What works of Fonvizin are known to modern readers? Of course, "Undergrowth." After all, comedy is part of the school curriculum. It is known that the pen of a Russian writer owns critical articles-translations of foreign authors. However, the works of Fonvizin are not limited to literary works and a satirical essay on the ignorant Prostakov family.
What else did the creator of the home comedy write? And why, in his declining years, was it difficult for the author of The Young Growth to publish his creations?
Russian author of foreign origin
The writer lived and worked in the Catherine era. Fonvizin’s works would not have been created if one of the comedian’s ancestors had not once been captured by the Russians. The creator of such characters as Prostakov, Starodum and Mitrofanushka was of foreign origin, but was the most Russian of all Russian writers of the eighteenth century. At least that's what Pushkin said about him.
Translation Activities
The writer studied at the gymnasium, then became a student of the Faculty of Philosophy. Fonvizin's works represent the pinnacle of theatrical art of the eighteenth century. However, before gaining recognition, the writer for many years pored over translations of eminent foreign and even antique playwrights. And only after gaining experience, he proceeded to write original works.
The hero of this article began to engage in literary translation by chance. Once, one of the Petersburg booksellers heard about his excellent knowledge of foreign languages. The entrepreneur suggested that the young man translate the works of Ludwig Holberg into Russian. Denis Fonvizin coped with the task. Then a lot of offers from publishers fell.
Literary work
When did the original works of Fonvizin begin to appear? The list of his works is small. The following is a list of dramatic writings and political publications. But first, it’s worth a few words to say about the worldview of this author.
In the second half of the eighteenth century, enlightenment thought was in fashion throughout Europe, one of the founders of which was Voltaire. The Russian writer was pleased to translate the works of the French satirist. The humor that distinguishes the works of Fonvizin in the style of classicism probably became a feature that was formed under the influence of Voltaire's work. In the years when the writer was especially active in the circles of freethinkers, the first comedy was created.
The Foreman
Literary studies helped Fonvizin climb the career ladder in his youth, but had a detrimental effect on the writer's work in his advanced years. The empress herself drew attention to the translation of the tragedy of Aviary. The comedy Brigadier was particularly successful.
Journalism
In 1769, the writer went to the service of Count Panin, who prompted him to write a political treatise. The title of this work is fully consistent with the time in which the author lived: "Discussions about the completely destroyed all forms of government and the unstable state of the empire and sovereigns."
In the Catherine’s era, educated people expressed themselves quite floridly, even the Empress herself, who, by the way, did not like the composition. The fact is that in this work the author criticized both Catherine and her favorites, demanded a constitutional transformation. At the same time, he even dared to threaten a coup d'etat.
In Paris
Fonvizin spent more than two years in France. From there, he conducted regular correspondence with Panin and other like-minded people. Social and social problems have become the main subject of both letters and writings. Fonvizin's journalistic works, a list of which is little known to contemporaries, despite the absence of strict censorship in those years, were saturated with a thirst for change, a reformist spirit.
Political Views
After visiting France, Denis Fonvizin wrote a new "Reasoning". This time they were devoted to state laws. In this essay, the author raised the issue of serfdom. Confident of the need to destroy it, he was still impressed by the "Pugachevschina", and therefore offered to get rid of serfdom in moderation, without haste.
Fonvizin was engaged in literary work until the end of his days. But due to the empress's disapproval, he could not publish his collected works. Finally, it is worth mentioning the works of Fonvizin.
Book list
- The foreman.
- "Undergrowth."
- "Reasoning about indispensable state laws."
- "The choice of the tutor."
- "A conversation with Princess Khaldina."
- "Sincere recognition."
- "Corion."
The "sincere recognition" the writer created, being in his advanced years. This work is autobiographical in nature. In recent years, the writer Fonvizin has mainly written articles in magazines. Fonvizin entered the history of Russian literature as the author of comedies in the genre of classicism. What is this direction? What are its characteristic features?
Fonvizin's works
Classicism is a direction based on the principles of rationalism. In the works there is harmony and faith, poetic normativity is strictly observed. The heroes of the comedy "Undergrowth" are divided into positive and negative. There are no conflicting images. And this is also a characteristic feature of classicism.
This trend originated in France. In Russia, classicism was distinguished by a satirical orientation. In the works of French playwrights in the first place was an antique theme. Russian classicism is characterized by national historical motives.
The main feature of the dramatic works of the eighteenth century is the unity of time and place. The events of "Young" occur in the house of the Prostakov family. Everything described in the comedy is accomplished within twenty-four hours. Fonvizin endowed his characters with speaking names. Skotinin dreams of villages where many pigs graze. Vralman pretends to enlighten Mitrofanushka, while introducing the undergrowth into even more terrible ignorance.
The comedy addresses the theme of parenting. Educational thought had a significant impact on the entire work of Fonvizin. The writer dreamed of changing the political system. But he believed that without enlightenment, any changes would lead to rebellion, "Pugachev region" or other negative socio-political consequences.