In his comedy “Woe from Wit”, Griboedov showed a clash of the eternally opposing old and new generations, the ideologies of the past and present centuries. At the ball of Famusov come people who make up the cream of society, a sort of Moscow metropolitan elite. They are many-sided and do not hide their serfdom at all, they are full of ignorance, vulgarity, selfishness and reverence. Description of all guests Famusov speaks for itself. Chatsky will devote a lot of his winged statements to them.
Characteristic of Famusov's guests at the ball
Before Famusov’s arrival, Colonel Skalozub, a huge ignoramus and careerist who dreams of making the whole of Russian society live according to the barracks charter, appeared in the house of Famusov. He is a staunch supporter of the old order, rich and marks the generals. He became the most welcome guest in the house of Famusov. 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 gather at the ball one by one. The first to arrive is the Gorichi couple. This is an unremarkable typical married couple. In general, the characteristic of the guests of Famusov at the ball is quite interesting: Griboedov subtly emphasized in them the types of people from secular society of that time. So, in continuation, Chatsky is well acquainted with Platon Mikhailovich Gorich, they served together and even made friends. He was a very cheerful, energetic and peppy person, but after marrying a woman with character - Natalya Dmitrievna - he changed, became a henpecked man and servant boy. Now she does not give him even a mouth to open. But Gorich was already accustomed to this and even resigned himself to his position. Chatsky Platon Mikhailovich complains that, they say, he is not the same as he was once before.
Tugoukhovsky
Following the Gorich family, the princely Tugoukhovsky family comes to the ball to Famusov. The mother of the family is very concerned about finding a groom for her daughters. She immediately noticed the young Chatsky and wanted to invite him to visit her, but, having learned that he was not rich and did not have a high rank, she immediately changed her mind. In her opinion, it would be better if it was poor, but that at least two thousand serf souls had.
Grunts
And then the two ladies of Khryumin appeared at the ball. This is Khryumin’s granddaughter, always dissatisfied with everything and angry at the whole world because she cannot find a groom for herself, and her half-deaf grandmother. Before she could arrive at the ball, Khryumin-granddaughter immediately regretted that she had appeared very early and that she had no one to talk to and no one to dance with. Yes, and to meet someone who could marry, there was absolutely no chance. She expresses admiration for everything abroad and gives out her addiction to “fashion shops”. Her arrogance offends Chatsky, and he sends spiteful remarks at her.
Zagoretsky and Khlestova
Zamoretsky also appears at the ball at Famusov’s - a rogue, a liar, a gambler, a rogue and a con man. However, despite all his destructive characterization, he is still accepted in high society, and Famusov’s doors were also open for him. His low, but very helpful nature literally has and seduces everyone. He always appears at the very right time and at the right time to serve some venerable nobleman.
For sure, the tyrannical rude lady Khlestova, 60 years old, also visited the ball. She always adheres to her opinion and knows her worth. With serfs, she does not stand on ceremony. And at the ball Khlestova took a dog and a little girl-rape. For this person, there is no difference between a serf and a dog, everything to her is entertainment.
The remaining guests of Famusov
The last guest of the ball was Repetilov. He is a person of very unreliable, discrediting and vulgarizing ideas of that time. Repetilov constantly talks about some kind of “secret alliances” and “secret meetings”, where they drink a lot of champagne and talk on forbidden topics. He for his selfish purposes uses the favor of people from high society to him.
The characterization of Famusov’s guests at the ball was not exhausted, there were many other characters from secular society, but Griboedov marked them with the letters N and D. They also became distributors of the rumor about Chatsky’s madness, although they themselves did not believe it, but they listened with pleasure. what others say. The image of these small gossips shows the interests of Famus society in the pursuit of wealth, honors and gossip.
Chatsky is one of the few who differed from the Famusian guests. In his nature typical Decembrist features were traced. He is ardent, freedom-loving and openly expresses his opinion. He does not like worship of foreigners, he opposes serfdom and despises humility, not service.
Chatsky
The characterization of the guests of Famusov 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 of meeting like-minded people. Chatsky could not indifferently look at all this, and as a result, 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, or maybe even shocks him.
The characteristic of Famusov’s guests at the ball shows that such a society is gradually becoming obsolete, its views are already very outdated, and advanced ideas have just begun to break through the thickness of hypocrisy, profit and treachery. Griboedov wrote the play “Woe from Wit” in revenge, because in society he also felt “crazy” Chatsky, not ready to put up with the current state of affairs.