Positive and negative qualities of Chatsky. Characteristics of Chatsky in the comedy “Woe from Wit” by Griboyedov: description, biography of the hero

Comedy “Woe from Wit” by A.S. Griboyedov occupies a special place in the history of Russian literature. It combines the features of outgoing classicism with new ones artistic methods: realism and romanticism. In this regard, literary scholars note the peculiarities of the portrayal of the characters in the play. If in the comedy of classicism before all the characters were clearly divided into bad and good, then in “Woe from Wit” Griboyedov, bringing closer characters To real life, endows them with both positive and negative qualities. This is the image of Chatsky as the main character of the play “Woe from Wit”.

The background of the main character of the play "Woe from Wit"

In the first act, Alexander Andreevich Chatsky returns from a long trip around the world, where he went to “search for his mind.” Without stopping home, he arrives at Famusov’s house, because he is driven by sincere love for the daughter of the owner of the house. They were once brought up together. But now they haven’t seen each other for three long years. Chatsky does not yet know that Sophia’s feelings for him have cooled down, and her heart is occupied with something else. The love affair subsequently gives rise to a social clash between Chatsky, a nobleman of progressive views, and the Famus society of serf-owners and rank-worshippers.

Even before Chatsky appears on stage, we learn from Sophia’s conversation with the maid Lisa that he is “sensitive, and cheerful, and sharp.” It is noteworthy that Lisa remembered this hero when the conversation turned to intelligence. It is intelligence that is the trait that sets Chatsky apart from other characters.

Contradictions in Chatsky's character

If you trace the development of the conflict between the main character of the play “Woe from Wit” and the people with whom he is forced to interact, you can understand that Chatsky’s character is ambiguous. Arriving at Famusov’s house, he began a conversation with Sophia by asking about her relatives, using a sarcastic tone and sarcasm: “Has your uncle jumped off his life?”
Indeed, in the play “Woe from Wit” the image of Chatsky represents a rather hot-tempered, in some moments tactless young nobleman. Throughout the entire play, Sophia reproaches Chatsky for his habit of ridiculing the vices of other people: “The slightest oddity in someone is barely visible, your wit is immediately ready.”

His harsh tone can only be justified by the fact that the hero is sincerely outraged by the immorality of the society in which he finds himself. Fighting her is a matter of honor for Chatsky. It is not his goal to prick his interlocutor. He asks Sophia in surprise: “...Are my words really all caustic words? And tend to harm someone?” The fact is that all the issues raised resonate in the soul of the hero; he cannot cope with his emotions, with his indignation. His “mind and heart are not in harmony.”

Therefore, the hero lavishes his eloquence even on those who are clearly not ready to accept his arguments. A.S. After reading the comedy, Pushkin spoke this way about this: “The first sign of an intelligent person is to know at first glance who you are dealing with, and not to throw pearls in front of the Repetilovs...” And I.A. Goncharov, on the contrary, believed that Chatsky’s speech was “boiling with wit.”

The uniqueness of the hero's worldview

The image of Chatsky in the comedy “Woe from Wit” largely reflects the worldview of the author himself. Chatsky, like Griboyedov, does not understand and does not accept the slavish admiration of the Russian people for everything foreign. In the play, the main character repeatedly ridicules the tradition of inviting foreign teachers into the house to educate children: “...Nowadays, just like in ancient times, regiments are busy recruiting teachers, more in number, at a cheaper price.”

Chatsky also has a special attitude towards service. For Famusov, Chatsky’s opponent in Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit,” his attitude towards the hero is determined by the fact that he “does not serve, that is, he does not find any benefit in that.” Chatsky clearly outlines his position on this issue: “I would be glad to serve, but it’s sickening to be served.”

That’s why Chatsky speaks with such anger about the habit. Famusov society treat disadvantaged people with contempt and curry favor with influential people. If for Famusov his uncle Maxim Petrovich, who fell on purpose at a reception with the empress in order to please her and the court, is a role model, then for Chatsky he is just a buffoon. He does not see among the conservative nobility those from whom it would be worth following an example. Enemies of a free life, “passionate for rank,” prone to extravagance and idleness - this is what the old aristocrats are for the main character of the comedy “Woe from Wit” by Chatsky.

Chatsky is also irritated by the desire of the Old Moscow nobles to make useful acquaintances everywhere. And they attend balls for this purpose. Chatsky prefers not to mix business with fun. He believes that everything should have its place and time.

In one of his monologues, Chatsky expresses dissatisfaction with the fact that as soon as a young man appears among the nobles who wants to devote himself to the sciences or arts, and not to the pursuit of rank, everyone begins to fear him. And they are afraid of people like Chatsky himself, because they threaten the well-being and comfort of the nobles. They introduce new ideas into the structure of society, but the aristocrats are not ready to part with the old way of life. Therefore, the gossip about Chatsky’s madness, started by Sophia, turned out to be very opportune. This made it possible to make his monologues safe and disarm the enemy of the conservative views of the nobles.

Feelings and characteristics of the hero’s internal experiences

When characterizing Chatsky in the comedy “Woe from Wit,” you can pay attention to his last name. She's talking. Initially, this hero bore the surname Chadsky, from the word “chad”. This is due to the fact that the main character is, as it were, in the clouds of his own hopes and shocks. Chatsky in the comedy “Woe from Wit” experiences a personal drama. He came to Sophia with certain hopes that did not come true. Moreover, his beloved preferred Molchalin to him, who is clearly inferior to Chatsky in intelligence. Chatsky is also burdened by being in a society whose views he does not share and which he is forced to resist. The hero is in constant tension. By the end of the day, he finally understands that he has parted ways with both Sophia and the Russian conservative nobility. There is only one thing the hero cannot accept: why is fate favorable to cynical people who seek personal gain in everything, and so merciless to those who are guided by the dictates of the soul, and not by calculation? If at the beginning of the play Chatsky is in the midst of his dreams, now the true state of affairs has been revealed to him, and he has “sobered up.”

The meaning of Chatsky's image

Griboyedov was led to create the image of Chatsky by the desire to show the brewing split in the noble environment. Chatsky's role in the comedy "Woe from Wit" is quite dramatic, because he remains in the minority and is forced to retreat and leave Moscow, but he does not deviate from his views. So Griboyedov shows that Chatsky’s time has not yet come. It is no coincidence that such heroes are classified as superfluous people in Russian literature. However, the conflict has already been identified, so the replacement of the old with the new is ultimately inevitable.

The given description of the image of the main character is recommended for reading by 9th grade students before writing an essay on the topic “The image of Chatsky in the comedy “Woe from Wit””

Work test

Perhaps one of the most popular works by Alexander Griboedov is the comedy “Woe from Wit.” One of the main characters of the comedy is Chatsky, and in this article we want to briefly consider the characterization of Chatsky in the comedy "Woe from Wit". It is known that it was after composing this work that Griboyedov immediately took an honorable place among the leading poets of the era and gained popularity. Literary circles also reacted violently; many critics rushed to speak out about the images of the comedy and make their own analysis of the work. Just one of these images that aroused particular interest is the image of Chatsky.

Who became the prototype of Chatsky?

For example, Alexander Pushkin wrote a letter to Vyazemsky in 1823, in which he mentioned the comedy “Woe from Wit.” There, Pushkin noted that Chaadaev became the prototype for Chatsky’s image. There is other confirmation of this statement, because it is known that the main character’s surname was originally Chadsky.

But there is another version. Some literary scholars convincingly say that none other than Kuchelbecker acted as the prototype of the image of Chatsky. If you look at Kuchelbecker’s biography, you can easily believe this - passionate and lost success abroad, but returned to his native land, the young man is very similar in character and mode of action to our comedy hero.

These considerations already help to clarify something in the characterization of Chatsky in the comedy “Woe from Wit” by Griboyedov.

What the author himself said about Chatsky

Once, Griboedov’s good friend Katenin said that Chatsky’s character was “confused,” that is, there was no consistency in his actions, to which the author responded quite directly. The essence of Griboyedov's answer: comedy is full of stupid people, and they all come from one smart person with common sense.

Griboedov saw Chatsky’s characteristics in such qualities as education and intelligence, which manifested themselves in a difficult situation. Yes, Chatsky opposes society, he understands that he is superior to others and does not hide it. But why? Chatsky suspects that he has a rival in relation to his beloved, whose attention cannot be achieved in any way, although before she herself was not indifferent to him. In addition, he is one of the last to hear about his “madness”, which was attributed to him. Chatsky is indeed very hot, but the author believes that this is due to severe disappointment in love. That's why he seems so disgraced, confused and with inconsistent actions.

Chatsky's worldview

The image of Chatsky reflects the portrait of someone who already has an established system of values ​​and principles, who has his own worldview and accepted morality. And this is important in the characterization of Chatsky in the comedy “Woe from Wit.” Main character evaluates the personality of himself and others by how much a person strives for knowledge and the high, eternal. He believes that it is worth working for the good of the fatherland, but there is a huge difference between service and servitude - this point is fundamental in comedy.

What else distinguishes Chatsky from society? He is not afraid of what others think, he has no authority, he is independent. All this becomes a reason for fear among the aristocratic circle in Moscow, because for them Chatsky is a dangerous rebel who will not be afraid to encroach on everything sacred. Somehow Famusov invites Chatsky to live “like everyone else,” but such a position is far from Alexander Andreevich, and he contemptuously refuses Famusov.

Let's summarize briefly, talking about the characterization of Chatsky in the comedy "Woe from Wit" by Griboyedov. The author largely agrees with his main character. In the image of Chatsky, one can clearly see an enlightened person who is not afraid to openly express his opinion, but it is important: he does not betray a revolutionary and radical attitude. But in fact, in Famusov’s society, everyone who deviates from accepted norms seems crazy and dangerous to others. It is not surprising that in the end Alexander Andreevich Chatsky was declared crazy.

You read in this article about the characteristics of Chatsky and his image, you can also read the biography of Alexander Griboyedov and read a summary of “Woe from Wit”. Also, read.

  • Essays
  • On literature
  • Griboyedov

Alexander Ivanovich Chatsky is one of the central characters of the work “Woe from Wit” by A.S. Griboedova. Through the image of Chatsky, the author appeared as an innovator who tried to influence those around him and change their worldview; through him he conveys his main message. In his work, A.S. Griboyedov describes in literature a new socio-psychological type of “superfluous person” - someone whom no one hears, who is alone with his unspoken thoughts and beliefs.


Chatsky had a lively mind, and the author’s entire work is built on the confrontation between the main character and high society, its representatives were Molchalin, Skalozuba and Famusov. Alexander is constantly in an argument with these heroes, which is where his well-known monologues come from, in which he puts forward his ideas, his point of view, without even caring whether he was heard.

In the very first monologue, “And the world certainly began to grow stupid,” Alexander Chatsky compares the past and the present. He refuses to serve anyone, opposes the emerging bureaucracy, as a result of which he refuses civil service. In the dialogue entitled “Who are the judges?” the main character is indignant that people are too passionate about military affairs, because this does not develop creativity and kills any desire to develop spiritually. The hero says that military affairs does not allow individuals to grow, and as a result people are deprived of the ability to make any decisions.

However, little by little, Chatsky realizes that his views are not accepted and the philosophy of other heroes is strikingly different from his own. He understands that he will no longer be heard, which makes him quiet, but only on the outside, but inside Alexander retains all his passion and hope for a bright future.

At the end of the comedy, Chatsky appears before us in the image of a man who is disappointed in everything. However, Alexander did not give up his convictions. He still respected the right of choice of any person and valued freedom.

As a result, we can say that Chatsky is a strong and unshakable person who is able to hold on to his foundations. And he believed that someday the world would become better than that, in which he lived.

Option 2

1822 It's time for serfdom in Russia. The population is divided on different sides: on the one hand, the “celestials” are aristocrats who own wealth and people, and on the other, enslaved people suffering from a lack of freedom, the acquisition of which is still very far away.

That year, the talented diplomat and publicist Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov wrote his most famous work, the comedy “Woe from Wit,” which shook up contemporary society and forced thinking people to take a fresh look at the structure of life in Russia.

The main character of the play, Alexander Andreich Chatsky, contributed a lot to this. It does not appear from the first lines. The reader learns about him from the witty servant girl Lisa, the maid of Famusov's daughter Sophia. “Who is as sensitive, and cheerful, and witty as Alexander Andreich Chatsky!” she says to her mistress.

Chatsky, who lost his parents early, was brought up in Famusov’s house with his daughter and loved her from childhood. He is still a young man, but he already takes life seriously and at a certain moment, feeling that he lacks home education, he goes to travel abroad. He is drawn to science, wants to know the world better. He spends three years traveling, but the “smoke of the fatherland” calls him home, where, as he hopes, his beloved girl is waiting. He himself is faithful to his love and romantically full of good intentions. He returns suddenly. “I haven’t written two words for three years! And suddenly it came out of the clouds,” Famusov tells him when they meet. And what is he destined to find in his Fatherland? He feels a change in Sophia, but still cannot understand what is wrong, but for now he remembers mutual acquaintances and, as he believes, harmlessly makes fun of them. He's just sarcastic and smart, he sees people as they really are, but the girl doesn't like it. “Not a man, a snake!” she says about him.


Unlike many young people of his time, Chatsky is an independent, independent person; he believes that everyone is free to choose their own business, without looking at anyone’s opinion. Leaving military career, although military service was honorable for every nobleman at that time, he did not want to become an official, because he saw that for a successful career in this field it was necessary to humiliate himself before his superiors. “I’d be glad to serve, but it’s sickening to be served,” he answers Famusov in response to his teachings. He is annoyed that nothing has changed while he was away. “The houses are new, but the prejudices are old. Rejoice, neither years, nor fashion, nor fires will destroy them,” he notes in a conversation with Famusov and Skalozub.

An observant and sarcastic person, he gives very apt characteristics of Moscow aristocrats. A very limited martinet Skalozub - “a constellation of maneuvers and mazurkas”, “Nestor of noble scoundrels” - a landowner who sold the children of his serfs for debts. He ridicules the education system of the nobles, which was handed over to visiting foreigners, and they cannot teach anything worthwhile. And, of course, a society in which people are judged not according to their merits, but for their ability to bow low and please, accepts this person, incomprehensible to them, with hostility. An old proven method of dealing with such people is used: Chatsky is declared crazy. He cannot fight this class monolith alone. He is forced to flee Moscow.

His time has not yet come, and one in the field is not a warrior. But there is always the first one who will set an example of love for freedom and justice to others. Such the first was Chatsky, a hero created by the smartest Russian diplomat and writer Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov.

Essay Image and characteristics of Chatsky

For me, Chatsky is a very eccentric type, something of a dreamer... Of course, he himself suffers because of his frankness. He can tell the truth, but because of this everyone turns away from him.

He traveled a lot. I think he saw different countries, talked with different people. Now he looks at everything in a new way. And the people he left at home haven't changed much. Perhaps, on the contrary, they have worsened.

So Sophia got involved with this Molchalin, who flatters everyone and deceives everyone. She is no exception. And Chatsky simply doesn’t understand how she could be carried away by such an empty and dangerous person... But he can’t do anything. All his attempts to establish contact with Sophia only make things worse. He begins to irritate her with his behavior.

Chatsky sees everything: all the vices of this society are striking to Chatsky. At the same time, he does not notice his own ardor, does not take into account that it is not good to offend people like that.

I think it would be right if everyone attacked Chatsky in the finale so that he would run away. This society, so disgusting for him, told him just that - leave. He still wouldn’t be able to change all these people; it would be hard for him to suffer at the sight of them. That's why it's a real gift that everyone is up in arms about him.


Of course, Chatsky is a romantic. He came up with something for himself... What people should be like.

It is clear that this same Alexander Andreevich is very smart (knows a lot), but he is not wise. Chatsky created a recipe for how to make society turn against you faster. We need to blame everyone, we need to laugh at everyone, point out our shortcomings. At the same time, be caustic and alien to everyone. He reminds me a little of Don Quixote. Also trying to fight...

I hope that in that very wilderness he will come to his senses a little. Nor will she hate her aunt for being narrow-minded or for reading the “wrong” books. You can always find something to hate. Surely there was something good in them. Such traditions are stupid and disgusting, but it cannot be that people are completely disgusting.

I’m not saying that Chatsky had to love everyone with their sins. It was better for him to leave immediately. Or stay, accepting people as they are. He could also help them with his example of correct life...

If such a person came to our class, I would try to point out to him the good traits of his classmates. And if he had continued to “grimace,” we would have beaten him.

Chatsky and his story

Griboedov's comedy reflects the clash of two worldviews, namely representatives of new people, reflected in the image of Chatsky, and conservative representatives, represented by Famusov and his friends. One of the personalities showing new trends is Chatsky. We see that the character, after long wanderings around the world, returned to his native places. He is obsessed with thoughts of individual freedom, equality and fraternity.


However, upon arriving in Moscow, he sees that everything remains at the same level. And his appearance did not please either Famusov or his daughter. Basically, representatives of this society always do nothing but have fun. Chatsky even refused to serve, because in the army everyone flatters and serves each other. And he returned to Famusov’s house because of his love for Sophia. Immediately from the road, he arrives at her house and confesses his feelings to her, which characterizes him as hot young man. Neither separation nor travel cooled his ardor for the girl. He sacredly honors this relationship. Having learned that Sophia chose Molchalin, he becomes bitter and offended. But Chatsky is smart, but no one notices it. Only Lisa, who works as a servant in this house, says that he is enlightened, resourceful and honest.

The main character opposes serfdom, as he considers it a source of evil and troubles. He also condemns Moscow's wealthy gentlemen, who value only luxury and high positions, and are afraid of enlightenment and truth. In a dispute with Famusov, he says that older generation does not know how to express his opinion, condemning them all, and saying that he is disgusted to be among such people.

When he comes to the ball, then between him and the representatives secular society conflict occurs. All those gathered opposed Chatsky, ridiculing and insulting him; Chatsky, with his ideas, finds himself alone. After all, there was no one among them who held the same opinion. And so he leaves, stopping all fighting. However, he still surpasses Molchalin and similar representatives. Chatsky in the comedy represents the young, thinking generation of the Russian nobility, its very best part. And if he is completely alone among high society, then among young people of his age there are like-minded people.

For 9th grade

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Chatsky, the main character of “Woe from Wit” (see. summary, analysis and full text), belongs to the best part of the then Russian younger generation. Many literary critics claimed that Chatsky is a reasoner. This is completely false! One can call him a reasoner only insofar as the author expresses his thoughts and experiences through his lips; but Chatsky is a living, real face; he, like every person, has his own qualities and shortcomings. (See also Image of Chatsky.)

We know that Chatsky often visited Famusov’s house in his youth and, together with Sophia, studied with foreign teachers. But such an education could not satisfy him, and he went abroad to travel. His journey lasted 3 years, and now we see Chatsky again in his homeland, Moscow, where he spent his childhood. Like any person who has returned home after a long absence, everything here is sweet to him, everything evokes pleasant memories associated with childhood; he takes pleasure in going over the memories of acquaintances in whom, by the nature of his sharp mind, he certainly sees funny, caricatured features, but he does this at first without any malice or bile, and so, for laughter, to embellish his memories: “a Frenchman, knocked down by the wind ...”, and “this... dark one, on crane legs...”


Woe from the mind. Maly Theater performance, 1977

Going over the typical, sometimes caricatured aspects of Moscow life, Chatsky passionately says that when

“...you wander, you return home,
And the smoke of the fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us!”

In this, Chatsky is completely different from those young people who, returning from abroad to Russia, treated everything Russian with contempt and praised only everything that they saw in foreign countries. It was thanks to this external comparison of native Russian with foreign language that the language developed in that era to a very strong degree. gallomania, which so outrages Chatsky. His separation from his homeland, the comparison of Russian life with European life, only caused him to become even stronger, more deep love to Russia, to the Russian people. That is why, having found himself again after a three-year absence among Moscow society, under a fresh impression he sees all the exaggeration, all the funny sides of this gallomania.


But Chatsky, who is hot by nature, no longer laughs, he is deeply indignant at the sight of how the “Frenchman from Bordeaux” reigns among Moscow society only because he is a foreigner; is indignant at the fact that everything Russian and national causes ridicule in society:

“How to put the European in parallel
Something strange about the national one!” –

someone says, causing general laughter of approval. Reaching the point of exaggeration, Chatsky, in contrast to the general opinion, says with indignation:

“At least we could borrow a few from the Chinese
Their ignorance of foreigners is wise.”
………………………
“Will we ever be resurrected from the foreign power of fashion,
So that our smart, kind people
Although he didn’t consider us Germans based on our language?” –

meaning by “Germans” foreigners and hinting that in society in that era everyone spoke foreign languages ​​to each other; Chatsky suffers, realizing what an abyss separates millions of the Russian people from the ruling class of nobles.

I remember Griboyedov’s article, “Country Trip”; he describes a social picnic, during which a cheerful company, having accidentally arrived at a rural holiday, listens with curiosity to Russian songs and admires the round dance of peasant girls. “Leaning against a tree,” writes Griboyedov, “I involuntarily turned my eyes from the vociferous singers to the listeners-observers themselves, that damaged class of semi-Europeans to which I belong. Everything they heard and saw seemed wild to them; These sounds are incomprehensible to their hearts, these outfits are strange to them. By what black magic have we become strangers among our own? - “The people of the same blood, our people, are separated from us forever!”

In these words of Griboyedov the words of Chatsky sound. From this way of thinking of Chatsky-Griboyedov Slavophilism subsequently resulted.

WITH early years children were given a foreign upbringing, which gradually alienated secular youth from everything native and national. Chatsky casually sneers at these “regiments” of foreign teachers, “more in number, at a cheaper price,” who were entrusted with the education of noble youth. Hence the ignorance of their people, hence the lack of understanding of the difficult situation in which the Russian people found themselves, thanks serfdom. Through the mouth of Chatsky, Griboyedov expresses the thoughts and feelings of the best part of the nobility of that time, who were outraged by the injustices that entailed serfdom, who fought against the tyranny of avid serf owners. Chatsky paints pictures of such tyranny in bright colors, recalling one master, “Nestor of the noble scoundrels,” who exchanged several of his faithful servants for three greyhounds; another, a theater lover, who

“I drove to the serf ballet on many wagons
From mothers and fathers of rejected children"; –

he made “all of Moscow marvel at their beauty.” But then, in order to pay off creditors, he sold off these children, who portrayed “cupids and zephyrs” on stage, one by one, separating them forever from their parents...

Chatsky cannot calmly talk about this, his soul is indignant, his heart aches for the Russian people, for Russia, which he loves dearly, which he would like to serve. But how to serve?

“I would be glad to serve, but being served is sickening,”

he says, hinting that among the many government officials he sees only the Molchalins or such nobles as Famusov’s uncle Maxim Petrovich.

In Famus society, Chatsky is alone: ​​all public opinion is against him. Everyone around him thinks that serving, necessary fawn on; no one sees evil in serfdom; everyone believes that Russian, “national” cannot be put in parallel with European, everyone is carried away by gallomania... This is where it comes from grief Chatsky, his woe from mind. He feels all the difficulty of a noble struggle with an entire society, the eternal struggle of “fathers and sons.” His soul experiences “a million torments” because of his ardent love for his homeland, which he wants, but cannot help. He does not understand that his words, his noble impulses cannot remain without fruit in the future. No wonder Goncharov said that Chatsky’s words were the thunder at which a Russian person is baptized (“A Million Torments”). Chatsky sees only the present and understandably suffers. To this “grief” of his mind is added a heartfelt grief - the betrayal of Sophia, whom he loves “without memory”. Mixed with disappointment in love is the bitter and humiliating consciousness of the one who is preferred to him! A man who embodies everything that is so disgusting to Chatsky. “Silent people are blissful in the world,” he says bitterly. It may seem strange that Chatsky, with his sharp mind and insight, does not see Sophia’s coldness at first glance, does not understand her barbs. This once again proves that Chatsky is a living person, and not a reasoner, a person capable of getting carried away and making mistakes. In the last action he reproaches Sophia:

“Why did they lure me with hope?
Why didn’t they tell me directly?” –

whereas Sophia did not even think of “luring him with hope” and did not hide her coldness. Chatsky comes into violent despair when he learns about Sophia’s love for Molchalin. His heartfelt grief merges with the suffering and grief of his mind, he seethes with indignation and is ready

"...to the whole world
Pour out all my life and all my frustration.”
…………………
“Get out of Moscow!

he exclaims

I don't go here anymore.
I’m running, I won’t look back, I’ll go looking around the world,
Where is there a corner for an offended feeling!
Give me a carriage, a carriage!”

In this stormy outburst of despair, Chatsky’s entire ardent, unbalanced, noble soul is visible.

Alexander Chatsky is the main character of the comedy "Woe from Wit", written by famous writer A. Griboyedov in poetic form. The author of this most interesting work already long years in Russian literature is considered a harbinger of a new socio-psychological type, which is given the name “extra person”.

In contact with

The comedy was written during the years of the revolutionary secret organizations of the Decembrists. The author touched upon the struggle of progressive-minded people with the society of nobles and serf owners, in other words, the struggle between the new and old worldviews. In A. A. Chatsky, the writer embodied many qualities of a progressive person of the era in which he himself lived. According to his beliefs the hero he created is close to the Decembrists.

Brief description of Chatsky

The character of Chatsky in comedy can be defined as follows:

  • in the diversity of an emotional and at the same time simple portrait;
  • the positivity of the hero, who is a born maximalist;
  • in all his feelings and actions.

If he falls in love, then to such an extent that he “ the whole world seems like dust and vanity,” he is the owner of unbearable honesty and an extraordinary mind, constantly thirsting for additional knowledge. Thanks to his knowledge, he soberly sees the problems of politics, the disadvantaged state of Russian culture, pride and honor in people, but at the same time he is completely blind in matters of love. Chatsky - strong personality, a fighter by nature, and he is eager to fight with everyone at once, but often instead of victory he gets disappointment.

Young nobleman son of Famusov's deceased friend, returns to his beloved, Sophia Famusova, whom he has not seen for three long years; Chatsky had known her since childhood. When they grew up, they fell in love with each other, but the unpredictable Chatsky unexpectedly went abroad, from where he did not write a word the entire time. Sophia was offended that she was left abandoned, and when her lover arrived, she greeted him “coldly.” Chatsky himself says that “he wanted to travel around the whole world, but did not travel even a hundredth part of it,” while main reason His departure was prompted by military service, after which, according to his plan, he wanted to meet with Sophia.

His love for this girl is a sincere feeling. He wants to believe in reciprocity, so he cannot believe that she is in love with Molchalin. But he realizes that he is mistaken when he witnesses his explanation with Lisa. After this, Chatsky suffers and calls his love madness. In response to his words, Sophia says that she “reluctantly drove me crazy.” It was this statement that started development of gossip about the hero's madness, and also, according to many, a dangerous person in his beliefs.

Chatsky’s personal drama not only gives movement to the entire plot, but also complicates and deepens the drama of society, which is confirmed in the comedy by the increase in his sharp attacks against noble Moscow. And in such criticism of the views and morals of Famus society, it is clearly visible what Chatsky is speaking out against and what his views are.

In reality, the hero of the picture does not do anything for which he is declared crazy. He speaks his mind but the old world fights against his word using slander. And the problem is that in this struggle, Chatsky’s objectionable views are losing, because the old world turns out to be so strong that the hero sees no point in arguing and runs away from Famusov’s house to another city. But this flight cannot be perceived as a defeat, since irreconcilable opinions put the hero in a tragic situation.

Description of Chatsky

Chatsky is straight, proud and noble man who boldly expresses his opinion. He does not want to live in the past and sees the truth of the future, does not accept the cruelty of the landowners, opposes serfdom, careerism, veneration of rank, ignorance and the wrong attitude of society towards slave morality and the ideals of the past century. Due to the fact that he is a fighter for justice and dreams of benefiting society, it is difficult for him to be in an immoral society, because among deceitful and vile people he cannot find a place for himself.

In his opinion, society remains exactly the same as it was three years ago. He proclaims respect and humanity for to the common man and service to the cause, and not to persons who are against freedom of thought and speech; promotes progressive ideas existing life and modernity, the prosperity of art and science, as well as respect for national culture.

Chatsky writes well, translates, seeks knowledge while traveling and serves in the Ministry. At the same time, he does not bow down to foreigners and boldly advocates for domestic education.

His beliefs are revealed in disputes and monologues with representatives of Famus society. He confirms his opposition to serfdom in his memoirs about the theater “Carrying the Tore of Noble Scoundrels,” in which he emphasizes the exchange of faithful servants for greyhounds.

Contradictions in the character of the hero

  • when he comes to Sophia and begins a conversation with words in which he uses sarcasm and a caustic tone: “Has your uncle jumped off his life?”;
  • At the same time, he does not set out to prick his interlocutors and Sophia, so he asks her in surprise: “...Are my words all... tending towards harm?”

The image of Chatsky in the play is a hot-tempered and in some words tactless nobleman, for which his beloved reproaches him. And yet this harsh tone can be justified by sincere indignation at the existing immorality of the society in which he is forced to find himself. And it is a matter of his honor to fight him.

This behavior of the hero is due to the fact that all the issues that affect him do not resonate in the soul of this opposing person, because he is smart and able to analyze and predict a new future, without serfdom and arrogance. That is why he cannot cope with his own emotions and indignation. His mind is not in harmony with his heart, which means that he lavishes his eloquence even on those who are completely unprepared to perceive his beliefs and arguments.

The hero's unique worldview

Chatsky reveals in comedy the worldview of the author himself. He, like Griboedov, cannot understand and accept the slavish admiration of the Russian people for foreigners. The play ridicules several times the tradition according to which it is customary to hire teachers from abroad to raise children; the author emphasizes: “...they are trying to recruit teachers...in larger numbers...cheaper.”

Chatsky also has a special relationship with service. For Sophia's father, Chatsky's opponent, in this work Famusov’s attitude towards him is precisely defined in the following words: “does not serve... and in that... he finds no benefit.” Chatsky’s answer regarding such a statement also clearly reflects his position: “I would be glad to serve, but it’s sickening to be served.”

That is why he speaks with such anger about the habits of society, which outrages him, namely the contemptuous attitude towards disadvantaged people and the ability to curry favor in the eyes of influential people. If Maxim Petrovich, Uncle Famusov, for the pleasure of the Empress at her reception, deliberately sets a role model and tries to serve her, then for Chatsky he is nothing more than a buffoon, and he does not see in the circle of the conservative nobility those who could set a worthy example . In the eyes of the hero of the play, these aristocrats - opponents of free life, prone to idleness and extravagance, they are “passionate for rank,” and they do not care about justice.

The main character is also irritated by the desire of the nobles to cling to useful contacts everywhere. He believes that they attend balls precisely for this purpose, and does not agree with this, because, in his opinion, one should not mix business with fun, since everything should have its time and place.

In one of Chatsky’s monologues, the author emphasizes his dissatisfaction with the fact that as soon as a person appears in society who wants to devote himself to art or science, and not to the thirst for rank, everyone begins to fear him. He is sure that such people are feared, because they threaten the comfort and well-being of the nobles, because they introduce new ideas into the structure of an established society, and the aristocrats do not want to part with the old way of life. That is why gossip about his madness turns out to be very useful, because it allows you to disarm the enemy in views that are displeasing to the nobles.

Brief quotation description of Chatsky

All of Chatsky’s character traits and his manner of communication will never be accepted by society, which would like to live in peace and not change anything. But the main character cannot agree with this. He is smart enough to understand meanness, selfishness and ignorance aristocrats, and vehemently expresses his opinion, trying to open his eyes to the truth. However, the truth is not needed by the established principles of old Moscow life, which the hero of the play is unable to resist. Based on Chatsky’s inappropriate, but at the same time clever arguments, he is called crazy, which once again proves the cause of “woe from the mind.”

Let's give an example of some statements from the main character:

  • After listening to what Famusov said about Maxim Petrovich, Chatsky says: “He despises people... he should yawn at the ceiling...”;
  • He contemptuously brands last century: “Straight was the age of humility” and approves of young people who do not have a greedy desire to fit into the regiment of aristocrats and “clowns”;
  • Has a critical attitude towards the settlement of foreigners on the territory of Russia: “Shall we resurrect... from the foreign power of fashion? So that... the people... don’t consider us to be Germans...”

A. A. Chatsky inherently does a good deed, because with such statements he protects human rights and freedom of choice, for example, occupations: live in the countryside, travel, “focus your mind” on science or dedicate your life “ arts... high and beautiful."

The hero’s desire not to “serve”, but to “serve the cause, not individuals” is a hint of progressive behavior determined youth to change society in an educational and peaceful way.

In his statements, he does not shy away from such popular words as “just now”, “tea”, “more”; he uses sayings, proverbs and the following in his speech idioms: “total nonsense,” “not a hair of love,” and easily quotes the classics: “and the smoke of the Fatherland is... pleasant to us.” In addition, he confirms his intelligence and knowledge using foreign words, but only if they have no analogues in the Russian language.

He is lyrical in his stories about his love for Sophia, ironic, sometimes makes fun of Famusov, a little caustic, because he does not accept criticism, which, in his opinion, is criticism of the “last century.”

Chatsky is a difficult character. To use witty phrases, he hits it right in the eye and “scatters” the characteristics he has deduced like beads. The main character of this complex comedy is sincere, and this is the most important thing, despite the fact that his emotions are considered unacceptable. But at the same time, they can be considered the hero’s inner wealth, because thanks to them, his real state can be determined.

The creation of the image of Chatsky is the author’s desire to show the Russian people the brewing split in the established noble environment. The role of this hero in the play is dramatic, because he is in the minority of those who are forced to retreat in this verbal struggle for justice and leave Moscow. But he does not abandon his views even in such a situation.

Griboyedov had no task to show the weakness of his hero, on the contrary, thanks to his image, he showed the absence of a strong society and the beginning of Chatsky’s time. And therefore it is no coincidence that such heroes are considered in literature “ extra people" But the conflict has been identified, which means that the change from old to new is ultimately inevitable.

According to I. A. Goncharov, Chatsky’s role in this work is “passive” and at the same time he is both a “advanced warrior”, and a “skirmisher”, and a “victim”. “The hero is broken by the amount of old strength, but at the same time inflicts a mortal blow on it with the quality of fresh strength,” the writer said.

A. S. Pushkin, after reading the play, noted that the first sign of an intelligent person is that at first glance you need to know who you are dealing with and not throw pearls in front of the Repetilovs, but I. A. Goncharov, on the contrary, believed that Chatsky’s speech “seems with wit.”

Alexander Andreevich Chatsky is a nobleman who has about 400 serfs on his estate. He was orphaned early, so most of his upbringing was spent in the house of his father’s friend, Famusov. As soon as Alexander entered adulthood, he began to live independently. He wanted to get acquainted with the life of the world, and he left his home for 3 years. In this article we will look at the image and characterization of Chatsky in the comedy in verse “Woe from Wit” by A. S. Griboedov.

Chatsky's education

Chatsky is a member of the English Club, which included rich and noble representatives of the nobility. He is intelligent, as evidenced by his ability to speak eloquently. From the words of the heroes of the comedy it becomes known that the young man knows foreign languages, tries to write himself:

“He writes and translates well.”

Chatsky’s speeches are so correctly composed that it seems that he is not speaking, but writing. The young man’s progressive views are not similar to the positions of representatives of Famusov’s circle. It is knowledge and the desire for self-improvement that distinguishes Alexander Andreevich from other heroes of the work. Famusov sees the reason for Alexander’s behavior in education:

“Learning is a plague,

Learning is the reason..."

The fading nobility is ready to close schools, lyceums and gymnasiums, just so that the Chatskys do not appear in their way.

Inconsistency of character

Griboyedov is trying to bring the situation in the landowner's house closer to reality. This explains that all the heroes of the work have positive and negative traits like ordinary people. Chatsky is no exception.

Intelligence and categoricalness. The hero's intelligence does not prevent him from being tactless. He does not analyze his judgments, and is not afraid to ridicule the defenseless. They cannot answer him in kind, since they are limited in mental capabilities. Only statements against immorality justify the behavior of the young nobleman. He tries to fight it with categorical judgments. But, as an intelligent person, he could understand that he was talking in vain. His statements do not reach those to whom they are directed. At times he just shakes the air. It feels like this is a conversation with yourself. It was this quality that A. Pushkin did not like. He believes that throwing pearls in front of the Repetilovs is not the job of smart people.



Love and passion. Another contradiction is the hero’s feelings. He is in love with a girl who chose someone else. Moreover, it is difficult to even simply compare them. Love made Chatsky blind. His passion and desire to find out who was preferred made him comparable to the funny characters at a comedy ball. I want the hero to leave the stage with his head held high, but he simply runs away from those who slandered him and started gossip.

The hero's love of freedom

Chatsky thinks freely and does not adhere to the rules imposed on him by the older generation. It is the speeches that frighten Famusov. Old landowner includes him among the Jacobins and Carbonari. He does not understand Chatsky's ideas. Freethinking causes fear and apprehension. The love of freedom led the young man to a path incomprehensible to old people. Two career lines were common throughout the century:

  • military service;
  • work as an official.

Chatsky became neither one nor the other. He did not accept the laws of the service, where established rules had to be obeyed. Service fettered a sensual person and interfered with his development. The role of an official did not suit Chatsky. Sitting behind routine and papers did not give me the opportunity to engage in creativity and research. Alexander is trying to find himself in scientific activity or in the niche of literary creativity:

“I put my mind into science...”

“In my soul... there is a fervor for creative, high and beautiful arts.”

He is not interested in a position among officials, nor in promotions in the ranks of military service or civilian ranks.

Love of truth is the main character trait. The hero always gets to the truth, whatever it may be. It was freedom of thought and liberalism that allowed him to be classified as crazy.

Chatsky's weaknesses

Alexander Andreevich, subtly noticing the peculiarities of the character and behavior of people, easily teases and ridicules their vices and weaknesses. He does not try to offend or humiliate his interlocutors with words. Not everyone understands his barbs. He directs most of his judgments against stupid and intellectually limited people. He will make you laugh, make you look like a buffoon, so that the person being ridiculed may not even understand why they are making fun of him. Other weaknesses of the young landowner:

Sharpness of judgments. Angry - intonation changes:

"a menacing look and a harsh tone."

Pride. Chatsky does not accept disrespect:

“...you are all proud!”

Sincerity. Alexander does not want to be cunning, does not want to pretend. He cheats on himself only because of his love for Sofia:

“I’ll pretend once in my life.”

Sensitivity. The quality of the hero distinguishes him from all the guests in Famusov's house. He is the only one who worries about the girl, does not believe in her changes, love for the insignificant Molchalin, without principles and moral principles.

Chatsky's patriotism

Through the hero, Griboyedov conveyed his worldview. He cannot change the servility of the Russian people. He is surprised by the admiration for everything foreign. The author ridicules such aspirations of the landowners: foreign teachers, clothes, dancing, games and hobbies. He is confident that the Russian people should have their own teachers. The hero has a special relationship with language. He doesn’t like the fact that Russian speech has been made into a mixture of “French and Nizhny Novgorod.” He hears the beauty of Russian speech, its unusualness and melodiousness. Therefore, there are many popular words in speech: just now, Pushche, tea. He easily inserts proverbs and sayings into his speech and respects literature. Chatsky quotes the classics, but shows that foreign words should be present in the speech of an educated person, but only where they have a place.