The main problem is grief from the mind. The problem of the mind in A. S. Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit”

The problem of “Mind” in Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit”

Griboyedov worked on his comedy “Woe from Wit” in the late 10s and early 20s of the nineteenth century. These were significant years in the history of Russia. The Patriotic War of 1812 had just ended in victory. This victory confirmed the will of the Russian people for freedom and independence, their ardent love for the Motherland. People hated autocracy and serfdom, which hindered the economic and cultural development of the country.
After Patriotic War many secrets have appeared in Russia political societies, whose members were revolutionary-minded nobles, ready to fight despotism and tyranny. Future Decembrist societies were born in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Young revolutionaries fought for the rights of their new era, defended new beliefs and opposed a society that was still faithful to the old foundations and lived according to the orders of the old times.
This is the historical situation that Griboedov reflected in his sharp and apt comedy “Woe from Wit.”
In Chatsky’s conflict with the Famusov camp, he showed the struggle of two opposing social forces: noble revolutionaries and noble serfs.
It was in this conflict that Griboyedov revealed the theme of “mind.” Observing the development of the struggle, we recognize the Decembrist in the image of Chatsky. He represents a young, ardent mind, who, with his sincerity and honesty, replaced the “notorious scoundrels,” scammers and sycophants, “sinister old women” and old men operating in Famus’s world.
For them, the concept of mind does not exist as such with the meaning that Chatsky puts into it, as long as all sorts of “trouble” does not accumulate, and the goals and desires are only to be “awarded!” take it and have fun."
The problem of the “mind” of Griboyedov’s comedy is what is valuable for Chatsky, what is valuable for Famusov, Molchalin and Skalozub.
In Chatsky’s passionate accusatory speeches, there is clearly a challenge to the dirty world of “sycophants” and “businessmen.” He sees the future of Russia in enlightenment and understands that with contempt for the sciences, for the Russian people, which reigns in Famus’s world, the country will not receive any development.
The social conflict of the comedy is represented by a clash of minds: the mind of Chatsky, thirsty for change and improvement, and the mind of the Famusov and Molchalinsky world, faithful to the foundations of the time.
Feudal society repels Chatsky largely because of his intelligence. Advanced thoughts are not recognized in this world. For them, Chatsky, who “wants to preach freedom” and “does not recognize the authorities”, is a “dangerous person”, “crazy in everything” and
obsessed, Sophia, who previously loved Chatsky for his intelligence, now says to him: “...Will such a mind make a family happy?”
Famusov, recognizing Chatsky’s intelligence, however, believes that he is worthy of regret:
And he writes and translates nicely,
It’s impossible not to regret that with such a mind...
Chatsky is no longer able to bear all this, he is forced to leave Moscow: “Get out of Moscow! I don’t go here anymore.”
So, we see that the mind of the main character, his advanced aspirations place him outside the circle of the Famusovs, the Silencers and the Skalozubs. This is what the comedy is based on internal development social conflict: best features, best qualities Chatsky is made into Famus’s world first as an “eccentric”, “ dangerous person” and in the end just crazy. "So what? Don’t you see that he’s gone crazy?” —
Famusov exclaims confidently at the end of the curtain.

Without being officially published, the comedy "Woe from Wit" becomes one of the most popular works in Russia, and above all in the circle of the Decembrists. This was not at all accidental: problems The comedy fully corresponded to the ideological and moral aspirations of the Decembrists. Griboyedov did not become a member of the secret society of Decembrists, although he was very sympathetic to many Decembrist ideas and was also in opposition to the government. It is no coincidence that the Decembrists highly appreciated the accusatory pathos of the comedy and perceived it as a poetic declaration of the ideas of Decembrism. However, a special quality of Griboedov’s comedy turned out to be that the depth of its content became more and more noticeable with the passage of time. On the one hand, the comedy was illuminated by the tragic reflection of the Decembrist uprising and revealed the fundamental depth of the concrete historical conflict. In the clash between the ardent lover of truth, Chatsky, and Famusov’s world, a gulf became apparent, separating the democratically minded intelligentsia from the bulk of the feudal lordship. Griboedov's comedy became a vivid artistic document of the Decembrist era. Thus, the plot basis of "Woe from Wit" is a conflict expressing the main content of its time - the collision of the “present century” and the “past century”.

the main idea of ​​the comedy “Woe from Wit” is revolutionary : denunciation of obscurantism, abolition of serfdom, honor according to the mind, personal freedom. Griboedov himself realized this great idea, which is why the great Russian poet took off his hat to the dead Griboedov. At this moment, Pushkin bowed to the future freedom of our Fatherland!

As a truly great national and people's writer, Griboyedov posed and resolved in his work the main, most important questions related to the life and destinies of the Russian people. Griboedov's comedy "Woe from Wit" played an outstanding role in the socio-political and moral education of several generations of Russian people. She armed them to fight violence and tyranny, meanness and ignorance in the name of freedom and reason, in the name of the triumph of advanced ideas and true culture.

The brilliant mind of the author of the work, embodied in Alexander Andreevich Chatsky, the main character of the comedies, is merciless towards the stupid and overweight inhabitants of the Moscow “society”, mired in lazy idleness and nostalgia. advanced ideas love of freedom, enlightenment, humanism. Its representative is Chatsky, who for the first time in our literature challenged the society of serf owners and conservatives.

The action of Griboyedov's play develops rapidly. Choosing for the plot .classic “love triangle” and preserving the traditional form of comedy (the action takes place in one place - Famusov’s mansion for one day. And the circle characters constant). Griboyedov immediately makes it clear to us: personal intrigue gives way to a conflict of a different kind - social. Nevertheless, Sophia’s “secret” is revealed to Chatsky only in the finale, until which he still hopes for something. Who knows, without this hope, he would have come into conflict with Famusov. Skalozub and the like. would he express what he thinks about them?.. But he did it. His monologues, however, are still warnings, they are still just words, but what words!

The conflict develops all the more interestingly because what is purely external at first glance is a trifle (a remark from the irritated Sophia is a typical reaction of a spoiled creature) is immediately picked up by those around him and inflated to social proportions. Chatsky’s madness is convenient and beneficial to society, because it gives its representatives some chance of justification. “Dangerous dreamers” like Chatsky too unceremoniously tear off the masks of hypocritical prosperity. And now Famusov is no longer there. a respectable official and a loving father, not a hospitable and hospitable host, but a ruthless serf owner, an enemy of enlightenment. The owner of a brilliant colonel's uniform, Skalozub, is a stupid martinet, the “witty” Repetilov is an empty talker, and Zagoretsky, who is always needed by everyone, is an arrogant swindler. And around them are crowds of ghosts like the Grandmother Countess and the Tugoukhovsky princes...

Griboyedov idealizes his hero, whose sincere monologues are somewhat long, and their wit scares rather than convinces the listeners gathered at Famusov's. But Chatsky’s words were actually heard in our literature for the first time! And not just boldly, ardently, but smartly, deeply

At all times there were and are. there will probably be their own Griboyedovs and Chatskys. Wazir-Mukhtars, who, first of all, thanks to their brilliant and far-sighted mind, become prophets in their fatherland. As a rule, this violates the established social order, the “natural” course of things, and society comes into conflict with the individual.

In the comedy "Woe from Wit" the writer reflects the clashes of two camps: the camp young Russia, presented by Chatsky and the camp cruel serf owners , presented by Famusov, Skalozub, Khlestova, Molchalin and others. This conflict is not an artistic invention of the author of the work, he shows in the play the generation of future Decembrists who are imbued with love for their homeland and people, they are revolutionaries who fight against moral violence against individuals. In the work, Chatsky opposes this. He is the son of Famusov’s late friend, grew up in his house, was brought up and studied together with Sophia. Chatsky is an educated man, engaged in literary work: “He writes and translates nicely,” served in military service, had connections with ministers, was abroad for three years, this enriched him with new views, broadened his horizons, but did not make him a fan of everything foreign. The struggle between Chatsky and Famusov's society is becoming increasingly fierce; it turns into Chatsky's personal drama, the collapse of his hopes for personal happiness. If Famusov is a defender of the old century, the time of serfdom, then Chatsky speaks with indignation about the serf owners, about serfdom. In a monologue “Who are the judges?” he angrily speaks out against the order of the Catherine century, dear to Famusov’s heart. Chatsky’s ideal is not Maxim Petrovich, an arrogant nobleman and “hunter of indecency,” but independent, free personality . For Famusov, the ideal is Skalozub, who views service as a source of personal benefits. Chatsky breaks ties with the ministers, leaves the service, because he wants to serve the Motherland, and not serve his superiors. “I’d be glad to serve, but being served is sickening!” - he says. Chatsky - for the development of Russian culture. He himself “searched for intelligence” during his stay in the West, but he is against empty, meaningless, blind imitation of foreigners. Chatsky defends freedom of speech and thoughts; he believes that every person has the right to express his opinion. In the comedy, Chatsky is forced to fight himself. But among the off-stage images like-minded people who share his views are mentioned. The comedy does not end with the defeat of Chatsky, although he is declared crazy, readers do not get the impression that he is defeated. He leaves Moscow to join members of a secret society in order to continue the fight for the liberation of the people from serfdom.

The problem of the mind in the comedy of A.S. Griboedov's "Woe from Wit" is key. The name itself testifies to this. Speaking about comedy, its themes and figurative system, the problem of mind and madness has been relevant at all times. Smart, progressive people of their time were declared crazy and often remained misunderstood by their contemporaries. Ideas that ran counter to generally accepted ones and preached by leading people of our time were persecuted. It is no coincidence that Griboyedov touches on this problem in his work. The comedy "Woe from Wit" was written before the December uprising and tells the story of society's reaction to the emergence of advanced intelligence in Russia. Original title comedy was "Woe to Wit", then the author replaced it with "Woe from Wit". "Woe from Wit" makes us think about whether Chatsky needs intelligence at all in such a situation, and we understand that this intelligence makes the hero himself feel bad. That is, the problem becomes two-sided. But in fact, "woe" from Chatsky's intelligence is not only for him himself, but also to Famusov's society. Education and enlightenment deal an irreparable blow to old Moscow. We see that Chatsky alone quite frightened everyone present at Famusov's evening, and only with their numbers they were able to oust the “foreign body” from their circle. If such , like Chatsky, there will be many, then Famus society will suffer a final and crushing defeat. So, “Woe from Wit,” with all the complexity of the problem, gives us hope for “enlightenment at the end of the tunnel,” so to speak, in the person of such smart and highly educated people like Chatsky. And Famus society looks like something deathly pale and dying in its attempts to resist this. 44 The image of Chatsky, a patriotic citizen

The comedy “Woe from Wit” was created during crucial moment in the history of our country. After Russia's victory in the Patriotic War of 1812, the young generation of nobles who participated in this war saw that the defeated peoples of Europe were in better position than the Russian people. It became clear that Russia needed urgent reforms, and as a result of this, various secret societies of future Decembrists began to emerge. Griboedov knew all these attitudes of young people and understood the need for reforms. And it was precisely this theme of the confrontation between the “present century” and the “past century” that formed the basis of the comedy “Woe from Wit.” The main character of the play is Alexander Chatsky. In his image, the writer embodied the features of a leading man of that time, the features of the Decembrists from Griboedov’s circle of acquaintances. Chatsky is a man of new views, a true citizen and patriot. He is an enlightened person, striving for freedom and self-improvement. He is distinguished by such features as love for his people, criticism of serfdom, and patriotism. Chatsky refuses to serve the state, saying: “I would be glad to serve, it’s sickening to be served” - and seeing in the service only servility, veneration and sycophancy. However, Chatsky is not alone in his desires for change! In his monologues, he uses the pronoun “we,” thereby emphasizing that there are many people like him. And indeed, Princess Tugoukhovskaya recalls her nephew, who, one might say, followed in the footsteps of Chatsky: Therefore, we still have hope that Russia will nevertheless come to some positive changes. Chatsky defends his views by entering into a dispute with the whole society, and not with its individual representatives. He is a fighter calling for the reign of justice, the abolition of serfdom and the destruction of the patriarchal way of life. Chatsky always speaks clearly, passionately and passionately, and his monologues show the absolute irreconcilability of the positions of two hostile sides: “the present century” and the “past century.” Chatsky is convinced that he is right and does not need the support or approval of others. He is simply trying to convey to people the essence and need for reform in their lives. Therefore, we can say for sure that Chatsky embodies those thoughts and ideas that were characteristic of the progressive people of that time - the Decembrists.

The main thing is the social relations that existed in Russia. Serfdom was hated by every free-thinking person. Chatsky is depicted in the comedy not just as a “desert sower of freedom,” but as a future Decembrist: With anger and pain, he denounces ardent serf-owners in his monologues. Chatsky is a humanist, defender of freedom and independence of the individual. He is especially angry at the landowners’ bullying of the peasant’s personality: Chatsky loves people , calls him “kind and smart,” hence his suffering about the fate of the people. Chatsky’s vices especially make him suffer Famusov society. This society slows down everything progressive and blocks its path to the people. They especially hate enlightenment: The fact that society fiercely resists the influence of noble ideas deals a blow to Chatsky’s philosophy and adds to his torment. These people see the ideal in the army. This is a product of the era of Arakcheev, who saw the army as a stronghold of serfdom. Serfdom and the throne rest on the skalozubs, which is why they are so dear to the Famus people and hated by Chatsky. The tailcoat of a foreigner also evokes admiration, which is also painful for Chatsky to see. Chatsky opposes “empty, slavish, blind imitation.” But when Chatsky utters these words, everyone is convinced that he is crazy. The image of Chatsky is the image of a citizen in the high sense of the word. Chatsky contrasts the slave morality of the Famusovs and Sillins with a high understanding honor and duty ; he is ready to serve the Motherland and its interests . “I’d be glad to serve, but it’s sickening to be served”. This also contains the hero’s suffering. High understanding of duty – bright side Chatsky's personality. The tragic collision between duty and feeling tragically ends everything in Chatsky’s soul.

He does not tolerate lies and injustice. Therefore, Alexander Andreevich sees his duty and calling in life in serving the Motherland. He is outraged by the traditions that formed in high society during these times. He does not like sycophancy, he prefers to “serve the cause, not persons,” and does not mix “fun or tomfoolery with business.” All this is not to Chatsky’s liking, so he angrily denounces the “noble scoundrels” (Famus society). Griboedov, through the image of Chatsky, wanted to show how he represents a true patriot of the Motherland. A person who has the courage to condemn high society, to speak out against the tsar and serfdom. Main character understands the danger of his too sincere speeches, but never deviates from the work he has begun. He knows exactly what he is fighting for and what his purpose in life is. He does not get lost in his speeches and actions. Chatsky fought for the best changes in the lives of ordinary Russian people, for free life, independent of “noble scoundrels,” who are characterized by servility, sycophancy, hypocrisy and meanness. the image of Chatsky is intertwined with the very image of Griboyedov. He is also brave and courageous, he is smart, he does not like the political structure of the country, so he boldly enters the battle for the future of his Motherland. There are few such people among the “Famus society” that was formed in those days. These are just a few people. The only thing that kept Chatsky in Famusov's house was his love for Sofia. After he realized that there are no mutual feelings between them, he decides to leave Moscow forever... Chatsky chose the word as his weapon. What precise, apt and merciless characteristics he gives to the Moscow rich: “their enmity towards a free life is irreconcilable”, “... rich in robbery”, “... poured out in feasts and extravagance”! In accusatory monologues, Chatsky rises to high civil pathos. The hero is convinced that people should be judged not by their position and wealth, but by their business and moral qualities. Because of this, Chatsky is hated by society as new person. And society is taking its own measures to neutralize him - slandering him. Will it come to terms with Chatsky’s condemnation of the education system, when young people despise their people? national culture? He puts all the passion of his soul into denouncing “empty, slavish, blind imitation.” Chatsky dared to “publicly announce” his sound thoughts, but such people are hated in society, called “dangerous dreamers”, crazy. And wouldn’t they have treated Chatsky this way if he had been among our contemporaries? Until recently, all dissidents were declared crazy, put in psychiatric hospitals, expelled from the country, and imprisoned. Chatsky's grief is not only from the mind, but also from love. He found out that Sophia did not love him. But this grief can be overcome. If Sophia had fallen in love with another Chatsky, it would certainly have been hard and painful for Alexander Andreich, but he would have survived. What causes Chatsky the greatest suffering is that it was Molchalin who was able to become Sophia’s hero. This is where the tragedy lies. It’s scary that Sophia is in the crowd of tormentors, among those who persecute and curse. Chatsky realized that he was surrounded by enemies, and no one, not even his beloved girl, understood him. How many examples of such dramas can be observed today! After all, even now “silent people are blissful in the world,” they are loved because they know how to please everyone. For us, today, Chatsky remains, first of all, a Russian man, who realized not only his national pride, but also the high moral tasks of a citizen. The time of Griboyedov is an era far from us, but the brave struggle of the patriot Chatsky against everything backward, vulgar and base in man and society evokes the sympathy and sympathy of the modern reader and viewer. Griboyedov's comedy helps our fight against sycophancy towards everything foreign, against such social phenomena, like careerism, money-grubbing, sycophancy/bureaucracy, servility, reminds of high moral concepts and goals worthy of a Russian person.

The problem of mind and madness has been relevant at all times. Smart, progressive people of their time often remained misunderstood by their contemporaries and were declared crazy. This is how society reacted to ideas that ran counter to generally accepted ones, ideas that were preached by progressive people of their time. It is no coincidence that Griboyedov touches on this problem in his work. His comedy “Woe from Wit,” written before December uprising, is about advanced intelligence and society's reaction to it. The original title of the comedy was “Woe to Wit,” then the author replaced it with “Woe from Wit.”

The main character Chatsky has not yet appeared in Famusov’s house, but the idea of ​​​​madness associated with negative attitude to education and enlightenment. So, Famusov says: “And reading is of little use.” Later, all the characters in the comedy will speak out on this matter, each will put forward their own version of Chatsky’s madness, but the whole society will unanimously come to one opinion: “Learning is the plague, learning is the reason.” The Famus society will get rid of Chatsky by declaring him crazy, not accepting accusatory speeches that stigmatize their way of life, and will choose gossip as a weapon. Famusov, as a typical representative of his society, has his own opinion regarding the mind and an intelligent person.

For him, an intelligent person is a practical, worldly a wise man. Although he does not deny Chatsky’s intelligence, he nevertheless considers Skalozub to be a more suitable match for Sophia: “A respectable man and has picked up many marks of distinction, beyond his years and an enviable rank, not today’s general.” In a conversation with Skalozub, the Moscow gentleman talks about the danger that comes from such wise men as Chatsky. In addition, Chatsky incorrectly uses the acquired knowledge. Everything should be aimed at achieving ranks, at maintaining traditions, we should live “as our fathers did.” Famusov puts forward his ideal of an intelligent person. In his opinion, this is Maxim Petrovich, who achieved high ranks and a high position in society thanks to his practical mind, the ability to “bend over” when it was necessary to “curry favor.” Famusov himself has not reached such heights, which is why he curries favor with the princes Tugoukhovsky and Skalozub. Molchalin, Famusov's secretary, also embodies a practical mind. This was noticed by Chatsky: Molchalin! – Who else will settle everything so peacefully! There he will pet the pug in time! It's time to rub the card in! By nature, Molchalin is a petty person, striving by any means to achieve his cherished goal in life, the meaning of which boils down to “winning awards and having fun.” In his practice, he follows his father’s precepts - “to please all people without exception,” but at the same time he believes that “at his age he should not dare to have his own judgment,” since “he is in small ranks.” He loves Sophia “out of position,” and calms the angry Khlestova with a game of cards.

According to Chatsky, Molchalin “will reach the famous levels, because nowadays they love the dumb.” Chatsky is the complete opposite of Molchalin, despite the fact that they are both young. The hero has an ardent, passionate nature. He is ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of his ideals, filled with civic meaning. He wants to serve “the cause, not the individuals.” For Chatsky, mind and truth, truth and honor are the main ones life values. The hero opposes the upbringing adopted in Famus society, when they strive to “recruit regiments of teachers, more in number, at a cheaper price.” He is not alien to patriotic feelings, which is why he is irritated by “ blind imitation” to everything foreign. Chatsky expresses his thoughts in accusatory speeches directed against the foundations of Famus society. His monologues, oratorical in style, testify to the education and enlightenment of the protagonist, which is why they contain so many aphorisms.

Chatsky’s mind is the mind of an advanced person, this is precisely the reason that the inert society does not accept his views and ideas, since they contradict the way of life of the old Moscow nobility. Chatsky’s love for Sophia is not accidental, because she also has intelligence. But Sophia's mind is practical. Sophia, as a typical girl of her time and class, draws her mind from French sentimental novels, which is why she chooses Molchalin as her lover in order to subsequently make him “a boy-husband, a servant-husband.” She is guided by worldly wisdom, because she is the daughter of her father. In comedy there is another type of mind that we can see in the maid in Famusov's house, Lisa.

As a second reasoner in a comedy, she expresses author's position, therefore, it is from her lips that we hear the characteristics of various characters: “Who is so sensitive, and cheerful, and sharp, like Alexander Andreich Chatsky,” “Like all Moscow, your father is like this: he would like a son-in-law with stars and ranks,” and so on Further. Undoubtedly, Lisa has the natural intelligence and worldly wisdom of a commoner; she is resourceful, cunning, but at the same time devoted to her mistress. Thus, the comedy “Woe from Wit” presents Various types mind, ranging from the worldly wise to the advanced, progressive mind. But Famus society does not accept the progressive mind, rejects it, declaring Chatsky a social madman and forcing him to leave Moscow.

(1 ratings, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Essays on topics:

1. “Woe from Wit” is a famous comedy by Alexander Griboedov, familiar to almost every reader. Despite the fact that the work was first published...

“In my comedy there are 25 fools for one sane person,” wrote A.S. Griboyedov Katenina. This statement by the author clearly indicates the main problem“Woe from Wit” is a problem of intelligence and stupidity. It is included in the title of the play, which should also be paid close attention to. This problem is much deeper than it might seem at first glance, and therefore requires a detailed analysis.

The comedy "Woe from Wit" was cutting-edge for its time. It was accusatory in nature, like all classic comedies. But the problems of the work “Woe from Wit”, the problems of the noble society of that time are presented in a wider spectrum. This became possible due to the author's use of several artistic methods: classicism, realism and romanticism.

It is known that Griboedov initially called his work “Woe to Wit,” but soon replaced this title with “Woe from Wit.” Why did this change occur? The fact is that the first title contained a moralizing note, emphasizing that in the noble society of the 19th century, every intelligent person would suffer persecution. This did not quite correspond to the playwright's artistic intent. Griboyedov wanted to show that an extraordinary mind and progressive ideas of a particular person can be untimely and harm its owner. The second name was able to fully realize this task.

The main conflict of the play is the confrontation between the “present century” and the “past century,” old and new. In Chatsky’s disputes with representatives of the Old Moscow nobility, a system of views of one and the other side on education, culture, in particular on the problem of language (a mixture of “French with Nizhny Novgorod”) emerges. family values, issues of honor and conscience. It turns out that Famusov, as a representative of the “past century,” believes that the most valuable thing in a person is his money and position in society. What fascinates him most is the ability to “curry favor” in order to acquire material benefits or respect for the world. Famusov and others like him have done a lot to create a good reputation among the nobles. Therefore, Famusov only cares about what they will say about him in the world.

Such is Molchalin, although he is a representative of more younger generation. He blindly follows the outdated ideals of the feudal landowners. Having your own opinion and defending it is an unaffordable luxury. After all, you can lose respect in society. “You shouldn’t dare to have your own judgment in mine,” this is the life credo of this hero. He is a worthy student of Famusov. And with his daughter Sophia, he plays a love game only in order to curry favor with the girl’s influential father.

Absolutely all the heroes of “Woe from Wit,” with the exception of Chatsky, have the same ailments: dependence on other people’s opinions, passion for rank and money. And these ideals are alien and disgusting to the main character of the comedy. He prefers to serve “the cause, not the persons.”

When Chatsky appears in Famusov’s house and begins to angrily denounce the foundations of noble society with his speeches, Famusov’s society declares the accuser crazy, thereby disarming him. Chatsky expresses progressive ideas, pointing out to aristocrats the need for a change of views. They see in Chatsky’s words a threat to their comfortable existence, their habits. A hero called mad ceases to be dangerous. Fortunately, he is alone, and therefore simply expelled from a society where he is not welcome. It turns out that Chatsky, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, throws the seeds of reason into the soil, which is not ready to accept and nurture them. The hero's mind, his thoughts and moral principles turn against him.

Here the question arises: did Chatsky lose in the fight for justice? One may believe that this is a lost battle, but not a lost war. Very soon Chatsky’s ideas will be supported by the progressive youth of that time, and “the meanest traits of the past” will be overthrown.

Reading Famusov’s monologues, watching the intrigues that Molchalin carefully weaves, one cannot say at all that these heroes are stupid. But their mind is qualitatively different from Chatsky’s mind. Representatives of Famus society are accustomed to dodging, adapting, and currying favor. This is a practical, worldly mind. And Chatsky has a completely new mindset, forcing him to defend his ideals, sacrifice his personal well-being, and certainly not allowing him to gain any benefit through useful connections, as the nobles of that time were used to doing.

Among the criticism that fell upon the comedy “Woe from Wit” after it was written, there were opinions that Chatsky could not be called smart person. For example, Katenin believed that Chatsky “talks a lot, scolds everything and preaches inappropriately.” Pushkin, having read the list of the play brought to him at Mikhailovskoye, spoke about the main character like this: “The first sign of an intelligent person is to know at first glance who you are dealing with, and not to throw pearls in front of the Repetilovs...”

Indeed, Chatsky is presented as very hot-tempered and somewhat tactless. He appears in a society where he was not invited, and begins to denounce and teach everyone, without mincing words. Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that “his speech is seething with wit,” as I.A. wrote. Goncharov.

This diversity of opinions, even the presence of diametrically opposed ones, is explained by the complexity and diversity of the problems of Griboedov’s “Woe from Wit”. It should also be noted that Chatsky is an exponent of the ideas of the Decembrists, he is a true citizen of his country, opposing serfdom, sycophancy, and the dominance of everything foreign. It is known that the Decembrists were faced with the task of directly expressing their ideas wherever they were. Therefore, Chatsky acts in accordance with the principles of the progressive man of his time.

It turns out that there are no outright fools in comedy. There are simply two opposing sides defending their understanding of the mind. However, intelligence can be opposed not only by stupidity. The opposite of intelligence can be madness. Why does society declare Chatsky crazy?

The assessment of critics and readers can be anything, but the author himself shares Chatsky’s position. This is important to consider when trying to understand the artistic intent of the play. Chatsky’s worldview is the views of Griboyedov himself. Therefore, a society that rejects the ideas of enlightenment, personal freedom, service to a cause, and not servitude, is a society of fools. Having been afraid of an intelligent person, calling him crazy, the nobility characterizes itself, demonstrating its fear of the new.

The problem of the mind, brought out by Griboyedov in the title of the play, is key. All clashes that occur between the outdated foundations of life and Chatsky’s progressive ideas should be considered from the point of view of the opposition of intelligence and stupidity, intelligence and madness.

Thus, Chatsky is not mad at all, and the society in which he finds himself is not so stupid. It’s just that the time for people like Chatsky, exponents of new views on life, has not yet come. They are in the minority, so they are forced to suffer defeat.

Work test

Problems of the mind in “Woe from Wit” are addressed first of all, as the title itself tells us. When writing this comedy, Griboyedov set out to show the position of a sane, intelligent person who is not indifferent to home country and the destinies of people young man. Other problems are also raised in the work.

"Woe from Wit" is a comedy with a self-explanatory title. For educators who were convinced of the omnipotence of knowledge, mind was synonymous with happiness. But society does not always accept advanced ideas, and their bearers are often considered crazy. Griboedov's comedy is a work about society's reaction to new ideas. At first it was called "Woe to Wit", and only then the name was replaced by the one familiar to us. This masterpiece was painted by Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov in 1823.

Is the main character mad?

Problems of the mind in "Woe from Wit" are revealed in the opposition of the main character to everything Moscow noble society. The hero in the comedy who challenged traditions and social norms is Alexander Andreevich Chatsky. He is the only sane person who opposes the “twenty-five fools.” But in the work, the attitude of other people towards this character is not at all the same. Those around him cannot see Chatsky’s mind; rather, on the contrary, they call the young man a madman.

Famusov's opinion about Chatsky ("Woe from Wit")

The problems of the work are revealed through the prism of perception different heroes, including Famusov, whose opinion is quite typical. This high-ranking official believed that Chatsky should not be considered a businesslike and intelligent person, since his actions often run counter to generally accepted norms. He cannot manage the estate profitably and receive large incomes from it, robbing peasants for the purpose of personal gain. Chatsky did not take advantage of public service opportunities and connections to build a career, achieve awards and high ranks, but instead took up science and received education abroad, which was considered unreasonable among nobles belonging to the older generation.

Famusov's arguments are based on Chatsky's opinion on various social problems and allow the official to consider him a dangerous person and identify the peculiarity of his thinking with madness and freethinking. And really, would a person who is smart from the point of view of the nobles provoke sharp criticism from those with whom he communicates in Famusov’s house? On this occasion, Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin said rudely, but aptly, that Chatsky did not need to “shower pearls” in front of these people - “pigs.” In vain are his speeches about the immorality of nobles and landowners, about breaking laws and other vices. modern society, after all, Famusov’s guests will certainly unanimously declare the protagonist of the work “Woe from Wit” crazy for such behavior. The problem of generations is also emerging here, since children will always be ahead of their fathers, bringing new ideas into the world. People like Chatsky are progressive youth looking for ways to develop society.

Sofia Famusova

Problems of the mind in “Woe from Wit” are also considered through the prism of Sophia’s perception. This is Famusov’s daughter, with whom our hero is in love. The girl also believes that Chatsky’s mind is useless, even harmful to others. She does not like Alexander Andreevich’s criticism of everything that is dear to her. In his behavior and speeches, the girl sees anger, bile, dissatisfaction with everything. She understands that it is not easy to be around this irritated man, to constantly listen to him, although she considers Chatsky’s mind to be brilliant and brilliant. But for family life Molchalin’s “mind” is more suitable, that is, the ability to adapt to circumstances and find benefit in everything. Chatsky is forced to agree with this. Such people, in his words, “are blissful in the world.”

Majority opinion

Where can a hero find refuge?

Was there such a place in our country where heroes like Chatsky could find refuge to heal their wounds? Probably, Alexander Andreevich should have gone to where they were already beginning to create secret societies Decembrists, in whom such people were valued and their strength and knowledge were used for the transformations brewing in Russia. The mind, as the leading nobles imagined it, should be free, free. For the Decembrists, freethinking was not a definition of a dangerous illness, vice, or a dirty word, but, on the contrary, was highly valued.

"Woe from Wit" and closeness to future Decembrists

The courage of the protagonist would have been noted by his contemporaries with progressive beliefs, since Chatsky was very close in spirit to the future Decembrists, who asked the same questions. The problems of the comedy "Woe from Wit" were one way or another common to all future revolutionaries. Chatsky also felt the need to fight ignorance, inertia, injustice, cruelty and other numerous vices of his contemporary society. Griboyedov noted this in his work (“Woe from Wit”).

The hero's problems are not in himself, but precisely in the surrounding reality, which did not understand and did not accept him. Communicating with representatives of the old Moscow nobility, Chatsky realized a hostile attitude towards himself, a misunderstanding. The hero's position was further complicated by loneliness and tragedy in love. Therefore, Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov defined Chatsky’s condition as “woe from mind,” with which one cannot but agree.