite the name, behind the image of the people of the city of Foolov, where the life of the main characters passes, a whole country is hidden, namely Russia.
Thus, Saltykov-Shchedrin discovers new techniques and methods satirical image in literature.
Satire is a type of pathos based on a comic plot. The novel "The History of a City" shows the author's sharp negative attitude in the current situation in society, expressed in evil ridicule. “The History of One City” is a satirical work in which the main artistic means in depicting the history of one city of Foolov, its inhabitants and mayors is the grotesque device of combining the fantastic and the real, creating comic situations. Using the grotesque, on the one hand, Saltykov-Shchedrin shows the reader the everyday life of each person, and on the other, a blind, absurd, fantastic situation in which the main characters are the inhabitants of the city of Foolov. However, the novel "The History of a City" is a realistic work; Saltykov-Shchedrin used the grotesque to show the ugly reality modern life. The author also used the grotesque in describing the mayors. For example, when giving a characterization of one of the mayors, Organchik, the author shows qualities that are not characteristic of a person. The organ had a mechanism in its head and knew only two words - “I will not tolerate” and “I will ruin.”
When reading Saltykov-Shchedrin’s work “The History of a City,” unlike other satirical works, the reader himself must understand what kind of reality is hidden behind the semi-fantastic world that is shown in the novel. The writer’s use in his works of such a technique of satirical depiction as “Aesop’s language” confirms that behind the secret that the author wants to hide, his true thoughts are hidden. Saltykov-Shchedrin's novel "The History of a City" is based almost entirely on allegory. For example, under the city of Foolov there is an image of all of Russia. Then, therefore, the question arises: “Who are the Foolovites?” - inhabitants of the provincial town of Foolov. No. As hard as it is to admit, the Foolovites are Russians.
In the work “The History of a City,” when describing the mayors, and throughout the entire novel as a whole, the author shows an exaggeration of certain properties. This is called another way to depict satire as hyperbole.
The fact that one of the mayors ended up with a stuffed head is an exaggeration of the author. The writer uses hyperbole in the novel to create an emotional mood for the reader.
Exposing vices and showing the absurdity of real life. Saltykov-Shchedrin conveys to the reader a special “evil irony” in relation to his heroes. All my creative activity the writer dedicated himself to the fight against the shortcomings and vices of Russia.
In order to make a correct analysis of Saltykov-Shchedrin’s “History of a City,” you need not only to read this work, but also to study it thoroughly. Try to reveal the essence and meaning of what Mikhail Evgrafovich tried to convey to the reader. To do this, you will need to analyze the plot and idea of the story. In addition, attention should be paid to the images of mayors. As in many other works of the author, he pays special attention to them, comparing them with an ordinary commoner.
Author's published work
“The History of a City” is one of famous works M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin. It was published in Otechestvennye zapiski, which aroused great interest in the novel. To have a clear understanding of the work, you need to analyze it. So, an analysis of “The History of a City” by Saltykov-Shchedrin. The genre is a novel, the writing style is a historical chronicle.
The reader immediately gets acquainted with the unusual image of the author. This is the “last archivist-chronicler.” From the very beginning, M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin made a small note, which indicated that everything was published on the basis of authentic documents. Why was this done by the writer? To give credibility to everything that will be narrated. All additions and author's notes contribute to creating historical truth in the work.
The authenticity of the novel
The analysis of “The History of a City” by Saltykov-Shchedrin is intended to indicate the history of writing and the use of means of expression. As well as the writer’s skill in ways of revealing the characters of literary images.
The preface reveals the author's intention for creating the novel “The History of a City.” Which city deserved to be immortalized in a literary work? The archives of the city of Foolov contained descriptions of all the important affairs of city residents, biographies of changing mayors. The novel contains the exact dates of the period described in the work: from 1731 to 1826. The quote is from a poem known at the time of writing by G.R. Derzhavina. And the reader believes it. How else!
The author uses a specific name and talks about the events that took place in any city. M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin traces the life of city leaders in connection with the changes in various historical eras. Every era changes the people in power. They were reckless, they skillfully managed the city's treasury, and were knightly brave. But no matter how time changes them, they control and command ordinary people.
What is written in the analysis
The analysis of Saltykov-Shchedrin’s “History of a City” will be written, like anything written in prose, according to a certain plan. The plan discusses the following characteristic features of the history of the creation of the novel and storylines, composition and images, style, direction, genre. Sometimes the analyzing critic or observer from the reading circle can add his own attitude to the work.
Now it’s worth turning to a specific work.
History of creation and main idea of the work
Saltykov-Shchedrin conceived his novel long ago and nurtured it for many years. His observations of the autocratic system have long been sought to be embodied in literary works. The writer worked on the novel for more than ten years. Saltykov-Shchedrin corrected and rewrote entire chapters more than once.
The main idea of the work is the satirist's view of the history of Russian society. The main thing in the city is not gold and money-grubbing, but actions. Thus, the entire novel “The History of a City” contains the theme of a satirical history of society. The writer seemed to predict the death of the autocracy. This is felt in the decisions of the Foolovites, who do not want to live in a regime of despotism and humiliation.
Plot
Novel « The history of one city" has a special content, unlike and not previously described in any classic work. This is for the society that is contemporary to the author, and in this state structure there is a power hostile to the people. To describe the city of Foolov and its Everyday life The author takes a time period of one hundred years. The history of the city changes when the next government changes. Very briefly and schematically, you can present the entire plot of the work in a few sentences.
The first thing the author talks about is the origin of the people inhabiting the city. A long time ago, a tribe of bunglers managed to defeat all their neighbors. They are looking for a prince-ruler, instead of whom a thief-deputy turns out to be in power, for which he paid. This went on for a very long time, until the prince decided to appear in Foolov himself. The following is a story about all the significant people of the city. When it comes to the mayor Ugryum-Burcheev, the reader sees that popular anger is growing. The work ends with the expected explosion. Gloomy-Burcheev has disappeared, a new period begins. It's time for change.
Compositional structure
The composition has a fragmented appearance, but its integrity is not violated. The plan of the work is simple and at the same time extremely complex. It's easy to imagine it like this:
- Introducing the reader to the history of the inhabitants of the city of Foolov.
- 22 rulers and their characteristics.
- Mayor Brudasty and his organ in the head.
- The struggle for power in the city.
- Dvoekurov is in power.
- Years of calm and famine under Ferdyshchenko.
- The activities of Vasilisk Semenovich Wartkin.
- Changes in way of life cities.
- Depravity of morals.
- Gloomy-Burcheev.
- Wartkin about obligations.
- Mikaladze about the appearance of the ruler.
- Benevolsky about kindness.
Individual episodes
The “History of a City”, chapter by chapter, is interesting. The first chapter, “From the Publisher,” contains a story about the city and its history. The author himself admits that the plot is somewhat monotonous and contains the history of the government of the city. There are four narrators, and the story is told in turn by each of them.
The second chapter, “On the Roots of the Origin of the Foolovites,” tells the story of the prehistoric period of the existence of the tribes. Who was there at that time: bush-eaters and onion-eaters, frogs and bunglers.
In the chapter “Organchik” there is a conversation about the reign of a mayor named Brudasty. He is laconic, his head is completely empty. Master Baibakov, at the request of the people, revealed the secret of Brudasty: in his head there was a small musical instrument. A period of anarchy begins in Foolov.
The next chapter is full of events and dynamism. It's called "The Tale of the Six City Leaders." From this moment on, there came moments of change of rulers one after another: Dvoekurov, who ruled for eight years, with the ruler Ferdyshchenko, the people lived joyfully and in abundance for six years. The activity and activity of the next mayor, Wartkin, made it possible for the people of Foolov to learn what abundance is. But all good things have to come to an end. This happened with Foolov when Captain Negodyaev came to power.
The people of the city now see little good; no one is taking care of it, although some rulers are trying to engage in legislation. What the Foolovites did not survive: hunger, poverty, devastation. “The History of a City,” chapter by chapter, gives a complete picture of the changes that took place in Foolov.
Images of heroes
Mayors occupy a lot of space in the novel “The History of a City.” Each of them has their own principles of government in the city. Each is given a separate chapter in the work. To maintain the chronicle narrative style, the author uses a number of satirical artistic means: anachronism and fantasy, limited space and symbolic details. The novel exposes the entire modern reality. To do this, the author uses grotesque and hyperbole. Each of the mayors is vividly drawn by the author. The images turned out to be colorful, regardless of how their rule influenced the life of the city. Brudasty's categorical attitude, Dvoekurov's reformism, Wartkin's fight for enlightenment, Ferdyshchenko's greed and love of love, Pyshch's non-interference in any affairs and the Ugyum-Burcheevs with their idiocy.
Direction
Satirical novel. It is a chronological overview. It looks like some kind of original parody of the chronicle. A complete analysis of Saltykov-Shchedrin’s “History of a City” is ready. All that remains is to read the work again. Readers will have A New Look based on the novel by Mikhail Evgrafovich Saltykov-Shchedrin.
Sometimes it's the little things that make the difference
In the work “The History of a City,” every passage is so good and bright, every little thing is in its place. Take, for example, the chapter “On the Roots of the Origin of the Foolovites.” The passage is reminiscent of a fairy tale. The chapter contains many fictional characters, invented funny names of tribes, which formed the basis of the city of Foolov. Elements of folklore will sound more than once from the lips of the heroes of the work; one of the bunglers sings the song “Don’t make noise, mother green oak tree.” The virtues of the Foolovites look ridiculous: skilful pasta-stripping, trading, singing obscene songs.
“The History of a City” is the pinnacle of the work of the great Russian classic Saltykov-Shchedrin. This masterpiece brought the author fame as a satirical writer. This novel contains the hidden history of all of Russia. Saltykov-Shchedrin saw an unfair attitude towards the common people. He very subtly felt and saw the shortcomings of the Russian political system. Just as in the history of Russia, in the novel the harmless ruler is replaced by a tyrant and dictator.
Epilogue of the story
The ending of the work is symbolic, in which the despotic mayor Gloomy-Burcheev dies in the funnel of a tornado of popular anger, but there is no confidence that a respectable ruler will come to power. Thus, there is no certainty and constancy in matters of power.
By creating the ironic, grotesque “History of a City,” Saltykov-Shchedrin hoped to evoke in the reader not laughter, but a “bitter feeling” of shame. The idea of the work is built on the image of a certain hierarchy: ordinary people who will not resist the instructions of often stupid rulers, and the tyrant rulers themselves. In this story, the common people are represented by the residents of the city of Foolov, and their oppressors are the mayors. Saltykov-Shchedrin ironically notes that these people need a boss, one who will give them instructions and keep a tight rein, otherwise the whole people will fall into anarchy.
History of creation
The concept and idea of the novel “The History of a City” was formed gradually. In 1867, the writer wrote a fairytale-fantastic work, “The Story of the Governor with a Stuffed Head,” which later formed the basis for the chapter “The Organ.” In 1868, Saltykov-Shchedrin began working on “The History of a City” and completed it in 1870. Initially, the author wanted to give the work the title “Foolish Chronicler.” The novel was published in the then popular magazine Otechestvennye zapiski.
The plot of the work
(Illustrations of the creative team Soviet graphic artists"Kukryniksy")
The narration is told on behalf of the chronicler. He talks about the inhabitants of the city who were so stupid that their city was given the name “Fools”. The novel begins with the chapter “On the Roots of the Origin of the Foolovites,” which gives the history of this people. It tells in particular about a tribe of bunglers, who, after defeating the neighboring tribes of bow-eaters, bush-eaters, walrus-eaters, cross-bellied people and others, decided to find a ruler for themselves, because they wanted to restore order in the tribe. Only one prince decided to rule, and even he sent an innovative thief in his place. When he was stealing, the prince sent him a noose, but the thief was able to somehow get out of it and stabbed himself with a cucumber. As you can see, irony and grotesque coexist perfectly in the work.
After several unsuccessful candidates for the role of deputies, the prince came to the city in person. Having become the first ruler, he started the countdown of the “historical time” of the city. It is said that twenty-two rulers with their achievements ruled the city, but the Inventory lists twenty-one. Apparently, the missing one is the founder of the city.
Main characters
Each of the mayors fulfills his task in implementing the writer’s idea through the grotesque to show the absurdity of their rule. Traits are visible in many types historical figures. For greater recognition, Saltykov-Shchedrin not only described the style of their rule, comically distorted their surnames, but also gave apt characteristics pointing to the historical prototype. Some personalities of the mayors are images collected from characteristic features different faces of the history of the Russian state.
Thus, the third ruler, Ivan Matveevich Velikanov, famous for drowning the director of economic affairs and introducing taxes of three kopecks per person, was exiled to prison for an affair with Avdotya Lopukhina, the first wife of Peter I.
Brigadier Ivan Matveyevich Baklan, the sixth mayor, was tall and proud to be a follower of the line of Ivan the Terrible. The reader understands that this refers to the bell tower in Moscow. The ruler found his death in the spirit of the same grotesque image that fills the novel - the foreman was broken in half during a storm.
The personality of Peter III in the image of Guard Sergeant Bogdan Bogdanovich Pfeiffer is indicated by the characteristic given to him - “a Holstein native”, the style of government of the mayor and his outcome - removed from the post of ruler “for ignorance”.
Dementy Varlamovich Brudasty was nicknamed “Organchik” for the presence of a mechanism in his head. He kept the city in fear because he was gloomy and withdrawn. When trying to take the mayor's head to the capital's craftsmen for repairs, it was thrown out of the carriage by a frightened coachman. After Organchik's reign, chaos reigned in the city for 7 days.
A short period of prosperity for the townspeople is associated with the name of the ninth mayor, Semyon Konstantinovich Dvoekurov. A civilian advisor and innovator, he took up appearance city, started honey and brewing. Tried to open an academy.
The longest reign was marked by the twelfth mayor, Vasilisk Semenovich Wartkin, who reminds the reader of the style of rule of Peter I. The character’s connection with a historical figure is indicated by his “glorious deeds” - he destroyed the Streletskaya and Dung settlements, and difficult relations with the eradication of the ignorance of the people - he spent four wars for education and three - against. He resolutely prepared the city for burning, but suddenly died.
By origin, a former peasant Onufriy Ivanovich Negodyaev, who, before serving as mayor, stoked furnaces, destroyed the streets paved by the former ruler and erected monuments on these resources. The image is copied from Paul I, as evidenced by the circumstances of his removal: he was dismissed for disagreeing with the triumvirate regarding the constitutions.
Under State Councilor Erast Andreevich Grustilov, Foolov's elite was busy with balls and nightly meetings with the reading of the works of a certain gentleman. As in the reign of Alexander I, the mayor did not care about the people, who were impoverished and starving.
The scoundrel, idiot and “Satan” Gloomy-Burcheev has a “speaking” surname and is “copied” from Count Arakcheev. He finally destroys Foolov and decides to build the city of Neprekolnsk in a new place. When attempting to implement such a grandiose project, the “end of the world” occurred: the sun went dark, the earth shook, and the mayor disappeared without a trace. This is how the story of “one city” ended.
Analysis of the work
Saltykov-Shchedrin, with the help of satire and grotesque, aims to reach human soul. He wants to convince the reader that human institutions must be based on Christian principles. Otherwise, a person's life can be deformed, disfigured, and in the end can lead to the death of the human soul.
“The History of a City” is an innovative work that has overcome the usual boundaries of artistic satire. Each image in the novel has pronounced grotesque features, but is at the same time recognizable. Which gave rise to a flurry of criticism against the author. He was accused of “slander” against the people and rulers.
Indeed, the story of Foolov is largely copied from Nestor’s chronicle, which tells about the time of the beginning of Rus' - “The Tale of Bygone Years.” The author deliberately emphasized this parallel so that it becomes obvious who he means by the Foolovites, and that all these mayors are by no means a flight of fancy, but real Russian rulers. At the same time, the author makes it clear that he is not describing the entire human race, but specifically Russia, reinterpreting its history in his own satirical way.
However, the purpose of creating the work Saltykov-Shchedrin did not make fun of Russia. The writer’s task was to encourage society to critically rethink its history in order to eradicate existing vices. The grotesque plays a huge role in creating artistic image in the works of Saltykov-Shchedrin. The main goal of the writer is to show the vices of people that are not noticed by society.
The writer ridiculed the ugliness of society and was called a “great scoffer” among such predecessors as Griboyedov and Gogol. Reading the ironic grotesque, the reader wanted to laugh, but there was something sinister in this laughter - the audience “felt like a scourge lashing itself.”
Saltykov-Shchedrin is called one of the most famous and great Russian satirists of the 19th century.
And the key work with which the work of Saltykov-Shchedrin is associated is “The History of a City,” filled with symbolism and subtle satire.
Saltykov-Shchedrin began writing the masterpiece of social satire in 1868, and in 1870 “The History of a City” was completed.
Naturally, the idea and main theme of this satirical work caused a certain resonance not only in literary circles, but also in much wider, completely different circles of society.
The art of satire in “The Story of a City”
The focus of Saltykov-Shchedrin’s work is the history of the city of Foolov and its people, who are called Foolovites. Initially, critics and many readers perceived the general concept of the story and its satirical motives as a depiction of Russia's past - the 18th century.
But the writer intended to depict common system national autocracy, which applies both to the past and to the pitiful present. The life of the city of Foolov and the consciousness of its population is an extensive caricature of the life and government structure of all of Russia, as well as the behavior and meaning of existence of Russians.
The central character of the story is the people themselves, whose image the writer reveals wider and wider with new chapters. A more detailed picture of Saltykov-Shchedrin’s critical attitude towards society can be seen with the help of the mayors, who constantly change throughout the narrative.
Images of mayors
The images of mayors are different, but similar in their limitations and absurdity. The foolish Brudasty is despotic, limited in his mind and awareness of reality, he is an accurate example of an autocratic system that absorbs human feelings and souls on its way.
And the mayor Pyshch, whose name speaks for itself, is represented by the image of “a head living separately from the body.” Saltykov-Shchedrin symbolically showed how his head was once eaten by an official.
The author grotesquely ridicules the activities of another mayor - Ugryum-Burcheev - in the “military populations” he organized and in the way of thinking, which represented “what I want, I do.”
Grotesque, pathos, Aesopian language as a means of depicting reality
The power of Saltykov-Shchedrin’s creativity can be called the power of satirical exposure of that reality, which to many people, out of habit and spinelessness, seems to be the norm.
The most paradoxical thing is that what he described turns out to be the real truth, despite all the grotesque and pathos used by the writer as a means of depicting the past and present.
The parody that the writer creates in “The History of a City” is so accurate and skillfully played that it has nothing to do with absurdity and simple humor.