The characteristic of Oblomov's guests is undoubtedly a secondary detail of the novel. These visits are described in chapters II – VI. Goncharov, with his book, not only draws the attention of the reader to Oblomov’s self-destructive personality, the narration of the classic illuminates the reasons and surroundings that contributed to the formation of an absolutely passive attitude in life by Ilya Ilyich that resembles a living embodiment of laziness. In this case, the author uses completely different
artistic techniques. For example, Oblomov’s
dream scene is a consistent demonstration of the evolution of laziness in childhood and adolescence. However, Ivan Alexandrovich Goncharov would not have been a full member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences in literature, if the disclosure of the idea were limited on this stage. A brief description of the guests of Oblomov serves as proof of this.
Oblomov's guests - active "dummies"
Laziness Oblomova continued further, after her young years, her mastery of the personality of the hero of the Goncharovsky. Already being an educated, adult, Ilya Ilyich more than once came across people occupying a certain level in society, a position in the service, a circle of friends, a hobby. All of them enter the apartment of the protagonist, located on the Vyborg side of St. Petersburg. Just a characteristic of the guests of Oblomov will be the topic of this article. Each of them, in his own way, is trying to attract Oblomov “for the company” to do what he himself does. Guests are Alekseev, Volkov, Penkin, Sudbinsky. However, our hero, although a lazy person and a careless man, is educated, with normal logical thinking. Oblomov, communicating with the guests, at a certain stage becomes clear that his laziness and the position of the thinker reclining on the couch are better, more honest, than the fuss of all these people.
Alekseev
Not a fan of the
secular society Oblomov. The characteristics of his guests can serve as evidence that these acquaintances are very superficial. Let's start with Alekseev, a man of uncertain appearance and age. He is a person who at a certain stage “has lost himself”. Therefore, everyone calls him differently: either Ivan Vasilievich, then Ivan Ivanovich, then Ivan Mikhailovich. Whether he is, whether he is not, society does not care. Previously, he was in office, enjoyed a certain influence, considered himself a secular lion. He was known, invited. But the unexpected happened, and the high position was lost, in return she received the “regular service” in the ordinary position, and immediately Alekseev became uninteresting to others. Isn’t the scarcity of the spiritual world of this person the reason why this happened? Having lost his position, he did not find what further he could rely on in life. Alekseev is a skeleton, a miserable shadow of the former center of attention. Oblomov gives him a devastating score: "There is no man!"
Wolves
The characteristic of Oblomov's guests cannot but include one more characteristic character. 28-year-old full of health Volkov - ladies man and dandy, a man deeply secular. In the context of our time, such people are called "party people." His whole life is a series of visits, balls, dinner parties and dinners. On the one hand, he is constantly on the move, on the other, all his actions are meaningless, do not bring any benefit whatsoever. In addition, Volkov is inherent in the foolishness of a petty soul, which cannot be said about Ilya Ilyich.
Sudbinsky
Sudbinsky - a man who "understood a lot" in the public service. He occupies a high position, but is completely depersonalized, becoming like a clerical paperweight. His future marriage to the daughter of a state councilor is also entirely subordinate to his career. "Unhappy!" - Oblomov thinks about him, realizing that never and no lofty thoughts and feelings will break into the thick-skinned soul of this person.
Penkin
Penkin, a brunette with Pushkin whiskers, is a person who chronically lacks “depth”. This is certainly a parody image. He dresses with deliberate negligence. By profession, Penkin is a writer. He writes easily, but his "dirty" will never touch anyone's heart. Characteristically, the writer himself inadequately evaluates his creative abilities. He believes that "everything is going as it should." “It’s better not to do anything at all than to do it somehow!” - Oblomov thinks about him.
conclusions
It is characteristic that such a small detail as the characteristic of Oblomov's guests is complete and artistically impeccable, which was noted by both Chekhov and Dobrolyubov. All these people, as already mentioned, come to Ilya Ilyich to invite him to take a joint trip to Yekaterinhof. They try to drag him into a really pointless rush and fuss. Oblomov at the same time finds a reason to refuse. Is he right? The situation is debatable. Indeed, as a result, Oblomov’s self-destruction takes a higher order than the people who stayed with him.