How often, however, something great seems simple, because it does not have the habit of striking. And only time shows how brilliant this or that composition is. For the third century, they have been passing on from mouth to mouth the tale of Vladimir Odoevsky “Moroz Ivanovich,” and this is already a lot.
“It smells of Rus here”
Odoevsky’s tale “Moroz Ivanovich” is an exemplary example of a Russian author’s tale. Vladimir Odoevsky, the author of this work, composed a fairy tale especially for the youngest readers. In its lines, children will easily find goodness, magic and immeasurable love for their native land. In the well-known work of A. S. Pushkin there were lines: "Here is the Russian spirit, Here it smells of Rus." These words give a full description of the magical, winter history.
The tale of Odoevsky "Moroz Ivanovich" was included in the author's collection "Tales of Grandfather Irenaeus", which was published in 1841. The story was created on the basis of the folk tale "Frost". Readers liked this work because the author did not abandon the peasant traditions of storytelling. In addition, children of that time were accustomed to work from an early age, so they understood the meaning of the story, supplemented the story with vivid images that drew imagination, and in addition to the magical story, they had a good motivating lesson.
about the author
Vladimir Fedorovich Odoevsky lived and worked in the era of romanticism. He was born on August 13, 1803. Vladimir Fedorovich is the last representative of the Odoevsky family, who were the ancestors of the Rurikovich themselves. The author was sure that it was important for the modern world to educate the masses, and fairy tales were not its only property. Vladimir Odoevsky is the founder of a rural elementary school.
His contribution to children's Russian literature is truly colossal. The collection “Tales of Grandfather Irenaeus” was very popular among children. It is worth noting that this very grandfather was the author himself - this is his literary pseudonym. The tale "Moroz Ivanovich" by V. F. Odoyevsky is today considered the best work of the author. Even after 200 years, young readers still like it, who see in this story not only a fun adventure, but find answers to many questions, thereby learning the world around them and learning good manners.
Composition
"Frost Ivanovich" by Odoevsky was created in accordance with the best traditions of the folk epic. This style of storytelling is mystical and paradoxical, because it has long been so established that the epic is bound to touch the most hidden strings of the human soul. Obviously, the attention to the tale is due to the fact that the reader works with Slavic genetic memory. Here, as they say, "you cannot strangle genes with your finger."
The tale begins with a pretext that looks like a good and instructive proverb. It is selected according to the main theme of the work and literally from the first lines sets the reader to the main idea. Nothing is given to anyone for nothing. In order to get something, achieve something and have something, you need to make an effort equivalent to your desire.
After the reader is set to receive an important lesson in his life, the author draws his attention to the story itself: “Two girls lived in the same house: the Needlewoman and the Sloth”. This element of the composition is called the “conception,” that is, the so-called reference point from which the narrative begins. The author skillfully created the appearance of events that took place in the past, and immediately explained to the reader that the fairy tale is based on the opposition (antithesis). The writer's skill immediately draws the child’s attention to the positive character, as he is charged with forming a “positive self” in himself.
Summary
Before proceeding with the analysis of Odoevsky’s fairy tale “Moroz Ivanovich,” you need to know at least a little what the story was about. So, as already mentioned, once lived in the same house Needlewoman and Sloth. Together with them lived a nanny who looked after the girls.
Every morning, the needlewoman woke up early, dressed, and set to work. She could do everything and could do everything. She was busy all day, and she had no time to be bored. Meanwhile, Sloth loved to wake up and lay in bed for a long, long time. And when she was tired of lying down, she called the nanny to put on her stockings or tie her shoes. Having breakfast around lunch, the sloth sat at the window and began to count flies: how many flew in and how many flew away. In a brief summary of Odoyevsky’s “Frost Ivanovich”, these details are certainly worth mentioning, because due to the fact that Lenivitsa had nothing to occupy herself with, she became an irritable and selfish person. In all her troubles, those around her were always to blame.
So the girls grew up, each doing their own thing: one was lazy and cursed the whole world, because no one entertained her, and the other went about her own business, and she had no time to think about such trifles.
Bucket and well
Further, according to the contents of Odoyevsky's "Frost Ivanovich", an unpleasant incident occurs with the needlewoman. Once she went to the well, to collect water and dropped a bucket into it. The girls' nanny was strict and said that the needlewoman herself would correct what she had done. She had no choice but to go down the well.
In the well, the girl falls into another world, here they talk and pies, and the golden apples, bulk, fall into the apron themselves. Having typed along the path of this good, the Needlewoman slowly reached the house of Moroz Ivanovich. After sitting on the porch and sharing the fraternity brought goodies, Moroz Ivanovich asked the girl to serve him for three days.
The needlewoman was a jack of all trades, and no homework was new to her: she cooked food, she made things, and she cleaned the hut. Three days passed unnoticed. As a reward for his efforts, the old man gave her a lost bucket, where he poured silver coins, and presented a hairpin with a diamond as a souvenir.
Envy is a bad feeling
Further, Odoevsky in "Moroz Ivanovich" briefly talks about how the Needlewoman returned home, and when she saw her awards, the nanny sent Lenivitsa to the well. Some holiday was planned in their house, so any reward would not be superfluous.
Sloth really wanted to get an award, like a sister. Not even that. She wanted to be presented with jewelry twice as much. But she couldn’t do anything. When I went to Moroz Ivanovich, I didn’t take a pie with me or shake apples from the branches. At home with the old man, she practically did nothing, because she did not know how to repair clothes or cook food. You could even say that she did not serve the old man, and Moroz Ivanovich served her, because he himself had to do all the homework.
When three days ended, grandfather gave Lenivitsa a diamond the size of an egg and a silver bar. Rejoiced at the gifts, the girl did not even thank, but quickly ran home. But as soon as she went to the surface, the gifts received began to melt. It turned out that the ingot of silver was frozen mercury, and the diamond was ordinary ice.
The tale of Vladimir Odoevsky “Moroz Ivanovich” ends with his call to think over history and decide what is fiction and what is true. We will talk more about these high matters in the analysis of the work.
The rhythm of the work
Most likely, many readers will take Odoyevsky's “Frost Ivanovich” for another folk tale. And they will not pay much attention to poetry, taking it for granted. That's just this poetry is worth attention, because here you can trace a special melodic rhythm. This method of presentation was chosen by the author himself, and in each line his constant participation is felt.
Talking about the adventures of the Needlewoman, the author kindly sympathizes with her and encourages her. It becomes obvious to the reader that he sympathizes with her. But when it comes to Leninitz, the text clearly traces irony, banter, and, to be honest, sarcasm. Especially when the author talks about how Sloth tried to cook food on the first day. In addition to masterfully created images, the author pleases the reader with a lively description of the scene. The refined ice hut of the owner of the Frost, as if real, arises in fantasies.
The work was written according to the best traditions of oral folklore of that time. The fairy tale contains sayings and proverbs, special emphasis is placed on the uniqueness of common people, such as a student, miserable, etc. In the fairy tale, the author uses nouns in a diminutive form. A bit later Bazhov applied a similar writing style. The tale of V. F. Odoyevsky “Moroz Ivanovich” is distinguished by a harmonious and laconic composition. There are no unnecessary words or sentences. Each phrase carries a special meaning and is practically indispensable in the overall picture of the story.
main characters
In the analysis of any literary work, including the analysis of "Frost Ivanovich" by Odoevsky, it is worth paying attention to the main characters of the work. So, one of the main characters is the needlewoman. This is a friendly, respectful and intelligent girl who is constantly busy with something, creating a cozy world around herself. She is independent and hardworking, ready to pay attention to everyone. She is not alien to curiosity, the desire to learn something new. She is positive, and even if she has troubles, the whole world helps her in solving them. Even unusual, fabulous items become allies of the needlewoman. Such a striking example shows the younger generation that you need to behave the same as the needlewoman, then the whole world will help you.
In contrast to the needlewoman in the tale there is a sloth. Her favorite pastime is to sleep, and her only entertainment is to sit by the window and count the flies. Besides the fact that this girl is lazy, she is also sassy, rude, arrogant and disrespectful. Talks rudely even with Moroz Ivanovich. Odoevsky Vladimir Fedorovich attributes to this character also a feeling of envy. The sloth does not burn with the desire to serve someone, but I really want to receive a reward, like with my sister. This girl is self-confident and selfish, and the concept of politeness is most likely unknown to her. For her laziness and bad manners, she gets what she deserves.
Another character that is directly related to history is Moroz Ivanovich, in fact, a fairy tale about him. He is the ruler of winter, a magical character living at the bottom of the well. Moroz Ivanovich is like a strict and fair teacher. He is caring, polite, generous and fair. This wise man is not alien to a sense of humor, he is kind and appreciates this quality in others.
I see myself reflected in another
Another feature of this tale is that the author was able to show how a person relates to people, so they respond to him. Each person sees in others a reflection of himself. For the needlewoman, old Moroz Ivanovich seemed a kind and friendly grandfather who could tell something interesting. The sloth also saw in the old man an evil and angry man, a real exploiter, greedy and with a disgusting sense of humor.
Although in fact Moroz Ivanovich acted in good faith: he punished for laziness and disrespect and encouraged diligent work.
The idea of the author
Odoevsky's “Frost Ivanovich” is not just another fairy tale in the list of literature, but a real hymn to working people. The author was able to show in colorful and vivid examples that labor ennobles a person, and laziness destroys all the good and bright that is potentially inherent in everyone.
The needlewoman, thanks to her constant work and diligence, is growing up as a kind, responsive and cheerful girl. At the same time, Sloth, due to constant "doing nothing," is increasingly showing negative qualities.
A curious Needlewoman found out that the Winter Lord protects young grass from frost to spring.
In cold weather, he knocks on people at the windows, recalling that it is time to heat the stove and not to forget about those who are less fortunate. For the summer, he hides in the well, as it is always cool here and lives alone all the time. She comforted the old man with her economics and courtesy, pleased with kind words and modest behavior, for which she received an award.
Sloth - lying flat to the bone, just came to Moroz Ivanovich for dependency. He himself prepared to eat, and there was no one to talk to him, and was controlled by the housework. For her stay in a fabulous country, she received the appropriate honors - frozen ice and mercury.
By the way, with the author’s light hand, the aphorism “count flies” that characterizes a loafer came into use. Following exclusively his mercantile considerations, man will never achieve what he wants. He can come up with a hundred or even a thousand cunning enrichment plans, but without labor he will never achieve anything.
Being in absolutely equal conditions, a lazy person will not be able to achieve anything, unlike a hardworking one. The award can only be received by one who, with a pure heart, gives all himself to work. Ambitious, polite and modest - this is the one who is entitled to a reward. And in his tale "Moroz Ivanovich" Odoevsky very vividly describes one who deserves respect, gratitude and worthy of praise for his efforts.