Famusov's house and guests in the comedy "Woe from Wit"

In my comedy there are 25 fools for every sane person.
AC. Griboyedov
In the comedy A.S. Griboedov’s “Woe from Wit” (1824) presents Moscow and its customs at the beginning of the 19th century.
Let's look into the house of the “Moscow ace” Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov, a manager in a government office. What is Famusov doing? What are his interests? What is his environment like? What are his ideals?
When he first appears on stage, Famusov, a respectable father of an adult daughter, flirts with the maid Liza, and then reads his daughter’s morals. He notices Sophia, who has been reading all night, that “reading is of little use.”
Famusov expresses displeasure about the noble upbringing of girls. Fashion, hats, stilettos, bookstores are the “destroyers of fathers’ pockets.” But he himself follows what is customary in society; often words and actions do not coincide. The main thing in a person, according to Famusov, is nobility and wealth.
“Whoever is poor is not a match for you,” Famusov says to his daughter. “It’s signed, off your shoulders,” he says about his attitude to the matter.
Who surrounds Famusov?
Secretary Molchalin lives by the authorities of the Famous society. Reverence for rank, cowardice, resourcefulness and helpfulness are the main features of Mol-chalin. This is how Chatsky says about him:
However, he will reach the known degrees,
After all, nowadays they love the dumb.
Molchalin himself talks about his life principles:
...Firstly, to please all people, without exception -
The owner, where he will live,
The boss with whom I will serve...
In the case of Silent, the author uses the technique of a “speaking surname”. Molchalin is silent, but for the time being.
“The silent ones are blissful in the world,” Chatsky says about him.
Colonel Skalozub - “and a golden bag, and aims to be a general.”
Stupidity and stupidity are written all over Skalozub's face.
The “Moscow ace” is surrounded by relatives, “sisters-in-law and children” (one Molchalin is a stranger). All relatives owe the place to Famusov.
The people around Famusov can best be seen at the ball.
Evening. But they don’t sleep in Famusov’s house. The huge, brightly lit hall gradually “receives” guests.
The first to appear are the Gorichs - Natalya Dmitrievna and Platon Mikhailovich. The wife boastfully remarks that her husband could become the commandant of Moscow. But Platon Mikhailovich retired and is languishing from idleness. He is under the heel of Kena and only sighs about his former glorious life. The large family of Prince Tugoukhovsky (arrived at the ball to find rich grooms for his daughters.
Anton Antonovich Zagoretsky is a liar, a people-pleaser. He, apparently, is not rich, which is why he tries to please the nobleman’s daughter. The old woman Khlestova, Famusov’s sister-in-law, is ignorant, grumpy, and wants to surprise the guests with a serf girl.
Skalozub is also present at the ball, dreaming of strengthening the power of the military, when everyone will be taught, as he says, “our way: one, two, and the books will be saved for bigger occasions.”
There are so many types in Famusov’s house! How much intrigue, nonsense and gossip came from women! Sofia reluctantly makes up gossip about Chatsky's madness. This gossip grows like a snowball with absurd details.
Everyone around Famusov despises everything Russian, they speak an absurd mixture of “French and Nizhny Novgorod”, they dress pretentiously, in a foreign manner. Relations between people around Famusov are based on fear and subordination to superiors. No wonder Chatsky remarks: “...and indeed, the world began to grow stupid.” He condemns “the meanest traits of his past life”: slander, meanness, veneration.
I admire the talent and wit of the author of the immortal comedy “Woe from Wit,” many of whose phrases have become aphorisms. The work is still relevant today. After all, now, just like two hundred years ago, people like Zagoretsky, Famusov’s uncle, enjoy great power, and people like Molchalin enjoy bliss.

In his comedy “Woe from Wit,” Griboedov showed the clash between the eternally warring old and new generations, the ideologies of the past century and the present century. People who make up a kind of Moscow metropolitan elite come to Famusov’s ball. They have many faces and do not hide their serfdom views at all; they are full of ignorance, vulgarity, greed and veneration. The description of all Famusov's guests speaks for itself. Chatsky will devote a lot of his popular sayings to them.

Characteristics of Famusov's guests at the ball

Colonel Skalozub, a huge ignorant and careerist, appears in Famusov’s house even before the guests arrive, whose dream is to force the entire Russian society to live according to barracks regulations. He is a staunch supporter of the old order, rich and aims to become a general. He became the most welcome guest in Famusov's house. The reason for Skalozub’s arrival was the search for a rich bride. Therefore, Famusov immediately noticed him and considered him a very promising groom for his daughter Sophia.

Gorichi

Then Famusov’s guests began to arrive one after another for the ball. The Gorich couple arrives first. This is an unremarkably typical characterization. In general, the characteristics of Famusov’s guests at the ball are quite interesting: Griboyedov subtly emphasized in them the types of people from that time. So, in continuation, Chatsky is well acquainted with Platon Mikhailovich Gorich, they served together and were even friends. He was a very cheerful, energetic and cheerful person, but after marrying a woman with character - Natalya Dmitrievna - he changed, became henpecked and a servant boy. Now she doesn’t even let him open his mouth. But Gorich had already gotten used to it and had even come to terms with his situation. Platon Mikhailovich complains to Chatsky that he is no longer the same as he once was.

Tugoukhovskie

Following the Gorich family, the princely family of the Tugoukhovskys comes to Famusov’s ball. The mother of the family is very concerned about finding a groom for her daughters. She immediately noticed young Chatsky and wanted to invite him to visit her, but upon learning that he was not rich and did not have a high rank, she immediately changed her mind. In her opinion, it’s better to be poor, but to have at least two thousand serf souls.

Khryumins

And then two Khryumina ladies showed up at the ball. This is Khryumin’s granddaughter, always dissatisfied with everything and angry with the whole world because she cannot find a groom, and her half-deaf grandmother. Before she had time to arrive at the ball, Khryumina’s granddaughter immediately regretted that she had appeared very early and that she had no one to talk to and no one to dance with. And there was absolutely no chance to meet anyone who could be married. She expresses admiration for everything foreign and reveals her passion for “fashionable shops.” Her arrogance offends Chatsky, and he hurls caustic remarks at her.

Zagoretsky and Khlestova

At Famusov’s ball, Zagoretsky also turns out to be a rogue, a liar, a gambler, a rogue and a swindler. However, despite all his destructive characteristics, he is still accepted in high society, and Famusov’s doors also turned out to be open for him. His low, but very helpful nature literally wins and seduces everyone. He always appears at the most appropriate moment and at the most appropriate time to serve some honorable nobleman.

The despotic, rude lady Khlestova, 60 years old, also came to the ball. She always sticks to her opinion and knows her worth. She does not stand on ceremony with serfs. And Khlestova took a dog and a blackamoor girl to the ball. For this person there is no difference between a serf and a dog, everything is for her entertainment.

The rest of Famusov's guests

The very last guest of the ball was Repetilov. He represents a very unreliable person, discrediting and vulgarizing the ideas of the time. Repetilov constantly talks about some kind of “secret alliances” and “secret meetings”, where they drink a lot of champagne and talk about forbidden topics. He uses the favor of people from high society towards him for his own selfish purposes.

The characteristics of Famusov’s guests at the ball are not exhausted; there were many other characters from secular society, but Griboyedov marked them with the letters N and D. They became the spreaders of the rumor about Chatsky’s madness, although they themselves did not believe it, but listened with pleasure, what others say. The image of these petty gossips shows interests in the pursuit of wealth, honor and gossip.

Chatsky is one of the few who differed from Famusov’s guests. Typical Decembrist traits could be traced in his nature. He is passionate, freedom-loving and openly expresses his opinions. He does not like worship of foreigners, he opposes serfdom and despises sycophancy rather than service to the cause.

Chatsky

The characterization of Famusov's guests at the ball is literally classic. Chatsky spent only a day in the circle of this crowd and immediately realized its true values, after which there was absolutely no hope left of meeting like-minded people. Chatsky could not look at all this indifferently, and in the end, after several unpleasant remarks, he demands a carriage and leaves Moscow.

The ball in Famusov’s house is a very important component of the work “Woe from Wit”. Chatsky did not come to Moscow for three years and did not give any news about himself. And suddenly, very unexpectedly for everyone, he appears in Famusov’s house. And what he sees does not suit him at all, and maybe even shocks him.

The characteristics of Famusov’s guests at the ball show that such a society was gradually becoming obsolete, its views were already very outdated, and advanced ideas were just beginning to break through the thickness of hypocrisy, profit and deceit. Griboedov wrote the play “Woe from Wit” in revenge, because in society he also felt like a “crazy” Chatsky, unwilling to put up with the existing state of affairs.

This comedy), stands Famusov, a representative of the bureaucratic nobility. (See also the article The Image of Famusov.) Griboyedov himself in one of his letters (to Katenin) says that in the person of Famusov he portrayed his uncle, a famous Moscow gentleman. “What kind of aces live and die in Moscow,” says Famusov himself; This is exactly the kind of “ace” he himself portrays. His large, lively figure inspires some sympathy with its liveliness, everyday typicality and integrity; but, listening to his words, delving into the meaning of his speeches, you immediately see his no less significant negative traits. Famusov, apparently, occupies a prominent place in the public service and has a high rank. But how does he feel about his position, how does he look at the service in general? His secretary is Molchalin, whom Famusov keeps “because (he) is businesslike”; Molchalin sorts out the cases, brings papers to his boss for a report, but Famusov has one concern:

"I'm afraid, sir, I'm the only one who's dead,
So that a multitude of them do not accumulate;
If you give it free rein, it would settle down,
And with me - what matters, what does not matter,
My custom is this:
Signed, so - off your shoulders».

Famusov, Sofya, Molchalin, Lisa. Illustration by D. Kardovsky for Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit”

It is clear that he does not delve into the matter, the solution of which depends on him, but is only in a hurry to sign and get rid of worries. Service for Famusov does not represent the fulfillment of any duties, but is a path and method for achieving personal gain, wealth and fame. In contrast to Chatsky, who believes that one must serve “the cause, not individuals,” Famusov finds that “serving individuals” is necessary in order to achieve nobility. He sets as an example (monologue “That’s it, you are all proud”) his uncle, Maxim Petrovich, who, being already a noble nobleman himself, -

(“It’s not like I ate on silver, I ate on gold;
One hundred people are at your service; all in orders") -

managed to earn the favor of the Empress (Catherine II) with a clownish trick.

“And uncle! What is your prince, what is your count!
Serious look, arrogant disposition!
When do you need to help yourself?
And he bent over.”

This is Famusov’s ideal! Adulation is the surest way to achieve rank, and Famusov calls “proud” someone who does not want to follow this beaten path. Not wanting to even listen and think about Chatsky’s heated objections, Famusov sure in his rightness, because the way his fathers thought and “did” was the way it had been since the old days. He speaks quite frankly about these low and ugly practices of the bureaucratic world; He also simply admits that he always tries to place his relatives in advantageous positions, without caring whether they are capable of fulfilling the duties assigned to them:

“How will you imagine
To the little cross or to the town,
Well, how can you not please your loved one.”

Famusov expresses his cynical confessions with naive simplicity.

Woe from the mind. Maly Theater performance, 1977

Famusov’s views on raising children and education in general are noteworthy. He sees nothing good in books:

“Reading is of little use”

he says in response to Lisa’s words that his daughter Sophia “read all night” in French. “French books make her sleepless,” he continues, “but Russians make it painful for me to sleep.”

In learning, in books, he sees the cause of all freethinking and disorder:

“Learning is the plague, learning is the reason,
What is worse now than before,
There have been crazy people, deeds and opinions.”

“...if we stop evil,”
Collect all the books and burn them."

However, contrary to this opinion, Famusov hires foreign teachers for Sofia, contemptuously calling them “vagabonds,” but he does this because “everyone” does it, and Famusov’s main principle is to follow the general trend. He gives Sophia an education, but does not bother to delve into the moral qualities of her educators: Madame Rosier, “the second mother, the old lady of gold,” to whom Famusov entrusted the upbringing of his daughter,

“For an extra five hundred rubles a year
She allowed herself to be lured by others.”

What principles could such a teacher teach? Obviously, Famusov, like many other parents of secular society, sought for his daughter to recruit “teachers of the regiment, more in number, at a cheaper price.” Personally, he does not praise the general fascination with foreigners:

“Kuznetsky Bridge and the eternal French,

he is indignant

But it is clear that he scolds the French precisely because he considers them “pocket destroyers” and does not see the difference between a “book” and a “biscuit” shop.

Famusov’s concerns about his daughter boil down to giving her an external upbringing that is consistent with the generally accepted requirements of society, and marrying her off to a suitable person; he tries to convince Sophia that he

“Whoever is poor is not a match for her.”

In his eyes, the ideal husband for Sophia is Skalozub, since he is “both a golden bag and aims to be a general.” And the fact that Skalozub is disgusted with his daughter does not bother the “caring” father in the least. What is more important for Famusov: for Sophia to choose a husband after her heart, or for society to say that she made a brilliant match? Of course, the last one! Public opinion, then “what Princess Marya Alekseevna will say,” this is the spring and engine of all Famusov’s words and actions.

And yet this man has, if not positive, then at least partly sympathetic features. His hospitality, characteristic of all truly Russian natures, is endearing; his house is open:

“The door is open for the invited and the uninvited,
Especially for foreigners;
Whether an honest person or not,
It’s all right for us – dinner is ready for everyone.”

But even in these words (from the monologue “Taste, father, excellent manner”) we see, in addition to hospitality, Famusov’s well-known moral promiscuity: he amuses himself with his hospitality, and the moral qualities of his guests are completely indifferent to him. What is attractive about him is his sincere love for everything that is his own, Russian, Moscow; how he admires Moscow aces, old men, ladies, boys and girls! Famusov’s good nature is also attractive, or rather, the innocence that comes through in all his speeches. Griboyedov portrayed a truly living person, with personal features that distinguish him. “Grumpy, restless, quick,” Sophia characterizes him; He is quick-tempered, but also easy-going - “often angry to no avail,” but also good-natured.

Speaking about Famusov, one cannot fail to mention the famous artists who performed his role. “Woe from Wit” was first staged on stage in 1831 after Griboyedov’s death; The wonderful actor Shchepkin was then known in the role of Famusov. In the first half of the twentieth century, this role was played with extraordinary talent by the famous director and founder of the tradition of the Moscow Art Theater - Stanislavsky; The role of Chatsky was performed incomparably by Kachalov.

Famusov and his entourage.
In my comedy there are 25 fools for every sane person.

AC. Griboyedov

In A. S. Griboedov's comedy "Woe from Wit" (1824), Moscow and its customs of the early 19th century are presented.

Let's look into the house of the "Moscow ace" Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov, a manager in a government place. What is Famusov doing? What are his interests? What is his environment like? What are his ideals?

When he first appears on stage, Famusov, a respectable father of an adult daughter, flirts with the maid Liza, and then reads his daughter’s morals. He notices Sophia, who has been reading all night, that “reading is of little use.”

Famusov expresses displeasure about the noble upbringing of girls. Fashions, hats, stilettos, bookstores are the “destroyers of fathers’ pockets.” But he himself follows what is customary in society, often his words and actions do not coincide. The main thing in a person, according to Famusov, is nobility and wealth.

“Whoever is poor is not a match for you,” Famusov tells his daughter. “It’s signed, off your shoulders,” he says about his attitude to the matter.

Who surrounds Famusov?

However, he will reach the known degrees,

After all, nowadays they love the dumb.

Molchalin himself talks about his life principles:

Firstly, to please all people, without exception -

The owner, where he will live,

The boss with whom I will serve...

“The silent ones are blissful in the world,” Chatsky says about him.

Colonel Skalozub - “and a golden bag, and aims to become a general.”

Stupidity and stupidity are written all over Skalozub's face.

The “Moscow ace” is surrounded by relatives, “sisters-in-law and children” (one Molchalin is a stranger). All relatives owe the place to Famusov.

The people around Famusov can best be seen at the ball.