Fonvizin’s comedy “Undergrowth” became a landmark work in Russian literature. First of all, it had a huge impact on the further development of Russian literature, since in many respects it was ahead of its time both in subject and in form.
Unlike classic comedy
At first glance, it may seem that The Undergrowth is written in strict accordance with the framework of classicism that prevailed at that time in literature. For example, in a comedy, the principles of the unity of time, place and action are respected, the characters speak according to their social status, and comic is often built on situational moments. On this, perhaps, the resemblance to the classic comedy ends. The main difference can be called how important education in the comedy "Undergrowth" is for the author and reader.
What worried Fonvizin
Most researchers, considering the comedy "The Undergrowth", argue that the main conflict in this case is based on a love line, and the problems are mainly social in nature. At the same time, the presence of the theme of class inequality and the desire for social improvement is actively noted. Of course, in such statements there is a certain amount of truth, but the problems of this work are much deeper.
It is simply impossible not to notice the topic of education, on which Fonvizin focused the attention of the reader. It was the transfer of experience to subsequent generations, the formation of humanity in them, that the author pursued, creating his characters. Paying reader attention to education, Fonvizin “Undergrowth” wrote with special diligence, carefully working out every word, every action of his characters.
Young generation in comedy
If we turn to the text, we can see that the problem of upbringing in the comedy "Undergrowth" is covered by the example of two heroes: Mitrofanushka and Sophia. Possessing a very delicate author’s instinct and ability to grasp the slightest nuances, Fonvizin demonstrates to the reader the current situation on both sides at once, in the context of two understandings. The author directly draws the reader's attention to the contrast between the main characters.
Moral purity, reverence for the elders, Sophia’s spirituality is very clearly separated from the cruelty, bad manners of Mitrofanushka. It is due to this contrast that the main problems in the play become especially obvious.
Contrast between the heroes of the older generation
The problem of upbringing in the comedy “Undergrowth,” of course, could not be fully expressed without the involvement of the heroes of the previous, older generation. In this case, we are also talking about a completely obvious contrast: Starodum, who cares for Sophia, is very clearly opposed to the Prostakov family. The author does not hide this fact for a minute, but on the contrary, tries to emphasize it in every possible way, again and again putting it in the foreground for the reader.
The contrast in this case is additionally emphasized by the speech difference between the characters. An attentive reader or viewer will immediately notice how striking the difference is between the speech of Prostakov and Starodum. The upbringing in the comedy Fonvizin “Undergrowth” is also manifested on this purely verbal level, both in the older and younger generations.
Exceptionally Goodies
Earlier it was said that the comedy "Little Growth" was a real leap forward for Russian literature. This issue should be touched especially, since it is the key in understanding the work.
For a classic play, to which Fonvizin's comedy is most often referred, integrity in the character of the characters is characteristic. In this case, we have in mind the fact that a positive character cannot have any negative qualities and vice versa.
In this case, the situation is completely different. The problem of upbringing in the comedy "Undergrowth" is revealed by the example of two families: Starodum and Sophia, Prostakovs and Mitrofanushka. According to the logic of classic art, the first two of these heroes should be extremely positive. In fact, upon closer examination of the text of the work, it can be noted that the author is rather strict with them. In Starodum, for example, there is a certain “preservation”, a rejection of society in the form in which it has developed at the moment.
Sophia, despite all her very obvious advantages, also has drawbacks: she cannot boast, for example, of her special ability to defend her own opinion, which Fonvizin openly condemns.
Extremely negative heroes
Approximately the same situation is with respect to the Prostaks. Despite the cruelty of Mitrofanushka’s mother, her extremely narrow, limited views, she also has positive qualities. For example, Mrs. Prostakova is endowed with the ability to sincerely love her own child and take care of him because of her abilities.
In the comedy "Undergrowth", the topic of education is revealed more likely through a demonstration of Mitrofanushka himself, in which it is absolutely impossible to single out at least some minimally positive quality. He is cruel, rude, limited and completely lazy. In fact, in these conditions, he could not become different - the complete lack of strictness on the part of the mother, the softness and indifference of his father under total guardianship, and the teachers ’absolutely indifferent attitude - all this simply could not form a different personality.
Mitrofan’s upbringing in the comedy “The Young Man” is shown especially clearly, in great detail. The reader simply cannot remain indifferent to such egregious behavior in relation to a growing, developing child, who, as a result, will simply betray his own mother.
Additional aspects
Do not forget that the topic of education in the comedy "Undergrowth" is revealed not only through the main characters. By and large, other characters of the play also have a great influence on the formation of Mitrofanushka’s personality: Skotinin, Vralman, Kuteikin, Tsyfirkin and, of course, Yeremeyevna. All of these characters in one way or another exacerbate the current situation. Elementary laziness, narrow-mindedness or blind love, with which his nanny relates to Mitrofan, in no way contribute to the education of morality, spiritual purity.
Mitrofan’s upbringing in the comedy “Undergrowth” provokes overt condemnation. Even comical situations, which, according to the laws of the classic comedy, should cause a smile, lead the reader as a result rather to bitterness.
Even the final scene with Mrs. Prostakova, where good, it would seem, conquers evil, does not cause a smile or joy, is deeply sad and leads to a long thought process.
Indignation and censure
In the comedy “Undergrowth,” the topic of upbringing is equally acute in relation to spiritual and rational upbringing. Fonvizin demonstrates a lack of moral purity by including heroes in specific situations in which their behavior causes nothing but bewilderment and some disgust. As for the reluctance to comprehend science, Fonvizin condemns this extremely sharply, in almost every case the author is indignant at this kind of attitude towards learning.
If in the first case, the topic of upbringing in the comedy "The Little Growth" remains open to the reader, who must independently make a conclusion on the basis of specific actions, then in the second case there is no choice - Fonvizin openly points out the vices of Mitrofanushka, the same Kuteikin, and, of course, Prostakovs.
One-on-one reader
Despite the fact that Fonvizin condemns certain actions of his heroes, he does not openly moralize in his comedy. In this case, we mean the fact that the reader’s reaction is provoked by the visibility of actions, the denunciation of human vices, and not by talking about them, by direct discussion. That is why the problem of upbringing in the comedy "The Little Growth" is revealed as fully as possible, deeply hurts the reader. Fonvizin masterfully demonstrated in it the darkest, most dusty corners of Russian society of his time, thanks to which comedy not only survived to this day, but also did not lose a bit of its significance.
The simpletons will always cause condemnation, Skotinin - indignation, and Mitrofanushka - a certain amount of disgust. Nevertheless, the reader is absolutely sure that there will always be people like Sophia, Pravdin or Milon who can be guided and worth being proud of.
Fonvizin today
Special attention today is paid to the great comedy about Russian life: it is actively studied in schools and universities. It is so deep in its essence, so alive that even today the younger generation sees a clear difference between good and evil, ignorance and morality, justice and selfishness.
It is not in vain that the text of the Fonvizin's “Malaw” has long ago been divided into aphorisms, it is not in vain that they still appreciate and love it, and, of course, it is not in vain that it will be studied by the younger generation for many years, because the formation of morality in man is the main thing.