Grinev and Shvabrin in A.S. Pushkin's story "The Captain's Daughter"

Grinev and Shvabrin are two different personalities. But there is something in common between them. Both are young, both officers, both nobles.
As a child, Grinev played leapfrog with the yard boys. The father refused to send his young son to serve in St. Petersburg, but wrote a letter to his old friend near Orenburg. Shvabrin ended up in Belogorsk fortress because of the duel. He had already served in St. Petersburg and experienced all the beauty of life. In the fortress, Shvabrin ridicules the commandant’s family, but Grinev fell in love and does not mock their simple life. Shvabrin spoke of the commandant’s daughter as “a complete fool.” He hid how he unsuccessfully pursued her. The reason for the duel was not only Grinev’s song, but also because he could not stand ridicule of Marya Ivanovna and about the Mironov family. Grinev could have refused the duel and lodged a complaint against Shvabrin, but he entered into an unequal duel, defending his honor on his own. Shvabrin could not have imagined that the young man would offer such strong resistance. Seeing that his opponent was distracted, he struck him in the chest. Grinev did not hesitate when the news came that Pugachev was going to the Belogorsk fortress. Shvabrin immediately slipped away to the rebels and tried to kill him during the executions in the fortress. Only Savelich’s intervention saved the young man’s life. Shvabrin was a complete egoist, and his interest in Masha Mironova was also selfish, while Grinev, on the contrary, wanted to free his beloved from the villain. Pugachev helped him with this; he liked Petrusha’s openness and honesty. He forgave Shvabrin and released Peter with Marya Ivanovna. After this, a few years later, Grinev married Masha and they lived with their parents in Simbirsk.
In my opinion, it is not for nothing that Pushkin uses the proverb “Take care of your honor.” Having gone through a series of trials, Grinev grew from a street boy into a worthy and honest noble officer. But Shvabrin remained as he was: an egoist, capable of vile and base acts.

Grinev and Shvabrin in the story by A.S. Pushkin “The Captain's Daughter” (2 version)

In Pushkin’s story “The Captain’s Daughter,” real historical events unfold - the peasant war under the leadership of Emelyan Pugachev. Grinev and Shvabrin are the two main characters of this work. There are more differences between them than similarities.
Noble origin is perhaps the only thing that unites these two heroes. Both came from noble families, both are officers and serve in the Belogorsk fortress, but if Pyotr Andreevich got there by the will of his father, then Alexey Ivanovich was exiled for a duel with a fatal outcome. Shvabrin, unlike Grinev, who has just begun an independent life, and even then under the supervision of his uncle Savelich, has been living for a long time adult life and knows the world much better than Petrusha. Pyotr Andreevich is still too young and inexperienced to understand how dangerous and insidious Shvabrin is.
The first quarrel with Shvabrin speaks of Grinev’s nobility: he stood up for the honor of a girl whose love for himself he did not yet know. He was outraged by Shvabrin's behavior when he took revenge on Masha Mironova because she refused to marry him.
The work “The Captain's Daughter” begins with the epigraph “Take care of honor from a young age,” and the concept of honor and duty is what most strongly distinguishes the two main characters of this work.
Peaceful life in the Belogorsk fortress was interrupted after the start of the uprising under the leadership of Pugachev, who, despite all the efforts of commandant Ivan Kuzmich, easily took this small city. Grinev, who until recently lived as a minor on his father’s estate, nevertheless firmly grasped the words: “Take care of your honor from a young age.” He clearly understood that by kissing the hand of the impostor, he would betray his homeland, the empress to whom he swore allegiance, he would betray his beloved, whose parents had just died, he would betray the honor and dignity of a Russian officer. He won't be able to do that. He is ready to go to the gallows, but maintain his honor, dignity, loyalty and nobility. He could not live the vile life of a traitor. Shvabrin, fearing for his life, immediately goes over to the side of the “great sovereign.” He does not value the concept of honor and dignity of a Russian officer. The main thing for him is to survive, even through humiliation.
Grinev passed another test when he had a conversation with Pugachev, who invites him to go over to the side of the rebels. Grinev will firmly and sincerely say: “I swore allegiance to the Empress, I cannot serve you.” And Pugachev realized that Grinev was a man of honor, and began to respect him more than even Shvabrin, who easily betrayed his Motherland and went over to his side.
Shvabrin becomes the new commandant of the fortress and by force tries to persuade Masha Mironova, who lived under the guise of a niece with the local priest, to an alliance. Grinev turns to Pugachev with a request to help free his beloved, and he helps him. The angry impostor goes to the fortress, and the nobleman Shvabrin lies at the feet of the escaped convict. Meanness for him turns into shame.
The further fate of the two heroes also develops differently. Having fallen into the hands of the government, Shvabrin denounces Grinev as a traitorous Pugachevite. It can hardly be assumed that Alexey Ivanovich is silent during interrogation about Marya Ivanovna because he cares about her. Only Pyotr Andreevich’s innocence prevents him from guessing that Shvabrin did this only because he was afraid that the captain’s daughter would testify against him. But justice triumphed, the empress learned from Masha Mironova what Grinev really did, and released him.
The two main characters of the story “The Captain's Daughter” are caught in a turbulent whirlpool historical events, but everyone overcame this time period in their own way. Grinev took care of his honor and came out of the most difficult life situations with dignity, and Shvabrin did not even try to think about moral duty in front of his homeland, in front of his former friend Grinev and Marya Ivanovna, whom he once loved, and, in the end, everything did not end in his favor.

Grinev and Shvabrin in the story by A.S. Pushkin “The Captain's Daughter” (3 version)

Pyotr Andreich Grinev and Alexey Ivanovich Shvabrin first encountered each other while serving in the Belgorod fortress. Grinev was assigned there by order of the priest, since “Petrusha was seventeen years old.” Shvabrin “has been transferred for murder for five years now.”
Both of them are young officers who came from noble family. Grinev is an honest, sincere and straightforward person. He is a man of his word. Honor and loyalty are above all for him. Shvabrin, according to Grinev, “was not very stupid. His conversation was sharp and entertaining.” Alexey Ivanovich did not differ in exemplary behavior.
Shvabrin and Grinev never became friends. The reason for their quarrel was Marya Ivanovna Mironova. Shvabrin, with his characteristic cunning and courtesy, told Grinev about Masha as a “complete fool” and a hunter of wealth, which did not have a drop of credibility. And he did this because he had once received Marya Ivanovna’s refusal for matchmaking, and now he saw Grinev’s disposition towards her and tried in every possible way to ruin their relationship. Shvabrin stopped at nothing. It came down to rude insults to Marya Ivanovna. Pyotr Andreich considered it his duty to stand up for his beloved, for which he received a challenge to a duel. In this duel, Shvabrin showed himself meanly, wounding Grinev while he was distracted by Savelich’s screams. And even after this act, the unforgiving Petrusha generously forgave his “unfortunate rival.” Alexey Ivanovich responded to this with another treachery: he wrote a denunciation to Grinev’s parents.
But Shvabrin’s lowest point was his defection to the side of the liar Tsar Pugachev, because he did it for selfish reasons. Alexey Ivanovich in this way tried to achieve not the love of Marya Ivanovna, but at least submission. Grinev's honesty and openness attracted Pugachev, and he helped Petrusha free Marya Ivanovna from Shvabrin's tyranny. Alexey Ivanovich did not want to give Masha up, but he could not disobey the “sovereign.” Grinev looked with disgust and contempt at Shvabrin, who was groveling before Pugachev. After this, Petrusha married Masha, and they went to live with his parents. Their paths with Shvabrin finally diverged.
A.S. It is no coincidence that Pushkin uses the proverb “... take care of your honor from a young age” as an epigraph. Grinev retained his dignity and loyalty. He did not bend the knee to the enemy, even looking death in the face. And Shvabrin was always insidious, selfish and vile. He lost honor and shame, “lying at the feet of a runaway Cossack,” all for the sake of personal gain.
The opposite principles and characters of Grinev and Shvabrin make them enemies.

Pyotr Andreich Grinev and Alexey Ivanovich Shvabrin first encountered each other while serving in the Belgorod fortress. Grinev was assigned there by order of the priest, since “Petrusha was seventeen years old.” Shvabrin “has been transferred for murder for five years now.”
Both of them are young officers who came from a noble family. Grinev is an honest, sincere and straightforward person. He is a man of his word. Honor and loyalty are above all for him. Shvabrin, according to Grinev, “was not very stupid. His conversation was sharp and entertaining.” Exemplary behavior

Alexey Ivanovich was no different.
Shvabrin and Grinev never became friends. The reason for their quarrel was Marya Ivanovna Mironova. Shvabrin, with his characteristic cunning and courtesy, told Grinev about Masha as a “complete fool” and a hunter of wealth, which did not have a drop of credibility. And he did this because he had once received Marya Ivanovna’s refusal for matchmaking, and now he saw Grinev’s disposition towards her and tried in every possible way to ruin their relationship. Shvabrin stopped at nothing. It came down to rude insults to Marya Ivanovna. Pyotr Andreich considered it his duty to stand up for his beloved, for which he received a challenge to a duel. In this duel, Shvabrin showed himself meanly, wounding Grinev while he was distracted by Savelich’s screams. And even after this act, the unforgiving Petrusha generously forgave his “unfortunate rival.” Alexey Ivanovich responded to this with another treachery: he wrote a denunciation to Grinev’s parents.
But Shvabrin’s lowest point was his defection to the side of the liar Tsar Pugachev, because he did it for selfish reasons. Alexey Ivanovich in this way tried to achieve not the love of Marya Ivanovna, but at least submission. Grinev's honesty and openness attracted Pugachev, and he helped Petrusha free Marya Ivanovna from Shvabrin's tyranny. Alexey Ivanovich did not want to give Masha up, but he could not disobey the “sovereign.” Grinev looked with disgust and contempt at Shvabrin, who was groveling before Pugachev. After this, Petrusha married Masha, and they went to live with his parents. Their paths with Shvabrin finally diverged.
It is no coincidence that A. S. Pushkin uses the proverb “... take care of your honor from a young age” as an epigraph. Grinev retained his dignity and loyalty. He did not bend the knee to the enemy, even looking death in the face. And Shvabrin was always insidious, selfish and vile. He lost honor and shame, “lying at the feet of a runaway Cossack,” all for the sake of personal gain.
The opposite principles and characters of Grinev and Shvabrin make them enemies.

Essays on topics:

1. Among the heroes of this work, two people occupy a sharply opposite place: Pyotr Andreevich Grinev and Alexey Ivanovich Shvabrin. Two Russian officers...
2. In A. S. Pushkin’s story “The Captain’s Daughter,” two completely different, one might say, parallel, manners of behavior can be traced. The author initially shows...
3. In literature lessons we became acquainted with A. S. Pushkin’s story “The Captain’s Daughter”. Before the work there is an epigraph: “Take care of your honor from a young age.” I...
4. The main character of “The Captain's Daughter” P. A. Grinev is a young man starting his military service. Grinev is inexperienced and hot-tempered, he often...

One from the most famous prose works of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin- story “The Captain's Daughter”. The book is included in school curriculum. It is analyzed in Russian literature classes. One of the scenes on the basis of which schoolchildren write essays is the duel between Grinev and Shvabrin. About the contents of the fourth chapters of the work of the great Russian classic will be discussed in this article.

"Captain's daughter"

The duel between Grinev and Shvabrin is far from the key scene in Pushkin’s work. The book was first published in 1836. The idea for the story was born much earlier. Pushkin began working on a historical novel in the 20s. For several years he collected historical information about the Pugachev rebellion.

Initially, the writer planned to make the main character an officer who went over to the side of the impostor. However, during the work the plan changed significantly.

Pushkin created an outstanding book in which historical figures side by side with fictional characters, a book in which the murderer and troublemaker Pugachev appears before readers in the image of a contradictory man: cunning, cruel, but not devoid of concepts of honor and gratitude. And he evokes much more sympathy than the aristocrat and officer Shvabrin.

Duel in Russian literature

A duel is a duel in which opponents enter in order to defend the honor of another person. A Russian nobleman, according to the law, had no right to participate in a duel. Punishment awaited not only the participants, but also the seconds. But there was another law - the law of honor.

The duel between Grinev and Shvabrin is, of course, not the only one in literature. But it was Pushkin who first touched upon this topic in his work. Suffice it to recall the famous “Eugene Onegin”. Later, the heroes of Lermontov, Tolstoy, and Turgenev fought in a duel. Such scenes allowed the authors to reveal the character of the characters.

The duel between Grinev and Shvabrin plays a special role in the plot of the story “The Captain's Daughter”. Everyone remembers the epigraph to this work. The main character of Pushkin's story, as his father instructed, he managed to preserve his honor. His opponent never sought this. The duel between Grinev and Shvabrin in “The Captain’s Daughter” is a duel in which heroes opposed to each other fought.

Background

For those who do not remember or for some reason do not know the content of Pushkin’s story, we will briefly talk about the events that preceded the duel between Grinev and Shvabrin.

The terrible father sends his son to serve in a province remote from the capital. In his opinion, the young man only runs around girls and climbs dovecotes, and therefore must certainly “smell gunpowder.”

On the way, the young officer meets a man who accompanies him to the inn. Later main character finds out that this is none other than Emelyan Pugachev. A young officer arrives Belgorod fortress. Here he falls in love with the commandant's daughter. Another officer is not indifferent to her. Love triangle in some way, this is the reason for the duel between Grinev and Shvabrin.

Slander

The duel between Grinev and Shvabrin reveals the characters of these literary characters. The initiator of the fight is Shvabrin. The formal reason is the insult that Grinev allegedly inflicted on him. The true reason for the duel is Shvabrin’s desire to remove his opponent from the Belgorod fortress by any means necessary. He sees the emerging feelings between Pyotr Andreevich and the captain's daughter.

Shvabrin is not driven by love. More like vindictiveness and vanity. He wants to punish the girl who refused to marry him.

One day, Grinev suddenly gets inspired. A young man composes a simple love song. This work cannot be called a masterpiece. However, the name of his daughter is mentioned in it. Grinev reads his poetic work to Shvabrin, and he, realizing to whom it is dedicated, tries to slander Masha. But by that time Grinev had already managed to get to know the girl better. He understands that everything Shvabrin said is a vile lie. That's why he calls him a bastard.

Failed duelists

Shvabrin has no reason to be angry with Grinev. This is a hypocritical, deceitful person, which is confirmed by subsequent events. Undoubtedly, he understands that he has lied to the girl in the eyes of Peter. Nevertheless, he does everything possible to make the fight take place. However, the first attempt was unsuccessful.

According to the rules of the fight, seconds are needed. Grinev turned to Lieutenant Ivan Ignatyich. However, he refused. It is worth paying attention to the statement of the old lieutenant. In a dialogue with Grinev, he says: “I’m a hunter of him myself.” These words mean that Ivan Ignatich would not mind having a sword fight with Shvabrin himself.

With his vulgar statements and vile actions, Grinev’s rival arouses antipathy among all the inhabitants of the fortress. However, the lieutenant, trying to protect Grinev from trouble, reports the possible fight to the captain. The swords of the duelists are immediately taken away. Grinev and Shvabrin have no choice but to pretend to be a truce.

Vasilisa Egorovna, the wife of Captain Mironov, is sure that the conflict has been resolved. Other witnesses to the incident believe so. However, they are wrong. Shvabrin does not intend to retreat.

It is worth saying that already on the first day of his stay in the fortress, Grinev learned some facts from the biography of his enemy. Shvabrin is an excellent sword fighter. He was sent to the Belgorod fortress precisely for this reason. As already mentioned, according to the law, duels were prohibited. Shvabrin was punished and sent into the wilderness. During the duel, he killed his opponent.

Duel

Shvabrin was sure that Grinev did not know how to hold a sword. Perhaps that is why he insisted on a duel. But the main character was an experienced swordsman. He was taught this art by a French tutor. So, the fight began. Grinev confidently wielded the sword. Moreover, the force was on his side. But Savelich unexpectedly appeared.

The old servant called out to Pyotr Andreevich. Shvabrin struck at that moment. If Savelich had not suddenly appeared, Grinev would have won the duel.

As a result of his injury, the main character lay in a fever for several days. When I woke up, I made peace with Shvabrin. And only later did he learn that the enemy, while he was unconscious, sent a letter to Grinev Sr. However, soon events occurred in the fortress that overshadowed both the duel and the angry letter from Grinev Sr. But at the same time, Shvabrin's vile nature was revealed.

1. How do you explain that the chapter is called not “Du-el”, but “Duel”?

Already reading the first chapters convinced us that life in the Belogorsk fortress flows the old fashioned way. Therefore, it is more natural to name the name of the rivals’ fight as is customary in Rus'. The word du-el, derived from the Latin war, came into use quite late and would have sounded less appropriate in the conditions of the Belogorsk fortress.

2. How do you evaluate Grinev’s poetic experience? Try to prove that these lines were written by a person who lived in the 18th century.

Let us recall all three stanzas of Petrusha’s poem:

Destroying the thought of love, I strive to forget the beautiful, And ah, avoiding Masha, I think of getting freedom! But the eyes that captivated me are always before me; They confused my spirit, crushed my peace.

You can prove that a poem was created in the 18th century by emphasizing words and phrases that are clearly outdated. The words I strive, I think, me, in vain and all the phrases that explain the author with the subject of his passion were absent in the speech of the 19th century.

Pushkin accurately reproduces the speech of a bygone era of the 18th century.

3. Explain the reasons for the duel between Grinev and Shvabrin. How do you assess the determination of the hero of the story? Does this act give an idea of ​​his “code of honor”? Did he do the right thing, from your point of view?

The reason for the duel between Grinev and Shvabrin was jealousy and envy. The angry and envious Shvabrin saw not only the external attractiveness of his rival, but also the openness of his character and obvious goodwill. He understood that these qualities attracted Masha. This was quite enough to enter into a duel with Grinev without reservations, especially since Shvabrin was a skilled fencer and hoped to kill his opponent.

Grinev had his own ideas about honor, and it was they who forced him to accept Shvabrin’s challenge. Most modern readers completely agree with the decision that the hero made.

4. Read a comic description of the first duel and its unexpected ending. How does the author relate to the participants in this scene?

The first duel between Grinev and Shvabrin, which was interrupted as soon as it began, is described very briefly and comically: “The next day at the appointed time I was already standing behind the stacks, waiting for my opponent. Soon he appeared. “We might be caught,” he told me, “we must hurry.” We took off our uniforms, remained in only camisoles and drew our swords. At that moment, Ivan Ignatich and about five disabled people suddenly appeared from behind a stack. He demanded us to see the commandant... Material from the site

Meanwhile, Palashka took our swords from us and carried them to the closet... Little by little the storm subsided, the commandant calmed down and made us kiss each other. Pa-lashka brought us our swords...” The author’s attitude to this episode is quite definite. Direct and honest Grinev openly opposes the calculating and evil Shvabrin.

5. How did Shvabrin behave during the duel?

The reader hardly needed to be convinced that the man in front of him was petty and mean. Shvabrin’s character was determined, and additional information about him only confirmed the qualities already familiar to the reader. But his frankly vile act, when he took advantage of Savelich’s shout to wound Grinev, adds another stroke to the moral character of this evil man.

How do you explain that the chapter is called not “Duel”, but “Duel”?

Already reading the first chapters convinced us that life in the Belogorsk fortress flows the old fashioned way. Therefore, it is more natural to name the name of the rivals’ fight as is customary in Rus'. The word duel, which comes from the Latin war, came into use quite late and would have sounded less appropriate in the conditions of the Belogorsk fortress.

How do you evaluate Grinev’s poetic experience? Try to prove that these lines were written by a person who lived in the 18th century.

Let us recall all three stanzas of Petrusha’s poem:

Destroying the thought of love,

I try to forget the beautiful

And oh, avoiding Masha,

I'm thinking of getting the liberty!

But the eyes that captivated me

Every minute before me;

They confused my spirit,

They destroyed my peace.

You, having learned my misfortunes,

Have pity on me, Masha,

In vain me in this fierce part,

And that I'm captivated by you.

You can prove that a poem was created in the 18th century by emphasizing words and phrases that are clearly outdated. The words I strive, I think, me, in vain and all the phrases that explain the author with the subject of his passion were absent in the speech of the 19th century.

Pushkin accurately reproduces the speech of a bygone era of the 18th century.

Explain the reasons for the duel between Grinev and Shvabrin. How do you assess the determination of the hero of the story? Does this act give an idea of ​​his “code of honor”? Did he do the right thing, from your point of view?

The reason for the duel between Grinev and Shvabrin was jealousy and envy. The angry and envious Shvabrin saw not only the external attractiveness of his rival, but also the openness of his character and obvious goodwill. He understood that these qualities attracted Masha. This was quite enough to enter into a duel with Grinev without reservations, especially since Shvabrin was a skilled fencer and hoped to kill his opponent.

Grinev had his own ideas about honor, and it was they who forced him to accept Shvabrin’s challenge. Most modern readers completely agree with the decision that the hero made.

Read a comic account of the first duel and its unexpected ending. How does the author relate to the participants in this scene?

The first duel between Grinev and Shvabrin, which was interrupted as soon as it began, is described very briefly and comically: “The next day at the appointed time I was already standing behind the stacks, waiting for my opponent. Soon he appeared. “We might be caught,” he told me, “we must hurry.” We took off our uniforms, remained in only camisoles and drew our swords. At that moment, Ivan Ignatich and about five disabled people suddenly appeared from behind a stack. He demanded us to see the commandant...

Meanwhile, Palashka took our swords from us and carried them to the closet... Little by little the storm subsided, the commandant calmed down and made us kiss each other. Broadsword brought us our swords...” The author’s attitude to this episode is quite definite. Direct and honest Grinev openly opposes the calculating and evil Shvabrin.

How did Shvabrin behave during the duel?

The reader hardly needed to be convinced that the man in front of him was petty and vile. Shvabrin’s character was determined, and additional information about him only confirmed the qualities already familiar to the reader. But his frankly vile act, when he took advantage of Savelich’s shout to wound Grinev, adds another stroke to the moral character of this evil man.