Consider the features of the comedy created by Fonvizin ("Undergrowth"). An analysis of this work is the topic of this article. This play is a masterpiece of Russian literature of the 18th century. This work is today included in the fund of Russian classical literature. It touches on a number of “eternal problems”. And the beauty of the high syllable today attracts many readers. The title of this play is connected with the decree issued by Peter I, according to which "young people" (young nobles) are forbidden to enter the service and get married without education.
The story of the play
Back in 1778, the idea of ​​this comedy came about from its author, who is Fonvizin. The Undergrowth, an analysis of which we are interested, was written in 1782 and presented to the public in the same year. We should briefly highlight the time of creation of the play we are interested in.
During the reign of Catherine II, Fonvizin wrote "The Undergrowth." The analysis of the heroes presented below proves that they were heroes of their time. The period of the reign of Catherine II in the development of our country is associated with the dominance of the ideas of the enlightened monarchy. They were borrowed by the Russians from the French Enlightenment. The dissemination of these ideas, their great popularity among educated middle class and the nobility, was largely promoted by the empress herself. She, as you know, corresponded with Diderot, Voltaire, d'Alembert. In addition, Catherine II opened libraries and schools, supported by various means the development of art and culture in Russia.
Continuing to describe the comedy created by D. I. Fonvizin (The Undergrowth), analyzing its features, it should be noted that, as a representative of his era, the author, of course, shared the ideas that prevailed at that time in the noble society. He tried to reflect them in his work, revealing not only positive points to readers and viewers, but also pointing out errors and shortcomings.
"Undergrowth" - an example of classicism
An analysis of the comedy "The Undergrowth" by Fonvizin requires that this play be considered as part of the cultural era and literary tradition. This work is considered one of the best examples of classicism. In the play, unity of action is observed (no secondary storylines can be found in it, only the struggle for Sophia’s hand and her property is described), places (characters do not move long distances, all events occur either near the Prostakov’s house or inside it) and time ( all events take no more than a day). In addition, he used “speaking” surnames that are traditional for the classic play, Fonvizin (“Undergrowth”). Analysis shows that, following tradition, he divided his characters into positive and negative. Positive are Pravdin, Starodum, Milon, Sophia. They are opposed by Prostakov, Mitrofan, Skotinin D.I. Fonvizin (the play "Undergrowth"). An analysis of their names shows that they make it clear to the reader which features in the image of a character are prevailing. For example, the embodiment of morality and truth in the work is Pravdin.
A new genre of comedy, its features
"Young growth" at the time of creation was an important step forward in the development of the literature of our country, in particular, dramaturgy. Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin created a new genre of social and political comedy . It harmoniously combines a number of realistic scenes depicted with sarcasm, irony, laughter from the life of some ordinary representatives of high society (nobility) with sermons on morality, virtue, the need to educate human qualities that were characteristic of enlighteners. At the same time, instructive monologues do not burden the play. They complement this work, as a result of which it becomes deeper.
First action
The play, the author of which is Fonvizin (The Undergrowth), is divided into 5 actions. Analysis of the work involves a description of the organization of the text. In the first act, we get acquainted with the Prostakovs, Pravdin, Sophia, Mitrofan, Skotinin. The characters' characters immediately emerge, and the reader understands that Skotinin and Prostakov are negative heroes, and Sophia and Pravdin are positive. In the first action, the exposition and setting of this work takes place. At the exposition, we get to know the heroes, find out that Sofya lives in the care of the Prostakovs, who they are going to pass off as Skotinin. Reading a letter from Starodum is the plot of the play. Sophia is now a wealthy heiress. From day to day, her uncle returns to take the girl to her.
The development of events in the play created by Fonvizin ("Undergrowth")
The analysis of the work will continue with a description of how events developed. 2nd, 3rd and 4th actions are their development. We meet Starodum and Milon. Starodum is trying to please Prostakova and Skotinin, but their flattery, falsity, lack of education and a huge thirst for profit only repel them. They look stupid and funny. The most ridiculous scene of this work is the poll of Mitrofan, during which the stupidity of not only this young man, but also his mother is exposed.
Climax and denouement
5th action - climax and denouement. It should be noted that the opinions of researchers about what point should be considered the culmination, differ. There are 3 most popular versions. According to the first, this is the abduction of Prostakova Sofya, according to the second - the reading of Pravdin’s letter, which says that Prostakova’s estate is under his guardianship, and, finally, the third version is Prostakova’s rage after she understands her own powerlessness and tries to “recoup "on their servants. Each of these versions is true, since it considers the work of interest to us from different points of view. The first, for example, highlights the storyline dedicated to the marriage of Sophia. An analysis of the episode of Fonvizin’s comedy “Undergrowth” related to marriage, indeed, allows us to consider it key in the work. The second version considers the play from a socio-political point of view, highlighting the moment when justice prevails on the estate. The third focuses on the historical, according to which Prostakova is the personification of obsolete principles and ideals of the old nobility, which, however, still do not believe in their own defeat. This nobility, according to the author, is based on lack of education, lack of education, as well as low moral standards. During the denouement, everyone leaves Prostakova. She had nothing left. Pointing to it, Starodum says that these are "worthy fruits" of "evilness."
Negative characters
As we have already noted, the main characters are clearly divided into negative and positive. Mitrofan, Skotinin and Prostakov are negative heroes. Prostakova - a woman seeking profit, uneducated, rude, domineering. She is able to flatter for profit. However, Prostakova loves her son. The “shadow” of his wife is Prostakov. This is a limp character. His word means little. Skotinin is the brother of Mrs. Prostakova. He is an equally uneducated and stupid man, rather cruel, like his sister, avid for money. For him, a walk to the pigs in the farmyard is the best thing. Mitrofan is the typical son of his mother. This is a spoiled young man of 16 years old, who inherited from his uncle a love for pigs.
Matters of kinship and heredity
In the play, it should be noted that an important place is given to the issue of kinship and heredity Fonvizin ("Undergrowth"). Analyzing this issue, we say, for example, that Prostakova is only married to her spouse (a “simple” person who does not want much). However, she is actually Skotinina, akin to her brother. Her son absorbed the qualities of both of his parents - “animal” qualities and stupidity from his mother and lack of will from his father.
Similar kinship can be traced between Sophia and Starodum. Both of them are honest, virtuous, educated. The girl listens to her uncle carefully, respects him, "absorbs" science. Pairs of opposites create negative and positive characters. Children - spoiled stupid Mitrofan and meek smart Sophia. Parents love children, however, they have different approaches to their upbringing - Starodub talks on topics of truth, honor, morality, and Prostakova only pampers Mitrofan and says that education will not be useful to him. A pair of grooms - Milon, who sees the ideal and his friend in Sophia, who loves her, and Skotinin, who calculates the state that he will receive after marrying this girl. At the same time, Sophia is not interested in him as a person. Skotinin is not even trying to equip his bride with comfortable housing. Prostakov and Pravdin are in reality a "voice of truth," a kind of "auditors." But in the person of an official we find active strength, help and real action, and Prostakov is a passive character. The only thing this hero could say was to rebuke Mitrofan at the end of the play.
Problems that the author raises
Analyzing the work of Fonvizin, it becomes clear that in each of the above pairs of characters a separate problem is reflected, which is revealed in the work. This is the problem of education (which is supplemented by the example of teacher-dropouts such as Kuteikin, as well as impostors such as Vralman), parenting, fathers and children, family life, relationships between spouses, relations of nobles to servants. Through the prism of enlightening ideas, each of these problems is considered. Fonvizin, focusing his attention on the shortcomings of the era through the use of comic devices, emphasizes the need to change obsolete, traditional, irrelevant foundations. They drag nonsense, malevolence into the swamp, liken people to animals.
As our analysis of Fonvizin’s play “Undergrowth” showed, the main idea and theme of the work is the need to educate the nobility in accordance with educational ideals, the foundations of which are still relevant today.