Comparative characteristics of the present century and the past century. "The present century" and "the past century" in the comedy A.S.

Plan:

1. Introduction

a) representatives of the "past century";

b) representatives of the "present century".

2. Main part:

a) the point of view of Chatsky;

b) Famusov's point of view;

c) conflict resolution.

3. Conclusion.

In the comedy "Woe from Wit" A.S. Griboyedov shows the conflict between the “present century” in the person of Chatsky and the “past century” in the person of the “Famus society”. This is the main conflict that the entire play is about; it is not for nothing that Goncharov writes in his critical article “Million of Torments” that “Chatsky begins a new century - and this is his whole meaning and his whole“ mind ”. Thus, even the title of the work indicates that, first of all, Griboyedov wanted to show the collision of two centuries.

The "past century" is, of course, the Famusovs. Pavel Afanasevich Famusov, an elderly nobleman and an official with money, and his daughter, Sofia Pavlovna Famusova, an educated and pretty young girl. This should also include Molchalin a, Colonel Skalozub, as well as almost all the minor characters of the comedy: the Tugoukhovsky couple, Mrs. Khlestova and others. Together they form the "Famus society", the personification of the "past century."

"The present century" - Alexander Andreevich Chatsky. Other people are fleetingly mentioned, as if heroes similar to him in thinking: Skalozub's cousin, Prince Fyodor - these young people also strive to live a different life, different from the life of the "Famus society". However, there is a significant difference between them and Chatsky: Chatsky is an accuser and an implacable fighter, while these characters do not impose their point of view on anyone.

The collision of Famusov and Chatsky inevitably leads to the collision of the centuries to which they belong. According to Pavel Afanasyevich, Chatsky should have taken up the service - Famusov sees in a young man good inclinations for a brilliant career, besides, Alexander Andreevich is the son of his friend, therefore Famusov is extremely friendly towards him. Chatsky is also happy to return home, not yet suspecting how this return will end; he is glad to see Famusov, but he is not ready to share his views: "I would be glad to serve, it would be sickening to serve."

After traveling around Europe, a young nobleman sees too clearly all the frightening flaws of the Motherland: serfdom, destructive for human souls, imitation of foreigners, "imitation", stupid and ridiculous "love for the uniform" ... each of these flaws raises in him a sincere protest, and Chatsky breaks out another fiery tirade. His famous monologues "And, for sure, the world began to become stupid", "I will not reason ...", "Who are the judges?" - a desperate attempt to make people see what false ideals they follow, how they curtain the windows with their own hands from the rays of a brighter future. Famusov is disappointed in Chatsky. "Small with a head" refuses to follow generally accepted traditions, acts as a denouncer and even an offender of the values ​​of "Famus society". “All have their own laws,” and Chatsky diligently violates these laws, and then scoffs at them.

Of course, a worthy representative of Moscow society cannot stand this, and every now and then he asks Chatsky to keep quiet for his own good. Oddly enough, the most terrible, decisive clash does not occur between Pavel Afansievich and Chatsky. Yes, they develop the conflict of centuries, demonstrating different views on the order in society, but the end of the conflict will not be put by Famusov, but by his daughter. Sofia, beloved to the last by Chatsky, not only exchanged him for the helpful hypocritical Molchalin, but also involuntarily became the culprit of his expulsion - it was because of her that Chatsky was considered insane. Rather, she just wanted to spread a rumor in order to avenge him for making fun of Molchalin, but the "Famus society" too willingly picked up and believed: after all, a madman is not dangerous, all his accusatory, terrible "past century" speeches can be attributed to the clouding of reason ...

So, the “present century” and the “past century” could not but come into conflict because of too different, conflicting views on the correct structure of society and the behavior of people in it. And although in the comedy Chatsky flees Moscow, admitting his defeat, the "Famus society" does not have much time left. Goncharov writes about it this way: "Chatsky is crushed by the amount of old power, inflicting a mortal blow on it with the quality of fresh power."

"THE PRESENT CENTURY" AND "THE PAST CENTURY" IN THE COMEDY OF GRIBOEDOV "Woe FROM MIND"
Plan.
1. Introduction.
Woe from Wit is one of the most topical works in Russian literature.
2. The main part.
2.1 Collision of the "present century" and the "past century".
2.2. Famusov is a representative of the old Moscow nobility.
2.3 Colonel Skalozub is a representative of the Arakcheev army environment.
2.4 Chatsky is a representative of the "present century".
3. Conclusion.

The collision of two eras gives rise to changes. Chatsky is crushed by the amount of the old power, inflicting a mortal blow on it with the quality of the fresh power.

I. Goncharov

Comedy by Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov "Woe from Wit" can be called one of the most topical works in Russian literature. Here the author touches upon the acute problems of that time, many of which continue to occupy the minds of the public even many years after the creation of the play. The content of the comedy is revealed through the collision and change of two eras - the "present century" and the "past century".

After the Patriotic War of 1812, a split occurred in the Russian noble society: two social camps were formed. The camp of feudal reaction represented by Famusov, Skalozub and other people of their circle embodies the "past century." New time, new convictions and positions of the progressive noble youth are represented in the person of Chatsky. Griboyedov expressed the collision of "centuries" in the struggle of these two groups of heroes.

"The Past Century" is presented by the author by people of different positions and ages. These are Famusov, Molchalin, Skalozub, Countess Khlestova, guests at the ball. The worldview of all these characters was formed in the "golden" Catherine's age and since then has not changed in any way. It is this conservatism, the desire to preserve everything “as the fathers did,” that unites them.

Representatives of the "past century" do not accept novelty, but in education they see the cause of all the problems of the present time:

Learning is the plague, learning is the reason
What is more now than when,
Insane divorced people, and deeds, and opinions.

Famusov is usually called a typical representative of the old Moscow nobility. He is a convinced serf-owner, he does not see anything reprehensible in the fact that young people should learn to “bend over,” in order to achieve success in their service. Pavel Afanasyevich categorically does not accept new trends. He adores his uncle, who “ate on gold,” and the reader perfectly understands how his numerous ranks and awards were received - of course, not thanks to his faithful service to the Motherland.

Next to Famusov, Colonel Skalozub is "a golden bag and marks the generals." At first glance, his image is caricatured. But Griboyedov created a completely true historical portrait of a representative of the Arakcheev army environment. Skalozub, just like Famusov, is guided in life by the ideals of the "past century", but only in a rougher form. The purpose of his life is not to serve the Fatherland, but to achieve ranks and awards.

All representatives of Famus society are egoists, hypocrites and self-interested persons. They are only interested in their own well-being, secular entertainment, intrigue and gossip, and their ideals are wealth and power. Griboyedov exposes these people in Chatsky's passionate monologues. Alexander Andreevich Chatsky - humanist; he defends the freedom and independence of the individual. In an angry monologue "Who are the judges?" Serious worship of all foreigners evokes a sharp protest from Chatsky.

Chatsky is a representative of the progressive noble youth and the only hero in a comedy who embodies the "present century." Everything says that Chatsky is the bearer of new views: his behavior, lifestyle, speech. He is convinced that the "age of obedience and fear" must become a thing of the past along with its morals, ideals and values.

However, the traditions of bygone days are still strong - Chatsky becomes convinced of this very quickly. Society sharply puts the hero in his place for his directness and insolence. The conflict between Chatsky and Famusov only at first glance is seen as an ordinary conflict between fathers and children. In fact, this is a struggle of minds, views, ideas.

So, along with Famusov, the peers of Chatsky - Molchalin and Sophia - belong to the "past century". Sophia is not stupid and, perhaps, in the future her views could still change, but she was brought up in the society of her father, on his philosophy and morality. Both Sophia and Famusov favor Molchalin, and let "this mind be absent in him, / What a genius for others, but a plague for others."

He, as it should be, is modest, helpful, silent and will not offend anyone. They do not notice that behind the mask of the ideal groom lies deceit and pretense, aimed at achieving the goal. Molchalin, continuing the traditions of the "past century", is meekly ready to "please all people without exception" in order to achieve benefits. But it is him, and not Chatsky, that Sophia chooses. The smoke of the Fatherland is "sweet and pleasant" to Chatsky.

After three years, he returns to his home and is very friendly at first. But his hopes and joys are not justified - at every step he runs into a wall of misunderstanding. Chatsky is alone in his opposition to the Famus society; even his girlfriend rejects him. Moreover, the conflict with society is closely intertwined with Chatsky's personal tragedy: after all, it is with the suggestion of Sophia that conversations about his madness begin in society.

4.3 / 5. 9

ATTITUDE TO EDUCATION

Present century: The main representative of the present century in comedy is Chatsky. He is smart, well-developed, "knows how to talk", "he knows how to laugh gloriously at everyone, he talks, jokes." Unfortunately, his mind makes him feel "out of place" in Famus society. People do not understand and do not listen to him, and towards the end of the work they consider him already crazy.

The Past Century: In the work of Famusov (it is he and his society that are considered as representatives of the past century), he has a very negative attitude towards education: "I would like to take the books and burn them."

(Talking about Sophia :) "Tell me that it is not good for her to spoil her eyes, and it’s not very useful in reading: she has no sleep from French books, but I have a painful sleep from the Russians." "Learning is the plague, learning is the reason." "All my life I have been reading fables, and here are the fruits of these books" (about Sophia).

Famusov believes that education is a completely unnecessary part of human life, that, having money, a person does not need either education or books (as a way of entertainment).

ATTITUDE TO SERVICE

Present century: Chatsky was in military service. His main goal is business, not profit, rank. Service is necessary for self-development, improvement of abilities. "I would be glad to serve, it is sickening to serve."

Past century: For Famusov, service is, first of all, getting a rank. Military service is also a way of developing a career, and a career is money. Famusov believes that a person without money is nothing - a person of the lowest class.

ATTITUDE TO WEALTH AND ORDERS

Present century: For Chatsky, wealth is not the main characteristic of a person, although he understands that this is an indicator of power (in any century). "And to those who are higher, flattery was woven like lace." - people for the sake of money are ready to say goodbye with pride and go to any lengths. "Ranks are given by people, but people can be deceived."

Ages past: Wealth is the definition of position in society. If a person is rich, then Famusov, most likely, will happily begin to communicate with him (These are visits to visit dear guests, and also, possibly, benefit for himself). Of course, Famusov also wants to find a rich husband for Sofia's daughter, to improve her own income. "He who is poor is not your match." "Be inferior, but if there are two thousand family souls, he is the groom."

ATTITUDE TO A FOREIGNER

Present century: Being in Europe, Chatsky got used to its changeability, life, movement, fashion. "What's new Moscow will show me?" "As from the earliest times we got used to believe that there is no salvation for us without the Germans." "Oh, if we were born to adopt everything, even if we would borrow a little from the Chinese for their wisdom of ignorance of foreigners. Will we rise again from the foreign rule of fashions? So that our smart, vigorous people, although in language they do not consider us as Germans."

Past century: Accustomed to his generation, Famusov does not welcome French fashion. Not approving of books at all, he even more dislikes French novels. "She has no sleep from French books." When Famusov found Molchalin with Sophia: “And here are the fruits of these books! And hairpins! And pins! And bookstores and biscuit shops! "

ATTITUDE TO FREEDOM OF JUDGMENT

Present century: First of all, you need to listen to yourself and your mind. "Why are the opinions of others only holy? I believe my own eyes." In a conversation with Molchalin, Chatsky completely disagrees with him that "in their years one should not dare to have one's own judgments." But, unfortunately, having his own opinion leads him to troubles in the Famus society.

Past century: "Today, nowadays, there are more insane people, and deeds and opinions, than when." Accordingly, all troubles occur due to the emergence of their own opinions in other people. In Famus society it is beneficial to keep those who have no such "flaw" with them. People must live and act strictly according to a template, obeying, most importantly, people who are higher in rank.

ATTITUDE TO LOVE

Present century:

1) For Chatsky, love is, first of all, a sincere feeling. Despite this, he knows how to think sensibly, puts love no higher than reason.

2) Sophia brought up on French novels completely goes into her dreams, often very different from reality. This makes her blind, not seeing that Molchalin is looking exclusively for the benefit of their "love". “I don’t care what is for him, what is in the water!”, “Happy hours are not noticed”.

3) Molchalin hardly understands the concept of "sincere love". Beautiful words are the only way he affects Sophia, for whom this and his ideal fictional image created by her is quite enough. Sophia for Molchalin is the perfect way to get close to her father's money. According to Chatsky, Molchalin is not worthy of love. At the same time, he manages to flirt with Lisa. As a result, Sophia is a benefit for him, Liza is entertainment.

Past century: Famusov does not believe in the existence of love, since he himself is in love only with his own income. In his opinion, marriage is good connections, climbing the career ladder. "That beggar, this dandy friend, is notorious for a mot, a tomboy; What a commission, creator, to be a father to an adult daughter!"

• The comedy of A. S. Griboyedov "Woe from Wit" with amazing accuracy reflected the main conflict of the era - the clash of the conservative forces of society with new people and new trends. For the first time in the history of Russian literature, not one flaw of society was ridiculed, but all at once: serfdom, the emerging bureaucracy, careerism, sycophancy, martyrdom, a low level of education, admiration for everything foreign, servility, the fact that society values ​​not the personal qualities of a person, but "Souls of a thousand two generic", rank, money.
• The main representative of the “present century” in comedy is Alexander Andreyevich Chatsky, a well-educated young man who understood that although the “smoke of the Fatherland” is “sweet and pleasant”, much in the life of Russia needs to be changed, and, first of all, the consciousness of people.
• The hero is opposed by the so-called "Famus society", which is possessed by the fear of progressive ideas and free-thinking thoughts. Its main representative, Famusov, is an official, an intelligent person in everyday life, but an ardent opponent of everything new and progressive.

"The present century" and "the past century".
In the comedy "Woe from Wit", written at the beginning of the 19th century, A. S. Griboyedov touches upon many serious issues of social life, morality, culture, relevant in the era of the change of centuries, when social foundations change and contradictions between representatives of the "present century" and "The past century."
In the work there are people of different societies from Famusov and Khlestova to serfs. The representative of an advanced, revolutionary-minded society is Alexander Andreevich Chatsky, he is opposed by the conservative Famus society, which includes the older generation (Skalozub, Khryumina) and the youth (Sofya, Molchalin). The "past century" is not only an indicator of age, but also a system of outdated views.
So in what questions are the main contradictions between the "present century" and the "past century"?
Members of the Famus society value a person only by origin, wealth, as well as position in society. Ideals for them are people like Maksim Petrovich, an arrogant nobleman and a "hunter to podpodlich". All the characteristic features of the veneration of that time are clearly expressed in the image of Mochalin: he is silent, afraid to express his opinion, seeks favor with everyone whose rank is higher than his own, in order to become an important official, he is ready for a lot. For Chatsky, the main human quality is a rich spiritual world. He communicates with those who are really interesting to him and do not curry favor with the guests of Famusov's house.
The goal of life for Pavel Afanasyevich and those like him is career and enrichment. Nepotism is common in their circles. Secular people serve not for the good of the state, but for personal gain, this confirms the statement of Colonel Skalozub:
Yes, to get ranks, there are many channels;
As a true philosopher, I judge about them:
I just wanted to be a general.
Chatsky, however, does not want to serve "persons", it is to him that the statement belongs: "I would be glad to serve, it is sickening to serve."
Alexander Andreevich is a well-educated person. He spent three years abroad, which changed his worldview. Chatsky is the bearer of new, revolutionary ideas, but it is everything new and progressive that scares the Famus society, and these people see the source of "free-thinking" in enlightenment:
Learning is the plague, learning is the reason
What's more important now than when
Insane divorced people, and deeds, and thoughts.
Society saw in Chatsky a person who contradicts the basic moral principles, which is why the rumor about his madness spread so quickly, and no one found it difficult to believe in him.
Representatives of the two centuries have different views on love. Famusov managed to benefit from the brightest and purest feeling: for his daughter he chose Skalozub as his husband, who "both marks a golden bag and marks the generals." It is clear that with such an attitude, there is no need to talk about true love. Chatsky for many years retained sincere feelings for Sophia. Returning to Moscow, he hoped for reciprocity, but Sophia was strongly influenced by her father's society, and after reading French novels, she found herself "both a boy-husband and a servant-husband" Molchalin, and he, in turn, with Sophia was going to get another rank with the help of Sophia:
And now I take the form of a lover
To please the daughter of such a man
The only time the opinions of Famusov and Chatsky coincide on the issue of the influence of foreigners on Russia, but each has its own reasons. Chatsky speaks like a true patriot, he is an opponent of "empty, slavish, blind imitation" of foreigners, he is disgusted to listen to the speech of people in Famus society, where "a mixture of languages: French and Nizhny Novgorod" prevailed. Famusov has a negative attitude towards foreigners only because he is a father, and his daughter can inadvertently marry some Frenchman:
And all the Kuznetsky Most and the eternal French,
From there, fashion to us, both authors and muses:
Robbers of pockets and hearts.
In a clash with Famusian society, Chatsky is defeated, but he remains undefeated, as he understands the need to fight the "past century." He believes that the future belongs to his fellow-spirits.