It is worth noting that many of the characters in A. S. Griboyedov’s play “Woe from Wit,” written in 1824, wear comedy masks. However, this is only the surface layer of its voluminous plot. And so one of the most important guests who visited Famusov’s house was Sergei Sergeevich Skalozub, a military man to the core, holding the rank of colonel, who is rapidly climbing the career ladder. He is very boastful and proud, and he advances in his career, often using his own comrades. Skalozub's characterization is not very flattering. It even makes up a kind of parody of the so-called ranks.
As a potential groom for Sophia, the maid Liza hints about him at the very beginning of the act. She says that he is “a gold bag and aims to be a general.” Most likely, it is for his sake that Famusov is throwing a ball in order to introduce him to the guests and the especially important socialite Khlestova, who, however, did not like him at all due to the lack of servile obedience and flattery, and he was too tall.
However, all of Skalozub’s biographical data are presented very favorably and distinguish him from the impoverished nobleman Chatsky. After all, he is rich, speaks straightforwardly and expressively, which, of course, does not fit into the tone of secular courtesy, but, in the opinion of those around him, this does not harm at all. It would be foolish to underestimate the influence of the colonel in the Moscow environment. He is supported and recognized
Characteristics of Skalozub in the comedy “Woe from Wit”, image, appearance, character, career
The full name of the hero is Sergei Sergeevich Skalozub:
“...Skalozub, Sergey Sergeevich...” (from the description of the characters)
Mr. Skalozub holds the rank of colonel:
“...Colonel Skalozub...” ( from the description of the characters)
Sergei Sergeevich Skalozub is a rich nobleman, a “golden bag”. He lives in Moscow and leads a social life (goes to balls, plays cards, etc.):
“...Colonel Skalozub:
And a golden bag, and aims to become a general...” (Lisa about him, act I scene 5)
Colonel Skalozub is a middle-aged man, not yet an old man:
“Beyond his years and an enviable rank...” (words by Famusov, act II scene 3)
“You’ve been colonels for a long time, but you’ve only served recently...” (words by Famusov, act II, scene 5)
It is known about Skalozub’s appearance that he is a very tall, “noticeable” man with “the face and voice of a hero”:
“And with the straightness of the waist,
A hero with face and voice..." (Chatsky about him, act III, scene 1)
“He was given three fathoms of courage...” (Khlestova about him, act III, phenomenon 12) (* fathom = 2.1 meters)
“... He is a noticeable person...” (Famusov about Skalozub’s appearance, act III, scene 11)
“Dear Sergey Sergeich!
Put down your hat, take off your sword;
Here’s a sofa, lie back and relax.” (words by Famusov, act II, scene 5)
Skalozub is a dandy, a fashionista. He wears a fashionable, narrow collar and speaks in a fashionable, hoarse bass voice:
“...Wheezer*, strangled**, bassoon,
A constellation of maneuvers and mazurkas!..”
(Chatsky about him, act III scene 1)
(*a wheeze is a dapper army officer who speaks in a hoarse bass voice;
**strangled - a mockery of the narrow collar of Skalozub’s army uniform.)
Skalozub has a low and hoarse voice. He says in a deep voice:
«…Skalozub (thick bass)
…»
(description of Skalozub’s remark, act II, scene 5)
“Wheezing, strangled, bassoon...” (Chatsky about Skalozub’s voice, act III scene 1)
(*the musical instrument bassoon has a hoarse-nasal timbre)
Colonel Skalozub is a well-known, respectable person in Moscow secular society, according to Famusov:
“A famous person, respectable...”
(Famusov about him, act II, phenomenon 3)
Mr. Skalozub is a narrow-minded person who thinks only about military service:
- Characteristics of Skalozub, image, description, appearance, character, career
“The whole service is on the mind!..” (Repetilov about him, act IV scene 5)
“But Skalozub? here's a peek:
He stands up for the army..." (Chatsky about him, act III scene 1)
«
How cute!
and it's fun for me to fear
Listening about the front and the rows...” (Sofia speaks sarcastically about Skalozub and his favorite topics of conversation, act I, scene 5)
Apparently, Skalozub is a stupid person. According to Sofia Famusova, he never said anything smart:
“He hasn’t uttered a smart word for a long time...” (Sofia about him, act I scene 5)
Colonel Skalozub is a careerist. He has only recently served in the army, but has already had a brilliant military career:
"You behaved well,
You’ve been a colonel for a long time, but you’ve only served recently...” (Famusov about him, act II, scene 5)
Skalozub happily admits that some of his colleagues retired, and some died in the war, thanks to which he is able to easily receive promotions:
“I am quite happy in my comrades,
The vacancies are just open;
Then the elders will turn off others,
Others, you see, have been killed..." (Skalozub about himself, act II phenomenon 5)
Colonel Skalozub really wants to become a general:
“Yes, to get ranks, there are many channels;
I judge them as a true philosopher:
I just wish I could become a general..."
(act II, scene 5)
“For example, Colonel Skalozub:
And a golden bag, and aims to become a general.” (act I phenomenon 5)
During his service, Skalozub managed to receive several military awards and “acquire distinctions.” Apparently, Skalozub has the Order of Anna, II degree (“on the neck”). Before this, he probably also received the Order of Vladimir, IV degree, preceding the Order of Anna:
“And he picked up signs of darkness;
Beyond his years and enviable rank,
Not today, tomorrow general..."
(Famusov about him, act II phenomenon 3)
“ He seems to have an order in his buttonhole?..” (Famusov about him, act II, scene 5)
“...It was given to him with a bow, on my neck...” (Skalozub about himself, act II phenomenon 5)
Mr. Skalozub calls himself an honest officer:
“...I am ashamed, as an honest officer...” (Skalozub about himself, act II scene 5)
Apparently, Colonel Skalozub does not like books, just like his friend Famusov. Skalozub is glad that the government is developing a project to almost not use books in schools (only on special occasions, that is, on special occasions):
«
I will make you happy: universal rumor,
That there is a project about lyceums, schools, gymnasiums;
There they will only teach in our way: one, two;
And the books will be saved like this: for big occasions
." (Skalozub’s words about books, act III, scene 21)
According to Chatsky, Skalozub has no soul, just as Molchalin has no mind:
«
..About the mind of Molchalin, about the soul of Skalozub...” (Chatsky with irony about the soul of Skalozub,
act III scene 2)
Mr. Skalozub, having made a brilliant career, is now not against getting married. Famusov hopes to give his daughter Sophia, a girl of marriageable age, to him, therefore. But the trouble is that Sophia likes not Skalozub, but Molchalin:
- Skalozub: classic Griboyedov image from “Woe from Wit”
“...Why put it off any longer?
Are we talking about the general’s wife?..” (Famusov about him, act II, scene 5)
"…Marry? I’m not at all averse...” (Skalozub about himself, act II scene 5 )
Nothing is known about Skalozub’s further fate. Perhaps he will marry Sofya Famusova or choose another bride.
Skalozub’s career in the comedy “Woe from Wit”
Sergei Sergeevich Skalozub entered service in 1809. Thus, he serves in the army for just over 10 years (the comedy takes place in the early 1820s):
“...I’ve been serving since eight hundred and nine...” (Skalozub about himself,
At the beginning of his career, Skalozub served in a musketeer regiment:
“...In His Highness, you want to say,
Novo-Zomlyansky musketeer..." (Skalozub about himself, act III scene 12)
In 1813, Skalozub took part in the Foreign Campaign against Napoleon. He fought as part of the 30th and 45th Jaeger Regiments:
“...In the thirteenth year my brother and I differed
In the thirtieth Jaeger, and then in the forty-fifth...” (Skalozub about himself, act II phenomenon 5)
At the time of the events described in the play, Skalozub serves in the 15th division:
“...In our fifteenth division, not far away...” ( Skalozub about himself, act II, scene 5)
Criticism about Skalozub
E. Tsimbaeva:
“The biography of Colonel Skalozub is written out in detail: he comes from Little Russia, where his surname and the “golden bag” clearly refer, but his family and fortune are new... Most of the nobles served, if not in the guards regiments, then in the cavalry, at worst - in the equestrian regiments -jaegers, in extreme cases - in artillery. Skalozub served all his life as a musketeer or huntsman and did not have such a good career.
He joined the army in 1809, apparently at the age of fifteen or sixteen, as was customary; by 1823 he became a colonel and was aiming for general. Such length of service could have been considered quite decent if not for the war: in the campaign of 1812-1814, the advancement of officers went much faster... Skalozub distinguished himself very little in the war: in the final version, Griboyedov left him only one award - “for the third of August.” <…> ...On August 3, 1812, there were no hostilities; after the Battle of Krasnoye on August 2, the Russian army redeployed to the Smolensk area until August 4. <…> The offensive on August 3 was simply a diversionary maneuver, and the fact that Skalozub distinguished himself on that day, and not in the days of the great battles of Borodin, Kulm, Leipzig, testified not only to his lack of courage (Griboyedov hardly wanted to portray a coward , too atypical in his circle), but about the lack of initiative - in more important battles he was pushed into the background by quick-thinking and active officers. <…>
But the colonel’s diligence and lack of initiative came in handy in Arakcheev’s times with their senseless drills and torment of soldiers in military settlements. Griboyedov carefully emphasized this. Skalozub served in the forty-fifth Jaeger Regiment, which actually existed, and in 1819 was sent to the Caucasian Army. A true careerist would be glad of such luck: in the Caucasus, ranks came quickly. But Colonel Skalozub understood that the commander-in-chief of the Caucasian Army, the famous General A.P. Ermolov, would not appreciate him, preferring determination and quick thinking. It is not surprising that Skalozub remained in Russia, in the fifteenth division, in a musketeer regiment, which was by no means a top priority.
According to the study... in the Jaeger regiments of the Patriotic War, 67.5% of officers could only read and write! <…> Is it strange that Skalozub, dressed in a simple, without any decoration, infantry uniform, harbors hostility, mixed with envy, “for his favorites, for the guard, for the guardsmen, for the guardsmen.” Their gold-embroidered uniforms, of course, attracted young ladies, but no less attracted were their erudition, the ability to speak at least a little French and dance... As an infantryman, Skalozub, apparently, barely knows how to ride a horse; it is not for nothing that he greets Molchalin’s fall from his horse with such joy …<…>
However, the colonel will receive his general rank as a reward for his devotion to the barracks and the front. But, like Molchalin, Skalozub will not rise too high.” (E. Tsimbaeva, article “What is the meaning of “Woe from Wit”?” (Seven non-school essays), “Science and Life” magazine, No. 4, 2013)
Content:
Performers
- Bogolyubov, Nikolai Ivanovich
- Varlamov, Konstantin Alexandrovich - Alexandrinsky Theater, 1885
- S. A. Golovin - Maly Theater, 1915
- Grigoriev, Pyotr Ivanovich (the very first performer) - Alexandrinsky Theater, January 26, 1831
- Kiselevsky, Ivan Platonovich - Korsh Theater, 1886
- Ershov, Vladimir Lvovich - Moscow Art Theater, 1925
- Leonidov, Leonid Mironovich - Moscow Art Theater, 1906
- Malyutin, Yakov Osipovich - Alexandrinsky Theater, 1921
- Michurin, Gennady Mikhailovich - Alexandrinsky Theater, 1947
- Nemchinov, Ivan Ivanovich – Maly Theater
- Rybakov, Konstantin Nikolaevich - Maly Theater, 1887
- Sagal, Daniil Lvovich - Meyerhold Theater (GosTIM), 1928
- Chekaevsky. Alexander - Alexandrinsky Theater, 1941
Appearance
Skalozub's appearance in the Famusovs' house was expected - the colonel was the type of person whom the owner valued. He wanted to give his daughter Sophia to a military man so that she would be provided for and not need anything. This is a rich man, a real “gold bag”. He spent his entire life building a career and knew nothing but service.
Sergei Sergeevich Skalozub holds the rank of colonel, but aims to become a general. This is a middle-aged man, he is still far from an old man. He is tall, his appearance is noticeable. His speech and face correspond to his military rank: the colonel speaks as if he were a battle hero.
- Summary of the comedy “Woe from Wit” by Griboyedov based on actions
Skalozub pays great attention to his clothes. He wears fashionable outfits with narrow collars, loves beautiful uniforms, and pays attention to his posture. The colonel even adjusts the timbre of his voice to suit fashion: he speaks in a hoarse bass.
Film adaptations
The play, written by Griboyedov, joined the list of classic dramatic works. It does not inspire directors for film adaptations, since the poetic style is not in demand among television audiences. But television plays enjoy the interest of the intelligent public.
Roman Filippov as Skalozub
In 1952, the artists of the Maly Theater of the USSR appeared before the audience in the image of the heroes of “Woe from Wit” on television. The role of Skalozub was played by Anatoly Rzhanov. In a television production in 1977, the public again watched the actors of the Maly Theater. Roman Filippov appeared as a colonel. A television performance in 2002 made it possible to get acquainted with Skalozub, performed by Viktor Nizovoy.
Character Behavior
Skalozub can be characterized as an arrogant and resourceful person. Although he received a high rank, the author hints that he did not deserve it: “You have been colonels for a long time, but you have only served recently” (quote from the comedy).
Correct behavior helped a military man make a career. He knows how to flatter at the right time, say a pleasant word, stand quietly in front of his superiors, report and talk about his exploits, of which he has not accomplished many. Although he has awards, because his 45th Jaeger Regiment visited hot spots - mountainous areas. There the colonel and his comrades carried out dangerous operations.
He doesn’t feel sorry for his comrades - he says that they were either killed or dismissed from service due to severe wounds, and this does not bother him. He understands that he himself can join the ranks of those killed at any moment. Skalozub is revered in society for his fortune. In a short period of service, he was able to achieve the rank of colonel and become rich.
The military man understands that he can get a general. But he will achieve it not thanks to his exploits and good service. He has great connections in the government, many acquaintances of senior officials. Thanks to flattery and the ability to present himself, the colonel expects to receive a promotion.
And such behavior does not frighten Famusov’s society. After all, everyone here respects people like Skalozub. Flatterers, insolent people and unenlightened people are held in high esteem, since through their shortcomings they have achieved high social status and wealth.
Character history
The image of Colonel Sergei Sergeevich Skalozub is typical. There is documentary evidence that during the creation of the work, many prototypes were found for the hero. The names of the composer Rimsky-Korsakov, Colonel Frolov and General Skobelev were named as persons who inspired Griboedov.
Ivan Paskevich, Alexey Arakcheev, Nicholas I - prototypes of Skalozub
The character's characteristics suggested that he was similar to Paskevich, Arakcheev and Emperor Nicholas I. Skalozub represents an ordinary Muscovite trying to get married. Education and upbringing are not his strong point, but the hero has savings and self-confidence. After the war, Skalozub was awarded a symbolic order, which allowed him to exaggerate his own importance in the eyes of others.
The meaning of the hero's name is obvious. The role assigned to him as a boastful warrior and narcissistic nature explains the origin of the surname. Skalozub enjoys the respect of other characters and preferences from Sophia’s father, who is wooing his daughter to marry the colonel. The description of the groom's merits is primitive: he is rich and aspires to the rank of general.
Sergey Sergeevich Skalozub
Skalozub’s goal in life is a good position in society and the favor of the powers that be. He opposes free thought and advocates unquestioning submission. This position was common in the Russian army in the post-war years. Skalozub's awards and position indicate that his attitude towards service is correct, the colonel's prospects are great.
Quotes from Skalozub suggest that his attitude towards his family is based on the desire to conform to the norms accepted in society. He neglects feelings and sympathies. His judgments are based on traditional views that have not changed with the advent of the new era. Therefore, the hero’s attitude towards serfdom is not distinguished by fresh ideas.
Alexander Andreevich Chatsky
He is an adherent of the idea of disposing of the peasants. Skalozub is exclusively concerned with replenishing his resources and budget, as well as social status. The colonel skillfully appeals to existing connections and neglects work, participation in military affairs and government activities.
A typical martinet whose behavior is predictable is an inappropriate and awkward image in the society created by young people like Chatsky. Even his attitude towards love seems outdated. The key role in the hero’s worldview is played not by age, but by the social situation, which Griboyedov ridicules.
Character of the Colonel
Although the colonel dreamed of becoming a military man from childhood, he has practically no education. Skalozub was used to living in barracks and enduring hardships. But this also influenced his character, and certain qualities developed:
- limitation;
- ambition;
- straightforwardness;
- intolerance of freethinking;
- tactlessness.
Skalozub can behave in such a way as to please society. But at the same time, he is unable to prove his education. This is a rather limited person. He can only talk about his service, awards and plans. Like his brother, Skalozub devoted his entire life to service.
But the colonel is very ambitious. He is familiar with many ranks and is trying to achieve the rank of general. And thanks to his connections, the colonel will be able to achieve this. His ambitions extend only to his career; he is not interested in getting an education or improving spiritually.
The colonel directly expresses his thoughts and gives speech portraits to everyone he knows. He can briefly describe everyone he knows. It is easy for him to say everything he thinks directly to the interlocutor’s face. Skalozub is not afraid of being misunderstood or offending society, although his superiors try to please him.
Although he himself does not tolerate freethinking. The Colonel believes that one cannot put oneself above those who occupy high positions. He doesn't like educated people who read a lot of books. He never liked science, so you can’t call him smart.
Skalozub does not follow his statements. He can be tactless and rude, and does not hesitate to treat the younger generation inappropriately and show his dissatisfaction with his peers. What it would be like for them to listen to such speeches, he doesn’t think.
His last name plays a big role in Skalozub’s characterization. This can only be the name of a person who knows how to adapt to the society around him. Where necessary, he will flatter and pretend to be modest. And in other situations he will show an indifferent or contemptuous attitude.
The image of Skalozub in literature
No less remarkable is the fourth type: the stupid front-line soldier Skalozub, who understood service only in the ability to distinguish uniform differences, but for all that, retained some kind of special philosophical-liberal view of ranks, admitting openly that he considers them as necessary channels to to become a general, and then at least he won’t be able to grow grass; He doesn’t care about all other worries, and the circumstances of the time and century are not a puzzling science for him: he is sincerely confident that the whole world can be calmed down by giving him a sergeant major as Voltaire.
Napoleon married his soldiers in the same way that our landowners marry serfs - without really caring about love and inclinations. He wanted to bring the gunpowder nobility closer to the old nobility through marriages; he wanted to fool his Skalozubs with their wives. Accustomed to blind obedience, they married unquestioningly, but soon abandoned their wives, finding them too prim for barracks and bivouac parties.
Herzen wrote in Past and Thoughts that the English Club is least of all English. In it, the Sobakevichs shout against liberation and the Nozdryovs make noise for the natural and inalienable rights of the nobles...
Skalozub's career
In the characterization of Skalozub from the comedy “Woe from Wit,” it is worth mentioning his career, because for the colonel himself, service is the most important thing in life. But he is trying to achieve high ranks not for the sake of the fatherland, but for enrichment, new connections and respect from the social system.
He began his career with a musketeer regiment, and in 1813 he had the opportunity to take part in a campaign against Napoleon, organized abroad. At the time of the comedy, Skalozub served in the 15th division.
The colonel's origins are Ukrainian, as evidenced by his sonorous surname. Although he is quite rich, Sergei Sergeevich acquired his fortune recently. He entered the service at the age of 15-16, and since then he had to fuss a lot to achieve the rank of colonel.
The author indicated in the text that Skalozub has only one award - for the third of August . But there was no fighting that day. The attack on the French troops became a diversionary maneuver between the battle of Krasnoye and in the Smolensk region. This indicates the colonel's lack of initiative. He is not a coward, but compared to other soldiers he tries not to get into serious battles.
The Jaeger regiment in which Skalozub served was sent to the Caucasus, where it was easy to make a career. But the colonel had to stay in Russia, because he did not want to meet General Ermolov. The latter valued decisive and brave people, and not those who liked to stand on the sidelines.
Skalozub does not like those guards who have achieved a lot. Enlightenment and education are alien to him. With their erudition, ability to speak French and dance, military men attract young ladies like Sophia. Skalozub was deprived of all these advantages, so he is pleased with Molchalin’s fall from his horse. After all, Famusov’s daughter is in love with him.
Colonel Skalozub
When Famusov asks him about Nastasya Nikolaevna, who she is to him, he laconically replies: “I don’t know, sir, it’s my fault, we didn’t serve together with her.” But when they start talking about Moscow and Muscovites, Famusov praises everything, Chatsky, on the contrary, denounces, and Skalozub about Moscow notes only a few words familiar to his concept: “Distances of enormous size.”
The colonel tries to be polite with the owner of the house, Famusov, but with others he does not stand on ceremony and can even express himself harshly. Famusov and Skalozub have common views on service and ranks, however, mentally and intellectually, the latter greatly loses to the former, who is quite intelligent, observant and eloquent.
Sophia, speaking about Skalozub, says that he cannot even utter a smart word, he only talks “about frunt and rows,” and Lisa agrees with her: “He’s not very cunning.” This quotation from Skalozub speaks for itself.
Relationships with others
Skalozub is first mentioned in the prehistory of the comedy - during a conversation between Sophia and her maid Lisa. The girl talks about him as a suitable match for Famusov’s daughter. But the colonel also builds relationships with other characters in the work:
- home owner;
- Molchalin;
- Chatsky;
- Repetilov;
- Khlestova.
Famusov reveres Skalozub, and this is mutual. They have common views on the world, they understand why wealth is needed and what good it can bring to a person and those around him. The owner of the house dreams of marrying his daughter to the colonel so that he can fully provide for her.
Molchalin is Famusov’s rival, because Sophia is in love with him. The girl has been in love with the secretary for a long time, but hides it from everyone. But the description of the character of Molchalin and the colonel coincides. Like everyone else in Famus society, they believe that much can be achieved with sycophancy and flattery. There is no need to reveal your true opinion or attitude towards others. It is enough to remain silent and serve your patrons.
Everyone in Famusov’s society considered Chatsky crazy. And the problem was only in different views on the world . The young man himself was jealous of Sophia for Skalozub, because he was intended to be her groom. And even after the girl’s refusal, Chatsky continued to suffer. Although he himself did not fully understand why he was still in love with her.
Repetilov is an old friend of Skalozub. He appeared at the ball and invited his comrade to attend Prince Gregory's reception. Enlightened minds, scientists, philosophers, those who liked to talk and argue were supposed to gather there. But the colonel responded with a sharp refusal - he does not seek to gain new knowledge. He only likes to teach the younger generation and talk about his service.
Skalozub Khlestov's sister-in-law is one of the few characters who speak coldly about him. She gives Sophia advice to avoid his company and not marry him. She finds it unpleasant to communicate with her relative.
Plot
“Woe from Wit” is included in the list of literature studied in high school. The history of the confrontation between the “present century” and the “past century” is familiar to everyone. Young Sophia is in love with Molchalin, Famusov's secretary. Suddenly, a family acquaintance appears in the house, a young man named Chatsky, who in his speeches speaks unflatteringly about Molchalin, whose positive image is liked by the household.
Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov
The guest asks Famusov for details about Sophia, in connection with which the latter makes an assumption: Chatsky is aiming for a suitor. Famusov considers Colonel Skalozub the only suitable candidate for the role of son-in-law, whose status and position in society correspond to the preferences of the venerable father. Chatsky and Famusov do not agree on opinions and views. A confrontation arises between them.
Molchalin's fall from his horse becomes a collision, after which Chatsky thinks about Sophia's excessive worry about the secretary's health. He comes to the conclusion that the girl is in love, but Molchalin’s personality seems to Chatsky unworthy of sublime feelings. At a reception held in the evening at Famusov’s house, Chatsky ironizes and ridicules his competitor.
Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin
Having accidentally learned that Molchalin maintains contact with Sophia only for the sake of the family’s position and is secretly in love with the maid Liza, the hero exposes the secretary. The disgraced girl drives Molchalin out of the house. The rushing guests, led by Famusov, witness Chatsky’s sarcastic monologue, ridiculing the vices of modern society. The young man leaves the Famusovs’ house.
Image in the work
The image of Skalozub in the comedy helped Griboedov express the morals and views of the noble society of the 19th century. Aristocrats did not like progressive youth; they preferred to live according to old traditions and orders. Skalozub personifies several problematic qualities of nobles:
- commercialism;
- stupidity;
- conservatism;
- shortsightedness.
The reader can draw up a brief psychological portrait of the character based on his thoughts. The colonel prefers flattery to hard work, money to education, profit to real feelings. This is a nature with shallow content.
He makes fun of Griboyedov through Skalozub and the officers of that time. They sought to gain fortune and rank, rather than loyally serve their homeland. And in contrast to him, the author introduces another hero - his brother. The young man was also in the service, but could not withstand the pressure of his superiors and left for the village. There he took up his education - reading books.
Skalozub is a controversial character in Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit.” Although the colonel quickly achieved wealth, honor and high social position, he remained uneducated and conservative. His outdated views and values are ridiculed by the author.
The mood of the Russian army
Skalozub’s characterization suggests that he studied military affairs at the Prussian-Pavlovian school of the Russian army, which was very hated by many noble officers of that time, who were distinguished by free-thinking, because they were brought up on the precepts of the great commanders Suvorov and Kutuzov. And, characteristically, Griboedov contrasts Skalozub with his cousin, who became a representative of the Russian army from a different environment, that part of the officers from which the Decembrist officers came. After the war of 1812-1814, he resigned and went to his village “to read books.”
Who is Skalozub?
Skalozubs - the generals of Tsarist Russia, or the wheezers, stranglers and bassoons...
A. S. Griboyedov
Brief biography of the hero
Now it’s worth talking about Skalozub in more detail. The character's name is Sergei Sergeevich. The hero’s whole life is an endless desire to make a military career. That is, Skalozub is a careerist. The man managed to rise to the rank of colonel. In society, Sergei Sergeevich is considered a promising person and an enviable groom. The colonel dreams of promotions and career success, but is not eager to go to war. The hero participates in campaigns not because of the desire to protect his homeland. Skalozub’s real desire is to achieve personal goals: selfish and vain.
Skalozub's military career
Sergei Sergeevich gained fame and a solid position in society. Moscow secular society welcomes the colonel with pleasure. The reason is the dizzyingly fast career of a warrior. At the same time, the colonel’s service is honest, and Skalozub often emphasizes this.
Character of the Colonel
Positive character traits
However, the opinion that Skalozub is an exceptionally unpleasant person is wrong. The author endowed the colonel with positive traits. For example, Sergei Sergeevich often defends his own honor, and also protects his loved ones. Skalozub is a staunch conservative, like Famusov, a person who has a hard time getting used to innovations. In other words, the colonel values his usual way of life.
For Skalozub, the old order is an indicator of stability and reliability. The colonel is not an ardent conservative by conviction, but is simply afraid of losing his status and position in society. The warrior clings with all his might to the achieved standard of living.
Character appearance
Skalozub, in addition to a lot of disadvantages, also has several advantages. One of them is almost perfect appearance. Skalozub is interested in the latest trends in fashion and takes care of his costume. Sergei Sergeevich tightens his chest with belts to make it look more rounded - in the latest fashion.
Quotes from Skalozub, Molchalin, Famusov, Sophia about service and education.
Education, science, and the movement towards progress cause particular hatred among people in Famus’s circle. Famusov gives his daughter an upbringing in which the possibility of true enlightenment is excluded in advance: “To teach our daughters everything - And dancing! and foam! and tenderness! and sigh! “And Famusov himself is not distinguished by his education and says that there is no use in reading, and his “comrade-in-arms,” in the “scientific committee that has settled,” screamingly demands oaths so that “no one knows or learns to read and write.” Famusov speaks about freedom of thought: “Learning is the plague, learning is the reason. What is worse now than before, Crazy people, deeds, and opinions have gone wild.” And his final word about enlightenment and education in Russia is “to take all the books and burn them.”
Famus’s society is alien to its native culture, Russian customs, traditions, even language. Chatsky says with irony that the world “is dominated by a mixture of languages: French and Nizhny Novgorod.” Foreigners and everything foreign is the ideal to which representatives of Famus society are equal. Famusov himself, “a venerable member of the English Club to the grave,” says that “the door is unlocked for the invited and the uninvited, especially for foreigners.” Only Chatsky stands for true enlightenment, and not for external gloss, condemns the desire to “recruit teachers of the regiment, in more numbers, at a cheaper price”: “Now, let one of us, Of the young people, there be an enemy of the quest, Without demanding either places or promotion in rank, He will focus his mind, hungry for knowledge, on science.”
Famusov puts forward his ideal of an intelligent person. In his opinion, this is Maxim Petrovich, who achieved high ranks and a high position in society thanks to his practical mind, the ability to “bend over” when it was necessary to “curry favor.” Learning seems to Famusov not only unnecessary, but also dangerous, threatening the usual way of life: “Learning is the plague, learning is the reason” (Famusov)
Source
Character Intelligence
Skalozub's openness and frankness are not explained by the hero's moral principles or the desire to be honest. The only reason for this behavior is extreme stupidity.
The author writes that Skalozub talks a lot, but is not distinguished by intelligence or cunning. Readers will learn about this trait of the hero from the words of the maid Lisa.
The colonel hates education and compares science to a “plague.” Skalozub turns away from liberal, free-thinking people. From words, Sergei Sergeevich moves on to actions: he proposes to burn and destroy books. The warrior would welcome the opportunity to suppress manifestations of free thought. The author demonstrates the disgrace of Skalozubov for society. The Colonel is an image of obscurantism.
The image of Chatsky from Alexander Griboedov’s poem “Woe from Wit” is inherently associated with the concept of “superfluous person.” We invite readers to understand the reasons for this by reading the characteristics of this work.
Colonel in Famusov's house
Sofia and Skalozub
At first glance, Skalozub looks like the “ideal” Moscow groom. But the reader should take a closer look. The colonel turns out to be rude, uneducated, and not very smart. There are also advantages to Skalozub: wealth. In addition, the man is very self-confident.
Famusov became close to Skalozub (due to common views and interests). He would be glad if Sophia (Famusov’s daughter) married Skalozub. It’s a pity that Sophia loves another man (Molchalin). The colonel's stupidity and emptiness are obvious to the girl. Skalozub cannot interest Sophia.
Hero's family
Skalozub as an image of the “old times”
One of the problems that Griboedov raises in his work is the old time and modernity. The writer emphasizes that the values of the past often turn out to be in contrast to the values of the present. Thus, Skalozub is a bright exponent of the “old times”, the old order.
Skalozub and Chatsky
The image of a “wheezer”
The image of the “strangled”
The image of the "bassoon"
Skalozub and routine
The author's attitude towards the character
It is obvious that Griboyedov does not feel sympathy for his hero. Thus, the writer mentions more the negative aspects of Skalozub’s personality than the positive traits of the character. In particular, at first glance, the colonel seems funny, funny, a little ridiculous and harmless. However, the author invites readers to take a closer look at the figure of the colonel.
The comedy “Woe from Wit” is the only work of Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov. We invite readers to familiarize themselves with its summary
Character history
Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov wrote the comedy “Woe from Wit” in 1824. The work is intended to expose the habits and views of the nobles of the nineteenth century. The events described in the play take place after the war with the French in 1812.
Alexander Griboyedov
This period was difficult for Russia, as progressive ideas became popular in society. The confrontation between old and new views, traditions of the past and the present is described in the work through vivid characters and images. Skalozub is a character with the help of which the author conveys the specifics of the controversy that has arisen.
