Topics of education and upbringing are always relevant to society. That is why Denis Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor” is interesting for readers today. The heroes of the work are representatives of different classes. The comedy is written in the style of classicism. Each character represents a certain quality. For this, the author uses speaking surnames. In comedy, the rule of three unities is observed: unity of action, time and place. The play was first staged on stage in 1782. Since then, there have been thousands, or even millions, of performances of the same name all over the world. In 1926, based on the comedy, the film “Lords of the Skotinins” was shot.
Quotes about a person
Many of Starodum’s statements are related to the definition of Man with a capital M and those people who cannot be called real people. The hero speaks about his father’s words that influenced his worldview: “Have a heart, have a soul, and you will be a man at all times.”
Starodum pays great attention to the concept of honesty: “An honest person must be a completely honest person.” The hero of the comedy “The Minor” thinks this way: “I know, I know that a person cannot be an angel. You don’t even have to be a devil.”
The catchphrases put into Starodum’s mouth are also dedicated to the theme of ignorance: “An ignoramus without a soul is a beast.” When Mitrofan abandons his mother at the end of the comedy, Starodum utters one of his most important phrases: “These are the fruits of evil.”
On the topic of education, the following words were said: “My father raised me in the way of that time, but I did not find the need to re-educate myself. He served Peter the Great. Then one person was called you, not you.” This indicates Starodum’s family tree, his position in society.
Starodum
Many critics consider Starodum to be one of the main positive heroes of the play “The Minor.” The author's position is conveyed through his speech. The character of a character and his thoughts can be traced not in his behavior, but in his reasoning.
Starodum is the oldest of the active characters in the play; he has great wisdom. The hero spent a long time in Siberia, where he tried to earn money through honest work. But the character cannot be called greedy, material wealth is not the main thing for him, and the most important thing in a person, according to Starodum, is the moral side, honesty. Therefore, old Starodum decides to bequeath his inheritance to his only niece, Sofia. Just first you need to find her a groom, not a rich one, but a respectable one.
Sophia has been living in the Prostakovs’ house for a long time, where she is looked after while her uncle is away. But the girl lives in the Prostakovs’ house for a reason; they accepted her solely out of selfish thoughts, greed and greed. Arriving unexpectedly at their house, Starodum immediately detects this in their unnatural hospitality and in their actions. The hero himself is used to being honest with himself and with the people who surround him.
It is worth noting that Fonvizin gives his main character a speaking surname. Starodum means a person who lives according to the old principles by which he himself was raised. He moved to Siberia at one time so as not to see how people lie to each other here, steal and be hypocrites. He sincerely believes that excessive money spoils the youth greatly. Your offspring must be raised so that they love to work, have a sense of duty and responsibility.
Starodum tries to behave politely and with restraint, even with people who are not worthy of it. He believes that you should never stoop to their level. You should never waste time re-educating adults, because everyone must educate themselves.
It can be accurately noted that Starodum as a character is the most important in the play. The author expresses his position on what is happening, shares his opinion with readers through Starodum.
Reading the play page by page, you need to listen to what Starodum says, to his political views, moral issues and pedagogical methods. It is this hero who conveys the main idea of the comedy, mocking the stupid and vain Prostakovs, who are unworthy people.
Quotes about ranks
Many of Starodum’s speeches are devoted to ranks and service: “When ranks begin, sincerity ceases,” “Ranks are often begged for, but true respect must be earned,” “It is much more honest to be passed over without guilt than to be awarded without merit.” Starodum admits that he chose an honest life rather than service: “I left the court without villages, without a ribbon, without ranks, but I brought what I had home intact, my soul, my honor, my rules.”
Starodum justified his choice like this: “It’s better to lead a life at home than in someone else’s hallway.” The hero adheres to the following opinion: “Everyone should seek his own happiness and benefits in the one thing that is lawful,” “And only those who are in ranks not based on money, and in the nobility not based on ranks,” are worthy of spiritual respect.”
Essay Characteristics of Starodum and his image
The famous comedy “The Minor” is one of the best creations among dramatic works, based on classical literature of the late 18th century. Such an intriguing play was written in 1781 by a publicist and writer, a master of his craft, D.I. Fonvizin. If we talk briefly about the very essence of the story, then it describes the customs and life of the noble society in Rus', or rather, one such family - the Prostakovs. The main characters in this work are very versatile people, some of them are positive characters, while others are negative ones. One of the key figures here is the presence of a character in the image - Starodum
. His characteristics can be judged by the qualities that he has inherent in himself.
So, this is definitely a positive hero, with high intellectual thinking. Starodum is distinguished by respectable morals and a desire for justice. He is smart, wealthy, has a good understanding of people, and he clearly likes the conservative ways of life. He has a very close attitude towards the education of noble people; it is not for nothing that his beliefs contain the idea that it is the state that should deal with this.
Despite his venerable age, still 60 years old, Starodum has made a very good career for himself. He served at the royal court, then retired for health reasons and moved to live in Siberia. He has only one support in life - his niece Sophia, who lives on the Prostakov estate, known for her selfish manners. They, having sheltered the little girl, long ago decided that Starodum was lying in the grave. It turned out that this is not the case at all. Moreover, this man, in his letter to Sonya, bequeaths her an inheritance, and a huge one at that time. All this suggests to Mrs. Prostakova that she should marry Sophia to her, with the permission, so to speak, short-sighted son, Mitrofan. After some time, Starodum himself comes to the noble estate of the Prostakovs, here he meets Pravdin (a local guest, a civil servant) and tries to take Sophia to his place. Mrs. Prostakova behaves in front of him and does everything to “crawl” closer to the wealth of now her distant relative. Her insidious plan was never destined to come true, even when she forcibly tried to betroth her son to Sophia, but Milon (an officer, the lover of Starodum’s niece) intervened and did not allow this to happen. After such an event, the three of them safely left Prostakova’s estate, and Starodum finally even allowed himself to ridicule the local lady.
This is how pious our hero turned out to be, and yet there really is something defiant and downright deliberate in his actions.
Quotes about wealth
Starodum’s aphorisms are largely related to money and wealth: “Cash money is not cash value. The golden idiot is everyone’s idiot.” The hero of the comedy notes that only wealth is important for modern society: “In today's marriages, people rarely advise with their hearts. The question is whether the groom is famous or rich? Is the bride good and rich? There is no question of good behavior.”
Starodum discusses what exactly wealth means: “The rich man is not the one who counts out money in order to hide it in a chest, but the one who counts out his extra in order to help those who do not have what they need.” Starodum notes who exactly can rightfully consider themselves a rich person: “Follow nature, you will never be poor. Follow people’s opinions and you will never be rich.”
This article, which will help you write the essay “Quotes from Starodum from the comedy “The Minor”,” will consider statements devoted to the problems of ignorance and honest life, ranks and wealth.
Famous phrases from comedy
“I don’t want to study, I want to get married.”
Mitrofan's phrase addressed to his mother. In life, it is applied to those young people who have the wind in their heads. Whose life is nothing but entertainment and pleasure. None of them even thinks about studying or working.
“And then you’ll get married.”
Having entered into a marriage union on mutually beneficial terms, you no longer have to worry about your future. A kind of marriage of convenience, not love.
“Don’t do business, don’t run away from business.”
This is what they say about those people who are irresponsible about their work and only create the appearance of it in the workplace.
“Cash is not cash worth.” Having money does not mean anything, and even more so cannot automatically make a person good in the eyes of others.
“I ate too much henbane.”
This phrase can be applied to those people who commit inappropriate actions, stupid things that cannot be rationally explained.
useful links
Check out what else we have:
- for the most rational - Summary of "Undergrowth"
- for the most impatient - A very brief summary of “Minor”
- for the most sociable - The main characters of "The Minor"
- for the busiest - Reading diary "Nedorosl"
- for the most curious - Analysis "Undergrowth" Fonvizin
- for the coolest ones - Read “The Minor” in full
Work test
- Question 1 of 18
Negative
Prostakova
Mrs. Prostakova is one of the main characters of the work. She is a representative of the noble class, holding serfs. In the house, everything and everyone must be under her control: The mistress of the estate pushes around not only her servants, but also controls her husband. In her statements, Mrs. Prostakova is despotic and rude. But she loves her son endlessly. As a result, her blind love does not bring anything good either to her son or to herself.
This is the kind of hubby God blessed me with: he doesn’t know how to figure out what’s wide and what’s narrow.
So believe also that I do not intend to indulge the slaves. Go, sir, and punish now...
My only concern, my only joy is Mitrofanushka. My age is passing. I'm preparing him for people.
Live and learn, my dear friend! Such a thing.
And I love that strangers listen to me too...
Without sciences people live and lived.
Mrs. Prostakova. Still from the film “The Minor”
We took away everything that the peasants had; we can’t rip anything off. Such a disaster.
I don’t intend to indulge the slaves. Go, sir, and punish now...
From morning to evening, like someone hanged by the tongue, I don’t lay down my hands: I scold, I fight; This is how the house holds together, my father.
Yes, this is a different century, father!
My Mitrofanushka doesn’t get up for days because of a book. My mother's heart. Otherwise it’s a pity, a pity, but just think: but there will be a kid anywhere.
It is bad to praise your child, but where will the one whom God brings to be his wife not be unhappy?
Mitrofan
Mitrofan is the son of landowner Prostakova. Actually, in comedy he is an undergrowth. This is what they called those who did not want to study or serve in the 18th century. Mitrofanushka is spoiled by his mother and nanny, he is used to idleness, loves to eat well and is completely indifferent to science. At the same time, the feeling of gratitude is alien to him. He is rude not only to his teachers and nanny, but also to his parents. So, he “thanks” his mother for her boundless blind love.
Let go, mother, how you imposed yourself...
You're so tired beating your father.
For me, where they tell me to go.
I don’t want to study - I want to get married
Yes, all sorts of rubbish got into our heads, then you are a father, then you are a mother.
I'll study; just let this be the last time and let there be an agreement today!
Now I’ll run to the dovecote, maybe…
Well, say another word, you old bastard! I'll finish them off.
Vit is here and the river is close. I’ll dive, so remember my name... You lured me in, blame yourself...
Skotinin
Skotinin is the brother of Mrs. Prostakova. He does not recognize science and any enlightenment. He works in a barnyard; pigs are the only creatures that give him warm feelings. It was not by chance that the author gave this occupation and surname to his hero. Having learned about Sophia's condition, he dreams of marrying her profitably. For this, he is even ready to destroy his own nephew Mitrofanushka.
Every fault is to blame.
It’s a sin to blame for your own happiness.
I haven't read anything in my life, sister! God saved me from this boredom.
Everyone left me alone. The idea was to go for a walk in the barnyard.
Don't be the Skotinin who wants to learn something.
What a parable! I am not a hindrance to anyone else. Everyone should marry his bride. I won’t touch someone else’s, and don’t touch mine.
I wasn’t going anywhere, but I was wandering around, thinking. I have such a custom that if you put a fence in your head, you can’t knock it out with a nail. In my mind, you hear, what came into my mind is stuck here. That’s all I think about, that’s all I see in a dream, as if in reality, and in reality, as in a dream.
Eremeevna
Nanny Mitrofanushka. He has been serving in the Prostakovs' house for more than 40 years. She is devoted to her owners and attached to their home. Eremeevna has a highly developed sense of duty, but self-esteem is completely absent.
I have my own grips sharp!
