Description of the servant in the work
Oblomov's servant, like a distorting mirror, reflects the most disgusting qualities of the main character, and this shows what the ideological and compositional role of Zakhar is in the novel: he is a kind of double of his master.
Appearance and quality
Zakhar is an elderly, bald man with long and thick sideburns streaked with gray, he is over 50. He leads the same lifestyle as his owner Ilya Ilyich. He wears a frock coat with a hole in it, and everything in the apartment is covered in dust and dirt. Serf Oblomov, just like himself, lies on the sofa all day long and is in a sleepy state.
The character was born in a calm and quiet town, which is why he is too passive. The serfs from Oblomovka were happy, confident that others lived just like them.
In his youth, Zakhar was gluttonous and agile, often cunning.
It has the following features:
- sloppy;
- untidy;
- lazy;
- rude;
- devoted;
- awkward.
The servant was attached to the master, their relationship can be called friendly.
Serf's Robe
Clothes occupy a special place in Zakhar’s image. This is an important detail that characterizes the character. It is constantly changing, but only the person himself remains the same. The servant prefers clothes made according to old fashions; he does not like new clothes.
In Oblomovka, the hero wears special footmen's clothing, which was embroidered with braid . Then he had a frock coat with copper buttons, a jacket and a faded overcoat. All his clothes copied the attire of Oblomov, who wore a robe and a frock coat. Convenience was a symbol of nobility for Ilya Ilyich. But only a return to the robe can be called a path of degradation of the individual.
The servant's attire symbolized affection for the master, revealing his slavish essence. When Zakhar began to wear a single-length overcoat, and this happened after Oblomov’s death, it was as if he had lost his other half. The servant was left without his beloved master and lost his master. He felt the need to be needed by someone, as this gave him food and a roof over his head.
Even the description of the servant's clothing shows the parasitism of the servant and the master. Zakhar has no idea how to live an independent life.
Service with the master
The servant reluctantly carries out the instructions of the master, always looking for excuses for himself. In his youth, he was a footman in a manor house, after which he was promoted to Oblomov’s uncle, and then became his valet.
When Zakhar was a footman, he accompanied gentlemen to church and guests. At other times, he dozed off, collected gossip and spent hours at the gate. After he was appointed uncle to Ilya Ilyich, he imagined himself to be a noble member of the master’s house, or rather, an aristocratic one. The servant dressed and undressed his master, but did nothing else.
In his hands everything breaks and does not hold together . It creates the appearance of work. In fact, this is a person unadapted to life.
This trait is characteristic of Oblomov himself. Thus, the servant influences the moral and physical decline of his master.
Comparison of characters: Oblomov and Zakhar
In the novel “Oblomov” by I. A. Goncharov, the complex relationship between slavery and lordship is exposed;
there is a story about two opposite types of people, differing in their concepts of the world: for one the world is abstract, ideal, for the other it is material and practical. The author described these two types in Oblomov and Zakhara. Oblomov is educated, not stupid, but he is too lazy to do anything to solve this or that problem. All day long he just lies and thinks. Sometimes he seems to decide to do something, but rarely follows through with his impulses. There is nothing better for him than lying quietly and doing nothing. Even his village is run by a trusted person. For him, ordinary dressing becomes an obstacle to business, because he does not want to part with his favorite robe. Oblomov tries to understand himself, to understand why he is like this, and remembers his childhood, his mother’s affection, and care. Little Ilya was not allowed to be independent: to dress and wash himself. For this there were a huge number of nannies and servants. Accustomed to such guardianship, Oblomov, having matured, cannot do without the help of a servant. The character of an “eternal child” was formed, dreamy, beautiful-hearted, but completely unsuited to practical life. Ilya Ilyich finds this ideal of family, his native Oblomovism, in his marriage to Agafya Matveevna Pshenitsyna, a bourgeois woman, into whose house he moved from Gorokhovaya Street. In his description of the courtyard, Goncharov gives a multi-valued description of peace and quiet, Fr. The first thing Oblomov notices about Agafya is her thriftiness and thoroughness. She is talented in housekeeping, but otherwise knows nothing. Oblomov's feeling for Pshenitsyna was down-to-earth, and for Olga - sublime. He dreams of Olga, looks at Agafya, something had to be done for the wedding with Olga, but the marriage with Agafya develops on its own, imperceptibly. Even Stolz had already given up hope of getting his friend out of this Oblomovism after seeing Ilya Ilyich’s “eternal” robe. If Olga “took off” the robe, then Agafya, patching it up, “so that it would last longer,” put Oblomov in it again. The only thing Stolz can do is take care of Oblomov’s son. Thus, by handing over little And-ryusha to Stoltz to raise, Goncharov shows who the future belongs to. Agafya, to whom, after Oblomov’s death, Stolz offered to live with his son, cannot overcome the inextricable connection with Oblomov’s environment. The significance of Oblomov’s image is unusually great. Goncharov contrasted it with the vanity and meaninglessness of the St. Petersburg life of the Volkovs, Sudbinskys, Penkins, who had forgotten about man and sought to satisfy their petty vanity or mercantile interests. This St. Petersburg “Oblomovism” is not accepted by Goncharov, and through Oblomov’s mouth he expresses protest against the condemnation of “fallen people.” Oblomov speaks about compassion for the “fallen”, getting up from the sofa in a fit of emotion. Seeing no meaning in the hectic life of St. Petersburg, in pursuit of illusory values, Oblomov’s idleness is a kind of protest against the advancing rationalism of the bourgeois era. During this era, Oblomov retained a pure childish soul, but “Oblomovism” - apathy, laziness and lack of will - led him to spiritual and physical death. Zakhar is the servant of Ilya Ilyich Oblomov. Goncharov defines his character as a knight “with fear and reproach,” who “belonged to two eras, and both put their stamp on him. From one he inherited boundless devotion to the Oblomov family, and from the other, later, sophistication and corruption of morals.” Zakhar loves to drink with friends, gossip in the yard with other servants, sometimes embellishing his master, sometimes presenting him as Oblomov never was. Zakhar is an eternal uncle, for whom Oblomov remains a small, unreasonable child almost for the rest of his life. He is unconditionally loyal not only to his master, but also to his entire family, since this has been the custom from time immemorial: there are masters and there are their servants. At the same time, Zakhar can grumble at the owner, and even argue with him, and insist on his own. Thus, the eternal habit of the servants of the old century does not allow him to squander the master's property. When Oblomov’s fellow countryman, the swindler Tarantyev, asks Ilya Ilyich to give him a tailcoat for a while, Zakhar immediately refuses: until the shirt and vest are returned, Tarantyev will not receive anything else. And Oblomov is lost in front of his firmness. We can say that Ilya Ilyich is completely dependent on Zakhar, becomes a slave to his serf, and it is difficult to decide which of them is more submissive to the power of the other. At least, what Zakhar doesn’t want, Ilya Ilyich cannot force him to do, and what Zakhar wants, he will do against the master’s will, and the master will submit. Therefore, the servant Zakhar, in a certain sense, is a “master” over his master: Oblomov’s complete dependence on him makes it possible for Zakhar to sleep peacefully on his bed. Ilya Ilyich’s ideal of existence—“idleness and peace”—is equally Zakhara’s longed-for dream. Goncharov shows that the character and worldview of both the master and the servant were formed under the influence of the centuries-old practice of legalized lordship and slavery. In the novel we will not find angry denunciations of serfdom, but the problems of the work are connected with the analysis of exactly how it affects a person and what comes of it.
The image of the hero, his role in the book
In the book there is a peculiar tandem of serf and master. Their relationships and descriptions reveal important issues that the author tried to describe.
Character's marriage
Zakhar married Anisya at the age of 55.
She was the complete opposite of her husband, highlighting his negative traits. The woman turned out to be much smarter than her husband, which Zakhar could not forgive her for. He constantly tried to offend and humiliate her.
Despite this, Anisya is a savior for him, as she always smoothed out conflict situations between Zakhar and the master.
The woman was characterized by the following features:
- liveliness;
- agility;
- mind;
- ease;
- flexibility.
After the master's death, the servant passed into the care of his wife. Without it he was helpless. The image of Anisya, as well as Zakhar’s family relationships, are opposite to Oblomov’s family life.
The master's wife did not want to accept her husband for who he is. She didn't want to be his nanny.
Oblomov and Zahar in I. A. Goncharov’s novel “Oblomov”
Works on literature: Oblomov and Zakhar in the novel by I. A. Goncharov Oblomov In the novel by I. A. Goncharov “Oblomov” the complex relationship between slavery and lordship is exposed: there is a story about two opposite types of people, differing in their concepts of the world: for one, the world is abstract , ideal, for another - material and practical. Goncharov described these two types in Zakhara and Oblomov. Zakhar is the servant of Ilya Ilyich Oblomov. This is a man of the old school, who has difficulty getting used to new living conditions. Zakhar is an eternal uncle, for whom Oblomov remains a small, unreasonable child almost for the rest of his life. He is loyal not only to his master, but to his entire family. Despite his outward looseness, Zakhar, however, is quite collected. The eternal habit of servants of the old century does not allow him to squander the master's property - when Oblomov's fellow countryman, the swindler Tarantyev, asks Ilya Ilyich to give him a tailcoat for a while, Zakhar immediately refuses: until the shirt and vest are returned, Tarantyev will not receive anything else.
Oblomov is lost in front of his hardness. Zakhar is not without his shortcomings. Goncharov defines his character as “a knight with fear and reproach” who “belonged to two eras, and both put their stamp on him. From one he inherited boundless devotion to the Oblomov family, and from the other, later, sophistication and corruption of morals.” Zakhar loves to drink with friends, gossip in the yard with other servants, sometimes embellishing his master, sometimes presenting him as Oblomov never was. Zakhar is very faithful to his master: he would give his life for Oblomov, considering it his duty. Zakhar not only showed no servility towards the master, but was even rude and familiar in his behavior with him. He was angry with him in earnest, for every little thing. Ilya Ilyich Oblomov is the main character of the novel, a young man “about thirty-two or three years old, of average height, pleasant appearance, with dark gray eyes, but with the absence of any definite idea, any concentration in his facial features...
softness... was the dominant and basic expression not only of the face, but of the whole soul; and the soul shone so openly and clearly in the eyes, in the smile, in every movement of the head and hand.” This is how we See Oblomov at the beginning of the novel, in St. Petersburg, on Gorokhovaya Street, where he lives with his servant Zakhar. In Oblomovka, the child grew slowly and sluggishly. Those seeking manifestations of power turned inward and sank, withering away. It is clear what effect this position of the child has on his entire moral and mental education. When Oblomov grows up, he becomes apathetic and characterless, completely dependent on Zakhar, becomes a slave to his serf, and it is difficult to decide which of them is more submissive to the power of the other. At least, what Zakhar doesn’t want, Ilya Ilyich cannot force him to do, and what Zakhar wants, he will do against the master’s will, and the master will submit. But that is why the servant Zakhar, in a certain sense, is a “master” over his master: Oblomov’s complete dependence on him makes it possible for Zakhar to sleep peacefully on his bed.
The ideal of existence of Ilya Ilyich - “idleness and peace” - is to the same extent Zakhara’s Longed Dream. Both of them, master and servant, are children of Oblomovka. Ilya Ilyich, knowing Zakhar’s dignity as devotion, got used to it and patiently endured Zakhar’s countless minor shortcomings. They have known each other for a long time and have lived together for a long time. Oblomov and Zakhar cannot live without each other, cannot sleep; Over the years, an indissoluble connection emerges more and more clearly between them.
The last two representatives of Oblomovka, in their own way, sacredly keep in their souls those “legends of deep antiquity” that shaped their lives, characters and relationships. In 1858, I. A. Goncharov completed his work on the novel “Oblomov” and published it in the first four issues of the journal “Otechestvennye zapiski”.
I would like to talk about the main character of this novel, Oblomov, and his servant Zakhara. Ilya Ilyich Oblomov is a man “about thirty-two or three years old, of average height, pleasant appearance. His complexion was neither ruddy, nor dark, nor pale, but Indifferent... maybe because Oblomov was somehow flabby beyond his years... In general, his body, judging by the matte, overly white color of his neck, small plump hands , soft shoulders, seemed too effeminate for a man.” The main character was wearing a robe made of Persian fabric, very roomy, so Oblomov could wrap himself in it twice. “For Ilya Ilyich, lying down was neither a necessity, like that of a sick person or a person who wants to sleep, nor an accident, like that of someone who is tired, nor a pleasure, like that of a lazy person: it was his normal state.” The room where Ilya Ilyich was lying seemed at first glance to be beautifully decorated.
But taking a closer look, one could understand that this whole situation was just a desire to maintain the appearance of inevitable decency. All the rooms were in terrible disarray. Cobwebs hung in patterns on the walls and from the paintings. There was such a layer of dust on the mirrors that you could write on them. It was a rare morning that there was not a plate left from yesterday's dinner on the table, and there were no bread crumbs lying on the table.
Now I would like to talk about the human qualities of the main character. Oblomov is educated, not stupid, but he is too lazy to do anything to solve this or that problem. All day long he just lies and thinks. Sometimes he seems to decide to do something, but he rarely follows through with his impulses. There is nothing better for him than to lie quietly and do nothing. Even his village is run by a trusted person. For Him, ordinary dressing becomes an obstacle to business, because He does not want to part with his favorite robe. Oblomov tries to understand himself, to understand why He is like this, and remembers his childhood, his mother’s affection, and care.
Little Ilya was not allowed to be independent: to dress and wash himself. For this there were a huge number of nannies and servants. Accustomed to such guardianship, Oblomov, having matured, cannot do without the help of a servant. Ilya Ilyich’s faithful friend and servant was and remains Zakhar, whom he knew when he was still a child.
Zakhar was over fifty years old. He wore a gray, shabby frock coat with gold liveries, never taking off these clothes; they reminded him of his youth, the years spent in Oblomovka. His face was adorned with wide, thick sideburns. Zakhar is devoted to his master, but it’s rare that he doesn’t lie to him about something. The old-time servant kept the owner from being wasteful, and Zakhar himself likes to drink with friends at the Master’s expense. Moreover, he is also a gossip.
Zakhar complains to everyone that he has no life, that they have never seen such a bad master: he is capricious, stingy, and angry. Oblomov's servant is also very awkward. Almost all the things in Ilya Ilyich’s office were broken - and all by the grace of Zakhar. And if Zakhar wants to clean up the house, then there will be no end to the losses. Breaking will begin, various things will fall, dishes will break. Zakhar is also lazy. This is his important similarity with Oblomov. They mutually complement each other. Zakhar nursed little Ilya in his arms, and he remembers Zakhar as “a young, agile, gluttonous and crafty guy.”
They have known each other for many years. But there is also a significant difference in their characters. Zakhar can live without Oblomov, but Oblomov cannot live without Zakhar. Because he is absolutely helpless, he cannot do anything on his own, without anyone's help. And in this situation it is difficult to say who is the master and who is the servant. Zakhar and Ilya Ilyich Oblomov are a product of “Oblomovism,” a disease of their time, where apathy and laziness kill in a person all the best that nature has given him. In the novel “Oblomov” I.
A. Goncharov presented to the readers completely new literary images, a new concept of the novel. As you know, everything in life is interconnected, this also applies to the two characters in the novel: Zakhar and Oblomov. Zakhar is connected with Oblomov by inextricable ties; his life is unthinkable without the kind master. This image is quite significant in the novel. Zakhar is the servant of Ilya Ilyich Oblomov, extremely conservative, wears the same suit that he wore in the village - a gray frock coat.
“The Oblomov house was once rich and famous in its own right, but then, God knows why, it grew poorer, smaller, and finally, imperceptibly lost among the old noble houses.
Only the gray-haired servants of the house kept and passed on to each other the faithful memory of the past, cherishing it as if it were a shrine.” Zakhar was “an elderly man, in a gray frock coat, with a hole under his arm... in a gray vest, with copper buttons... Pages: 1 2
