Characteristics of the main characters of the work What to do, Chernyshevsky. Their images and description. The history of the creation of Chernyshevsky what to do description of heroes

Nikolai Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?" contemporaries perceived it ambiguously. Some considered him "an abomination", others - "a delight." This is due to a complex composition, attempts to hide the main idea behind the dreams of the main character and a love triangle, and, finally, with the peculiarities of the language design. Nevertheless, the novel had a serious impact on Russian society in the 19th century. Pupils study it in grade 10. We offer a brief analysis of the work “What is to be done?”, Which will help to prepare qualitatively for the lessons and for the exam.

Brief analysis

History of creation- N. Chernyshevsky created the novel when he was in the Peter and Paul Fortress. The writer was arrested for radical ideas. The work was conceived as a response to "Fathers and Sons" by Turgenev, therefore there is a certain similarity between the images of Yevgeny Bazarov and Rakhmetov.

Theme- The work can be divided into two main themes - love and life in a new society, built on the basis of the laws of labor and equality.

Composition- The structure of the work has its own peculiarities. The through lines of the novel are the life of Vera Pavlovna, the fate of Lopukhov and Kirsanov. The main role in these storylines is played by love twists and turns. The dreams of Vera Pavlovna are closely intertwined with reality. With the help of them, the author encrypted socio-political motives.

genre- A novel in which you can see the features of several genre varieties - a utopian novel, socio-political, love and philosophical novels.

Direction- Realism.

History of creation

The writer worked on the analyzed work for several months: from December 1862 to April 1863. At that time he was under arrest in the Peter and Paul Fortress. They concluded him for his radical views. The novel was conceived as a response to Turgenev's “Fathers and Sons”, so there is a certain similarity between the images of Yevgeny Bazarov and Rakhmetov.

While working on the novel, N. Chernyshevsky understood that censorship would not allow it to be published if they noticed a sharp political overtones. To deceive the regulatory authorities, the writer resorted to artistic methods: he framed social motives with a love context, introduced dreams into the plot. He managed to print his work in Sovremennik, but soon the authorities forbade not only to distribute the novel, but even to imitate it. Allowed to publish the work of Chernyshevsky "What is to be done?" only in 1905

Theme

The novel displays motives characteristic of Russian literature of the 19th century. The writer has implemented them in an extraordinary, intricate plot. He presented situations that should push the reader to independent conclusions.

N. Chernyshevsky revealed several topics, among which the following stand out: love, which feeds on common interests, mutual respect; dreams of a new life. These topics are closely intertwined and determine Problems“What to do?”: Marriage without love, friendship, equality of men and women, the role of labor in human life.

A significant part of the novel is devoted to the life of Vera Pavlovna. The heroine's mother wanted to marry her off to a rich man. She considered the master's son a profitable lot. The mother did not even think that this was a womanizer with whom her daughter would not find happiness. Medical student Dmitry Lopukhov saved Vera from an unsuccessful marriage. A tender feeling arose between the young people, and they got married. Vera became the owner of a sewing workshop. However, she did not use hired labor. The heroine made the girls who worked for her co-owners, they shared the income equally. In the story about Vera Pavlovna's workshop, the author embodied the idea of ​​equal work.

The marriage with Lopukhov soon fell apart: Vera fell in love with her husband's friend, Kirsanov. To untie the love knot, Lopukhov decided to shoot himself. It turns out that he left the note that was discussed at the beginning of the novel. In the message, he said that no one was to blame for his death, and Vera Pavlovna calmly married Kirsanov.

The married couple healed happily. Vera Pavlovna was carried away by her favorite business - sewing workshops, began to study medicine, and her husband helped her in every possible way. In the descriptions of the family life of these people, the idea of ​​equal rights for men and women is manifested. At the end of the novel, we learn that Lopukhov is alive. Now he took the name of Beaumont and married Polozova Ekaterina Vasilievna. The Kirsanov and Byumont families begin to make friends and spread the ideas of a “new” life.

Composition

In "What is to be done?" the analysis should be supplemented with the characteristics of the composition. The peculiarities of the formal and semantic organization of the text allow the author to reveal several topics, to disguise forbidden motives. At first glance, the main role in the novel is played by amorous twists and turns. In fact, they are a mask to hide socio-political problems... To reveal the latter, the author used the description of Vera Pavlovna's dreams.

The components of the plot are placed inconsistently: the author presents an event from the development of actions before the exposure, and only then the plot elements are lined up in a logical chain. Both at the beginning and at the end of the novel the image of Lopukhov appears. So, a kind of framing is created.

main characters

genre

The genre of the work is a novel, since there are several plot lines in it, and the central problem remains open. The work is inherent in genre syncretism: features of love, philosophical, socio-political novels and utopia are intertwined in it. The direction of the work is realism.

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St. Petersburg. Was written partly in response to the work of Ivan Turgenev "Fathers and Sons".

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  Chernyshevsky wrote the novel while in solitary confinement at the Alekseevsky ravelin of the Peter and Paul Fortress, from December 14, 1862 to April 4, 1863. From January 1863, the manuscript was transferred in parts to the commission of inquiry on the Chernyshevsky case (the last part was transferred on April 6). The commission, and after it the censors, saw only a love line in the novel and gave permission to print. The oversight of the censorship was soon noticed, and the responsible censor, Beketov, was removed from office. However, the novel had already been published in the journal Sovremennik (1863, no. 3-5). Despite the fact that the issues of Sovremennik, in which the novel What Is to Be Done? Were published, were banned, the text of the novel in handwritten copies spread throughout the country and caused a lot of imitations.

  They talked about Chernyshevsky's novel not in a whisper, not quietly, but at full throat in the halls, at the porches, at Mrs. Milbret's table and in the basement pub of Stenbok's passage. They shouted: "disgusting", "lovely", "abomination", etc. - all in different tones.

  For the Russian youth of that time, it [the book "What is to be done?"] Was a kind of revelation and turned into a program, became a kind of banner.

  The clearly entertaining, adventurous, melodramatic beginning of the novel was supposed not only to confuse the censorship, but also to attract a wide audience of readers. The external plot of the novel is a love story, but it reflects new economic, philosophical and social ideas of the time. The novel is permeated with hints of the coming revolution.

  One of the books closest to him was What Is to Be Done? Chernyshevsky. He constantly returned to her. The life described in it echoed ours. Mayakovsky, as it were, consulted with Chernyshevsky about his personal affairs, found support in him. "What to do?" was the last book he read before his death.

  • In the novel by N. G. Chernyshevsky "What is to be done?" aluminum is mentioned. In the "naive utopia" of Vera Pavlovna's fourth dream, it is called the metal of the future. Aluminum reached its “great future” by the middle of the 20th century.
  ”, However, researchers deny the connection between the heroes of the novels of Chernyshevsky and Turgenev.
  • FM Dostoevsky argues with the ideas of Chernyshevsky, in particular with his thoughts about the future of mankind, in Notes from the Underground, thanks to which the image of the "crystal palace" has become a common motif of world literature of the 20th century.

  In modern society, we often hear slogans about class inequality, social injustice, and that a gigantic chasm has formed between the poor and the rich. There were similar problems in the old days. This is evidenced by the brightest work of Nikolai Gavrilovich Chernyshevsky "What is to be done? From stories about new people ”.

  Undoubtedly, one can say that the novel What Is to Be Done? is an ambiguous, complex and highly conspiratorial work that is difficult to perceive, and even more so to expect ease of reading from it. To begin with, you need to study in more detail the ideas and worldview of the author, plunge into the atmosphere of that time. And the Hobbibook editors will definitely help you with this.

  N.G. Chernyshevsky (1828-1889) short biography

  The future publicist was born in Saratov, in the family of the priest Gavrila Ivanovich Chernyshevsky. His father gave him his initial education at home, but this did not prevent Chernyshevsky from entering the Saratov Theological Seminary and, after graduating from it, continuing his education at St. Petersburg University, at the Faculty of Philosophy.

  He studied Slavic philology. Nikolai Gavrilovich was an incredibly well-read and erudite person. He knew Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French, German, Polish and English.

  As the writer's contemporaries write: “He amazed all of us with the versatility of knowledge and the vastness of information on holy scripture, general civil history, philosophy, etc. Our mentors considered it a pleasure to talk with him, as with a person who was already fully developed ”*.
  (A. I. Rozanov. Nikolai Gavrilovich Chernyshevsky. - In collection: N. G. Chernyshevsky in the memoirs of contemporaries.)

  During his student years, revolutionary socialist views were formed in Chernyshevsky, which did not affect his future fate. His worldview was reinforced by the writings of Hegel and Feuerbach. An acquaintance with Vvedensky also had a significant influence on the writer. *

  For reference

  *I.I. Vvedensky(1813-1855) - Russian translator and literary critic. Considered the founder of Russian nihilism. Known as the author of translations of stories by Fenimore Cooper, Charlotte Brontë and Charles Dickens. ...

  Chernyshevsky outlined his thoughts already in 1850:

  “This is my way of thinking about Russia: the irresistible expectation of the imminent revolution and the thirst for it, although I know that for a long time, perhaps for a very long time, nothing good will come of it, that perhaps for a long time oppression will only increase, etc. . - what needs?<...>peaceful, quiet development is impossible "

  After graduating from university, he became a teacher of literature at the Saratov gymnasium and immediately began to share with students his socialist convictions, which "smacked of hard labor."

  In parallel with his academic life, Nikolai Gavrilovich tried his hand at the literary and journalistic fields. His first small articles were published in the journals Sankt-Petersburgskie Vedomosti and Otechestvenny Zapiski. But the most prominent was his collaboration (1854-1862) with the Sovremennik magazine, which was directed by the famous classic of Russian literature Nikolai Alekseevich Nekrasov.

  The magazine openly criticized the current state regime in the country and supported the revolutionary democratic movement. The atmosphere between the Sovremennik editorial board and the state apparatus escalated in 1861.

  

  On February 19, 1861, Alexander II published a manifesto "On the all-merciful granting to serfs of the rights of the state of free rural inhabitants" and the Regulations on peasants emerging from serfdom.

  Realizing the predatory nature of this reform, Chernyshevsky boycotts the manifesto and accuses the autocracy of robbing the peasants. The publication of revolutionary proclamations began. In June 1862, the Sovremennik magazine was temporarily closed, and a month later Chernyshevsky was arrested.

  While in prison, Nikolai Gavrilovich writes the novel of his entire life "What is to be done? From stories about new people ”. In it, he tries to offer a modern hero who meets the challenges of society. Thus, Chernyshevsky continues Turgenev's line in Fathers and Children.

  Chernyshevsky "What is to be done?" - summary

  The development of the plot and, in general, the narrative itself in Chernyshevsky's novel is quite extraordinary. The beginning convinces us of this.
  1856, an emergency happened in one of the hotels in St. Petersburg - a suicide note was found. There are also indirect traces of a man's suicide. Having established his identity, the tragic news is reported to his wife, Vera Pavlovna.

  And here the author dramatically moves the reader four years back, using the same artistic effect very similar to a flashback (he will resort to it more than once), in order to tell us what led the heroes of the story to such a sad ending.

  In addition to the alternation of events, Chernyshevsky uses in the novel the voice of the narrator, commenting on what is happening. The author engages the reader in a confidential conversation, evaluating the events, characters and their actions. It is the dialogue scenes with the reader that account for the main semantic load.

  So, 1852. Chernyshevsky puts us in the society of an apartment building where 16-year-old Vera Rozalskaya lives with her family. The girl is not ugly, modest, well educated and prefers to have her own opinion in everything. Her hobby is sewing, she sews her family quite easily.

  But her life is not at all happy, on the one hand - the father, who manages this house, behaves like a "rag", on the other - mother, Marya Alekseevna, a despot and a tyrant. The parent's upbringing method consists of daily abuse and assault. The matter is even more aggravated when Marya Alekseevna decides to profitably marry her daughter for the son of the mistress of the house.

  It would seem that fate is a foregone conclusion - an unloved man and a house, as a locked cell. But Vera's life changes dramatically with the appearance of Dmitry Lopukhov, a student at the Medical Academy, in the house. Mutual feelings arise between them, and the girl leaves the parental home to build her life at her own discretion.

  It is into such a simple plot that Chernyshevsky weaves his revolutionary work.

  Note that the manuscript of the novel was transferred from the Peter and Paul Fortress in parts and published in separate chapters in the Sovremennik magazine. This turned out to be a very wise decision of Chernyshevsky, because viewing individual passages is one thing, and the whole novel is another.

  IN AND. Lenin noted that Chernyshevsky “ knew how to influence all political events of his era in a revolutionary spirit, carrying - through the obstacles and slingshots of censorship - the idea of ​​the peasant revolution, the idea of ​​the struggle of the masses to overthrow all the old powers"(Lenin V. I. Complete collection of works. T. 20. S. 175)

  After the release of the last part of "What is to be done?" What ideas did the state try to silence? And why did contemporaries speak of the novel with such admiration?

  “He plowed me all deeply", - said Vladimir Ilyich (V. I. Lenin on literature and art. M., 1986. S. 454). “For Russian youth of that time, - wrote about this book the famous revolutionary, anarchist Peter Kropotkin, - she was a kind of revelation and turned into a program».

  Analysis and heroes of Chernyshevsky's novel "What is to be done?"

  1. Women's question

  First of all, you need to understand that one of the key characters in the novel is Vera Pavlovna... After all, her main goal in life is independence and complete equality in society. For women of that time, a new and daring motivation.

  Now we are accustomed to the fact that a woman easily takes leadership positions and is not at all ready to devote herself to domestic seclusion. And at that time, the maximum that a woman could afford was to become an actress, governess or an ordinary seamstress in a factory. And that is due to the lack of labor during the period of industrialization. There was no question of state care during her illness or pregnancy.

  

  Add to that forced marriages. And we will get an approximate picture of the social status of women in the 19th century. The character of Vera Pavlovna mercilessly destroys all these established stereotypes. She is a person of a new formation, a person of the future.

  Dreams of Vera Pavlovna in the novel "What is to be done?"

  Not without reason, the central place in the novel is occupied by the utopian dreams of Vera Pavlovna. Pictures of the future emerge in them.

  The first dream reflects the freedom of a woman, the second is rather abstract and shows the main character an alternative present, the third carries a new philosophy of love, and the last, fourth dream shows the reader a new society living according to the principle of social justice.

  Of course, the novel had the effect of an exploding bomb, most women perceived Vera Pavlovna as an example of the struggle for freedom and equality, spiritual liberation.

  2. The theory of selfishness and socialism

  Dmitry Lopukhov and his friend Alexander Kirsanov, people of strong character and unfailing honesty. Both are followers of the theory of selfishness. In their understanding, any act of a person is interpreted by his inner conviction and benefit. These characters clearly demonstrate new tendencies in matters of personal relationships, assertions of new norms of morality and love.

  Even now, many of the heroes' beliefs have not lost their relevance. For example, here is Dmitry Lopukhov's opinion on family relationships:

  “... alterations of characters are good only when directed against some bad side; and the sides that she and I would have to redo in themselves had nothing wrong. In what way is sociability better or worse than the inclination to solitude, or vice versa? But the alteration of character is in any case rape, breaking; and a lot is lost in withdrawal, much freezes from rape. The result that she and I may be (but only maybe, and not, probably), would have achieved, was not worth such a loss. We would both kind of discolor ourselves, more or less stain the freshness of life in ourselves. What for? Just to keep famous places in famous rooms. It would be different if we had children; then it would be necessary to think a lot about how their fate will change from our separation: if for the worse, then preventing this is worth the greatest efforts, and the result is joy that he did what was necessary to preserve the best fate of those whom you love. "

  The revolutionary stands out as a separate character-symbol. Rakhmetov... The author devotes a separate chapter to him, "A Special Person". This is a person who understands that the struggle for the reconstruction of society will be fought for life and death, and therefore carefully prepares himself for this. He renounces his personal interests for the sake of some one common goal. The image of Rakhmetov shows the characteristic features of revolutionaries emerging in Russia, with an unyielding will to fight for moral ideals, nobility and devotion to the common people and to their homeland.

  As a result of joint actions, all the main characters create a small socialist society inside a single garment factory. Chernyshevsky describes in the most subtle details the process of the formation of a new labor society. And in this context "What to do?" can be perceived as a program for action, clearly answering the questions posed: what one should be; what does work in a person's life mean; philosophy of love and friendship; the place of women in modern society, and so on.

  

  Of course, the concept of "What is to be done?" many have tried to challenge and prove their groundlessness. These were mainly the authors of the so-called anti-nihilistic novels. But this no longer makes any difference, since Chernyshevsky's prophecy was destined to come true.

  Despite its popularity among the masses, the state did not treat the revolutionary writer so kindly. He was deprived of all rights of state and sentenced to 14 years in hard labor, followed by a settlement in Siberia (1864). Later, Emperor Alexander II reduced the term of hard labor to 7 years. In 1889, Chernyshevsky received permission to return to his hometown of Saratov, but soon died of a cerebral hemorrhage.

  Eventually

  Thus, seemingly ordinary fictional fiction carries elements of scientific and journalistic work, which includes philosophy, psychology, revolutionary views, and social utopia. All this forms a very complex alloy. The writer thereby creates a new morality that changes people's behavior - frees them from a sense of duty to someone and teaches them to educate their “I”. Therefore, Chernyshevsky’s novel “What is to be done?” naturally ranked among one of the varieties of the so-called "intellectual prose".

  Characteristics of the literary hero Acts in the work not only as a narrator, but also as a character. He not only describes his heroes, but also enters into an argument with possible opponents. In this regard, he often mentions the discerning reader. On the thought of Vera Pavlovna about why he and Lopukhov became very close on the very first evening, A. remarks: “No, this is not at all strange, Vera. These people, like Lopukhov, have magic words that attract every grieved, offended creature to them. It is their bride who tells them such words. ” A. clearly has sympathy for new people. He gives them a detailed description, tells about their life views. The author says the following about his talent: “I have not a shadow of artistic talent. I even speak the language poorly ”,“ I am not one of those artists who have some kind of spring in every word, I retell what people thought and did, and nothing more; if any action, conversation, monologue in thoughts is needed to characterize a person or position, I tell it, even if it did not respond in any way in the further course of my novel. " Also from A.'s hints, we understand that he is directly related to the revolutionary organization. Therefore, the revolutionary characters of the “new people” are especially close to him.

  Essay on literature on the topic: Author (What to do? Chernyshevsky)

  Other compositions:

  1. The true hero of the era, before whom the author of the novel “What is to be done?” “Bows down,” is Rakhmetov, a revolutionary with his “ardent love for goodness and freedom”. The image of Rakhmetov and all that pure, sublime atmosphere of respect and recognition that surrounds him, undoubtedly testify that Read More ......
  2. An essay on the topic: - "The greatest truths are the simplest." L. N. Tolstoy. (According to one of them, they say that the scale of genius has two risks marking this genius - at the very beginning and at the very end of the line. Indeed, the rock paintings of our distant ancestors Read More ......
  3. Rakhmetov Characteristics of the literary hero A very important character in the novel, the chapter "A Special Person" is dedicated to him. He himself comes from a noble wealthy family, but leads an ascetic lifestyle. By the time of the action indicated in the novel, R. is 22 years old. He became a student at the age of 16, Read More ......
  4. The novel of the century How did it happen that perhaps the worst known Russian book became the most influential Russian book? These are the characteristics that are applicable to Chernyshevsky's novel What Is To Be Done? It seems that everyone agrees with the literary weakness of the novel - the most different and even polar critics. Read More ......
  5. Vera Pavlovna Characteristics of the literary hero Vera Pavlovna Rozalskaya is the main heroine of the novel. This is a beautiful girl with a southern type of face. She grew up in St. Petersburg in a multi-storey building on Gorokhovaya Street. From the age of twelve she has been attending the boarding house. She has great talent Read More ......
  6. What to do? On July 11, 1856, a note left by a strange guest is found in a room in one of the large St. Petersburg hotels. The note says that they will soon hear about its author on Liteiny Bridge and that there should be no suspicion of anyone. Circumstances Read More ......
  7. LETTER TO THE PUBLISHER OF "NORTHERN BEES" The devil is not as bad as he is portrayed! The novel by N. G. Chernyshevsky "What is to be done?" ended in the May book of Sovremennik. Russian criticism is now busy: she is thinking what to do with this "What to do?" Who read the novel itself Read More ......
  8. The scale of genius is said to have two marks that mark this genius - at the very beginning and at the very end of the line. Indeed, the rock paintings of our distant ancestors are expressive in their own way, just as the statues of Easter Island are expressive. “Girl on a Ball” by Picasso is written with the utmost simplicity, Read More ......
  Author (What to do? Chernyshevsky)

  The main character of the novel. This is a beautiful, slender girl with a southern type of face. She has black hair and dark skin. Before meeting with Lopukhov, she lived with her mother, father and brother Fedya on Gorokhovaya Street in St. Petersburg. Vera's father was the manager of an apartment building, and her mother gave money at interest and dreamed of marrying her daughter to a rich man.

  One of the main characters in the novel, a friend of Lopukhov, a commoner, later the husband of Vera Pavlovna. He is a tall, well-built man with dark blond hair and dark blue eyes. He has an oblong, strong-willed face of remarkable whiteness and a straight, Greek nose. He worked from the age of 12, helped his father in everything.

  One of the main characters of the novel, husband and friend of Vera Pavlovna, a student at the medical academy, the son of a Ryazan landowner. In the Rozalskys' house, he falls as Fedya's teacher. There he meets Vera and sympathizes with her difficult situation in the family. Lopukhov's best friend is Kirsanov.

  The character of the novel, having an important purpose in the life of the protagonists, is, according to the author, a "special person", a friend of Lopukhov, a young man from a noble milieu. He is an honest and selfless person. From an early age, he set himself the goal of strengthening the will and becoming physically strong. For this, he became a laborer for several hours a day.

  Polozova Katerina Vasilievna

  An acquaintance of Vera Pavlovna, who was saved from death by her husband, Alexander Kirsanov. She was passionately in love with one rogue - Solovtsov. The father flatly refused to bless the marriage with him, and she fell ill with an illness. Kirsanov managed to convince her father to give her time to deal with Solovtsov, and she soon realized that he was a bad person. She was on the mend. At this time, her father goes bankrupt and sells the last plant. An American came to conclude the deal - Charles Beaumont, who turned out to be previously Lopukhov and the first husband of Vera Pavlovna. Caterina and Beaumont fall in love and soon get married. In the future, the Kirsanovs and Beaumont became close friends and began to live in neighboring apartments.

  Charles Beaumont

  An American who came as an agent of the London firm of Hodgson, Lottery and Co. to purchase the Polozov plant. He told everyone that he was born in Russia, but at the age of 20 his American father took him to New York. Now Charles has grown up and decided to return to Russia, finding a job in a London firm. At dinners with Polozov, he met his daughter, Katerina. He was keenly interested in her acquaintances - the Kirsanovs. We soon learn that Charles Beaumont is actually Dmitry Lopukhov. Beaumont and Catherine fall in love and then get married. Beaumont is put in charge of the former Polozov plant with a good salary. The Kirsanovs and Beaumont live together in neighboring apartments.

  Mertsalov

  Priest and friend of Lopukhov, who married them to Vera Pavlovna. Later, together with his wife, he became a close friend to Vera Pavlovna.

  Mertsalova

  The wife of the priest Mertsalov and a close friend of Vera Pavlovna. Over time, she became the head of one of her sewing workshops.

  Julie

  Frenchwoman, former Parisian prostitute, friend of Serge. Having learned about the bet between Storeshnikov and Zhan Solovtsov about Vera Pavlovna, she went and warned her. In the future, she helped her to promote a sewing workshop.

  Solovtsov (Jean)

  One of the most vile characters in the novel. First, he made a bet on Vera Pavlovna with Streshnikov. And then he wooed Katerina Polozova, so much so that it turned her head. He did not love her at all, but Katya's father was still a millionaire then, so he wanted his money. In the future, she figured out who he was and canceled the wedding.

  Polozov

  Katerina's father, retired captain or staff captain, former millionaire. Once he married a merchant's wife, successfully disposed of her dowry, and earned 3-4 million. At 60, he quarreled with one right person and lost almost all his money.

  Storeshnikov

  The groom of Vera Pavlovna, to whom her mother wanted to marry her. He did not love her, even argued against her as his mistress.

  Marya Aleksevna

  Mother of Vera Pavlovna. She really disliked her daughter, constantly shouted at her and dreamed of marrying everything off as a rich groom. Because of her, Vera Pavlovna had to run away from home, marrying Lopukhov.

  Faith's father

  A minor character, the father of Vera Pavlovna, who does not have his own opinion. Lives under the thumb of his wife.