The problem of upbringing and education of the eighteenth century is posed in the main work of Denis Fonvizin, and the behavior of the characters and their characteristics contribute to the development of the conflict. Undergrowth is a brilliant comedy about pseudo-intellectuals who take lessons from the leading teachers of the state and learn nothing at all. That was the main character, Mitrofan.
Summary. Undergrowth as the best educational comedy
The Prostakov family is going to marry the only son of Mitrofan to the smart and beautiful Sofia. Skotinin also has views of the bride, who, after the celebration, wishes to take possession of the animals of the village - pigs, to whom he is a great hunter. However, Sophia does not feel feelings for any of the suitors and is waiting for the third - educated and educated young man Milon. Shortly before the wedding, the girl’s uncle Starodum is announced, who reports on a large inheritance. The simpletons, having heard about this, want to speed up the matchmaking, and before that they teach their son to read and write. From this moment, events begin. How is the problem of upbringing and education solved in the comedy "The Undergrowth"?
Mitrofan is a minor youth who has not yet served in the public service and is not distinguished by a sharp mind. In the lessons, he is rude to teachers and makes fun of them, does not respect his mother at all and declares: "I do not want to study, but I want to get married!" Fortunately, Starodum and Milon appear in time in the village, who are going to pick up Sophia from the Prostaks. The mother of the family does not cease to insist on her and boasts of the imaginary achievements of her son. Starodum is convinced that Mitrofan must first of all be given a good education and upbringing: the undergrowth speaks illiterate and cannot answer simple questions. Sophia’s marriage will never take place with him, because the girl agrees to Milon. The simpletons remain in their village, and Starodum leaves with the newly made bride and groom.
The problem of education in society of the 18th century on the example of the Prostakov family
The Age of Enlightenment in Russia and around the world is marked by the development of scientific and philosophical thought. Salons and schools were opened, since having a good education was considered fashionable, especially among noblemen. Education did not end with knowledge of foreign languages and the ability to behave in society: a person should be able to read, write and count. The problem of upbringing and education in the comedy "The Little Boy" is posed in a different way: people of the older generation, such as Mrs. Prostakova, believe that training is not necessary at all. Arithmetic will not be useful to Mitrofan in life: "There is money - we can count it well without Pafnutich." Nevertheless, Prostakova forces her son to study so that he looks worthy in the eyes of the public.
Images of positive and negative heroes
"Undergrowth" is a classic comedy in which all unity is observed, including the presence of speaking names. It is easy for the reader to guess that Prostakova, Skotinin and Vralman are negative heroes: the first is as simple as three pennies, the second is different for addiction to cattle, the third lies so that he himself has forgotten about his origin; On the example of another negative character, Mitrofanushka, the author raises the urgent problem of upbringing and education.
In the comedy "The Undergrowth," Starodum, Pravdin, and Milon are carriers of virtue. They want to rescue Sophia from the village of the Prostakovs, and they succeed. These people were given the best education and they talk about "ignoramuses without a soul," such as Mitrofan. Speech of good heroes is sublime, so readers still quote them.
The image of Mitrofan
The comedy "Undergrowth" becomes interesting due to the atypical nature of the protagonist. Madame Prostakova does not mind the soul in her only son. She boasts of his good education, although he never learned to read and write and other sciences. Fonvizin wrote the best classic comedy depicting a conflict of enlightenment, into which the reader can go deeper by reading the full content.
The minor Mitrofanushka is portrayed not far off from the first pages of the comedy. A sixteen-year-old youth has not yet been in the public service and is reluctant to study. He is a collective image of all "sissies" who lead a parasitic lifestyle, living under the care of their parents and not responding well to their care and affection. In the family where Mitrofan grew up, ignorance and lack of culture reigns.
Images of teachers and their characteristics
Mrs. Prostakova hires three teachers for her son: Tsyfirkin, Kuteikin and Vralman. The first is the most worthy and honest. Pafnutich Tsyfirkin is responsible for the issue of enlightenment and is struggling to teach the minor arithmetic, but is oppressed by Prostakova and Vralman. At the end of the comedy, he refuses to pay for his work, because, as he himself admits, he was not able to teach Mitrofan his science.
The under-educated seminarist Kuteikin boasts of what comes from scientists, but he also fails to find the right approach to the undergrowth. In four years of teaching grammar, Mitrofan "will not make out the new line." In the finale, Kuteikin requires payment not only for the hours of teaching, but also for worn shoes.
Vralman was able to achieve a location at Prostakov with flattering speeches. The false teacher claims that Mitrofan needs to know how to stay in society, and arithmetic and grammar will not do him any good. Soon Starodum exposes Vralman: he recognizes in him his retired coachman, who began to engage in a new craft. The problem of upbringing and education in the comedy "The Little Growth" is solved in the final: Mitrofan is decided to be sent to the army, since the young man is deaf to science and elementary etiquette.
The meaning of the last scenes
The name of the comedy reveals the essence of Mitrofan, his negative characteristic. The undergrowth is not only deaf to enlightenment issues, but also shows an elementary disrespect for the older generation. He is shocking his mother, who did not look for souls in him and did all the best for him. About such as Mrs. Prostakova, they say that they have taken over their children. “Yes, get rid of it, mother,” Mitrofanushka tells her, after which the poor woman faints, and Starodum concludes: “Here are evil deeds worthy of fruit.” In the finale, the author laid a deep meaning: people who were initially deaf to the sciences, very rarely find a desire to learn after many years, so they continue to remain ignoramuses. Ignorance generates other negative human qualities: stinginess, rudeness, cruelty.
At the end of the play, carriers of virtue - Sophia, Milon, Pravdin and Starodum - leave the village of the Prostakovs. The "ignoramus without a soul" is left to choose the path of their own development: their worldview must change, or they will remain as soulless.