Written in 1836 by Pushkin, the story "The Captain's Daughter" is a logical continuation of the theme of "an insignificant hero", an ordinary person who cannot boast of great wealth, influence or serious ties. The main character is close to the people, has positive qualities of character, kind, fair. The story is based on an uprising led by Pugachev, but Pushkin did not set himself the goal of recreating historical events, against which he described the life stories of ordinary people.
General characteristics of Grinev
Pyotr Grinev - comes from a noble family, but his parents are poor, so he grew up in a provincial-local way of life. The hero cannot boast of a good upbringing, he admits that he grew up undergrowth. Since his father was a retired military, then Peter became an officer. This is a conscientious, gentle, kind and fair young man, looking at everything through rose-colored glasses. Over time, the illusions dissipate, and he understands how the world really works.
Thanks to his moral instinct, even Peter the Great is safe and sound from even the most difficult and dangerous situations. The characterization of the hero shows his rapid spiritual growth. The man managed to consider a moral personality and a pure soul in Masha Mironova, he had the courage to ask forgiveness from the serf Savelich, Peter saw in Pugachev not just a rebel, but a fair and generous person, he realized how really low and mean Shvabrin is. Despite the terrible events that took place during the internecine struggle, Grinev managed to maintain honor, humanity and loyalty to his ideals.
General characteristics of Schwabrin
The characteristics of Grinev and Shvabrin allow the reader to figure out who is who in fact. Alexei Ivanovich is a nobleman by birth, he is lively, dark-skinned, not very beautiful. At the time of Grinev’s arrival in the Belgorod fortress, Shvabrin had already served there for five years, he was transferred here for the murder. Everything speaks of his meanness, arrogance and heartlessness. At the first meeting with Peter, Alexey Ivanovich introduces him to the inhabitants of the fortress, speaking of all with contempt and mockery.
Shvabrin is very intelligent and much more educated than Grinev, but there is no kindness in him. This character was compared by many with a tumbleweed, a man without a family who knew only how to adapt to different circumstances. Nobody loved and did not wait for him, but he also does not need anyone. At the end of the story, Shvabrin’s black hair turned gray after experiencing excitement, but his soul remained black, envious and evil.
Comparative characteristics of Grinev and Shvabrin
In each story there should be an antagonist of the protagonist. If Pushkin had not created the image of Shvabrin, then Grinev’s spiritual growth would not have been so noticeable, moreover, the development of a love line between Maria and Peter would have been impossible. The writer in all respects contrasts two young officers of noble origin. A brief description of Shvabrin and Grinev shows that they even got to serve in the fortress for various reasons. Father sent here to serve the father, so that the offspring sniffed the real gunpowder, and served in the army. Alexei was sent to Belogorsk fortress for the murder of a lieutenant.
The expression "military duty" each of the heroes understands differently. It’s all the same to whom to serve the mop, if only he would be well. During the Pugachev uprising, Alexei immediately went over to the rebels, forgetting the oath and honor. Grinev, in fear of the death penalty, refuses to swear allegiance to the rebels, but he was saved by natural kindness. The fact is that once he gave Pugachev a hare sheepskin coat and handed a glass of wine, who in return pays thanks and saves Peter's life.
The captain's daughter became the bone of contention for the heroes. Grinev and Shvabrin fell in love with Masha, but their love is very different. Peter composes poems for the girl, and Alexei criticizes them, smashing them to pieces. This is understandable, because he himself likes Maria, but could a sincerely loving person expose his beloved in a bad light and recommend an opponent to give her earrings instead of poetry so that she goes to him at dusk.
Relations between Schwabrin and Mary
Alexei Ivanovich likes the captain’s daughter, he takes care of her, but when he is refused, he spreads dirty and false rumors about her. This man is not capable of sincere, kind and pure feelings, he needs Masha only as a beautiful doll, which can be remade in his own way. The characteristics of Grinev and Shvabrin show how different these people are from each other. Peter would never allow himself to slander or force something to his beloved.
Alex - sneaky and cowardly, acts in roundabout ways. In a duel, he wounded Grinev with a sword in the chest, then informed Peter's parents about the duel so that they would forbid his son to marry Mary. After switching to the side of Pugachev, Shvabrin uses his power, forcing the girl to become his wife. Even in the end, he cannot allow the happiness of Grinev and Mironova, therefore, he is slandering Peter.
Relations between Grinev and Masha
Pyotr Andreyevich has the brightest and purest feelings for the captain’s daughter. He wholeheartedly stuck to the Mironov family, which became his family. The young girl immediately liked the officer, but he tried to act delicately, composed poems for her to win the heart of the beautiful woman. The characteristics of Grinev and Shvabrin give an idea of the concept of honor in these two people.
Alexey Ivanovich married to Mironova, but received a refusal, he could not admit his defeat with dignity, so he tried with all his might to tarnish the girl’s reputation. Grinev, in turn, defends his beloved, challenging the enemy to a duel. Peter is ready to give his life for Masha, risking, he rescues the girl from the imprisonment of Shvabrin, takes her out of the fortress. Even in court, he tries not to tarnish the honor of Mironova, although he faces life in prison. This behavior indicates the nobility of the hero.
The attitude of Grinev to Pugachev
Pyotr Andreyevich does not approve of the actions of the rebels and zealously defends the fortress from them, during the execution of officers he refuses to swear allegiance to Pugachev, because he serves the empress. Nevertheless, Grinev admires the magnanimity, justice and organizational abilities of the leader of the rebels. The hero and Pugachev have their own, somewhat strange, but friendly relations based on mutual respect. The rebel remembers the goodness of Grinev and repays him the same. Although Peter did not go over to Pugachev’s side, he remains of good opinion about him.
The attitude of Shvabrin to Pugachev
The characteristics of Shvabrin and Peter Grinev show a different attitude to the military honor of these officers. If the main character, and in fear of the death penalty, did not want to betray the Empress, then for Alexei Ivanovich his own life is most important. As soon as Pugachev called on the officers to go over to him, Shvabrin immediately turned over to the side of the rebels. There is nothing sacred for this person, at the right time he is always ready to put the bandwagon to others, so the recognition of the power of rebels is nothing more than an attempt to save his life.
The spiritual formation of Grinev and the fall of Shvabrin
Throughout the story, the reader follows the spiritual growth of the protagonist. The characteristics of Grinev and Shvabrin speak for themselves: if for Alexei there is nothing sacred, he is ready to step over anyone to achieve his goal, then Peter conquers with his nobility, kindness, honesty and humanity.