When Pushkin worked on the creation of the novel Dubrovsky, he was so inspired by the topic of the Pugachev uprisings that he never finished what he started. The story of the avenger nobleman, however, in the eyes of readers is a work quite harmonious and complete. But in this article, not Dubrovsky’s adventures, and not even ruthless, senseless rebels, but the romantic hero Grinev, the image of the noble villain Pugachev, the hypocrisy of Shvabrin and other themes of essays on “The Captain's Daughter” will be analyzed.
Popular uprisings
But one still needs to say a few words about the rebels, since their “exploits” are inextricably linked with the plot of the story, for which Pushkin took to the detriment of Dubrovsky. The writer’s interest in the rebels was due to the fact that in the twenties their indignation made itself felt in one or another Russian city. The riots even affected the Pskov region, where Pushkin visited regularly enough.
As always, when ordinary people take on a good cause, namely, they begin to fight for their freedom and all sorts of rights, these events have grown into a robber lawlessness. Such is the Russian revolt, meaningless and merciless ... The themes of the works on The Captain's Daughter suggest the presence of basic knowledge about this period in the life of the Russian people. Because the story of Pushkin is primarily a historical work. An essay on the topic “The Captain's Daughter” (Grade 8) is an analysis of a system of images, among which there are fictional, but at least two of them really existed. Let's consider each in more detail.
“Is Pugachev a robber or a liberator?”
This is the title that the essay on the theme “The Captain's Daughter” often has: the image of Pugachev. ” When Pushkin decided to create a work of art that would reflect the most striking events of the liberation uprisings, he, of course, had previously studied many historical documents. In the process of this training, Alexander Sergeyevich drew special attention to the personality of one of the main rebels. The story would not have become a full-fledged historical work if, along with fictional characters, the image of Pugachev was not present in it. This character from the pen of the great classic came out alive, bright and extremely controversial. The essay on the theme “The Captain's Daughter”: the image of Pugachev ”is an interesting work, because it is dedicated to a very colorful personality. For some, Pugachev became a "convict" and a "villain", for others - a "defender" and a "sovereign."
In the eyes of the nobles, this man was an ordinary robber, albeit a very dangerous one. The common people, who, by the way, often mistook the villains for the liberators, had great hopes for Pugachev. As you can see, the figure is ambiguous. The essay on the theme “Pugachev in The Captain's Daughter” should be based on an analysis of this historical personality in the Pushkin interpretation.
The image of Grinev
A true nobleman is one who always acts according to conscience. Regardless of what is the subject of torment Grinev - love, fear or hatred - he always remains true to himself. Or to the Fatherland. This hero is a model of morality and honor. On his behalf, a narrative is being conducted. The themes of essays on The Captain's Daughter, all without exception, cannot do without a description of this image. In the course of the action, the reader sees how this hero changes and grows up. And Grinev evokes sympathy in that, regardless of who he has to deal with, he remains the same noble nobleman. The only difference is that at the beginning of the story he is a frivolous, but kind young man. And in the end - an experienced officer. “Grinev and Pugachev”, “Grinev and Masha Mironova”, “Grinev and Shvabrin” - such may be the themes of essays on “The Captain's Daughter”.
An interesting fact in the biography of Grinev is the fact that his father was a disgraced aristocrat, once served, but was forced to resign. Grinev Sr. is a typical representative of the ancient nobility, which has lost its significance, and therefore, the rebellious potential lives in it.
Masha Mironova
This girl is shy, modest and has an unremarkable appearance. At the beginning of the story, Grinev perceives it with a certain prejudice that the two-faced Shvabrin inspired him. Then imbued with an ever deeper feeling. And finally, love is born, pure and sincere.
The daughter of commandant Mironov was brought up in severity. And there is an extraordinary dedication in her - a trait that manifests itself most clearly after she finds out about the unwillingness of Grinev's parents to see her as their daughter-in-law. An essay on the topic “The Captain's Daughter”: the image of Masha Mironova ”is a common theme in literature lessons. The girl does not have any hidden characteristics of character that would be revealed in the climax or denouement, if you do not take into account her decisiveness. It is this quality that helps the heroine rescue her beloved from prison. Also, an essay on the theme "Captain's Daughter" can be supplemented by a description of the events during which Masha was imprisoned by Shvabrin. Here the commandant’s daughter showed courage.
Mironov
The captain is a simple and uneducated man, but very honest. He holds secret meetings on the movements of the Pugachev army and gives commands to take his daughter away, says goodbye to his beloved wife. True, neither Masha nor Vasilisa Egorovna manage to leave the fortress. In every act of Ivan Kuzmich - courage, dignity, loyalty to the family and homeland. This literary hero is undoubtedly worthy of devoting an essay on the theme “The Captain's Daughter” to him.
And the favorite Masha, whose characterization is given above, is very similar to her father. However, she is a dowager. From what? Could the commander of the remote garrison not have the opportunity to secretly cut off the rations of soldiers, to trade in weapons, or to solicit a more substantial salary from the general? Such questions may arise in the reader, and in order to answer them, you should carefully consider this hero.
The culmination of Pushkin’s work is about the demands of the false state to abandon the previous government and swear allegiance to the chieftain. But Ivan Kuzmich with extraordinary courage refuses this vile offer. He chooses death.
Mop
The image of this hero in the story is very colorfully outlined. It does not contain white spots. The characteristic is given at the very moment when Grinev arrives. A mop of short stature, a dark and ugly face, but extremely lively. The officer seemed to be pleased with the new comrade and immediately after meeting shared his gossip and impressions with him, which, however, later turned out to be very subjective.
Alexey Ivanovich is educated, knows languages. He is a freethinker. Seeking the favor of the girl who rejected him, he crosses the line of sanity and decency. Also interesting is the fact that Schwabrin was exiled to the garrison for participating in a duel. And when he sees an opponent in Grinev, he decides to slander Masha. Which leads to the next fight.
The image of Shvabrin is described in bright and somewhat “caustic” tones, which indicates the author’s attitude to this type of people. Alexey Ivanovich agrees to compromises where this is unacceptable. He makes a deal with conscience. In order to conduct a comparative analysis of this hero with the main one, it is worth writing an essay on the topic "The Captain's Daughter": Grinev and Shvabrin. "
Great is the power of love!
This is how the author describes the state of the protagonist, when he, worrying about the fate of Masha, enters the commandant’s house and quickly assesses the situation. He sees that everything is rummaged in the room. The short fragment of the story conveys the deep feelings that embrace the hero when he presents his beloved in the hands of the Pugachevites. Here is the fear for Masha, and the willingness to save her at all costs, and the impatient desire to find out about the fate of the girl, and a sudden transition from despair to calm reasoning.
Both Grinev and Masha are fictional heroes, but without them it is impossible to imagine Pugachev. Without the presence of this character, thoughts of nobility and dignity, love and self-sacrifice would not have arisen. Grinev did not leave the girl at a critical moment and went to the fortress captured by Pugachev. Meanwhile, Masha talked with Pugachev, after which he understood everything and released the girl: “Come out, red girl; I will give you the will, ”says the murderer of her parents, and she loses consciousness due to conflicting feelings.
Peter's love for Masha was no longer “empty whim” in the eyes of his parents. Now they only wanted that the son married the captain's daughter.
Empress
In the story, the images of Pugachev and Catherine II symbolize power. But at the same time they are radically opposite.
In The Captain's Daughter, the author contrasted the people and the autocracy. The main reason for the Pugachev revolt, according to the author of the story, was the isolation of the rulers from the people and the unwillingness of those in power to delve into the needs of a simple Russian peasant. The consequences are national tragedies, uprisings, murders and robberies. An essay on the theme “The Captain's Daughter” (8th grade) can be devoted to the issue of fiction in the images of two real-life personalities. In Pushkin’s novel, they acquired the features of literary heroes, acquired qualities that they might not actually possess. The author’s position in relation to them is another interesting topic for writing.