Typology of the work
Its type (or rather, genre) can be classified as family, social, adventure, love, and historical. For a long time, literary critics could not come to an opinion about whether this is a story or a novel? And in general, to what extent the storylines are completed, the characters’ personalities are formed, the conflict is revealed will remain unknown to us. After all, a work dated 1833 was found in the writer’s manuscripts. Pushkin did not finish it - he intended to give further development to the destinies of the characters. And yet, published in 1841, the novel arouses keen interest among fans of real works of art, especially among teenagers and young men.
History of creation
The novel is based on a story reminiscent of the dramatic events from Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet. The enmity of the two families, which became the cause of the unhappy love of the young representatives of the Troekurov and Dubrovsky families, however, was transferred by Pushkin to domestic, Russian soil. And its prehistory lies not so much in medieval legends, but in the reality of our poet’s time. The writer learned about the events described in the novel from his friend Nashchokin. He once spoke about the small-scale nobleman Ostrovsky (the characterization of Dubrovsky, or rather the Dubrovskys - father and son, coincides in many details with his story and indicates that this particular person became the prototype of both heroes), who for a long time had been engaged in land litigation with his neighbor. But since his opponent was richer and more influential, he survived Ostrovsky from the walls of his own house. And he, outraged by the injustice of the judges and authorities, put together a gang of robbers from his peasants, robbing other landowners.
What is Dubrovsky's advantage
Despite the difference in character and lifestyle, Dubrovsky Sr. has some commonality with Troekurov. Both of them served and had a military career, both were proud of this period of life. They loved their wives, at one time they became widowers, and both had small children. But if one can assume some romantic traits in Andrei Dubrovsky, then this is not the case in the image of Troekurov. But still, he also loves, albeit not like Dubrovsky, his son, his young daughter.
Dubrovsky loves his son dearly, sends him to study in the hope that he will achieve more. He has a negative attitude towards Troekurov’s plans to unite his children in marriage, since he believes that he should choose a wife out of love, who will respect and listen to him.
Prototypes and fiction
This, perhaps, is where the comparative description of Dubrovsky Sr. and Dubrovsky Jr. with their prototype ends. Pushkin, naturally, changed the names of the characters, introduced an adventurous plot, new characters, and a love line into the story. And the robbery, in fact, is carried out by the youngest representative of the family, while the eldest was offended. Moreover, Vladimir is not an ordinary robber-villain. He is a robber against his will, due to an unfortunate coincidence of circumstances. This is, rather, a victim of fatal forces than a conscious fighter for justice, a formidable retribution to all those in power. And the enemy of Andrei Gavrilovich and Vladimir, master Troekurov, is described very vividly and colorfully, which was not in Nashchokin’s version. And finally, the title of the story. Pushkin's novel is titled with the date of the beginning of writing. And “Dubrovsky” is the publisher’s free version.
Two friends
The action in the work takes place in the 20s of the 19th century. It ends a year and a half from the beginning of the events described. From the very first lines of the novel, pictures of the life of provincial Russian landowners unfold before us: their leisurely way of life, the characteristic details of everyday life, care and fun. The characterization of Andrei Gavrilovich Dubrovsky and Kirila Petrovich Troekurov, with whom the author introduces us, is based on the principle of opposition, or contrast. They are indeed very different in everything from their financial situation to their outlook on life.
“Everything gave rise to disputes between them...”
Let's start with the fact that Kirila Petrovich Troekurov was very rich and influential. Throughout the entire region it was famous for its prosperous, strong villages with well-trained serfs. The peasants were afraid of the master to death, but they also boasted of him, according to their slavish psychology, in front of the same “brother-serf” of other landowners who had not soared so high. The characterization of Dubrovsky Sr. is different. He belongs to a family that is no less noble and ancient, but has long been impoverished. And if Troekurov, being a military man, retired with the honorary rank of general-in-chief, which brought him many privileges and honors, then Andrei Gavrilovich returned from the guard as just a poor lieutenant. He owns Kistenevka, a small village of several dozen unsightly, rickety peasant huts with adjacent fields and a birch grove.
Moral qualities
One was corrupted by wealth and power, instilling in him exorbitant pride and contempt for everyone standing a step lower on the social ladder. The characteristics of the elder Dubrovsky in this regard are different. He is also proud, but this pride developed in him from injured pride and poverty. It is in them that lies the reason for feigned arrogance, the increased demand for respect from others. Poverty developed in the hero a heightened sense of self-esteem and justice. And here again the comparative characteristics of Dubrovsky and Troekurov indicate the moral superiority of the first. Not tolerating humiliation himself, Andrei Gavrilovich never stooped to such treatment of others. Even the serfs do not hypocritically fawn over the master, internally freezing in horror, but treat him with sincere respect. It is not for nothing that they do not want to go “under Troekurov”, preferring the fate of fugitive robbers.
Option 2
Andrei Gavrilovich Dubrovsky is the only parent of the main character of the novel, Vladimir Dubrovsky. Andrei Dubrovsky is presented as a retired guardsman, descended from an ancient noble family. Andrei Gavrilovich is the antithesis of his neighbor and comrade Kirill Troekurov, a wealthy landowner who constantly imposes his guardianship. However, Dubrovsky is distinguished by his proud, honest and free disposition, which does not allow him to accept anyone’s handouts. Being a widower, Andrei Gavrilovich madly loves his only son and does not skimp on his education and maintenance, despite the fact that he is a very poor man.
Dubrovsky lives in an impoverished family estate next door to his ex
colleague Kirilla Troekurov. On his Kistenevsky estate, Andrei Gavrilovich owns a little more than half a hundred peasants, whom he treats well and does not allow himself to insult or infringe on the serfs. The serfs, in turn, respond to the worthy owner with devotion, love and honor.
Andrei Dubrovsky looks like a pale, frail, unhealthy old man. He was indeed seriously ill, but military strength and endurance helped him resist the disease.
Andrei Gavrilovich is educated, has his own interests, beliefs and views, lives with dignity and according to the laws of honor. He is a hater of debauchery and gluttony, does not support the idle lifestyle of his friend, is not wasteful, and never belittles another person.
The spat between Troekurov and Dubrovsky begins with the fact that Andrei Gavrilovich pointed out to Troekurov the difficult life of his serfs, that even his hounds live better than the peasants. He did not intend to quarrel with his friend, Dubrovsky simply wanted to draw Troekulov’s attention to his attitude towards others. Andrei Gavrilovich never groveled before Troekurov like others and could tell him bluntly everything he thought. He was not afraid to speak honestly and was not worried about Troekurov’s disapproval. He looked with condemnation at the lifestyle that he led.
The quarrel with Troekulov completely ruined Dubrovsky's health. He could not bear the treachery of his friend when he appropriated the Dubrovsky estate through deception and bribery. Andrei Gavrilovich himself would never have been able to treat others like this, especially his friend and neighbor. Having lost the strength and desire to fight the disease, Dubrovsky slowly leaves life. Having managed to hug his son goodbye before his death, Andrei Gavrilovich died.
"They got together..."
However, the characterization of Dubrovsky from the novel “Dubrovsky” and Kirila Petrovich has some points of contact. Both, as we have already established, served in the army and were proud of it. Both married out of great and sincere love, both soon became widowers with small children in their arms. True, if we can assume such strong and romantic feelings in Andrei Gavrilovich, then it’s hard to believe in the sincerity of Kirila Petrovich. And yet... The fact that he can love deeply is evidenced by his father’s relationship with Marya Kirillovna, whom Troekurov indulges in all requests and whims, although outwardly he is strict. True, his feelings are blind, firmly intertwined with tyranny, which will lead to tragedy in Masha’s fate. Dubrovsky’s brief description of the life story (alas, everything that is said here about the heroes is far from a complete report and psychological portrait of them) is close, but not identical: having lost his wife, the hero raises “Volodka,” his only son, in strict tenderness. By sending him away to St. Petersburg, giving him a good guards education and upbringing, on which the lion's share of his meager income is spent, Andrei Gavrilovich hopes that his heir will be luckier and happier. And when Troekurov plans the marriage of the scions of their families, the old lieutenant firmly replies: Vladimir would rather marry his equal, a poor noblewoman who respects him, than become a toy in the hands of a spoiled lady.
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Reason for the quarrel
A comparative description of Dubrovsky and Troekurov would be incomplete if we did not mention their common passion - hunting. No matter how well Kirila Petrovich understood the intricacies of it, it was still worth searching for such a meticulous expert as Dubrovsky was during the day. For this, Troekurov immensely respected his poor neighbor, highly valued and welcomed him. Not a single trip was complete without him. And if for some reason the retired lieutenant was absent, the general-in-chief grumbled, swore, was dissatisfied with everything and everyone, and no hunt would work out. Moreover, he only allowed Dubrovsky to stand on an equal footing with him, respecting the fact that his friend himself never fawned and did not allow himself to be treated condescendingly. And yet there was secret rivalry between the neighbors and the subject of involuntary envy of the poor man towards the rich man. This is Troyekurov’s famous kennel, the source of his legitimate pride and swagger. And she is Dubrovsky’s pipe dream. The careless words of the huntsman addressed to Andrei Gavrilovich hurt his noble honor, and Kirila Petrovich’s connivance aggravated the offense. And so the friendship, which was the envy of the whole neighborhood, broke down. And a feud began, affecting many destinies and breaking the happiness of two young hearts - Masha and Vladimir.
And what happened next, you can find out by reading Pushkin’s wonderful work!
Comparison with Troekurov
Despite the fact that Dubrovsky is poor and has no influence in society, he is a much nicer person than his rich friend Troekurov. Even if Dubrovsky was rich, he would not be wasteful, he would carry his status with dignity. He treats even serfs with respect, which cannot be said about Troekurov, who is eccentric, cruel, behaves rudely and ugly. If you compare these two characters, you can see that simple poverty is much more attractive than pretentious, crude wealth. Dubrovsky is poor socially, but rich in soul, and Troekurov, on the contrary, although rich materially, is completely deprived spiritually, and is not familiar with moral and ethical values.
