In the fall of 1824, the satirical play “Woe from Wit” was finally edited, which made A. S. Griboyedov a Russian classic. This work examines many pressing and painful issues. In him we're talking about about the opposition " this century""The Past Century", which touches on the topics of education, upbringing, morality, the order of government, and also exposes the morals of the highest Moscow society, which by that time had already lost everything and was almost completely mired in insincerity and falsehood. Now everything is bought and sold, even love and friendship. The writer Griboedov constantly thinks and reflects on this. Chatsky is only artistic hero, who voices his thoughts. The most amazing thing about this work is that phrases from it have become some of the most quoted in Russian literature.

"Woe from Wit." Comedy. Chatsky

Many idioms The plays “Woe from Wit” are still used today in our everyday life, but now there is no point in listing them all. Initially, this work was banned by censorship, since the author’s attacks on the existing system of autocracy with its serfdom, the structure of the army and much more were very obvious.

The exponent of these very ideas was the main character - a young nobleman with progressive views - Chatsky. His opponent was a person from the Moscow aristocratic society - the master and landowner Famusov.

Chatsky's attitude to serfdom

These two were opposed to each other by their views on According to several quotes from the work, one can characterize Chatsky’s attitude towards It is in them that the whole meaning of the caustic satire of the comedy created by Griboyedov lies. There are not so many of these statements, but what they are!

Chatsky comes to the defense of the oppressed people and speaks out about serfdom very emotionally and strongly. One part of these statements begins with the words: “That Nestor is a noble scoundrel, surrounded by a crowd of servants...”. It only further emphasizes the protagonist’s indignation when it comes to serfs.

The word “Nestor” used at the beginning is interpreted as “manager,” that is, that Russian nobility who owns serfs. The humiliated and insulted mob serves these high-ranking gentlemen faithfully, protects them from all sorts of misfortunes, and sometimes saves them from inevitable death.

A dangerous person

As a result, they received “gratitude” in the form of exchanging them - living people - for purebred puppies. Chatsky’s attitude towards serfdom is very obvious and negative. He does not hide his rage and contempt; his indignation knows no bounds. During this time, he managed to spend three years abroad and returned to Moscow. From this it follows that Chatsky saw many different societies and government systems that did not have serfdom. He was offended for his people and for the open form of slavery present in Russia in the 19th century.

Independent personality

There is another statement of his, which followed the previous one, and it sounded like this: “Or that one over there, who, just for fun, drove to the serf ballet on many wagons...”. This shows that serfs were often used for fun, for the amusement or surprise of guests and friends. Chatsky recalls some noble nobleman (collective image) who created a ballet in which the serfs took part. For Chatsky, this was a terrible example of the exploitation of living people as inanimate puppets. But the whole trouble was that when the owner needed it, he gave the serfs for debts as some kind of thing.

Chatsky's first statement is accusatory and harsh, and the second contains a feeling of pity towards poor people.

It is also interesting that Chatsky’s attitude towards serfdom does not imply direct attacks towards Famusov. But this does not create doubts about the hero’s views, because he is a true patriot of independent freedom-loving views. Chatsky sincerely wishes the prosperity of his homeland, despises careerism and veneration of rank, condemns any imitation of foreign ones and believes that a person should be respected and valued not for the number of serfs, but for his

The comedy “Woe from Wit” by A.S. Griboedov was written in the first half of the 19th century and is a satire on the views of the noble society of that time. In the play, two opposing camps collide: the conservative nobility and the younger generation of nobles who have new views on the structure of society. Main character“Woe from Wit” Alexander Andreevich Chatsky aptly called the disputing parties “the present century” and “the past century.” The generational dispute is also presented in the comedy “Woe from Wit”. What each side represents, what their views and ideals are, will help you understand the analysis of “Woe from Wit.”

The “past century” in comedy is much more numerous than the camp of its opponents. The main representative of the conservative nobility is Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov, in whose house all the phenomena of comedy take place. He is a manager in a government house. His daughter Sophia was raised by him from childhood, because... her mother died. Their relationship reflects the conflict between fathers and sons in Woe from Wit.

In the first act, Famusov finds Sophia in a room with Molchalin, his secretary, who lives in their house. He doesn’t like his daughter’s behavior, and Famusov begins to read morals to her. His views on education reflect the position of the entire noble class: “We were given these languages! We take tramps, both into the house and on tickets, so that we can teach our daughters everything.” There are minimum requirements for foreign teachers, the main thing is that there should be “more in number, at a cheaper price.”

However, Famusov believes that the best educational influence on a daughter should be the example of her own father. In this regard, in the play “Woe from Wit” the problem of fathers and children becomes even more acute. Famusov says about himself that he is “known for his monastic behavior.” But is he like that? good example for imitation, if a second before he began to moralize Sophia, the reader watched him openly flirt with the maid Lisa? For Famusov, the only thing that matters is what people say about him in the world. And if noble society does not gossip about his love affairs, it means his conscience is clear. Even Liza, imbued with the morals reigning in Famusov’s house, warns her young mistress not against nightly meetings with Molchalin, but against public gossip: “Sin is not a problem, rumor is not good.” This position characterizes Famusov as a morally corrupt person. Does an immoral person have the right to talk about morality in front of his daughter, and even be considered an example for her?

In this regard, the conclusion suggests itself that for Famusov (and in his person for the entire Old Moscow noble society) it is more important to seem like a worthy person, and not to be one. Moreover, the desire of representatives of the “past century” to make a good impression extends only to rich and noble people, because communication with them contributes to the acquisition of personal gain. People who do not have high titles, awards and wealth receive only contempt from the noble society: “Whoever needs it: those who are in need, they lie in the dust, and for those who are higher, flattery is woven like lace.”
Famusov transfers this principle of dealing with people to his attitude towards family life. “Whoever is poor is not a match for you,” he tells his daughter. The feeling of love has no power; it is despised by this society. Calculation and profit dominate the life of Famusov and his supporters: “Be inferior, but if there are two thousand family souls, that’s the groom.” This position creates a lack of freedom for these people. They are hostages and slaves of their own comfort: “And who in Moscow hasn’t had their mouths gagged at lunches, dinners and dances?”

What is humiliation for progressive people of the new generation is the norm of life for representatives of the conservative nobility. And this is no longer just a generational dispute in the work “Woe from Wit,” but a much deeper divergence in the views of the two opposing sides. With great admiration, Famusov recalls his uncle Maxim Petrovich, who “knew honor before everyone,” had “a hundred people at his service,” and was “all decorated.” What did he do to deserve his high position in society? Once, at a reception with the Empress, he stumbled and fell, painfully hitting the back of his head. Seeing the smile on the face of the autocrat, Maxim Petrovich decided to repeat his fall several more times in order to amuse the empress and the court. Such ability to “curry favor,” according to Famusov, is worthy of respect, and to the younger generation one should take an example from him.

Famusov envisions Colonel Skalozub as his daughter’s groom, who “will never utter a smart word.” He is good only because “he has picked up a ton of marks of distinction,” but Famusov, “like all Moscow people,” “would like a son-in-law... with stars and ranks.”

The younger generation in a society of conservative nobility. Image of Molchalin.

The conflict between the “present century” and the “past century” is not defined or limited in the comedy “Woe from Wit” to the theme of fathers and children. For example, Molchalin, belonging to the younger generation by age, adheres to the views of the “past century.” In the first appearances, he appears before the reader as Sophia’s modest lover. But he, like Famusov, is very afraid that society might have a bad opinion about him: “Evil tongues are worse than a pistol.” As the play progresses, it reveals true face Molchalina. It turns out that he is with Sophia “out of position,” that is, in order to please her father. In fact, he is more passionate about the maid Liza, with whom he behaves much more relaxed than with Famusov’s daughter. Beneath Molchalin's taciturnity lies his duplicity. He does not miss the opportunity at a party to show his helpfulness in front of influential guests, because “you have to depend on others.” This young man lives according to the rules of the “past century”, and therefore “Silent people are blissful in the world.”

“The Present Century” in the play “Woe from Wit.” The image of Chatsky.

The only defender of other views on the problems raised in the work, a representative of the “present century,” is Chatsky. He was brought up together with Sophia, there was youthful love between them, which the hero keeps in his heart even at the time of the events of the play. Chatsky has not been to Famusov’s house for three years, because... traveled around the world. Now he has returned with hopes for mutual love Sophia. But here everything has changed. His beloved greets him coldly, and his views are fundamentally at odds with the views of Famus society.

In response to Famusov’s call “go and serve!” Chatsky replies that he is ready to serve, but only “to the cause, not to individuals,” but he is generally “sickened” to “serve.” In the “past century” Chatsky does not see freedom for human personality. He does not want to be a buffoon for a society where “he was famous whose neck was more often bent,” where a person is judged not by his personal qualities, but by the material wealth he possesses. Indeed, how can one judge a person only by his ranks, if “ranks are given by people, but people can be deceived”? Chatsky sees enemies of free life in Famus society and does not find role models in it. The main character, in his accusatory monologues addressed to Famusov and his supporters, speaks out against serfdom, against the slavish love of the Russian people for everything foreign, against servility and careerism. Chatsky is a supporter of enlightenment, a creative and seeking mind, capable of acting in accordance with conscience.

The “present century” is inferior in number to the “past century” in the play. This is the only reason why Chatsky is doomed to defeat in this battle. It’s just that the Chatskys’ time hasn’t come yet. A split among the nobility has only just begun, but in the future the progressive views of the protagonist of the comedy “Woe from Wit” will bear fruit. Now Chatsky has been declared crazy, because the accusatory speeches of a madman are not scary. The conservative nobility, by supporting the rumor of Chatsky's madness, only temporarily protected themselves from the changes that they are so afraid of, but which are inevitable.

conclusions

Thus, in the comedy “Woe from Wit” the problem of generations is not the main one and does not reveal the full depth of the conflict between the “present century” and the “past century”. The contradictions between the two camps lie in the difference in their perception of life and the structure of society, in in different ways interaction with this society. This conflict cannot be resolved by verbal battles. Only time and succession historical events will naturally replace the old with the new.

The conducted comparative analysis of two generations will help 9th grade students describe the conflict of the “present century” with the “past century” in their essay on the topic ““The present century” and the “past century” in the comedy “Woe from Wit” by Griboyedov”

Work test

Characteristics	The present century	The past century
Attitude to wealth, to ranks	“They found protection from the court in friends, in kinship, in building magnificent chambers where they indulge in feasts and extravagance, and where the foreign clients of their past lives do not resurrect the meanest traits,” “And for those who are higher, flattery, like lace weaving...”	“Be poor, but if he gets enough, two thousand family souls, that’s the groom”
Attitude to service	“I would be glad to serve, it’s sickening to be served,” “Uniform! one uniform! In their former life, he once covered, embroidered and beautiful, their weakness, their poverty of mind; And we follow them on a happy journey! And in wives and daughters there is the same passion for the uniform! How long ago did I renounce tenderness towards him?! Now I can’t fall into this childish behavior...”	“And for me, no matter what it is, my custom is this: it’s signed, off your shoulders.”
Attitude towards foreign	“And where foreign clients will not resurrect the meanest traits of their past lives.” “As from an early time we were accustomed to believe that without the Germans there is no salvation for us.”	“The door is open to those invited and uninvited, especially to foreign.”
Attitude towards education	“What, now, just like in ancient times, are they bothering to recruit more teachers from regiments, at a cheaper price? ... we are ordered to recognize everyone as a historian and geographer.”	“They would take away all the books and burn them,” “Learning is a plague, learning is the reason that today there are more crazy people, deeds, and opinions than ever before.”
Attitude to serfdom	“That Nestor of noble scoundrels, surrounded by a crowd of servants; zealous, they saved his honor and life more than once in the hours of wine and fights: suddenly, he exchanged three greyhounds for them!!!”	Famusov is a defender of the old century, the heyday of serfdom.
Attitude to Moscow morals and pastimes	“And who in Moscow hasn’t had their mouths gagged at lunch, dinner and dance?”	“I’m called to Praskovya Fedorovna’s house on Tuesday for trout,” “On Thursday I’m called to a funeral,” “Or maybe on Friday, or maybe on Saturday, I have to baptize at the widow’s, at the doctor’s.”
Attitude to nepotism, patronage	“And who are the judges? - Over the centuries of free life, their enmity is irreconcilable...”	“When I have employees, strangers are very rare, more and more sisters, sisters-in-law and children.”
Attitude to freedom of judgment	“For mercy, you and I are not guys, why are other people’s opinions only sacred?”	Learning is the plague, learning is the cause. What is worse now than before, crazy people, affairs, and opinions
Attitude towards love	Sincerity of feeling	“Be bad, but if there are two thousand family souls, that’s the groom.”
Ideals	Chatsky’s ideal is a free, independent person, alien to slavish humiliation.	Famusov’s ideal is a nobleman of the Catherine century, “hunters of indecency”

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Griboedov's comedy "Woe from Wit" was written in the first half

XIX century. Its main conflict is social, ideological: the clash of the “present century” and the “past century.” The first includes Chatsky himself, the main character of the comedy, and the second includes the entire Famus society. Let's look at the main issues on which the opinions of these parties differ radically.

Probably the most pressing of them is the attitude towards wealth and rank. The Famus Society is of the opinion that “to get rank, there are many channels.” For Chatsky, the only way is to serve the Fatherland, but not to the officials. Confirmation of this is his famous phrase: “I would be glad to serve, but being served is sickening.”

Naturally, for officials great importance has continuity, for example:

... we have been doing this since ancient times,

that there is honor between father and son;

Be bad, but if you get enough

Two thousand family showers, - Here is the groom.

And at this time Chatsky asks:

Where, show us, Fatherland fathers,

Which ones should we take as models?

Aren't these the ones who are rich in robbery?

We see that he would like to have a worthy example to follow, a certain ideal, then we can say with confidence that in his passionate speeches he would speak about his ancestors with pride, and not with bitterness. He would be glad to have some kind of support in his judgments, but in front of him is a completely different society that cannot give him this support, and poor Chatsky has no choice but to try alone to prove to those around them that they are wrong. In fact, he stands alone against the whole of Moscow, so his positions and points of view are doomed to failure in advance. But with stubbornness, perhaps worthy of reproach, and perhaps even admiration, he fights for his views on life. He is not at all afraid to express an honest and provocative opinion that “the world has begun to grow stupid”:

The legend is fresh, but hard to believe;

As he was famous for, whose neck bent more often;

As not in war, but in peace they took it head on,

They hit the floor without regret!

Who needs it: those are arrogant, they lie in the dust,

And for those who are higher, flattery was woven like lace.

It was an age of obedience and fear,

All under the guise of zeal for the king.

For Famusov himself, the opinion of the world is important. He only cares about the reputation of a respectable person, but only to maintain external decency. She and Chatsky talk, practically not listening to each other.

The next question is the attitude towards education and upbringing. Famusov himself spoke quite eloquently:

Learning is the plague, learning is the reason,

What is worse now than then,

There were crazy people, deeds, and opinions.

Oh! Let's move on to education.

That now, just as in ancient times,

The regiments are busy recruiting teachers,

More in number, cheaper in price?

It’s not that they are far off in science;

In Russia, under a great fine,

We are told to recognize everyone

Historian and geographer!

Our mentor, remember his cap, robe,

Index finger, all signs of learning

How our timid minds were disturbed,

As we have been accustomed to believe since early times,

That without the Germans we have no salvation!

Famusov's society does not accept any innovations. Therefore, his opinion on the issue of serfdom differs from Chatsky’s position:

That Nestor, a noble scoundrel,

Surrounded by a crowd of servants;

Zealous, they are in the hours of wine and fights

Both his life and honor saved him more than once: suddenly

He traded three greyhounds for them!!!

Or that one over there, which is for tricks

He drove to the serf ballet on many wagons

From mothers and fathers of rejected children?!

I myself am immersed in mind in Zephyrs and Cupids,

Made all of Moscow marvel at their beauty!

But the debtors did not agree to a deferment:

Cupids and Zephyrs are all sold out individually!!!

What is the attitude of the heroes towards love? Chatsky explains to Sophia, saying: “And yet I love you madly.” But Sophia, even though he is the same age, belongs more to Famus’s society than to supporters of Chatsky’s crazy ideas. Having a “bookish” upbringing, she prefers the quiet Molchalin to him, who loves her “by position.” To this, Chatsky accurately remarks: “After all, nowadays they love the dumb.”

By the end of the comedy, the situation is heating up, and more and more representatives of old Moscow are speaking out against Chatsky. Sophia does not accept his advances. He is left completely alone. Why? Because the environment of people in which he found himself is very conservative. It lives by its own laws, which do not suit such an honest and decent Chatsky. He does not accept them, therefore, society does not accept Chatsky himself. He is an innovator at his core, a supporter of reforms, and Famus society does not accept them as such. It is not surprising that Chatsky is declared crazy. After all, in the eyes of old Moscow, with his crazy ideas and revealing speeches, this is exactly what he looks like. In despair, he pronounces his last monologue:

So! I have completely sobered up

Dreams out of sight - and the veil fell;

Now it wouldn't be a bad thing

For daughter and father

And for a foolish lover,

And pour out all the bile and all the frustration to the whole world.

• The comedy by A. S. Griboyedov “Woe from Wit” reflected with amazing accuracy the main conflict of the era - the clash of conservative forces of society with new people and new trends. For the first time in the history of Russian literature, not one vice of society was ridiculed, but all at once: serfdom, emerging bureaucracy, careerism, sycophancy, martinet, low level of education, admiration for everything foreign, servility, the fact that in society it is not the personal qualities of a person that are valued, but “two thousand tribal souls,” rank, money.
• The main representative of the “present century” in comedy is Alexander Andreevich Chatsky - a young man, well educated, who realized that although the “smoke of the Fatherland” is “sweet and pleasant,” much in the life of Russia needs to be changed, and, first of all, the consciousness of people.
• The hero is opposed by the so-called “Famus society”, which is dominated by fear of progressive ideas and free-thinking thoughts. His chief representative- Famusov is an official, a smart person in everyday life, but an ardent opponent of everything new and progressive.

Characteristics	The present century	The past century
Attitude to wealth, to ranks	“They found protection from the court in friends, in kinship, in building magnificent chambers where they indulge in feasts and extravagance, and where the foreign clients of their past lives do not resurrect the meanest traits,” “And for those who are higher, flattery, like weaving lace...”	“Be poor, but if you get enough, two thousand family souls, that’s the groom”
Attitude to service	“I’d be glad to serve, it’s sickening to be served”, “Uniform! one uniform! In their former life, he once covered, embroidered and beautiful, their weakness, their poverty of mind; And we follow them on a happy journey! And in wives and daughters there is the same passion for the uniform! How long ago did I renounce tenderness towards him?! Now I can’t fall into this childish behavior...”	“And for me, no matter what’s the matter, what’s not the matter, my custom is this: it’s signed, then off your shoulders.”
Attitude towards foreign	“And where foreign clients will not resurrect the meanest traits of their past lives.” “As from an early time we were accustomed to believe that without the Germans there was no salvation for us.”	“The door is open for those invited and uninvited, especially for foreigners.”
Attitude towards education	“What, now, just like in ancient times, are they bothering to recruit more teachers from regiments, at a cheaper price? ... we are ordered to recognize everyone as a historian and geographer.”	“They would take all the books and burn them,” “Learning is a plague, learning is the reason that now, more than ever, there are more crazy people, deeds, and opinions.”
Attitude to serfdom	“That Nestor is a noble scoundrel, surrounded by a crowd of servants; zealous, they saved his honor and life more than once in the hours of wine and fights: suddenly, he exchanged three greyhounds for them!!!”	Famusov is a defender of the old century, the heyday of serfdom.
Attitude to Moscow morals and pastimes	“And who in Moscow hasn’t had their mouths gagged at lunch, dinner and dance?”	“I’m called to Praskovya Fedorovna’s house on Tuesday for trout,” “On Thursday I’m called to a funeral,” “Or maybe on Friday, or maybe on Saturday, I have to baptize at the widow’s, at the doctor’s.”
Attitude to nepotism, patronage	“And who are the judges? - For the antiquity of years to a free life, their enmity is irreconcilable...”	“When I have employees, strangers are very rare, more and more sisters, sisters-in-law and children.”
Attitude to freedom of judgment	“For mercy, you and I are not guys, why are other people’s opinions only sacred?”	Learning is the plague, learning is the cause. What is worse now than before, crazy people, affairs, and opinions
Attitude towards love	Sincerity of feeling	“Be bad, but if there are two thousand family souls, that’s the groom.”
	Chatsky’s ideal is a free, independent person, alien to slavish humiliation.	Famusov’s ideal is a nobleman of the Catherine century, “hunters of indecency”