This famous play Fonvizin was written by him in1782 The heroes of the comedy were people of different social strata of the 18th century: nobles, serfs, government officials, and self-styled fashion teachers. Before revealing more fully the subject of Starodum's Biography, we’ll dwell on the inhabitants of the Prostakova’s house, because it all began with them.
Prostakovs
So, the main characters:the undead - sixteen-year-old Mitrofanushka - and his mother, Mrs. Prostakova, who is the main negative character of this work. She is cruel and capricious and wants to marry her incompetent son Mitrofan, who is absolutely indifferent to everything. He does not love his mother, only pretends because of her strong and domineering nature.
Prostakova, upon learning that her husband's nieceSophia (a very decent and educated girl) became the heir to a huge fortune, which her precious uncle Starodum bequeathed to her, decided to marry her to her lazy Mitrofanushka by any means. However, Starodum's relatives buried him long ago, and now from this very moment his name comes to the fore. In the house of Prostakovs, everyone is starting to go crazy because of Sophia’s inheritance, for 10 thousand is not a trifling amount at that time. Who is Starodum and where did he come from?
Starodum Biography
In his play, Fonvizin presented Starodum with oneof the noblest and most positive characters. He became his soul mate. Indeed, in the work “Undersight” a lot of political, social, pedagogical and moral issues are touched upon.
The writer specifically leaves the question open,whether Starodum was a landowner, but it becomes known that he did not take root at the royal court and then went to Siberia. According to the hero's own words, they get money there without changing them conscientiously, meanly they do not quit and do not rob the fatherland, earning them from the land that does not know hypocrisy and will be more rewarding than people, and honestly and generously pay for works.
"Trading Nobility"
Fonvizin in Starodum’s business reflectsthe real process of the economic life of the Russian nobility, which attracted his particular attention after the writer translated a French treatise called “The trading nobility, opposed to the military nobility”.
Starodum's biography tells him thatenriched in the goldfields, his goal was to ensure a comfortable future for his only and beloved niece - Sofyushki. Starodum's thoughts are wise and valuable, he tells her that he has made a fortune that can allow her to marry even a poor, but most importantly, a worthy person. He does not associate the welfare of his niece with the possession of a serf people.
And it is no coincidence:Fonvizin wrote the play just at the time when Russia was trying to learn lessons from the peasant war of 1773-1775. and thought about its causes, which almost led the feudal nobility to destruction and destruction. But, having suppressed popular indignation, the state grandees Catherine II strengthened and expanded the privileges of the ruling class even more. The poor people in the face of the law looked even more powerless and helpless. In the play “Minority” these political issues became very acute and topical.
Free-thinking, revolutionary and reformer
The biography of Starodum, which he himself andtells his interlocutors, in particular the Truth and Milon, includes information about what he is 60 years old. His name suggests that he follows the principles of the old era - the era of Peter I. Starodum recalled the words of his father, who always told him that he needed a heart and a soul, and then you would be a man at any time.
In this satirical play Starodum appearsonly by the end of the first act. Together with Pravdin and Milon, he relieves Sophia from bullying Prostakova and assesses the education of the ignorant and stupid Mitrofan.
The characteristic of Starodum says thatin his soul he is a great reformer and revolutionary. He is fed up with state injustice, where truth and honest service have long since lost their value, everything is decided by connections, opportunism and servility. Starodum's upbringing did not allow him to calmly look at how some of his close friends sought out their cunning and arrogance. That is why he left the service, because he could no longer look at how the very people were climbing the career ladder, but the smartest and most worthy remained behind the doors.
Starodum Aphorisms
Thanks to his honest heart, education and moral education, he proclaims the principles of government, where all the laws of governance will be reasonable and fair.
It is also interesting that Starodum's aphorisms are worthyadmiration, because he says very correct things, for example, that without a soul the most enlightened clever girl becomes a miserable creature. He does not tire of repeating that the education of a true nobleman is the business of the state. And this should include education of the heart and mind. At the same time he puts the education of the heart in the first place.
The characteristic of Starodum indicates that he is straightforward, simple-minded and perceptive. He sees through the rotten family of the Prostakovs, and everything that thinks of them says to his eyes.
Premiere performance
In the play "Minor" Fonvizin conveyed his personalthe notion of “honest people” and observations about how they should be in their vivid personification. And so the image of Starodum is not accidental here. The production of “Minority” was for some time delayed for obvious reasons. “Evil” arrows suddenly fell down, with the help of which those persons who saw themselves in the play in an impartial form wanted to prevent it from going out. And, apparently, Fonvizin himself had to resort to influential patrons to eliminate all barriers.
In 1782, September 24, the premiere of the playStill, it took place on the stage of the St. Petersburg Free Russian Theater. Directed by the author of the work. And, curiously, in the play did not have to change a single syllable, so the success was deafening.
One of those who saw the premiere, said thatsome comic scenes caused a fleeting laugh, but serious secular audience listened to serious scenes with great thirst and attention, which at that time loved hints and remarks on the secular weakness and savagery of certain customs of that time. The play, thanks to the liveliness of dialogue, humor, aphorisms, interesting quotes and educational nature, helped some to see the Prostakovs in themselves, who then expelled from their homes false teachers like Vralman and Tsyfirkin.
Conclusion
The play "Thrifty" was the only firmlyestablished from all in the Russian drama of the XVIII century. In the era of classicism, she condemned the traditional nobility education, "wildness" and "malicious" provincial nobility. All characters are clearly divided into positive and negative, as hinted at by their last names: Starodum, Pravdin, Prostakov, Skotinin, etc.
