“Woe from Wit” is one of the greatest dramatic works. Griboedov’s famous comedy was created several years after the end of World War II and shortly before the Decembrist uprising. The main question that worries literary critics and critics about this creation is: “Who is Chatsky - conquered or victorious?”
Fathers and Sons
When Griboedov decided to create a comedy, which later caused a resonance in the cultural life of Russia, a significant upsurge occurred in society, which was caused primarily by an obvious split among representatives of the nobility. The protagonist of the play became the personification of a living mind and advanced aspirations, especially noticeable against the background of outdated patriarchal morals, adherents of which are other characters. The author portrayed the struggle of generations in comedy. In order to write an essay on the theme “Chatsky: defeated or winner?”, You need to understand the social situation that developed in Russia in the twenties of the nineteenth century.
The origin of the Decembrist movement
French enlightenment had a huge impact on the worldview of young nobles, many of whom became members of secret societies. Often discussions on political topics did not end there. However, an especially zealous young people formed the opposition movement. The actions of the Decembrists, namely the so-called most active members of secret organizations, led to the tragedy. December 14, 1825 there was an uprising. Many members of the societies were exiled to Siberia. The main instigators are executed.
Revolutionary ideas
How can these events help answer the question: “Who is Chatsky - winner or loser?” The composition “Woe from Wit” was conceived by the author five years before the uprising. The comedy is about a young, educated man who loves a girl wholeheartedly, is critical of Moscow society and, most importantly, is not understood by others. The fact is that Chatsky is a representative of the very young generation of nobles, among whom there were so many opponents of the old reactionary system. He embodied the best qualities of the Decembrists, expressed his view on the public order that reigned in Russia, why he suffered to some extent.
The only representative of the young generation of the nobility in comedy is Alexander Andreyevich Chatsky. Defeated or winner hero Griboedov? This question cannot be answered unequivocally. Chatsky was opposed by the author of the so-called Famus society. He is opposed not only by the worldview of one or two characters, but by a whole lifestyle, a set of prejudices and habits.
Griboedov and his contemporaries
How to write a work on the topic "Chatsky - the winner or the vanquished?" The work on the work of Griboedov, which at one time caused a lot of controversy in Moscow society, causes many problems for modern students. First of all, you need to have an idea of how contemporaries took the play. Comedy was banned for a while. Then the residents of the capital saw her abridged by censorship. In the original, the comedy made a lasting impression on the theater audience. In the play, extremely acute issues were first raised. In addition, a hero similar to Chatsky was not previously in Russian drama.
Revolutionary ideas of the hero
In order to understand the uniqueness of the image created by Griboedov, one should pay attention to the fact that the comedy touched on the most important issues of upbringing and education. The author raised the topic of civic duty, expressed his opinion on the true service to the Fatherland. And he did all this with the help of the protagonist. It was in Chatsky’s mouth that he put his thoughts in, expressed with his help advanced views on the ossification of society. The only hero who realizes the need for fundamental social changes is Chatsky. Conquered or victorious, he is not so important in this dispute, which has a very hidden and satirical character in comedy. Chatsky does not understand Famusov, Sophia and other characters. This is the fate of every person who expresses fresh ideas. Especially if these ideas diverge from the usual way of life. It’s easier for the heroes of the comedy to take Chatsky as a madman, rather than listen to his words. And in the eyes of this society, he will always be defeated.
Famus society
In the house of Famusov, lies and hypocrisy reign. They have taken root here so much that almost everything is built on them. Famusov lectures his daughter on the purity of morals and sets her monastic lifestyle as an example to her, despite the fact that five minutes earlier she flirted with Lisa. Molchalin portrays a man in love with Sophia, while in his soul there is room only for ambitious thoughts. Famusov’s daughter is able to see lies, but does not want to do this, because living in a familiar lie is more comfortable and calmer. And against this background, the image of Chatsky stands out clearly . Winner or vanquished this hero in the world of lies and hypocrisy? Chatsky is inspired by innovative ideas. He is ready to go against society in the name of his ideals. But hypocrisy is so ingrained in the lifestyle of Famusov and his associates that any debate about truth and honor can only lead to defeat.
Sophia and Molchalin
The work is based on a love story. When Chatsky learns that Sophia preferred him to the near, but extremely purposeful Molchalin, a social conflict begins to develop, and with it the character of the protagonist is revealed. To the question of who Chatsky is - the winner or the defeated, Griboedov does not give an answer. The audience forms an opinion about the hero during the course of the play. They are outraged by the fallacies of Sophia, a girl who is not devoid of noble spiritual qualities, but unable to love Chatsky, since he is too alien to her environment.
Molchalin’s deception seems rude and obvious. But the secretary of Famusov at the beginning of the play appears only in the eyes of the protagonist. Sophia does not see lies because of her upbringing, French novels, which she reads voraciously, and unwillingness to take seriously the truthful and sharp words that Chatsky pronounces. In the characterization of the hero, his relationship to Sophia is not of the greatest importance. But it is precisely thanks to the opposition of the hero to the obliging Molchalin that the answer to the main question that the author poses for himself in the comedy “Woe from Wit” poses. Who is Chatsky? Winner or loser? The answer is this: in the eternal debate about lies and truth, only this character is able to win. He does not crouch in front of dignitaries, does not become like Molchalin. He remains himself even when Sophia, whom he loves since childhood, rejects him. And though Famus society does not accept his views, preferring to continue to be content with false reasoning, Chatsky does not change his views. The further fate of the heroes is unknown to the viewer. But one can only guess that the lying world will be destroyed sooner or later.
Get out of Moscow!
Chatsky worried about social problems. He realizes the horror of serfdom, in which all sincere thought is destroyed. In such a society, Molchalin feels comfortable. Chatsky has no place in him, and he leaves.
And if we consider the conflict from an external point of view, the answer to the question: “Who is Chatsky in the comedy? Winner or vanquished? ” briefly can be given in this way: he could not fight for his ideals to the end, and therefore lost. Chatsky left, leaving the Famusovs perplexed and irritated. The real winner was to stay and give a more substantial opposition to the reactionary society. Although, perhaps, the clash of views depicted by Griboedov was the first impetus for serious revolutionary activity, and one of the future participants in the opposition movement was a prototype of Chatsky? But the question of whether the hero of Griboedov was the Decembrist is the topic of another article.