Goncharova’s novel Oblomov adorned Russian classical literature in the mid-19th century. The name of his central character - Ilya Ilyich Oblomov - became a household name.
However, on the pages of the novel, along with the main character, live bright “types of the human sea of Russia” of the beginning of the 19th century. A special role in the plot of the book is played by a kind of tandem of the servant and master "Zakhar -
Oblomov." The characterization of the relationship of these characters seemed so important to Goncharov that he wrote a separate essay. People like Zakhar, the writer called "the servants of the old century." This type is characteristic of the noble environment and leads its literary genealogy from Savelyevich from Pushkin's “Captain's daughter”.
Appearance of Zahar's Servant
What does Zakhar look like in Oblomov? Outwardly, this is awkward, untidy, bald, elderly, but still strong man with disproportionately large gray whiskers with gray hair. Having natural common sense, he is an “eternal uncle” for his master, whom he perceives, despite his age, as a “small child”. Zakhar's voice is characteristic - hoarse, barking. As he himself explains the reason for what happened during the hunt with the old master: "The wind got into the throat."
From Ilya Ilyich Oblomov, he took over all-conquering laziness. The servant is dressed tastelessly, but not in a rural way: in a gray frock coat, a gray vest with copper buttons.
A servant watches over the interests of the master
Zahar has his unwritten rights. Using them, he intervenes in the conversation with the guests of the master, when he realizes that the next rogue is trying to deceive him, putting the villain (for example, Tarantyev) in his place. Often listens to what Zakhar, Oblomov says . The characterization of this servant, despite all his obvious flaws, can be expressed in one word - “devotion”.
For him, the master is the second after God. This loyalty to the servants of the old temper is worth a lot. For him, comparing his master "with others" seems like a real sacrilege. One day, such words come off his lips with annoyance, but he himself suppresses his “forbidden” speech, which violates, as he understands, the principles of service. This happened after he provocatively said that the "poisonous person" Zakhar, Oblomov.
The characterization of the servant given by Goncharov, however, despite his obvious sympathy, reveals his human shortcomings.
Disadvantages of Zahar
He is characterized by the traditional flaws of the master's servants. Zakhar found an outlet for his soul in drunkenness. He loves, while the lord sleeps after dinner, go to the tavern and get drunk in company with drinking companions. At the same time, the servant praises his master, attributing heroic qualities to him, or boasts of his influence on him. At the same time, he does not consider it shameful to keep the owner’s copper money "for drinking", although, by and large, Zakhar, of course, does not steal. It is characteristic that Oblomov himself is not aware of this hobby. The image of Zakhar, a servant of the lazy to the same extent as his master, has undoubtedly become a creative find of the author of the novel.
However, let us return to its characterization. Another drawback of this original servant is one amazing quality, which is popularly called “to have two left hands”: everything that he puts his hand to, breaks, beats, breaks down.
Zahar - keeper of the traditions of Oblomovka
Of course, he appreciates how devoted Zakhar, Oblomov. The characterization of this becoming not social, but the mental connection of the owner and his servant touches. She originated in the patriarchal Oblomovka, where Ilya Ilyich was at first a nimble inquisitive boy, and Zakhar a curly jolly merchant, connected them even after the death of the master. In an instant after the death of Oblomov, the world of his servant collapsed. Unable to imagine his life without a master and impoverished Zakhar, getting a penny on his porch for a living, he does not even think of returning to the more well-fed Oblomovka, where his relatives live. Further, he sees for himself only one mission - to look after the grave of Ilya Oblomov.
It is also characteristic that during the life of the landowner, having married the cook Anisie, Zakhar continues to serve the master only himself. And this despite the sluggishness: while serving to eat, he drops the cutlery, bread. Because of his awkwardness, all the plates and cups are punctured in the house, even the chairs are damaged. Anisya would, of course, set the table more quickly. However, a devoted servant does not allow her, for this is "his master."
Devotion to master, brought to the highest limits
The author, with tenderness and irony, tells us what he, Zakhar, is in the novel Oblomov. If, say, one had to give his life for Ilya Ilyich Oblomov, his master, then he would not have thought for a moment. He would have rushed to the enemy, like a dog rushing at the beast, protecting the hunter. However, where patience and perseverance should have been shown, for example, during the all-night care of a sick gentleman, Zakhar could not have healed in this way, but simply fell asleep.
The role of Zakhar in the novel "Oblomov" boils down to the fact that he, as it were, brings to life his master the atmosphere of Oblomovka, being the bearer of its foundations. It is characterized by the spirit of the lordly estate, saturated with laziness and idleness: complete indifference to the disorder around, unwillingness to take care of things, save money and repair broken things. In addition, the desire for prudent housekeeping is unusual for him. His daily routine includes noon sleep. Then - the usual wrangle with the gentleman. This is not even an argument, but a kind of daily ritual. Oblomov speaks of affairs, but the foregoing is never realized. Then Zakhar joins the speeches of his master and makes his verdict. He says that all
this is vanity, and they are not any Germans to deal with this nonsense.
Zakhar is indifferent to the fact that the sofa for his master has become both a bedroom, and a kitchen, and an office. After all, it was Oblomov lying on it who receives guests. Moreover, living in a three-room rented St. Petersburg apartment, neither the master nor the owner does not use two rooms at all. They are indifferent to mice and cockroaches that have proliferated around. The main thing for them is to sleep off, then have a hearty dinner, and then again fall into a drowsy state. This is the essence of their life, transferred from Oblomovka. The role of Zakhar in the novel "Oblomov" is to maintain this atmosphere sweet to his heart. Therefore, the landowner himself is convenient and comfortable with his old and devoted servant. However, such a hot devotion to Zakhar has a negative impact on Oblomov himself. The landowner, who owns three hundred souls, does not consider it necessary to work, relying on the labor of his serfs in everything.
Conclusion
The topic of an extra person in Russian society is by no means new. She was raised in the "Eugene Onegin" by the great Pushkin, talentedly continued in the "Hero of Our Time" Lermontov.
In the first case, the aristocrat was superfluous, in the second - a serving nobleman. Goncharov first said in the novel "Oblomov" that his landlord owner might be superfluous on his land.
Zakhar as an image in this work fulfills an important mission. On the one hand, it can be figuratively called a reflection of its owner (the same laziness and lack of initiative). And on the other hand, Zakhar, accompanying Oblomov his whole life, with his blind adoration, contributed to the deformation of his master’s personality, turning him into a complete idler and a loafer.