- Essays
- On literature
- Goncharov
- Based on the work Woe from Wit
“Woe from Wit” is a comedy written by the great and famous playwright A.S. Griboyedov, shows how society is not ready to accept people who are able to express their opinions.
Such people include the main character of this work, Chatsky Alexander Andreevich. The only positive character. He is a very educated and intelligent person who fights injustice and deception, which, as we see, does not bring him happiness and success in life. In Chatsky, the author tries to show the wisdom and intelligence of people who are not afraid to go against outdated orders and foundations of society, selfishness and lies. By his example, he tries to show that one should not be afraid of one’s views and express one’s opinion, even if society thinks in a different direction.
We can say that Chatsky is entering into a battle with the Famus society, which blindly believes in some ideals, which does not at all strive to improve and learn. What made him return to such a society? And he returned for the sake of his beloved Sophia, who talks all night long with her father’s secretary Molchalin. He fully supports Famusov’s views and worldview, and through deception and flattery he tries to gain a foothold or even improve his position in Famusov’s society. He tries to please all the high-ranking people. And he only looks after Sophia in order to be closer to her father; in fact, Molchalin is in love with the maid Elizaveta.
Before leaving, Sophia was friends with Chatsky and shared his views on society and life. But Sophia, being in such a society, began to degrade and try to conform to society. He does not understand how she could fall in love with Molchalin and is trying to open her, his beloved, eyes to everything that is happening, and to the stupid people who surround her, and to Molchalin’s deception. But Sophia is blind in her love and outlook on life. After all, it was she who spread the rumor about his madness. Chatsky is not afraid of high ranks, and says what he thinks and goes against society. That is why everyone believed about the rumor that he was not of sound mind.
Having analyzed all the heroes, it turns out that fools live happy and contented lives, and smart people are unhappy. The mind brings only misunderstanding from society, disappointment and suffering. All actions, thoughts, and deeds of Chatsky are broken against a wall of misunderstanding and ridicule. He understands that intelligence, nobility and honor are not valued at all in society. The ability to serve and submit is valued. But he himself cannot and does not want to live by such rules: “I would be glad to serve, but it’s sickening to be served.” This phrase of his means that he is ready to serve the cause, but in no case to officials and other people.
Completely disillusioned with high society and love, he no longer wants to stay in Moscow and leaves in a hurry. His mental abilities and sound thinking did not bring him happiness. And most likely Chatsky is doomed to loneliness.
The problem described in “Woe from Wit” remains relevant in our time. A person who tries to bring something new to the masses is subjected to ridicule and misunderstanding. And judging by the many years of experience of mankind, such brilliant people, unfortunately, receive recognition only after their death.
Option 2
Griboyedov’s work “Woe from Wit” is a kind of comedy, as they say, but in fact, after reading and analyzing the story, it is a tragedy of that time. But you shouldn’t be surprised that there were such heroes and characters at that time. In the modern world, much has not changed during this time and the same characters exist to this day.
The main characters of this satirical work are distinguished by their characters and the society they choose for themselves. They all gathered in the house of Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov.
There is a class division in the work - this is the Famous movement, where only high ranks and merits are recognized. This society does not recognize either science or art. For them, the rank that you hold is important, even if you are not an educated person. In order for an ordinary person to earn at least some place in Famous society, he needs to serve someone in his environment. So Molchalin, a cowardly and quiet man, to whom Famusov assigned the rank of assessor, came into Famusov’s family circle without any title or rank. Sophia, the daughter of Pavel Afanasyevich, spoiled by her father's love, is in love with him. But the father does not recognize ordinary people and therefore wants to see Skalozub as a suitor; he is a colonel and aims to become a general, although he does not shine at all with his intelligence, but at the same time he has a good fortune. Sophia does not want to marry such a stupid man and constantly finds excuses for her father.
The distinctive hero in the satire is Alexander Chatsky, Sophia’s childhood friend. As a child, he was in love with her, but childhood ended, and Chatsky went to travel around the country for 3 years. He was not a follower of the Famous Society, he was smart, eloquent and did not want to obey anyone. He also did not like to serve, for this he was not accepted in those circles, and he did not share their views and believed that their morals were outdated and they were hiding behind uniforms. Returning from his travels, his feelings flared up again for Pavel Afanasyevich’s daughter, and he turns to him with a conversation about matchmaking, but Famusov makes it clear that he needs to serve him in order to get into their family, with which Chatsky does not agree. But he never stops courting and wooing Sophia.
The actions that unfolded further in Famusov’s house at the ball showed that Molchalin, with his helpfulness, only wanted to stay in the house, not having feelings for his daughter, but completely hitting on Liza. Sophia, for the sake of Molchalin, betrayed all of Chatsky’s love, which he so carefully cherished and kept for these three years, rushing to return to Sophia and confess to her. She started a rumor about Alexander's madness, unaware of Molchalin's betrayal. Actions turned against her, and her father threatened to send her to her aunt in the village. Chatsky, who did not find himself in Famusov’s society and was disappointed in his hopes, leaves Moscow forever, because he finds himself rejected and not accepted by society.
In this story, the author conveys obvious changes in society that emerged after the war. This was a split in noble circles. But to this day there are people like Chatsky who want to convey their beliefs to the world, but no one hears him, since he is not in the right circle and has too little authority.
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Essay Woe from Wit
Woe from Wit is a vivid literary work of the first half of the nineteenth century, written by Griboyedov. Although the work was known in public circles, censorship did not allow its publication for a long time. And for a long time the play existed in the form of manuscripts. For Russian literature, this work is the first realistic comedy. The events in it take place in the Famusovs’ house and have several storylines: a love drama and social controversy.
Social conflict is expressed in the contradiction of the established views of society, which Famusov represented. And the views of a new generation of youth, who consider their calling not to be service (state or military), but the development of personality, expressed in teaching various sciences, knowledge of the role of man in society. Of course, such views are regarded by Famusov as Jacobinism. A person of deep intelligence is not accepted by society. Society is trying to drive him out, which Chatsky felt very well when he was declared crazy. He feels uncomfortable in such company. Society would have had to change its way of life if it had accepted Chatsky’s views, but this was inconvenient for them and therefore unnecessary. In the contradictions of the old noble society and the representative of the new way of life, many questions are raised: family structure, serfdom, service to the state and others.
At the same time, comedy characters do not have a clear division into positive and negative heroes. Each personality has a different set of characteristics, allowing you to see the hero from both the positive and negative sides.
Sophia is considered the most complex character in the play. She is well-read and loves art, even expresses contempt, in a conversation with Molchalin, for the opinion of the world, which is typical for the new society. At the same time, she lies perfectly, dodges and pretends, like representatives of the old nobility.
Chatsky also has a contradictory character. He is smart and brave, and, at the same time, hot-tempered and unceremonious. Throughout the play, Sophia reproaches him for his impudence and habit of ridiculing other people. Indeed, he is harsh and merciless towards his interlocutor. It is worth noting that such rudeness is not intended to offend the interlocutor. It turns out spontaneously, like a sharp surge in Chatsky’s soul at the immorality of society.
Briefly about the comedy and its author
Having received an excellent university education, the future author of the great comedy volunteers to fight against Napoleon. However, Griboedov does not participate in battles, but communicates a lot with ordinary people, soldiers, and residents of Moscow. He sees how great patriotic feelings are.
His acquaintance with Pushkin and Küchelbecker had a special influence on the formation of Griboyedov’s progressive worldview after the war. In addition, he is interested in the works of Radishchev and Fonvizin, and gets acquainted with the Decembrists. The writer fully supports their ideas, and after the uprising on Senate Square he is very worried about the defeat of his friends.
Only one work by Griboyedov is widely known, but it significantly influenced the history of Russian literature. Every schoolchild now writes an essay based on Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit.”
Famusov
In order for an essay on A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” on any topic to be written successfully, it is necessary to delve into each image, analyzing it and highlighting typical, characteristic features. Let's start with Famusov.
This is the main opponent of progressive thinking people who support the advanced ideas of Decembrism. He is an ardent defender of the serf-landowner system.
The author especially emphasizes his stupidity, resourcefulness and cunning. At the same time, he is a powerful master who considers all his actions infallible.
Famusov values people not by their personal qualities, but by what rank they have and how their well-being is calculated. He personally tells Sophia that the poor man is not a match for her.
Famusov is revealed in a special way through his attitude towards books and education in general. He believes that reading is the most boring activity, it “hurts me to sleep.” He considers those who read and have their own point of view to be crazy.
Main character
Chatsky is opposed to Famus society. Griboedov embodied a genuine Decembrist in his hero (even the biographies are similar). After military service, he worked in the civil service and left because of a contradiction in views: “I would be glad to serve, but it’s sickening to be served.” Such conditions were dictated by the regime established under Arakcheev.
This man is a loner rebel. He fights for national dignity, opposing the fashion in society for French traditions. Chatsky condemns and does not recognize serfdom, veneration and idleness of the nobles. That is why at one time the Decembrists considered this hero one of “theirs.”
Despite the abundance of topical topics, this work is a comedy. The language of Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (an essay on this topic is also included in the list of main ones) is simple, apt, replete with catchphrases. Many of the characters' statements became aphorisms over time.
Summary
Any essay on Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” must begin with an overview of the plot, i.e. summary. All the action takes place in one day. Chatsky appears in the city after a long absence. He was away for three years, traveling. Chatsky pays a visit to Famusov to greet the owner of the house and visit his daughter Sophia, whom he has designs on.
Sophia is passionate about Molchalin, Famusov’s secretary. Chatsky does not speak very flatteringly about him, which the maid Liza does not like, and leaves home until the evening. Arriving at the appointed time to the Famusovs, Chatsky begins to ask the owner about Sophia. Famusov doesn’t like this, he suggests that the young man first pursue a career, like Skalozub, for example.
At this time, Sophia runs in: she was afraid that Molchalin had fallen from his horse and was killed. The latter enters next and assures everyone of his good health. Chatsky again speaks poorly of Molchalin in front of Sophia. The girl decides to take revenge on her former boyfriend by slandering him in front of everyone present. She makes him look crazy. Rumors reach Chatsky, but their source remains unknown.
Further, the plot develops as follows: it turns out that Molchalin is in love with Lisa, Sophia’s maid. He needs the latter only to curry favor with Famusov. Sophia finds out about this and drives Molchalin away. Chatsky also leaves after him, unable to be in the company of such insidious and narrow-minded people. At this time, Famusov only cares about what people will say about their family.
Ideological content
The work was completed in 1824. Censorship banned the comedy, but it very quickly spread among enlightened people in manuscripts. Every thinking person found a reflection of reality in it. Thus, the Decembrists accepted comedy as a reflection of their views and programs - that’s how topical it was.
The essay “Problems of Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit”” should begin by noting the above facts at the beginning, and also paying attention to the fact that the work shows the opposition and even the ideological clash of two social camps: the “ossified” feudal nobles ( Famusov and his society) and advanced, thinking, thinking youth (Chatsky). The characters are not fictitious: they are all, to some extent, a cross-section of real Moscow society at the beginning of the 19th century. Hence the meaning of the name of A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit.” Chatsky is in conflict with Famusov’s society, where the word “smart” is equated with the word “free-thinking.” His best qualities seem suspicious to the rest of society, his actions devoid of logic and meaning. It’s not for nothing that Famusov says that Chatsky, in his opinion, has gone crazy.
Sophia
Sophia, Famusov's daughter, is young, sensible and, unfortunately, is already under the influence of a rotten environment. An essay based on Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” should not ignore this character, endowed with many controversial character traits.
Although Moscow society has left its mark on the heroine, she is capable of thinking and expressing her point of view. If she were like everyone else, Chatsky would not pay attention to her. Goncharov, in his article “A Million Torments,” dedicated to comedy, notes Sophia’s blindness, mental and moral. Well-read, she nevertheless did not form her own opinion.
The heroine stands at the center of two conflicts: both love (the line “Molchalin - Sophia - Chatsky”) and social. The latter begins with Chatsky's matchmaking.
Skalozub
The character that Famusov himself fawns over is Colonel Skalozub. He is stupid and cruel. This is a supporter of the Arakcheev regime. An essay on Griboyedov's comedy "Woe from Wit" must necessarily contain a description of this character as very characteristic of that time.
What is Skalozub like? This is an unprincipled person whose life goal is to advance through the levels of his military career. The limit of his dreams is to rise to the rank of general. Moreover, he judges all people from the standpoint of their attitude to military service and ranks. So, to Famusov’s question about Natalya Nikolaevna Skalozub replies that he cannot say anything, since he did not serve with her.
Skalozub’s limitations and outright stupidity are especially emphasized. He can’t even say anything about Moscow, except that it is “a huge distance.”
Just like Famusov, Skalozub despises enlightened, thinking people.
