Mitrofan Prostakov is one of the central characters in D. I. Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor.” This is a bright, colorful character who is relevant at all times. Mitrofan, being an adult young man, remains, in essence, a little ill-mannered boy: capricious, stupid, lazy, rude. The reason for this is the immense and blind maternal love that entangled the main character like a sticky web. The characterization of Mitrofan is necessary in order to clearly demonstrate what problems of raising the younger generation are solved in the play and what their consequences are.
The material was prepared jointly with a teacher of the highest category, Ilyina Galina Sergeevna.
Experience as a teacher of Russian language and literature - 36 years.
a brief description of
Before reading this analysis, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the work Nedorosl itself.
Full name : Mitrofan Terentyevich Prostakov.
Age - 15 years.
Occupation - no specific type of activity.
Family - mother Mrs. Prostakova, father Mr. Prostakov.
Social status : nobleman.
Origin - comes from a noble family.
Education consists of indulging all the whims and desires of a young man.
Education - 4 years of training by visiting self-appointed teachers.
Appearance - plump, sloppy, has an unkempt appearance.
Character - lazy, greedy, rude, ill-mannered, indifferent to the people around him and his own fate.
positive features .
Negative traits are selfish, mean-spirited, petty, childish, rude and ignorant.
The work is “Undergrowth”.
Author : Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin.
Mitrofan and Prostakova
In Fonvizin’s work “The Minor,” the image of Mitrofanushka is closely connected with the theme of education, since in fact it was the wrong upbringing that became the cause of the young man’s evil character and all his negative traits. His mother, Mrs. Prostakova, is an uneducated, cruel, despotic woman, for whom the main values are material wealth and power. She adopted her views on the world from her parents - representatives of the old nobility, uneducated and ignorant landowners like herself. The values and views acquired through upbringing were passed on to Prostakova and Mitrofan - the young man in the play is depicted as a “mama's boy” - he cannot do anything on his own, the servants or his mother do everything for him. Having received from Prostakova cruelty towards servants, rudeness and the opinion that education occupies one of the last places in life, Mitrofan also adopted disrespect for loved ones, a willingness to deceive them or betray them for the sake of a more lucrative offer. Let us remember how Prostakova persuaded Skotinin to take Sophia as his wife in order to essentially get rid of the “extra mouth.”
Whereas the news about the girl’s large inheritance made her a “caring teacher”, supposedly loving Sophia and wishing her happiness. Prostakova is looking for her own self-interest in everything, which is why she refused Skotinin, because if the girl married Mitrofan, who listened to his mother in everything, Sophia’s money would go to her.
The young man is as selfish as Prostakova. He becomes a worthy son of his mother, adopting her “best” traits, which explains the final scene of the comedy, when Mitrofan abandons Prostakova, who has lost everything, leaving to serve the new owner of the village, Pravdin. For him, his mother’s efforts and love turned out to be insignificant before the authority of money and power.
Quote characteristic
A description of the hero with quotes will allow you to reveal his image, demonstrate not only his appearance, but also character traits, behavioral characteristics, and attitude to life.
Portrait
The artistic portrait of Mitrofan Prostakov is based on the fact that he is the only and beloved son
“For the prayers of our parents, we sinners, where could we beg, the Lord gave us Mitrofanushka. We did everything to make him the way you would like to see him.”
Source: Act Four, Scene 8
Mitrofan is a young nobleman, the only heir of the Prostakovs.
“...a nobleman, a young fellow...”
Source: Act Three, Scene 5
Appearance
Mitrofan is now 16 years old.
“Even though he’s sixteen years old...”
Source: Act two, phenomenon 2
“...he, father, will turn sixteen years old around winter St. Nicholas...”
Source: Act Three, Scene 5
Mitrofan's appearance is not admirable. This is an overweight, overfed young man, he managed to “grow” even out of a new, freshly sewn caftan.
“Mitrofanushka, my friend, I have tea, it’s pressing you to death.”
Source: Act one, phenomenon 1
“The child, the first, grows, the other, a child without a narrow caftan of delicate build.”
Source: Act one, phenomenon 2
Character traits and actions
Mitrofan is a big fan of hearty food.
“Eremeevna. He already, mother, deigned to eat five buns.
Mrs. Prostakova. So you feel sorry for the sixth one, beast?”
Source: Act one, scene 4
“Skotinin. Yes, apparently, brother, you had a hearty dinner.
Mitrofan. And I, uncle, almost didn’t have dinner at all.
Prostakov. I remember, my friend, you wanted to eat something.
Mitrofan. What! Three slices of corned beef, and hearth slices, I don’t remember, five, I don’t remember, six.
Eremeevna. Every now and then he asked for a drink at night. I deigned to eat a whole jug of kvass.”
Source: Act one, scene 4
Mitrofan is a mama's boy who is greatly influenced by the oppressive Mrs. Prostakova.
“Well, Mitrofanushka! You, I see, are mother’s son, not father’s.”
Source: Act one, scene 4
“Hold me, my dear friend! Here, son, is my only consolation.”
Source: Act one, scene 4
“And I’m a mother’s son.”
Source: Act Three, Scene 5
The spoiled Mitrofan disdains his parents and calls them “trash.”
“Mitrofan. And now I’m walking around like crazy. All night such rubbish was in my eyes.
Mrs. Prostakova. What rubbish, Mitrofanushka?
Mitrofan. Yes, either you, mother, or father.”
Source: Act one, scene 4
Mitrofan, following the example of his mother, grows up to be a cruel, ruthless person. In a dream, he sees his mother beating his father. However, Mitrofan feels sorry not for the defenseless priest, but for his mother, who is tired of beating him.
“As soon as I start to fall asleep, I see that you, mother, deign to beat the priest... So I felt sorry for you... You, mother: you are so tired, beating the priest...”
Source: Act one, scene 4
Mitrofan grows up as a sneak, a vile person. If something doesn’t go the way he wants, he immediately tells his mother.
“..I’ll complain to my mother again, so she’ll deign to give you a task like yesterday...”
Source: Act two, scene 4
Mitrofan, just like his uncle Skotinin, loves pigs very much.
“It’s a strange thing, brother, how family can resemble family! Our Mitrofanushka is just like our uncle - and he is as big a hunter as you are. When I was still three years old, when I saw a pig, I used to tremble with joy.”
Source: Act one, scene 5
Mitrofan, essentially completely uneducated, does not want to study anymore. He would be much more happy to get married.
“Skotinin. Do you want to get married?
Mitrofan (softened up). It’s been a long time since I started hunting, uncle..."
Source: Act two, scene 4
“Mitrofan. Well! And then what?
Mrs. Prostakova. And then you get married.
Mitrofan. Listen, mother, I will amuse you. I'll study; just let this be the last time and let there be an agreement today.”
Source: Act Three, Scene 7
“The hour of my will has come. I don’t want to study, I want to get married.”
Source: Act Three, Scene 7
Mitrofan adopts in everything the behavior of his mother, a narrow-minded and grumpy woman. Following her example, he constantly insults his teachers.
“Your honor is always barking idlely.”
Source: Act Three, Scene 7
Mitrofan does not consider himself smart and capable, but this does not upset him. He is comfortable being a close-minded person, and he seeks the company of his own kind.
“I myself, mother, am not one for clever people. Your brother is always better.”
Source: Act Three, Scene 8
Mitrofan shows himself to be an insensitive and ungrateful man who mercilessly pushes his mother away when she loses power.
“Mrs. Prostakova (rushing to hug her son). You are the only one left with me, my dear friend, Mitrofanushka!
Mitrofan. Let go, mother, how you imposed yourself...
Mrs. Prostakova. And you! And you leave me! A! ungrateful!"
Source: Act five, last phenomenon
Mitrofan is an indifferent person to everything. He is not interested in how he will live, what he will do. He agrees to the first offer that comes from Pravdin.
“Pravdin (to Mitrofan). With you, my friend, I know what to do. I went to serve...
Mitrofan (waving his hand). For me, where they tell me..."
Source: Act five, last phenomenon
Upbringing
15-year-old Mitrofan has been studying at home for four years with visiting teachers. Mrs. Prostakova is confident that she is raising her son in the best traditions.
“I’ve been studying for four years now. There’s nothing, it’s a sin to say that we don’t try to educate Mitrofanushka. We pay three teachers. The sexton from Pokrov, Kuteikin, comes to him to read and write. Father, one retired sergeant Tsyfirkin teaches him arithmetics... The German Adam Adamych Vralman teaches him French and all sciences. This is three hundred rubles a year.”
Source: Act one, scene 6
“We don’t regret the last crumbs, just to teach our son everything!”
Source: Act Three, Scene 5
“In Moscow they accepted a foreigner for five years and, so that others would not be lured away, the police announced the contract. He contracted to teach us what we want, and teach us what he can do. We have fulfilled all our parental duties, we have accepted the German and we are paying him in advance in thirds.”
Source: Act Three, Scene 5
Mrs. Prostakova, feeling sorry for her son, does not bother him with anything. She believes that excessive zeal in studying could harm her beloved son. His mother is sure that Mitrofan is a smart and intelligent guy who should start a family.
“It’s not a century for you, my friend, it’s not a century for you to learn. Thank God, you already understand so much that you can raise the kids yourself.”
Source: Act two, scene 6
“It’s very nice to me that Mitrofanushka doesn’t like to step forward. With his intelligence, may he fly far, and God forbid!”
Source: Act Three, Scene 7
“Mitrofanushka, my friend, if studying is so dangerous for your little head, then for me, stop.”
Source: Act Three, Scene 8
Mrs. Prostakova, being present at her son’s classes, does not allow him to solve the simplest arithmetic problems. She believes that they are stupid, and she herself teaches her son “worldly” wisdom.
“He’s lying, my dear friend. Once you find the money, don’t share it with anyone. Take it all for yourself, Mitrofanushka. Don’t learn this stupid science.”
Source: Act Three, Scene 7
“Science is not like that. Only you are tormented, but all I see is emptiness. No money - what to count? There is money - we’ll figure it out well without Pafnutich.”
Source: Act Three, Scene 7
The mother really wants Mitrofan, following the example of most nobles in the 18th century, to be able to receive ranks and titles not in the service, but while on long-term leave.
“...while Mitrofanushka is still in his infancy, treat him with sweat and then in ten years, when he enters the service, God forbid, he will suffer everything. How happiness is destined for anyone, brother. From our surname Prostakovs, look, lying on their sides, they are flying to their ranks.”
Source: Act one, scene 6
By the age of 16, Mitrofan had reached the highest level of his development. During 4 years of study, he was never able to master a single subject.
“Sophia. You can’t even imagine everyone. Although he is sixteen years old, he has already reached the last degree of his perfection and will not go any further.
Pravdin. How can it not go further, madam? He finishes his book of hours; and there, one must think, they will begin to read the psalter.”
Source: Act two, phenomenon 2
Mitrofan himself is a very lazy young man who does not want to study at all.
“Eremeevna. Yes, learn at least a little.
Mitrofan. Well, say another word, you old bastard! I'll finish them off! I’ll complain to my mother again, so she’ll deign to give you a task like yesterday.”
Source: Act two, scene 4
Mitrofan's teachers honestly admit that their careless student is good for nothing.
“...my boyfriend and I have been struggling with the broken parts for three years now, but they just don’t stick well; Well, it’s true, man does not come to man..."
Source: Act two, scene 5
“...you can’t hammer into another tree stump in ten years what another catches in flight...”
Source: Act two, scene 5
“Tsyfirkin...God gave me a student, a boyar’s son. I’ve been fighting with him for three years now: he can’t count three.
Kuteikin. So we have one problem. I have been tormenting my stomach for four years now. To sit for an hour, except for the butts, he won’t be able to make out a new line; Yes, and he mumbles his behinds, God forgive me, without a warehouse in warehouses, to no avail in his talk.
Source: Act Three, Scene 6
Mitrofan's level of education is so low that he does not even know about the existence of such a science as geography.
“Pravdin. Didn’t they both study geography from her?
Mrs. Prostakova (to her son). Do you hear, my dear friend? What kind of science is this?
Mitrofan (quietly to his mother). How do I know?
Source: Act Four, Scene 8
Popular writings
- My four-legged friend cat essay
Some modern people have pets. They can be true friends and give their owners happiness, joy, tenderness and affection. You can play with pets and have a good time. - What mistakes cannot be corrected?
Essay for grade 11 In the life of every person there is room for mistakes. Absolutely everyone accepts them. The only thing is that there are mistakes that are easily corrected, but there are fatal ones that cannot be corrected, and they can affect your entire subsequent life. - The image of the Russian people in the tale of Lefty Nikolai Leskov
Almost all the works of Nikolai Semenovich Leskov show a special type of hero from the people - he shows a person who fights for the preservation of moral standards and tries to live righteously
Characterization of Mitrofan by other heroes
Mother (Mrs. Prostakova)
For Mrs. Prostakova, her only son Mitrofan is hope and consolation. She finds joy in him.
“Hold me, my dear friend! Here, son, is my only consolation.”
Source: Act one, scene 4
“My only concern, my only joy is Mitrofanushka. My age is passing. I’m preparing him to become a people.”
Source: Act two, scene 5
Ms. Prostakova sincerely believes that Mitrofan is receiving a decent education. Moreover, his teachers are random people who themselves know nothing about the subjects.
“I’ve been studying for four years now. There’s nothing, it’s a sin to say that we don’t try to educate Mitrofanushka. We pay three teachers. The sexton from Pokrov, Kuteikin, comes to him to read and write. Father, one retired sergeant Tsyfirkin teaches him arithmetics... The German Adam Adamych Vralman teaches him French and all sciences. This is three hundred rubles a year.”
Source: Act one, scene 6
Mrs. Prostakova dreams of settling her son Mitrofan as profitably as possible. Having learned that Sophia will become the heir to her uncle’s fortune, she intends to marry her to Mitrofan.
“Congratulations, Sofyushka! Congratulations, my soul! I'm overjoyed! Now you need a groom. I, I don’t wish for a better bride for Mitrofanushka.”
Source: Act one, scene 7
Mrs. Prostakova considers her son a smart and handsome guy, a worthy groom.
"Groom for anyone..."
Source: Act Three, Scene 5
“It is bad to praise your child, but where will the one whom God brings to be his wife not be unhappy.”
Source: Act Three, Scene 5
Despite the fact that Mitrofan is already an adult, Mrs. Prostakova often calls him a child and treats him like an unintelligent child.
“A child, really, even though he’s a groom. Follow him, however, so that he doesn’t anger the guest out of playfulness without intent.”
Source: Act Three, Scene 8
For Mrs. Prostakova, rude, lazy and narrow-minded Mitrofan is a real gift of fate.
“For the prayers of our parents, we sinners, where could we beg, the Lord gave us Mitrofanushka. We did everything to make him the way you would like to see him.”
Source: Act Four, Scene 8
As a result, when Mitrofan cruelly pushes his mother away, she calls him ungrateful.
"And you! And you leave me! A! ungrateful!"
Source: Act five, last phenomenon
“I’m completely lost!.. I don’t have a son!”
Source: Act five, last phenomenon
Detailed characteristics of Prostakova.
Father (Mr. Prostakov)
Mr. Prostakov loves his son Mitrofan with all his heart and sees only good things in him, completely ignoring his shortcomings.
“At least I love him, as a parent should, he’s a smart child, he’s a sensible child, he’s funny, he’s an entertainer; sometimes I am beside myself with him, with joy I truly don’t believe that he is my son, Skotinin.”
Source: Act one, scene 4
The father notices the similarity between Mitrofan and his uncle Skotinin, who are equally partial to pigs.
“It’s a strange thing, brother, how family can resemble family! Our Mitrofanushka is just like our uncle - and he is as big a hunter as you are. When I was still three years old, when I saw a pig, I used to tremble with joy.”
Source: Act one, scene 5
Uncle (Skotinin)
Skotinin sees that Mitrofan is under the strong influence of his mother.
“Well, Mitrofanushka! You, I see, are mother’s son, not father’s.”
Source: Act one, scene 4
Detailed characteristics of Skotinin.
Teachers
Mitrofan's teachers consider their student to be extremely stupid, lazy and narrow-minded.
“...my boyfriend and I have been struggling with the broken parts for three years now, but they just don’t stick well; Well, it’s true, man does not come to man..."
Source: Act two, scene 5
“...you can’t hammer into another tree stump in ten years what another catches in flight...”
Source: Act two, scene 5
“Tsyfirkin...God gave me a student, a boyar’s son. I’ve been fighting with him for three years now: he can’t count three.
Kuteikin. So we have one problem. I have been tormenting my stomach for four years now. To sit for an hour, except for the butts, he won’t be able to make out a new line; Yes, and he mumbles his behinds, God forgive me, without a warehouse in warehouses, to no avail in his talk.
Source: Act Three, Scene 6
Tsyfirkin, being an honest man, does not take remuneration for his work, since he was never able to teach Mitrofan anything.
“I won’t take anything. He didn't adopt anything."
Source: Act five, scene 6
Starodum
At the first meeting, Starodum understands what kind of person his parents raised Mitrofan: narrow-minded, with a shallow soul.
“This one catches you kissing your hand. It’s clear that they are preparing a great soul for him...”
Source: Act Three, Scene 5
Starodum, having learned that Mitrofan did not have real teachers, is dismissive of his level of knowledge.
“I found out who his teachers were. I see in advance what kind of literate he needs to be, learning from Kuteikin, and what kind of mathematician, studying from Tsyfirkin.”
Source: Act Four, Scene 8
“Starodum. So that's why you use the word fool as an adjective, because it is applied to a stupid person?
Mitrofan. And it is known."
Source: Act Four, Scene 8
The wise Starodum understands that the reason for Mitrofan’s bad character lies in his upbringing, which consisted of permissiveness.
“These are the fruits worthy of evil!”
Source: Act five, last phenomenon
Detailed characteristics of Starodum.
Pravdin
Pravdin despises the stupid and ignorant Mitrofan, who treats his mother cruelly.
“Pravdin (to Mitrofan). Scoundrel! Should you be rude to your mother? It was her crazy love for you that brought her the most misfortune.
Mitrofan. Yes, it’s like she doesn’t know...
Pravdin. Rude!”
Source: Act five, last phenomenon
Detailed description of Pravdin.
Sophia
Sophia is skeptical about the mental abilities of Mitrofan, who is incapable of self-development.
“Although he is sixteen years old, he has already reached the last degree of his perfection and will not go further.”
Source: Act two, phenomenon 2
Biography
Mitrofan Terentyevich Prostakov is the only and beloved son of the nobleman and landowner Mr. Prostakov and his wife Mrs. Prostakova.
Apparently, Mitrofan is the late child of the Prostakovs, and the very fact of his birth was perceived by them as a gift of fate. Until the age of 11, the boy leads an exclusively free life, doing whatever comes into his head. All his pranks and whims are forgiven, no one educates him, no one explains what is good and what is bad.
However, even after starting his studies with dubious teachers (the arithmetic teacher is a retired military man, the literacy teacher is a clergyman, and the French language and social manners teacher is a former coachman), Mitrofan does not change his usual way of life. This is facilitated by his mother, who sees in education only a necessary tribute to the times.
Over 4 years of such training, Mitrofan does not advance one step in his knowledge, and his development is no different from the level of a child. However, this fact does not prevent the young man from dreaming of marriage.
The unsuccessful matchmaking angers Mitrofan, who shows his dissatisfaction with his mother and goes to serve with Pravdin.
Image of Mitrofan
The author presents Mitrofan Prostakov as an exclusively negative character who embodies many negative qualities. Crippled by the excessive love of an oppressive mother, Mitrofan grows up as an infantile, irresponsible, lazy person, indifferent to everything around him.
The young hero's only passion is delicious food, which he is ready to consume in unlimited quantities. Study, knowledge, and enlightenment are not among the interests of a young man who is ready to enter a full-fledged adult life and start a family. However, this is just another whim of a spoiled lazy person who doesn’t know what to do with himself.
The authority for Mitrofanushka is his mother, whose life principles and behavior model he blindly copies. A real despot grows out of the boy - rude, narrow-minded, lazy, greedy, insensitive, who does not love or respect anyone. The seeds sown by Mrs. Prostakova bear fruit, and as a result, Mitrofan shows cruelty even to his mother, who blindly loves him.
Conclusion
Comedy D.I. Fonvizin’s “Minor” is an acutely social satirical work, which, thanks to the themes raised, has not lost its popularity to this day. The bright, original image of the main character played a big role in this. The characterization of Mitrofanushka, despite the large share of satire, is a reflection of a serious problem - the moral degradation of a society that rejects development and education.
The attitude towards Mitrofan is revealed as the story progresses. And if at first he only evokes ridicule and contempt, then later the role of the hero deepens, and his entire ugly, frightening essence appears on the surface. An analysis of the personality of Mitrofan Prostakov will be especially useful when preparing for a literature lesson in 8th grade, as well as when writing an essay.
The collected material, which includes quotes from the text, will allow you to independently characterize the hero according to plan, help you compose a detailed written work or write an essay on a given topic.
Why is Mitrofan the central character?
As the title of the work makes clear, the young man is the central image of the comedy “The Minor.” In the character system, he is contrasted with the positive heroine Sophia, who appears to the reader as an intelligent, educated girl who respects her parents and older people. It would seem, why did the author make the key figure of the play a weak-willed, stupid undergrowth with a completely negative characteristic? Fonvizin in the image of Mitrofan showed a whole generation of young Russian nobles. The author was concerned about the mental and moral degradation of society, in particular, young people who adopted outdated values from their parents. In addition, in “Nedorosl” Mitrofan’s characterization is a composite image of the negative traits of Fonvizin’s contemporary landowners. The author sees cruelty, stupidity, lack of education, sycophancy, disrespect for others, greed, civic passivity and infantilism not only in extraordinary landowners, but also in officials at the court, who also forgot about humanism and high morality. For the modern reader, the image of Mitrofan is, first of all, a reminder of what a person becomes when he stops developing, learning new things and forgets about eternal human values - respect, kindness, love, mercy. A detailed description of Mitrofan, his character and way of life will help students in grades 8-9 when preparing a report or essay on the topic “Characterization of Mitrofan in the comedy “The Minor”” “The Minor,” the characterization of Mitrovan in the comedy by Fonvizin - an essay on the topic | source
