Why did Dubrovsky become a robber? Of course, life did not lead him to such a turn in an instant: this was preceded by many events, which we will now discuss.
Friendship with Troekurov
The father of the protagonist, Andrei Gavrilovich Dubrovsky, for a long time was familiar with his neighbor - Troekurov Kirill Petrovich. Friendships developed between them. However, Troekurov was a rather complex person, cruel and even oppressive at some points. In addition to Andrei Gavrilovich himself, he had practically no friends - some people were simply afraid of him and preferred to stay away, while others were completely despised. The material situation of the neighbors was different: if Troekurov was rich enough, then only his family estate remained at the disposal of Dubrovsky the father — a small village that had needed various improvements for quite some time. Kirill Petrovich repeatedly offered financial assistance to his comrade, but each time he refused, being by nature an independent person and not without pride.
Hostility between old friends
Speaking about why Dubrovsky became a robber, it is important to note the beginning of the feud between his father, Andrei Gavrilovich, and Troekurov. Both of them could not imagine their life without hunting and always accompanied each other during this entertainment. But if only two hounds were at the disposal of Dubrovsky Sr., Troekurov owned an entire kennel in which dogs were surrounded by incredible care and care. Seeing this, Andrei Gavrilovich expressed the idea that it would be nice if the people of Troekurov would live as well as his dogs. The neighbor’s kennel answered him, joking about the fact that Troekurov’s dogs live better than some noblemen. Thus began the disagreement, which later greatly influenced why Dubrovsky became a robber. Andrei Gavrilovich, a man, as already said, proud, decided that it was a stone in his garden and was the only one in the kennel whom this joke did not amuse. Dubrovsky Sr. makes the decision to no longer get involved with Troekurov. However, he makes an attempt to restore relations and invites the old friend to return. Dubrovsky, in turn, demanded that at first Troyekurov send an insolent joker to him and allow him to be punished in good conscience. Such a demand extremely angered Kirill Petrovich - he was sure that he and only he was the sole patron of his subordinates and had the right to pardon or punish them.
Troekurov declares war on Dubrovsky
So, old friends become enemies. Troekurov sets himself a new goal - by hook or by crook to rob Andrei Gavrilovich of Kistenevka, his family estate and the last that he has left. And rich Troekurov succeeds. The sad news was a real shock for Dubrovsky Sr., shook his health and strength. It was at this moment that the reader would meet the son of the landowner, Vladimir Andreevich. Further, the reasons why Dubrovsky became a robber are growing like a snowball. After graduating from the Cadet Corps, Dubrovsky-son went to serve in St. Petersburg, where he led a free life full of various entertainments. This was possible thanks to the considerable sums of money that his father regularly sent him. However, having received news from his old nanny about his father’s illness, Vladimir quickly arrives at his homeland, in Kistenevka. He finds his father almost on his deathbed. Unable to withstand one of the meetings with Troekurov, Dubrovsky Sr. dies from a blow. And from this moment on, Vladimir’s soul awakens his hatred of his father’s former friend. Troekurov becomes his sworn enemy.
Towards a free life
Proud, like his father, Vladimir did not go to the service of his enemy and beg for mercy to return the estate, although Troyekurov, apparently, really counted on it. So that nothing that rightfully belonged to the Dubrovsky family fell into the hands of Kirill Petrovich, Vladimir sets an arson, destroys his estate and goes into the forest with faithful comrades. Dubrovsky becomes a robber, however, so to speak, “noble”. After all, this man robs only the estates of wealthy nobles. The man who failed to find support from the law simply did not see another way. However, it is noteworthy that Vladimir considered revenge above his dignity, and therefore did not even touch the Troekurov estate.
Thus, the essay “Why did Dubrovsky become a robber?” it is impossible to write without turning to the prehistory - the relationship between father Vladimir and Troekurov, each event of which brought Dubrovsky the Younger closer to such a life.