This article discusses in detail the work of Saltykov-Shchedrin, “Conscience was lost." A summary and analysis will touch upon those special moral strings of the soul of man and society as a whole. A question that interests people for more than one century, which should first of all be understood: "What is this - conscience?" Censor, controller, inner voice? Why is it needed if it becomes so calm without it? This and much more is described in an article devoted to such a difficult topic, touched upon in the work of the outstanding Russian writer M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin, “Conscience was lost."
About the writer
To begin with, I would like to say a few words about the writer himself, whose merits are significant and great, and the works written by him throughout his life put him on a par with the great minds of Russia: with Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Pushkin, Chekhov.
So, Saltykov-Shchedrin was born in 1826 on January 27 (old style 15) in an old noble family. Giftedness, intelligence, incredible hard work have been faithful companions of the writer since childhood. At the age of 10 he was sent to the Moscow Noble Institute, two years later he was transferred to the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum for excellent studies. “For Freethinking” was exiled to Vyatka for 8 years. In 1856, in connection with the death of Nicholas I, the young writer returns and resumes writing. Participation in peasant reform, the post of governor of the province and work in the Ministry of the Interior became an integral part of life for the writer.
Upon retirement, he becomes the chief editor of the journal Sovremennik. Agree, an impressive list of achievements! A talented writer, satirist, statesman, artist left an unforgettable mark in the history of his country, the works of Saltykov-Shchedrin are topical and have not lost their relevance to this day.
The problem of own imperfection
The writer repeatedly refers in his works to the theme of a fairy tale. And here is an unusual situation for the reader - conscience disappears from the life of society. What happened to people? They began to feel freer, but do not be mistaken and confuse the inspiring sense of freedom with a sense of permissiveness, which creates chaos, aggression and anger. The human disappears in the man himself, exactly what a thinking, creative, alien to destruction and collapse creature should distinguish in him.
What happened to conscience? Pay attention to what the author calls her: "annoying engraftment", and this is not accidental. Thus, the author makes it clear to the reader that conscience is like something alive and real, in need of nourishment and care, which in turn will thank its “master” with a gracious sense of peace and self-satisfaction. And without a person, she turns into that unnecessary appendage and becomes that “annoying graft”.
Further in the work of Saltykov-Shchedrin, as an example, one can observe the pacified dream of the owner of a drinking establishment, who, perhaps for the first time in his life, behaved as a responsible person for his actions. Or, say, the very first “master” of conscience is a drunkard drunkard who freed himself from the yoke of wine fumes and realized all his worthlessness of existence, which is why he feels fear. But a bitter drunkard destroys only himself, and he is only responsible for his actions, unlike Prokhor - the owner of a drinking establishment, destroying so many people with his potion. Conscience gives Prokhor a sense of relief, since for the first time in his life he acts according to conscience. What does the author want to tell us?
Summary of Saltykov-Shchedrin's “Consciousness”, which we analyzed in this material, covers important aspects of the life of human society. If there was a conscience nearby, there would be no drunkards in the world, and beer owners would bake bread and rolls. Adults will definitely smile in this place, since each of them knows how our world is not simple. But then she is a fairy tale - you think. The fairy tale “Conscience disappeared” is a kind of reminder for adults and a lesson for children.
Own choice, or Strength of one drop
The journey of conscience continues, but most likely it was a tribulation that brings suffering and wanderings. Conscience falls to Trapper. The author does not give a name to his character, but is limited only by a nickname, thereby emphasizing the essence of this person. What is his fault? Unlike the first two characters, one of whom was destroying himself, and the other of the others, then in this case the Trapper's sin is great and heavy, he is a bribe taker.
The next owner of conscience is already a completely different person, the author paints a picture of a prosperous family of a banker, but extreme prudence is the vice of a hero who even sells his conscience stealthily. The tale of “Sorry conscience” Saltykov-Shchedrin, the analysis of which makes one involuntarily think about the global nature and depth of the issue, is there any place of conscience in our world? How simple and difficult it is to act honestly, but how easy it becomes on the soul when it is pure. How to breathe, how to live in a new way!
Understanding the concept of conscience
Turning to dictionaries, we find a definition of the concept of conscience. Conscience is a feeling and a concept at the same time, a sense of responsibility for one’s actions is intertwined with the awareness of those moral principles on which the health of society should be based. This ability, which distinguishes between good and bad, should be instilled from infancy. Parents are a kind of guides into the world who teach a child to love good and hate evil, and children, in turn, fearing to lose the love and favor of their parents, clearly and quickly absorb and understand exactly the concepts that father and mother give.
Summary of Saltykov-Shchedrin's “Conscience Has Missed”, discussed in our material, can serve as the seed whose seedlings will provide food to the soul of every person.
Pinned hopes
In the work, Saltykov-Shchedrin gives voice to his main character - conscience. What does she ask, what does she want? She asks her to find her a little Russian child so that she can dissolve in his heart. “Why exactly in the heart of the child?” - you ask. Thus, the author wants to make it clear to the reader how important it is to pin hopes on the young generation, and it should be remembered that children are innocent and pure, and it will depend only on adults what colors their future world, conscience, life will be filled with. The problem of "Sorry conscience" Saltykov-Shchedrin concerns that side of the human soul, where there comes an awareness of good and evil, truth and hope.
Conclusion
In conclusion, summarizing what was said, I would like to note that the author of an immortal work wanted to emphasize the importance of conscience in human life, to show the reader conscience as the guardian of all those human qualities on which the best part of civilization was built. Summary of Saltykov-Shchedrin's “Consciousness”, analyzed in our article, we hope will provide food for the mind and touch the strings of your soul, help you make the right choice, give peace.