Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin (1745-1792) is widely known as the author of the comedy "Undergrowth". But the creator of The Undergrowth was not only a talented playwright of the 18th century. He is one of the founders of Russian prose, a political writer, a major Russian educator, who fearlessly fought against the autocracy of Catherine II for a quarter of a century.

After the comedy "The Brigadier", which had a resounding success in St. Petersburg, D. I. Fonvizin did not turn to dramaturgy for more than ten years, the writer devoted all his strength to politics and state affairs. The idea of ​​a new comedy took shape after his return from France at the end of 1778. In 1781, The Undergrowth was largely completed. The comedy was full of new ideas. D. I. Fonvizin understood that it would be very difficult to stage such a comedy in the theater, but he waged a stubborn struggle with the government for its production. The writer took a direct part in the preparation of the performance. In fact, he became the director of the first performance in the capital. It was not without his influence that the distribution of roles proceeded - he sought to ensure the performance of positive roles, first of all, by strong, talented actors. Therefore, Starodum was played by the largest and most famous Russian actor Ivan Dmitrievsky, Pravdin - by the talented actor Plavilshchikov.

The court of Catherine II demonstrated their dislike for the "Undergrowth", which was expressed, among other things, in the desire to prevent him from appearing on the stage of the court theater. The premiere was dragged out in every possible way, and instead of May, as it was originally planned, it finally took place with difficulty on September 24, 1782 in a wooden theater on Tsaritsyn Meadow with the help of invited actors from both the court and private theaters. The premiere of the comedy was a triumph for the ideas of the Russian Enlightenment. The audience cheered the performance.

genre features. Composition

Comedy by D. I. Fonvizin, in which, while maintaining the theatrical conditional plot collision depicted the daily life of middle-class landowners, busy worries about their own prosperity, artistic content which consisted in a new display of life on the stage, and it was Russian provincial, landowner life, and a new display of a person with a more complex psychological characteristic and in more clarified specific social conditions, had a great influence on the subsequent development of the comedy genre.

The artistic method of "Undergrowth" by D. I. Fonvizin is defined as early Russian realism of the Enlightenment, which is based on existing literary traditions (classical

cystic), uses artistic techniques and visual means of previous literary trends, but updates them, subordinating them to his creative task.

Outwardly, the comedy is based on the traditional motif of matchmaking and the emerging struggle of suitors for the heroine. It respects all three unities - action, time, place. The action takes place in the village of Prostakova during the day. By the beginning of the events in the house of Prostakova, the fate of the heroes was determined as follows. Sophia and Milon love each other. They are familiar from St. Petersburg. Uncle Milon - Cheston favorably treated the love of young people. On business, Milon leaves with his team in one of the provinces. During his absence, Sophia's mother dies. A young girl was taken away by a distant relative to the village. Here, after some time, the events that are narrated in the comedy unfold. They already make up The final stage and fit into the day.

Prostakova decides to marry her poor relative Sophia to her brother, believing that Sophia as a bride is of no personal interest to her. Starodum's letter, from which everyone learns that she is a rich heiress, changes Prostakova's plans. There is a conflict between her and her brother.

The third "seeker" appears - Milo. Prostakova decides to put her foot down and organizes the kidnapping of Sophia. From a very dramatic end of the matchmaking, Sophia is saved by the intervention of Milon, who beats his bride from the "people" of Prostakova. This scene prepares the denouement. Comic heroes are put to shame, vice is punished: the comedy has a moralizing ending. Prostakova was deprived of her rights over the peasants for the abuse of her power, her estate was taken under guardianship.

Thus, Skotinin’s courtship, receiving Starodum’s letter, the decision to marry Sofya Mitrofan, the attempt to kidnap Sophia, Prostakova’s intention to deal with the courtyards, sort them out “one by one” and find out “who let her out of her hands”, finally, Pravdin’s announcement of a decree on taking Prostakova's houses and villages under guardianship are the key, central situations of the comedy.

In connection with the main theme of the comedy, the structure of "Undergrowth" includes scenes and persons that are not directly related to the development of the plot, but in one way or another connected with the content of the comedy. Some of them are filled with true comedy. These are scenes with Mitrofan trying on a new dress and a discussion of Trishka's work, Mitrofan's lessons, a quarrel between a sister and brother ending in a “brawl”, a quarrel between teachers, a comic dialogue during Mitrofan's exam. All of them create an idea of ​​household, Everyday life of an uncultured landlord family, the level of its demands, intra-family relations, convince the viewer of the plausibility and vitality of what is happening on the stage.

Other scenes are in a different style. These are dialogues goodies- Starodum, Pravdin, Milon, Starodum and Sophia, whose content has something in common with the dialogues of tragic heroes. In them we are talking about an enlightened monarch, about the appointment of a nobleman, about marriage and family, about the upbringing of young nobles, about “that it is illegal to oppress your own kind with slavery.” These speeches, in fact, are a presentation of the positive program of D. I. Fonvizin.

The action in comedy unites all the characters and at the same time divides them into. malevolent and virtuous. The first, as it were, are concentrated around Prostakova, the second - around Starodum. This also applies to secondary characters: teachers and servants. The nature of the characters' participation in the events is not the same. According to the degree of activity among the negative characters, Prostakova is rightly placed in the first place, then Skotinin, Mitrofan. Prostakov essentially does not participate in the struggle. Of the positive characters, Sophia is passive. As for the rest, their participation in events is manifested at the most decisive moments; announces his "will" to the grooms Starodum, predetermining the denouement; saves with weapons in the hands of his bride from the kidnappers Milon; announces a government decree on the guardianship of Pravdin.

It should be noted that, while maintaining the classic tradition, D. I. Fonvizin gives the heroes of the comedy telling names and surnames. This corresponds to the single-line character of the characters, in whose characters there is a certain dominant. New in the depiction of heroes were individual biographical factors in the formation of characters (Prostakov and Prostakov) - the presence of bright speech characteristics heroes, the reflection in the comedy of the complexity of characters capable of self-development (images of Mitrofan, Prostakova, Eremeevna).

The difference between heroes is not limited to their moral qualities. The introduction of extra-plot scenes into the comedy expanded and deepened its content, determined the presence of other, deeper grounds for opposing the nobles depicted in it. In accordance with this, there are two outcomes in the comedy. One concerns the relationship between Mitrofan, Skotinin, Milon and Sophia, whose fate was determined, on the one hand, by Prostakova, and on the other, by Starodum; the second refers to the fate of Prostakova as a malevolent landowner and a bad mother. In the events of this denouement, social and moral ideals author, the ideological and ethical orientation of the comedy as a whole is determined.

Themes, motifs, symbols

The main question that occupied D. I. Fonvizin in the comedy "Undergrowth" is the question of what a true nobleman should be and whether he answers Russian nobility to its purpose. "The true essence of the position of a nobleman" D. I. Fonvizin sees in serving the state, the fatherland. Only in one case can a nobleman retire from public service, “resign”. This is "when he is internally convinced that the service to his fatherland will not bring direct benefit." But even after leaving the civil service, he must meet the appointment of a nobleman. It is in the reasonable management of the estate and the peasants, in a humane attitude towards them.

Turning to the image of the local life of the nobles, D. I. Fonvizin made the relations between the nobles and the peasants the main subject of attention. He directed his comedy against "those malevolent ignoramuses who, having their full power over people, use it for evil inhumanly."

The grouping of characters in the comedy of D. I. Fonvizin reflects the real, actual process of stratification of the nobility. In comedy, two categories of people are clearly contrasted: obscure, unenlightened nobles and educated, enlightened nobles.

D. I. Fonvizin sees the reason for the malevolence of his heroes in their ignorance, "in their own corruption." "I could not read and write" the father of Prostakova and Skotinin. “I didn’t want to hear from anyone” about her, their uncle Vavila Falaleych; “I didn’t read anything from birth” Skotinin Jr. Children inherited neglect of science from their fathers. “Without the sciences people live and lived”, “learning is nonsense”, the main thing is to be able to “make enough and keep enough” - this is what the worldly philosophy of the ignorant nobility boils down to. In the hands of this nobility, far from understanding the needs of the state, is the education younger generation nobles. Revealing the image of Mitrofan, D. I. Fonvizin achieves great artistic persuasiveness in the image of a young rake. The word “undergrowth” had a completely neutral meaning: this was the name given to young nobles who had not yet received sufficient education, did not have a certificate of education and could not be admitted (not grown up) to serve in the army or in the office. The significance of the comedy of D. I. Fonvizin was so great, the ridicule of the noble lumberjack-child was so caustic that subsequently the “undergrowths” of the flock were called ignoramuses and lazybones, negligent teenagers and young men.

The formation of a consumer attitude to life in the hero is determined by the whole atmosphere of the estate life. There is no sharp opposition between fathers and children in the camp of ignorant nobles, since they do not have a different understanding of the “position of a nobleman”. The idea of ​​"being useful to one's fellow citizens" is equally alien to them. “We used to have everyone looking at peace,” Prostakova recalls the old days. Like many, he rushed to "rest" in his estate Skotinin, having retired with the rank of corporal. Prostakova understands that her Mitrofan will have to serve, and times have come differently: “there are a lot of smart girls now.” She does not dare to declare, like her father: "Do not be that Skotinin, who wants to learn something." Her attitude to teaching has not changed, the conditions have changed: “What are you going to do? Robin, without learning, go to the same Petersburg; they say you're stupid." And she hires teachers, although she doesn’t see much point in studying science: “Whoever is smarter than that, their own brothers will immediately choose another position.” The service is perceived by her as something hostile to her son.

The results of the ill effects were not long in manifesting themselves. Mitrofan has been studying for four years now, but it's no use. He learned the philosophy of his parents. Pravdin's decision send

him to military service("Let's go serve") the undergrowth accepts as a necessary evil and submits, "waving his hand."

Another reason for the inhumanity of the nobles was the conditions of serf life. The boundless power of the landlord over his serfs, the consciousness of lack of control and impunity for any actions in the absence of moral concepts inevitably led to arbitrariness and despotism. Prostakova and Skotinin have the same methods of managing the peasants. “I don’t intend to indulge the servants,” says the sister, who gives orders to punish the tailor for the caftan, which, in the opinion of her brother, is “quite well sewn.” "All guilt is to blame" and Skotinin. He willingly agrees to help Prostakova punish the "guilty" Trishka ("... I have the same custom with you in this, sister"), but on the occasion of the engagement, he asks to postpone "the punishment until tomorrow."

Heartlessness, despotism, unwillingness to recognize for the serfs any rights to equality with the "noble" characterizes the attitude wild landowners to your people. One of Prostakova’s most devoted serfs, mother Eremeevna, has been serving her for forty years now, and receives as a reward for her service “five rubles a year and five slaps in the face a day,” fire a day for three hours in a row. Don’t you dare get sick (“It’s lying! Oh, she’s a beast! It’s lying. As if noble!”), Don’t you dare think about food (“It’s a misfortune for our brother, how badly they feed, as today there was no food for the local dinner”), dutifully fulfill your will their masters, even if it is criminal. "Rogues! The thieves! Fraudsters! I order everyone to be beaten to death!” - shouts Prostkova, having learned about the failed kidnapping of Sophia.

They are sincerely surprised by Pravdin's question: "Do you consider yourself entitled to fight whenever you please?" - "Am I not powerful in my people?" “Isn’t a nobleman free to beat a servant whenever he wants?” - he hears in response. In the words of Pravdin, Prostakova is “an inhuman lady,” and life in her house and estate is “outer darkness.” Through the mouth of the Starodum, D. I. Fonvizin pronounces a sentence on the camp of serf-owners: “A nobleman is unworthy of being a nobleman! I don’t know anything more vile than him!”

Plot

The action of the comedy begins with the fitting of a caftan sewn by Trishka for Mitrofan. Mrs. Prostakova scolds the servants Trishka and Eremeevna, as well as her husband, Mr. Prostakov. On the same morning, Prostakova's brother Skotinin arrives at the estate, since a conspiracy between him and Sophia is scheduled for this day, and Sophia does not know about it; Sofya receives a letter from her uncle Staro Duma, whom the Prostakovs considered dead; Pravdin appears in the estate, who reads Starodum's letter to the illiterate Prostakova, who suspects that the letter is not from Starodum, but from Sophia's beloved Milon. From the letter it becomes known that Sophia is a rich heiress. Prostakova refuses the word given to her brother and wants to marry her son Mitrofan to Sophia.

At the head of a detachment of soldiers, Milon arrives at the Prostakovs' estate and unexpectedly meets Sophia here, whom he had not seen for six months and did not know where she was after the death of her parents.

Skotinin argues with his nephew over Sophia, Eremeevna shields Mitrofan with herself. Mitrofan's teachers arrive - Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin.

Starodum arrives. He talks with Pravdin, Sophia, and also breaks up the fight between Prostakova and Skotinin and says that tomorrow he will take Sophia with him to Moscow to marry her to "a young man of great merit."

Prostakova persuades Mitrofan to study and promises to marry him soon. In addition to Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin, there is Vralman. Teachers scream, swear and fight.

To Sophia's delight, it turns out that the groom chosen for her by Starodum is Milon. Not knowing about this, Skotinin woo Sofya from Starodum for himself, and Prostakova for his Mitrofan.

Milon manages to save Sophia from the kidnapping that Prostakova conceived in order to marry Sophia to Mitrofan. Prostakova asks Starodum for forgiveness. Pravdin announces the establishment of guardianship over the estate of the Prostakovs. From this news and from the rudeness of his son Prostakov faints. Rude Mitrofan Pravdin sends to serve.

Main characters

Building Character Prostakova, D. I. Fonvizin conveys the complexity and inconsistency of human nature. The playwright seeks to render "a service to humanity" by showing him what the nature of a person is, even an insignificant, evil one, who enjoys his right to offend other people. Hating slavery, despising the feudal lords, D. I. Fonvizin loved a person, grieved when he saw desecration of him, in whatever forms it manifested itself.

Prostakova - a rude, despotic and at the same time cowardly, greedy and vile nature, being the brightest type of Russian landowner, at the same time revealed as an individual character - the cunning and cruel sister of Skotinin, a power-hungry, prudent wife who tyrannizes her husband, a mother who loves without the mind of his Mitrofanushka. And this individual characteristic allows us to show all the terrible, disfiguring power of serfdom. All the great, human and holy feelings of Prostakova are distorted. That is why even love for her son - Prostakova's strongest passion - is unable to ennoble her feelings, for it manifests itself in base, animal forms. Her mother's love devoid of human beauty and spirituality.

The denouement, to which D. I. Fonvizin brings the comedy, was conditional. Actions Pravdina, of a government official who carried out the will of the “highest authority” were not confirmed by the Russian reality of that time. They reflected only the moods and aspirations of a certain part of the enlightened nobility and therefore were perceived as advice to the government on a possible way to regulate relations between landowners and peasants. Because of this, the image of Pravdin in the comedy had not a real, but a conditional, ideal character.

The image is more vital Starodum. But he also represents a rare phenomenon among the nobility, judging by the attitude of Pravdin, Milon, Sophia towards him. They see in him not an ordinary nobleman, but a person with special "rules". And indeed it is. The image of Starodum is connected in comedy with the expression of the ideas of that part of the progressive nobility, which was in opposition to the rule of Catherine, condemned her actions. Outwardly, Starodum’s dialogues with positive characters were based on a discussion of the problems of morality and education, but on the issues raised in them and the coverage of different aspects public life they were wider and contained criticism of the depravity of the modern court (“crowd of stingy flatterers”), condemnation of the monarch, whose soul is not always “great”, “to take the path of truth and never deviate from it.” The indignation was caused by the abuse of serfdom (“to oppress one's own kind without law”), the oblivion of the first estate of their duties.

Although Starodum and Pravdin could not realize their ideals in social practice, their judgments, taken together, made the comedy ideologically consonant with political tragedy. This was the new thing that the playwright introduced with the images of Starodum and Pravdin into the structure of The Undergrowth. Comedy was given a socio-political orientation.

Denis Fonvizin's comedy "Undergrowth" is one of the brightest works of Russian classicism. The questions that the author focuses on in the play excite the minds of viewers and readers even in our time - more than three centuries after it was written. The work created by Fonvizin is difficult to compare with traditional classic comedies, because the ironic farce, the mockery of the vices of society, the topical topics in the play look as funny as they are tragic. Using the techniques of contrast, ridicule, irony, the playwright brings the reader to the deep meaning and essence of The Undergrowth.

The ideological meaning of the comedy "Undergrowth"

At first glance, the work is an ordinary everyday play - the central plot of "Undergrowth" is linear and is tied around Sophia's marriage. The girl lost her parents at an early age and now lives in the care of the Prostakov landlord family. Prostakova, wanting to get rid of the "extra mouth" decides to marry Sophia without her consent to marry her brother - Skotinin. However, the news that the girl became the heiress of a huge fortune, and her uncle arrives from day to day, changes Prostakova's plans. The woman refuses Skotinin, offering her undersized son Mitrofan as the new groom. Fortunately, Starodum, Sophia's uncle, turns out to be reasonable person, which exposes the interests of Skotinin and Prostakova, supporting the girl's desire to marry her lover Milon.

Even according to brief description"Undergrowth" it becomes clear that the plot of the play fits perfectly into the canons of classic comedies. However, the work is complemented by a secondary story line associated with Mitrofan - a stupid, spoiled, lazy, greedy and cruel young man, the son of the Prostakovs. Despite such a negative characterization, he is the most comical character in the play - the most ridiculous scenes of the work are connected precisely with his training. In general, there are only two funny characters in "Undergrowth" - Mitrofan and Skotinin. They amuse with their stupidity, misunderstanding, when it is better to be silent, instead of saying absurd things.

"Undergrowth" can rightly be called a play of education - since family ties in the work determine the character and inclinations of a person. However, if Skotinin and Mitrofan are similar even in love for pigs, which also causes laughter, then one does not want to laugh at Prostakova. Tyrannical, cruel and rude to her peasants and relatives, a woman finds no joy either in her "gloomy fool" husband, or in her son, whom she blindly loves. Even her statements about how to count correctly (the scene of Tsyfirkin's lesson) are funny, but rather ridicule the mores of the old nobility than herself. In terms of activity and influence in the play, she can be compared with Pravdin, however, if a man defends humanistic, highly moral ideals, then Prostakova is the bearer of “her own”, landlord morality, which prescribes the greatest value of money and ranks over the life of her serfs, honest name, education and virtue.

The main meaning of "Undergrowth" lies precisely in this opposition of two radically opposite views - new, humane, educational and outdated, landowners. Fonvizin focuses attention not only on the negative beginning of the latter, but also on the need to change the views of the old nobility, otherwise the "fruits of malevolence" will be inevitable. The author emphasizes that the origins of this malevolence in the education itself - Prostakova and Skotinin adopted their views from their parents and passed them on to Mitrofan in the same way that the foundations of humanism were laid in Sophia by her parents.

The essence of the comedy "Undergrowth"

The essence of "Undergrowth" follows from ideological meaning comedy - education should be correct and instill high ideals. According to the traditions of classicism, the names of the characters largely complement the characterization of the characters and additionally reveal the author's idea. Fonvizin gave Skotinin such a surname for a reason. In addition, remember that Prostakova only received a last name from her husband, she is also Skotinina. Mitrofan is the son of Skotinina. And the characters really resemble animals - they are illiterate, stupid, used to looking only for their own benefit, for which they are ready for anything (that is, they completely lack such a trait as integrity and their own dignity). It is also noteworthy that Mitrofan is taught by people of the lower classes, in fact, servants. In the village of Prostakova, servants take care of the cattle, so a young man from childhood is brought up not as a worthy nobleman, but, at best, as a servant.

Fonvizin not only exposes the ignorance of the Skotinins, contrasting them with the bearers of high human ideals - Pravdin, Starodum, Sophia, Milon, but also focuses on the failure of traditional upbringing and education, emphasizing the need for personal development. This is precisely the essence of the work. Fonvizin believed that as soon as each "Mitrofan" received the right upbringing and a decent education, Russian society would change and become better. Nowadays, the comedy "Undergrowth" is a reminder to every reader about higher human ideals and the need to improve every day so as not to become like Mitrofan.

Artwork test

Denis Fonvizin's immortal comedy "Undergrowth" is an outstanding work of Russian literature of the 18th century. Bold satire and truthfully described reality are the main components of the skill of this writer. Centuries later, every now and then modern society heated debates emerge about the main character of the play, Mitrofanushka. Who is he: a victim of improper upbringing or a vivid example of the moral decay of society?

The comedy "The Brigadier" written by Fonvizin, which had a stunning success in St. Petersburg, became the basis of one of the greatest world literary monuments. After its publication, the writer did not return to dramaturgy for more than ten years, more and more public affairs and tasks. However, the idea of ​​creating a new book excited the author's imagination. Let's not hide the fact that, according to scientists, the first note related to the "Undergrowth" was started back in the 1770s, long before its publication.

After a trip to France in 1778. the playwright had an exact plan for writing the future work. Interesting fact- Mitrofanushka was originally Ivanushka, which by itself spoke of the similarity of the two comedies (Ivan was a character in The Brigadier). In 1781 the play was completed. Of course, staging this type meant highlighting one of the most problematic issues of the noble society of that time. However, despite the risk, Fonvizin became the direct "instigator" of the literary revolution. The premiere was postponed due to the empress's dislike for any satire, but it nevertheless took place on September 24, 1782.

Genre of the work

COMEDY is a type of drama in which a moment of effective conflict is specifically resolved. It has a number of features:

1. does not entail the death of one representative from the warring parties;
2. aimed at "nothing carrying" goals;
3. The story is lively and vivid.

Also in the work of Fonvizin, a satirical orientation is obvious. This means that the author set himself the task of ridiculing social vices. This is an attempt to disguise life problems behind a smile.

"Undergrowth" is a work built according to the laws of classicism. One storyline, one place of action, and all events take place within a day. However, this concept is also consistent with realism, as evidenced by individual objects and places of action. Besides, characters very much reminiscent of real landowners from the hinterland, ridiculed and condemned by the playwright. Fonvizin added something new to classicism - merciless and sharp humor.

What is the piece about?

The plot of Denis Fonvizin's comedy "Undergrowth" revolves around a family of landowners, which is completely mired in immorality and tyranny. Children became like rude and limited parents, from which their idea of ​​morality suffered. Sixteen-year-old Mitrofanushka is struggling to finish his studies, but he lacks the desire and ability. The mother looks at it through her sleeves, she does not care if her son develops. She prefers everything to remain as it is, any progress is alien to her.

The Prostakovs “sheltered” a distant relative, the orphan Sophia, who differs from the whole family not only in her outlook on life, but also in her good manners. Sophia is the heiress of a large estate, which Mitrofanushka's uncle, Skotinin, who is a great hunter, “looks at” as well. Marriage is the only affordable way take over Sophia's household, so the relatives surrounding her are trying to persuade her to a profitable marriage.

Starodum - Sophia's uncle, sends a letter to his niece. Prostakova is terribly unhappy with such a "trick" of a relative who was considered dead in Siberia. The deceit and arrogance inherent in her nature is manifested in the accusation of a "fraudulent" letter, allegedly "amorous". Illiterate landowners will soon find out the true content of the message, resorting to the help of the guest Pravdin. He reveals to the whole family the truth about the left Siberian inheritance, which gives as much as ten thousand annual income.

It was then that Prostakova came up with an idea - to marry Sophia to Mitrofanushka in order to appropriate the inheritance for herself. However, officer Milon "breaks into" her plans, walking through the village with soldiers. He met with an old friend, Pravdin, who, as it turned out, was a member of the governor's board. His plans include watching the landowners mistreating their people.

Milon talks about his long-standing love for a sweet lady who was transported to an unknown place due to the death of a relative. Suddenly he meets Sophia - she is the same girl. The heroine talks about her future marriage with the undersized Mitrofanushka, from which the groom “flashes” like a spark, but then gradually “weakens” with a detailed story about the “betrothed”.

Sophia's uncle arrived. Having met Milon, he accepts Sophia's choice, while inquiring about the "correctness" of her decision. At the same time, the Prostakovs' estate was transferred to state custody due to the cruel treatment of the peasants. Looking for support, the mother hugs Mitrofanushka. But the Son did not intend to be courteous and polite, he is rude, which makes the venerable matron faint. Waking up, she wails: "I died completely." And Starodum, pointing to her, says "Here are worthy fruits of evil-mindedness!".

Main characters and their characteristics

Pravdin, Sofya, Starodum and Milon are representatives of the so-called "new" time, the Enlightenment. The moral components of their souls are nothing but goodness, love, craving for knowledge and compassion. The Prostakovs, Skotinin and Mitrofan are representatives of the "old" nobility, where the cult of material well-being, rudeness and ignorance flourish.

• The minor Mitrofan is a young man whose ignorance, stupidity and inability to adequately analyze the situation do not allow him to become an active and reasonable representative of the noble community. “I don’t want to study, but I want to get married” is a life motto that fully reflects the character of a young man who does not take anything seriously.
• Sophia is an educated, kind girl who becomes a black sheep in a society of envious and greedy people.
• Prostakova is a cunning, careless, rude woman with many flaws and a lack of love and respect for all living things, except for her beloved son Mitrofanushka. The upbringing of Prostakova is only a confirmation of the persistence of conservatism, which does not allow the development of the Russian nobility.
• Starodum brings up "his little blood" in a different way - Sophia is no longer for him Small child, but a formed member of society. He gives the girl freedom of choice, thereby teaching her the right basics of life. In it, Fonvizin portrays the type of personality that has gone through all the “ups and downs”, while becoming not only a “worthy parent”, but also an undoubted example for the future generation.
• Skotinin - just like everyone else, is an example of " speaking surname". A person whose inner essence is more like some rough, uncouth cattle than a well-mannered person.

Theme of the work

• The upbringing of the "new" nobility is the main theme of the comedy. “Undergrowth” is a kind of allusion to the “disappearing” moral principles in people who are afraid of transformation. The landowners bring up their offspring in the old fashioned way, without paying due attention to their education. But those who were not taught, but only spoiled or intimidated, will not be able to take care of either their families or Russia.
• Family theme. The family is a social institution on which the development of the individual depends. Despite Prostakova's rudeness and disrespect towards all residents, she cherishes her beloved son, who does not at all appreciate her care or her love. Such behavior is a typical example of ingratitude, which is a consequence of spoiled and parental adoration. The landowner does not understand that her son sees her treatment of other people and repeats exactly that. So, the weather in the house determines the character of the young man and his shortcomings. Fonvizin emphasizes the importance of maintaining warmth, tenderness and respect in the family towards all its members. Only then will children be respectful and parents worthy of respect.
• The theme of freedom of choice. The "new" stage is Starodum's relationship with Sophia. Starodum gives her freedom of choice, not limiting her to her beliefs, which can affect her worldview, thereby educating her in the ideal of a noble future.

Main problems

• The main problem of the work is the consequences of improper upbringing. The Prostakov family is a family tree that has its roots in the distant past of the nobility. This is what the landlords boast about, not realizing that the glory of their ancestors does not add to their dignity. But class pride clouded their minds, they do not want to move forward and achieve new achievements, they think that everything will always be the same as before. That is why they do not realize the need for education; in their world enslaved by stereotypes, it really is not needed. Mitrofanushka will also sit all his life in the village and live off the labor of his serfs.
• The problem of serfdom. The moral and intellectual decay of the nobility under serfdom is an absolutely logical result of the unjust policy of the tsar. The landlords are completely lazy, they do not need to work to provide for themselves. Managers and peasants will do everything for them. With such a social structure, the nobles have no incentive to work and get an education.
• The problem of greed. The thirst for material well-being blocks access to morality. The Prostakovs are obsessed with money and power, they don’t care if their child is happy, for them happiness is a synonym for wealth.
• The problem of ignorance. Stupidity deprives the heroes of spirituality, their world is too limited and tied to the material side of life. They are not interested in anything but primitive physical pleasures, because they do not know anything else at all. Fonvizin saw the true "human appearance" only in the person who was brought up by literate people, and not by half-educated deacons.

comedy idea

Fonvizin was a personality, therefore he did not accept rudeness, ignorance and cruelty. He professed the belief that a person is born with a “clean slate”, therefore only upbringing and education can make him a moral, virtuous and intelligent citizen who will benefit the fatherland. Thus, the chanting of the ideals of humanism - main idea"Undergrowth." A young man who obeys the call of goodness, intelligence and justice - that's a true nobleman! If he is brought up in the spirit of Prostakova, then he will never go beyond the narrow limits of his limitations and will not understand the beauty and versatility of the world in which he lives. He will not be able to work for the good of society and will not leave anything significant behind him.

At the end of the comedy, the author speaks of the triumph of "retribution": Prostakova loses the estate and the respect of her own son, who was brought up in accordance with her spiritual and physical ideals. This is the price of wrong education and ignorance.

What does it teach?

Comedy Denis Fonvizin "Undergrowth", above all, teaches respect for others. The sixteen-year-old youth Mitrofanushka did not take care of either his mother or his uncle at all, he considered this a self-evident fact: “Why did you overeat henbane, uncle? Yes, I don’t know why you deigned to jump on me. The logical result of rough treatment in the house is the finale, where the son pushes away the loving mother.

The lessons of the comedy "Undergrowth" do not end there. Not so much respect as ignorance shows people in a position that they carefully try to hide. Stupidity and ignorance hover in comedy, like a bird over a nest, they envelop the village, thereby not releasing the inhabitants from their own shackles. The author severely punishes the Prostakovs for their narrow-mindedness, depriving them of their property and the very opportunity to continue their idle lifestyle. Thus, everyone needs to learn, because even the most stable position in society is easy to lose, being an uneducated person.

Interesting? Save it on your wall!

Comedy in five acts

Characters

Prostakov. Ms. Prostakova, his wife. Mitrofan, their son, is undersized. Eremeevna, Mitrofanov's mother. Pravdin. Starodum. Sophia, Starodum's niece. Milon. Skotinin, brother of Mrs. Prostakova. Kuteikin, seminarian. Tsyfirkin, retired sergeant. Vralman, teacher. Trishka, tailor. Servant of Prostakov. Starodum's valet.

Action in the village of Prostakov.

Act one

Phenomenon I

Ms. Prostakova, Mitrofan, Eremeevna.

Ms. Prostakova (examining the caftan on Mitrofan). The coat is all ruined. Eremeevna, bring in the swindler Trishka here. (Yeremeevna leaves.) He, the thief, has restrained him everywhere. Mitrofanushka, my friend! I have tea, you are pressed to death. Call your father here.

Mitrofan leaves.

Phenomenon II

Mrs. Prostakova, Eremeevna, Trishka.

Mrs. Prostakova (Trishke). And you, cattle, come closer. Didn't I tell you, thieves' mug, that you let your caftan go wider. The child, the first, grows; another, a child and without a narrow caftan of delicate build. Tell me, idiot, what's your excuse? Trishka. Why, madame, I was self-taught. I then reported to you: well, if you please, give it to the tailor. Ms. Prostakova. So is it really necessary to be a tailor in order to be able to sew a caftan well. What a beastly argument! Trishka. Yes, a tailor learned to knit, madam, but I didn’t. Ms. Prostakova. He is also seeking and arguing. A tailor learned from another, another from a third, but who did the first tailor learn from? Speak, cattle. Trishka. Yes, the first tailor, perhaps, sewed worse than mine. Mitrofan (runs in). Called my father. I dared to say: immediately. Ms. Prostakova. So go and get him out, if you don’t call for good. Mitrofan. Yes, here is the father.

Phenomenon III

The same and Prostakov.

Ms. Prostakova. What, what are you trying to hide from me? Here, sir, what I have lived with your indulgence. What is the son's new thing to his uncle's conspiracy? What caftan Trishka deigned to sew? Prostakov (stammering from timidity). Me...a little baggy. Ms. Prostakova. You yourself are baggy, smart head. Prostakov. Yes, I thought, mother, that you think so. Ms. Prostakova. Are you blind yourself? Prostakov. With your eyes mine see nothing. Ms. Prostakova. That's the kind of hubby the Lord has given me: he doesn't know how to make out what is wide and what is narrow. Prostakov. In this I believe in you, mother, and believe. Ms. Prostakova. So believe the same and the fact that I do not intend to indulge the lackeys. Go, sir, and now punish...

Event IV

The same and Skotinin.

Skotinin. Whom? For what? On the day of my collusion! I will forgive you, sister, for such a holiday to postpone the punishment until tomorrow; and tomorrow, if you please, I myself will gladly help. If it wasn't for me Taras Skotinin, if the shadow is not to blame for everything. In this, sister, I have the same custom with you. Why are you so angry? Ms. Prostakova. Yes, brother, I will send to your eyes. Mitrofanushka, come here. Is this coat baggy? Skotinin. No. Prostakov. Yes, I myself can already see, mother, that it is narrow. Skotinin. I don't see that either. The caftan, brother, is quite well made. Mrs. Prostakova (Trishke). Get out, cattle. (Eremeevna.) Come on, Eremeevna, let the baby boy have breakfast. Vit, I have tea, soon the teachers will come. Eremeevna. He already, mother, deigned to eat five buns. Ms. Prostakova. So you're sorry for the sixth, you bastard? What zeal! Feel free to watch. Eremeevna. Hello, mother. I said this for Mitrofan Terentyevich. Protoskoval until morning. Ms. Prostakova. Ah, mother of God! What happened to you, Mitrofanushka? Mitrofan. Yes, mother. Yesterday, after dinner, I had a seizure. Skotinin. Yes, it can be seen, brother, you dined tightly. Mitrofan. And I, uncle, hardly ate supper at all. Prostakov. I remember, my friend, you deigned to eat something. Mitrofan. What! Three slices of corned beef, yes hearth, I don’t remember, five, I don’t remember, six. Eremeevna. At night every now and then he asked for a drink. The whole jug deigned to eat kvass. Mitrofan. And now I'm walking like crazy. All night long such rubbish climbed into the eyes. Ms. Prostakova. What kind of rubbish, Mitrofanushka? Mitrofan. Yes, then you, mother, then father. Ms. Prostakova. How is it? Mitrofan. As soon as I begin to fall asleep, then I see that you, mother, deign to beat the father. Prostakov (aside). Well, my trouble! Dream in hand! Mitrofan (exasperated). So I felt sorry. Mme. Prostakova (with annoyance). Who, Mitrofanushka? Mitrofan. You, mother: you are so tired, beating the father. Ms. Prostakova. Embrace me, my friend of the heart! Here, son, is one of my consolations. Skotinin. Well, Mitrofanushka, I see you are a mother's son, not a father! Prostakov. At least I love him as a parent should, this is a clever child, this is a reasonable child, an amusing, entertainer; sometimes I am beside myself with him and with joy I myself truly do not believe that he is my son. Skotinin. Only now our amusing fellow is frowning at something. Ms. Prostakova. Why not send for a doctor to the city? Mitrofan. No, no, mother. I'd rather get better on my own. I’ll run to the dovecote now, so maybe ... Ms. Prostakova. So maybe the Lord is merciful. Come, frolic, Mitrofanushka.

Mitrofan and Eremeevna depart.

Phenomenon V

Ms. Prostakova, Prostakov, Skotinin.

Skotinin. Why can't I see my bride? Where is she? In the evening there will be an agreement, so isn't it time for her to say that she is being married off? Ms. Prostakova. We'll make it, brother. If she is told this ahead of time, then she may still think that we are reporting to her. Although by my husband, however, I am a relative of hers; And I love that strangers listen to me. Prostakov (Skotinin). To tell the truth, we treated Sofyushka like a real orphan. After her father, she remained a baby. Tom, with six months, as her mother, and my fiancé, had a stroke ... Ms. Prostakova (showing that he baptizes his heart). The power of the cross is with us. Prostakov. From which she went into the next world. Her uncle, Mr. Starodum, went to Siberia; and since for several years now there has been neither a rumor nor news about him, we consider him dead. We, seeing that she was left alone, took her to our village and oversee her estate as if it were our own. Ms. Prostakova. What, why are you so pissed off today, my father? Looking for a brother, he might think that we took her to us for the sake of interest. Prostakov. Well, mother, how can he think it? After all, Sofyushkino's real estate cannot be moved to us. Skotinin. And although the movable has been put forward, I am not a petitioner. I don't like to bother, and I'm afraid. No matter how much the neighbors offended me, no matter how much damage they did, I didn’t hit anyone with my forehead, and any loss, than to go after him, I’ll tear off my own peasants, and the ends are in the water. Prostakov. That's true, brother: the whole neighborhood says that you are a masterful collector of dues. Ms. Prostakova. At least you taught us, brother father; and we can't. Since we took away everything that the peasants had, we can no longer tear anything off. Such trouble! Skotinin. If you please, sister, I will teach you, I will teach you, just marry me to Sofyushka. Ms. Prostakova. Do you really like this girl? Skotinin. No, I don't like a girl. Prostakov. So in the neighborhood of her village? Skotinin. And not villages, but the fact that in the villages it is found and what my mortal hunt is. Ms. Prostakova. To what, brother? Skotinin. I love pigs, sister, and we have such large pigs in our neighborhood that there is not a single one of them that, standing on its hind legs, would not be taller than each of us with a whole head. Prostakov. It's strange, brother, how relatives can resemble relatives. Our Mitrofanushka looks like an uncle. And he is a pig hunter from childhood, just like you. As he was still three years old, so, when he saw his back, he would tremble with joy. Skotinin. This is truly a curiosity! Well, brother, Mitrofan loves pigs because he is my nephew. There is some resemblance here; why am I so fond of pigs? Prostakov. And there is some similarity, I think.

Event VI

Same and Sophia.

Sofya entered, holding a letter in her hand and looking cheerful.

Mrs. Prostakova (Sofya). What's so funny, mother? What were you happy about? Sophia. I have just received good news. Uncle, about whom we have known nothing for so long, whom I love and revere as my father, has recently arrived in Moscow. Here is the letter I received from him. Ms. Prostakova (frightened, angrily). How! Starodum, your uncle, is alive! And you deign to conceive that he is risen! Here's some fancy stuff! Sophia. Yes, he never died. Ms. Prostakova. Didn't die! And why can't he die? No, madam, these are your inventions, so that we can frighten us with uncle, so that we give you free rein. Uncle is a smart man; he, seeing me in the hands of others, will find a way to help me out. That's what you're glad about, ma'am; however, perhaps, do not be very cheerful: your uncle, of course, did not resurrect. Skotinin. Sister, well, if he did not die? Prostakov. God forbid he didn't die! Mrs. Prostakova (to her husband). How did he not die! What are you confusing grandma? Don't you know that for several years from me he has been remembered in memorials for his repose? Surely my sinful prayers did not reach! (To Sofya.) A letter to me, perhaps. (Almost throws up.) I bet it's some kind of amorous. And guess who. This is from the officer who was looking for you to marry and for whom you yourself wanted to marry. Yes, that beast without my asking gives you letters! I'll get there. Here's what we've come up with. They write letters to the girls! girls can read and write! Sophia. Read it for yourself, sir. You will see that nothing could be more innocent. Ms. Prostakova. Read it yourself! No, madame, I am, thank God, not brought up like that. I can receive letters, but I always order someone else to read them. (To her husband.) Read. PROSTAKOV (looking for a long time). Tricky. Ms. Prostakova. And you, my father, apparently, were brought up as a red maiden. Brother, please read. Skotinin. I? I never read anything in my life, sister! God delivered me from this boredom. Sophia. Let me read. Ms. Prostakova. O mother! I know that you are a craftswoman, but I do not really believe you. Here, I have tea, teacher Mitrofanushkin will come soon. I tell him... Skotinin. Have you already begun to teach the young man to read and write? Ms. Prostakova. Ah, father brother! She has been studying for four years now. Nothing, it’s a sin to say that we don’t try to educate Mitrofanushka. We pay money to three teachers. For the diploma, the deacon from the Intercession, Kuteikin, goes to him. He is taught arithmetic, father, by a retired sergeant, Tsyfirkin. Both of them come here from the city. The city is three miles away from us, father. He is taught in French and all sciences by the German Adam Adamych Vralman. This is three hundred rubles a year. We sit at the table with us. Our women wash his linen. Where necessary - a horse. A glass of wine at the table. At night, a tallow candle, and our Fomka directs the wig for nothing. To tell the truth, and we are pleased with him, father, brother. He does not captivate the child. Vity, my father, while Mitrofanushka is still undergrowth, sweat him and pamper him; and there, in a dozen years, when he enters, God forbid, into the service, he will endure everything. How is happiness written in the family, brother. From our surname Prostakov, look, lying on your side, they fly to their ranks. Why is their Mitrofanushka worse? Ba! yes, by the way, our dear guest came by the way.

Appearance VII

The same and Pravdin.

Ms. Prostakova. Brother, my friend! I recommend you our dear guest, Mr. Pravdin; and to you, my lord, I recommend my brother. Pravdin. I am glad to have made your acquaintance. Skotinin. All right, my lord! As for the last name, I didn't hear it. Pravdin. I am called Pravdin, so you can hear. Skotinin. What native, my lord? Where are the villages? Pravdin. I was born in Moscow, if you need to know, and my villages are in the local governorship. Skotinin. But do I dare to ask, my lord, - I don’t know my name and patronymic, - are there pigs in your villages? Ms. Prostakova. Enough, brother, let's start about pigs. Let's talk about our grief. (To Pravdin.) Here, father! God told us to take the girl in our arms. She deigns to receive letters from her uncles. Uncles write to her from the other world. Do me a favor, my father, take the trouble to read it aloud to all of us. Pravdin. Excuse me, ma'am. I never read letters without the permission of those to whom they are written. Sophia. I ask you about it. You are doing me a great favor. Pravdin. If you order. (Reads.) “Dear niece! My deeds forced me to live for several years in separation from my neighbors; and the distance has deprived me of the pleasure of having news of you. I am now in Moscow, having lived for several years in Siberia. I can serve as an example that one can make one's fortune through labor and honesty. By these means, with the help of happiness, I amassed ten thousand rubles in income ... " Skotinin and both Prostakovs. Ten thousand! Pravdin (reads). "... to whom, my dear niece, I make you an heiress ..." Ms. Prostakova. Your heiress! Prostakov. Sophia the heiress! (Together.) Skotinin. Her heiress! Ms. Prostakova (rushing to hug Sophia). Congratulations, Sofyushka! Congratulations, my soul! I'm overjoyed! Now you need a groom. I, I do not want the best bride and Mitrofanushka. That's uncle! That's a father! I myself still thought that God would protect him, that he was still alive. Skotinin (holding out his hand). Well, sister, hurry up on your hands. Ms. Prostakova (quietly to Skotinin). Hold on, brother. First you need to ask her if she still wants to marry you? Skotinin. How! What a question! Are you going to report to her? Pravdin. May I read the letter? Skotinin. And for what? Yes, even if you read for five years, you will never read better than ten thousand. Mrs. Prostakova (to Sofya). Sofyushka, my soul! let's go to my bedroom. I desperately need to talk to you. (Takes Sophia away.) Skotinin. Ba! so I see that today collusion is unlikely to be.

Comedy in five acts

The comedy was written in 1781. First presented at the theater on September 24, 1782. The first edition of The Undergrowth was published in 1783.

By decree of 1714, Peter ordered all nobles to serve in the military or civil service. But the nobles who did not receive education were not accepted into the service, and they were forbidden to marry. So the government forcibly forced the nobles to study. "Undergrowth" was officially called young nobles who had not yet received a certificate of education, without which it was impossible to enter the service.

Fonvizin. Undergrowth. Performance of the Maly Theater

Sophia, niece of Starodum.

Skotinin, brother of Mrs. Prostakova.

Kuteikin, seminarian.

Tsyfirkin, retired sergeant.

Vralman, teacher.

Trishka, tailor.

Servant of Prostakov.

Starodum's valet.

Action in the village of Prostakov.

Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin

STEP ONE

PHENOMENON I

Ms. Prostakova, Mitrofan, Eremeevna.

Ms. Prostakova(examining the caftan on Mitrofan). The coat is all ruined. Eremeevna, bring in the swindler Trishka here. (Yeremeevna leaves.) He, the thief, has restrained him everywhere. Mitrofanushka, my friend! I have tea, you are pressed to death. Call your father here.

Mitrofan leaves.

PHENOMENON II

Mrs. Prostakova, Eremeevna, Trishka.

Ms. Prostakova(Trishka). And you, cattle, come closer. Didn't I tell you, thieves' mug, that you let your caftan go wider. The child, the first, grows; another, a child and without a narrow caftan of delicate build. Tell me, idiot, what's your excuse?

Trishka. Why, madame, I was self-taught. I then reported to you: well, if you please, give it to the tailor.

Ms Prostakova. So is it really necessary to be a tailor in order to be able to sew a caftan well. What a beastly argument!

Trishka. Yes, a tailor learned to knit, madam, but I didn’t.

Ms Prostakova. He is also seeking and arguing. A tailor learned from another, another from a third, but who did the first tailor learn from? Speak, cattle.

Trishka. Yes, the first tailor, perhaps, sewed worse than mine.

Mitrofan (runs in). Called my father. I dared to say: immediately.

Ms Prostakova. So go and get him out, if you don’t call for good.

Mitrofan. Yes, here is the father.

PHENOMENON III

The same and Prostakov.

Ms Prostakova. What, what are you trying to hide from me? Here, sir, what I have lived with your indulgence. What is the son's new thing to his uncle's conspiracy? What caftan Trishka deigned to sew?

Prostakov (stammering from timidity). Me… a little baggy.

Ms Prostakova. You yourself are baggy, smart head.

Prostakov. Yes, I thought, mother, that you think so.

Ms Prostakova. Are you blind yourself?

Prostakov. With your eyes mine see nothing.

Ms Prostakova. That's the kind of hubby the Lord has given me: he doesn't know how to make out what is wide and what is narrow.

Prostakov. In this I believe in you, mother, and believe.

Ms Prostakova. So believe the same and the fact that I do not intend to indulge the lackeys. Go, sir, and now punish ...

EVENT IV

The same and Skotinin.

Skotinin. Whom? For what? On the day of my collusion! I ask you, sister, for such a holiday to postpone the punishment until tomorrow; and tomorrow, if you please, I myself will gladly help. If it wasn't for me Taras Skotinin, if I don't have any fault to blame. In this, sister, I have the same custom with you. Why are you so angry?

Ms Prostakova. Yes, brother, I will send to your eyes. Mitrofanushka, come here. Is this coat baggy?

Skotinin. No.

Prostakov. Yes, I myself can already see, mother, that it is narrow.

Skotinin. I don't see that either. The caftan, brother, is quite well made.

Ms. Prostakova (Trishka). Get out, cattle. (Eremeevna.) Come on, Eremeevna, let the child have breakfast. Vit, I have tea, soon the teachers will come.

Eremeevna. He already, mother, deigned to eat five buns.

Ms Prostakova. So you're sorry for the sixth, you bastard? What zeal! Feel free to watch.

Eremeevna. Hello, mother. I said this for Mitrofan Terentyevich. Protoskoval until morning.

Ms Prostakova. Ah, mother of God! What happened to you, Mitrofanushka?

Mitrofan. Yes, mother. Yesterday, after dinner, I had a seizure.

Skotinin. Yes, it can be seen, brother, you dined tightly.

Mitrofan. And I, uncle, hardly ate supper at all.

Prostakov. I remember, my friend, you deigned to eat something.

Mitrofan. What! Three slices of corned beef, yes hearth, I don’t remember, five, I don’t remember, six.

Eremeevna. At night every now and then he asked for a drink. The whole jug deigned to eat kvass.

Mitrofan. And now I'm walking like crazy. All night long such rubbish climbed into the eyes.

Ms Prostakova. What kind of rubbish, Mitrofanushka?

Mitrofan. Yes, then you, mother, then father.

Ms Prostakova. How is it?

Mitrofan. As soon as I begin to fall asleep, then I see that you, mother, deign to beat the father.

Prostakov (to the side). Well, my trouble! Dream in hand!

Mitrofan(spreading out). So I felt sorry.

Ms. Prostakova(with annoyance). Who, Mitrofanushka?

Mitrofan. You, mother: you are so tired, beating the father.

Ms Prostakova. Embrace me, my friend of the heart! Here, son, is one of my consolations.

Skotinin. Well, Mitrofanushka, I see you are a mother's son, not a father!

Prostakov. At least I love him as a parent should, this is a clever child, this is a reasonable child, an amusing, entertainer; sometimes I am beside myself with him and with joy I myself truly do not believe that he is my son.

Skotinin. Only now our amusing fellow is frowning at something.

Ms Prostakova. Why not send for a doctor to the city?

Mitrofan. No, no, mother. I'd rather get better on my own. I’ll run to the dovecote now, so maybe ...

Ms Prostakova. So maybe the Lord is merciful. Come, frolic, Mitrofanushka.

Mitrofan and Yeremeevna enter.

EVENT V

Ms. Prostakova, Prostakov, Skotinin.

Skotinin. Why can't I see my bride? Where is she? In the evening there will be already an agreement, so isn't it time for her to say that she is being married off?

Ms Prostakova. We'll make it, brother. If she is told this ahead of time, then she may still think that we are reporting to her. Although by my husband, however, I am a relative of hers; And I love that strangers listen to me.

Prostakov (Skotinin). To tell the truth, we treated Sofyushka like a real orphan. After her father, she remained a baby. Tom, with six months, as her mother, and my fiancé, had a stroke ...

Ms. Prostakova(showing that he baptizes his heart). The power of the cross is with us.

Prostakov. From which she went into the next world. Her uncle, Mr. Starodum, went to Siberia; and since for several years now there has been neither a rumor nor news about him, we consider him dead. We, seeing that she was left alone, took her to our village and oversee her estate as if it were our own.

Ms Prostakova. What, why are you so pissed off today, my father? Looking for a brother, he might think that we took her to us for the sake of interest.

Prostakov. Well, mother, how can he think it? After all, Sofyushkino's real estate cannot be moved to us.

Skotinin. And although the movable has been put forward, I am not a petitioner. I don't like to bother, and I'm afraid. No matter how much the neighbors offended me, no matter how much damage they did, I didn’t hit anyone with my forehead, and any loss, than to go after him, I’ll tear off my own peasants, and the ends are in the water.

Prostakov. That's true, brother: the whole neighborhood says that you are a masterful collector of dues.

Ms Prostakova. At least you taught us, brother father; and we can't. Since we took away everything that the peasants had, we can no longer tear anything off. Such trouble!

Skotinin. If you please, sister, I will teach you, I will teach you, just marry me to Sofyushka.

Ms Prostakova. Do you really like this girl?

Skotinin. No, I don't like a girl.

Prostakov. So in the neighborhood of her village?

Skotinin. And not villages, but the fact that in the villages it is found and what my mortal hunt is.

Ms Prostakova. To what, brother?

Skotinin. I love pigs, sister, and we have such large pigs in our neighborhood that there is not a single one of them that, standing on its hind legs, would not be taller than each of us with a whole head.

Prostakov. It's strange, brother, how relatives can resemble relatives. Our Mitrofanushka looks like an uncle. And he is a pig hunter from childhood, just like you. As he was still three years old, it happened, when he saw a pig, he would tremble with joy.

Skotinin. This is truly a curiosity! Well, brother, Mitrofan loves pigs because he is my nephew. There is some resemblance here; why am I so fond of pigs?

Prostakov. And there is some similarity, I think.

EVENT VI

The same and Sophia.

Sophia entered, holding a letter in her hand and looking cheerful.

Ms. Prostakova(Sophia). What's so funny, mother? What were you happy about?

Sophia. I have now received joyful knowledge. Uncle, about whom we have known nothing for so long, whom I love and revere as my father, has recently arrived in Moscow. Here is the letter I received from him.

Ms. Prostakova(frightened, angrily). How! Starodum, your uncle, is alive! And you deign to conceive that he is risen! Here's some fancy stuff!

Sophia. Yes, he never died.

Ms Prostakova. Didn't die! And why can't he die? No, madame, these are your inventions, in order to intimidate us with your uncles, so that we would give you free will. Uncle is a smart man; he, seeing me in the hands of others, will find a way to help me out. That's what you're glad about, ma'am; however, perhaps, do not be very cheerful: your uncle, of course, did not resurrect.

Skotinin. Sister, well, if he did not die?

Prostakov. God forbid he didn't die!

Ms. Prostakova(to husband). How did he not die! What are you confusing grandma? Don't you know that for several years from me he has been remembered in memorials for his repose? Surely my sinful prayers did not reach! (To Sophia.) Perhaps a letter to me. (Almost throws up.) I bet it's some kind of amorous. And guess who. This is from the officer who was looking for you to marry and for whom you yourself wanted to marry. Yes, that beast without my asking gives you letters! I'll get there. Here's what we've come up with. They write letters to the girls! girls can read and write!)

Sophia. Read it for yourself, sir. You will see that nothing could be more innocent.

Ms Prostakova. Read it yourself! No, madame, I am, thank God, not brought up like that. I can receive letters, but I always order someone else to read them. (To her husband.) Read.

Prostakov (long looking). Tricky.

Ms Prostakova. And you, my father, apparently, were brought up as a red maiden. Brother, please read.

Skotinin. I? I never read anything in my life, sister! God delivered me from this boredom.

Sophia. Let me read.

Ms Prostakova. O mother! I know that you are a craftswoman, but I do not really believe you. Here, I have tea, teacher Mitrofanushkin will come soon. I tell him...

Skotinin. Have you already begun to teach the young man to read and write?

Ms Prostakova. Ah, father brother! She has been studying for four years now. Nothing, it’s a sin to say that we don’t try to educate Mitrofanushka. We pay money to three teachers. For the diploma, the deacon from the Intercession, Kuteikin, goes to him. He is taught arithmetic, father, by a retired sergeant, Tsyfirkits. Both of them come here from the city. The city is three miles away from us, father. He is taught in French and all sciences by the German Adam Adamych Vralman. This is three hundred rubles a year. We sit at the table with us. Our women wash his linen. Where necessary - a horse. A glass of wine at the table. At night, a tallow candle, and our Fomka directs the wig for nothing. To tell the truth, and we are pleased with him, father, brother. He is not a slave. Vity, my father, while Mitrofanushka is still undergrowth, sweat him and pamper him; and there, in a dozen years, when he enters, God forbid, into the service, he will endure everything. How is happiness written in the family, brother. From our own family of Prostakovs, look, lying on your side, ranks fly to themselves. Why is their Mitrofanushka worse? Ba! yes, by the way, our dear guest came by the way.

PHENOMENON VII

The same and Pravdin.

Ms Prostakova. Brother, my friend! I recommend you our dear guest, Mr. Pravdin; and to you, my lord, I recommend my brother.

Pravdin. I am glad to have made your acquaintance.

Skotinin. All right, my lord! As for the last name, I didn't hear it.

Pravdin. I am called Pravdin, so you can hear.

Skotinin. What native, my lord? Where are the villages?

Pravdin. I was born in Moscow, if you need to know, and my villages are in the local governorship.

Skotinin. But do I dare to ask, my lord, - I don’t know my name and patronymic, - are there pigs in your villages?

Ms Prostakova. Enough, brother, let's start about pigs. Let's talk about our grief. (To Pravdin.) Here, father! God told us to take the girl in our arms. She deigns to receive letters from her uncles. Uncles write to her from the other world. Do me a favor, my father, take the trouble to read it aloud to all of us.

Pravdin. Excuse me, ma'am. I never read letters without the permission of those to whom they are written.

Sophia. I ask you about it. You are doing me a great favor.

Pravdin. If you order. (Is reading.)"Dear niece! My deeds forced me to live for several years in separation from my neighbors; and the distance has deprived me of the pleasure of having news of you. I am now in Moscow, having lived for several years in Siberia. I can serve as an example that one can make one's fortune through labor and honesty. By these means, with the help of happiness, I made ten thousand rubles an income ... "

Skotinin and both Prostakovs. Ten thousand!

Pravdin (is reading).“... of which you, my dear niece, I make you an heiress ...”

Mrs. Prostakova, Prostakov, Skotinin(together):

- Your heiress!

- Sophia the heiress!

- Her heiress!

Ms. Prostakova(rushing to hug Sophia). Congratulations, Sofyushka! Congratulations, my soul! I'm overjoyed! Now you need a groom. I, I do not want the best bride and Mitrofanushka. That's uncle! That's a father! I myself still thought that God would protect him, that he was still alive.

Skotinin (holding out his hand). Well, sister, hurry up on your hands.

Ms. Prostakova(quietly to Skotinin). Hold on, brother. First you need to ask her if she still wants to marry you?

Skotinin. How! What a question! Are you going to report to her?

Skotinin. And for what? Yes, even if you read for five years, you will never read better than ten thousand.

Ms. Prostakova(to Sophia). Sofyushka my soul! let's go to my bedroom. I desperately need to talk to you. (Takes Sophia away.)

Skotinin. Ba! so I see that today collusion is unlikely to be.

SCENE VIII

Pravdin, Prostakov, Skotinin, servant.

Servant(to Prostakov, out of breath). Barin! master! the soldiers came and stopped in our village.

Prostakov. What trouble! Well, they will ruin us to the end!

Pravdin. What are you afraid of?

Prostakov. Oh, you dear father! We've already seen the views. I don't dare to go to them.

Pravdin. Do not be afraid. Of course, they are led by an officer who will not allow any impudence. Come to him with me. I am sure that you are shy in vain.

Pravdin, Prostakov and the servant depart.

Skotinin. Everyone left me alone. Go for a walk in the barnyard.

End of the first act.

ACT TWO

PHENOMENON I

Pravdin, Milon.

Milo. How glad I am, my dear friend, that I accidentally saw you! Tell me in what way...

Pravdin. As a friend, I will tell you the reason for my being here. I have been designated as a member of the governorship here. I have a command to go around the local district; and besides, from my own feat of my heart, I do not leave to notice those evil-minded ignoramuses who, having full power over their people, use it for evil inhumanely. You know the mindset of our viceroy. With what zeal he helps suffering mankind! With what zeal does he thereby fulfill the philanthropic forms of the higher authority! In our region, we ourselves have experienced that where the governor is such as the governor is depicted in the Institution, there the well-being of the inhabitants is true and reliable. I have been living here for three days now. I found the landowner an innumerable fool, and his wife a wicked fury, whose infernal temper makes misfortune to their whole house. What are you thinking, my friend, tell me, how long have you stayed here?

Milo. I'm leaving here in a few hours.

Pravdin. What's so soon? Have a rest.

Milo. I can not. I was ordered to lead the soldiers without delay ... yes, moreover, I myself am burning with impatience to be in Moscow.

Pravdin. What's the reason?

Milo. I will reveal to you the secret of my heart, dear friend! I am in love and have the happiness of being loved. For more than half a year, I have been separated from the one who is dearest to me in the world, and, what is even sadder, I have not heard anything about her all this time. Often, attributing the silence to her coldness, I was tormented by grief; but suddenly I received news that struck me. They write to me that, after the death of her mother, some distant relatives took her to their villages. I don't know who or where. Perhaps she is now in the hands of some greedy people who, taking advantage of her orphanhood, keep her in tyranny. That thought alone makes me beside myself.

Pravdin. I see similar inhumanity in the local house. I caress, however, to soon put limits on the wickedness of the wife and the stupidity of the husband. I have already informed our chief of all the local barbarisms, and I have no doubt that measures will be taken to appease them.

Milo. Happy are you, my friend, being able to alleviate the fate of the unfortunate. I do not know what to do in my sad situation.

Pravdin. Let me ask about her name.

Milon (excited). A! here she is.

PHENOMENON II

The same and Sophia.

Sofia(in admiration). Milo! do I see you?

Pravdin. What happiness!

Milo. Here is the one that owns my heart. Dear Sophia! Tell me, how do I find you here?

Sophia. How many sorrows have I endured since the day of our separation! My unscrupulous cousins...

Pravdin. My friend! do not ask about what is so sad for her ... You will learn from me what rudeness ...

Milo. Unworthy people!

Sophia. Today, however, for the first time the hostess here changed her behavior with me. Hearing that my uncle was making me an heiress, she suddenly turned from being rude and quarrelsome to the very base, and I can see from all her innuendo that she will read me as a bride to her son.

Milon (eagerly). And you did not show her the same hour of perfect contempt? ...

Sophia. No…

Milo. And didn't tell her that you had a heartfelt obligation, that...

Sophia. No…

Milo. A! now I see my doom. My opponent is happy! I do not deny all the merits in it. He may be reasonable, enlightened, kind; but so that he could compare with me in my love for you, so that ...

Sofia (grinning). My God! If you saw him, your jealousy would drive you to the extreme!

Milon (indignantly). I imagine all its virtues.

Sophia. You can't imagine everyone. Although he is sixteen years old, he has already reached the last degree of his perfection and will not go far.

Pravdin. How far will it not go, madam? He finishes teaching hours; and there, one must think, they will also take to the psalter.

Milo. How! This is my rival! And, dear Sophia, why are you tormenting me with a joke? You know how easily a passionate person is upset by the slightest suspicion.

Sophia. Think how unfortunate my condition is! I could not answer this stupid proposal decisively. In order to get rid of their rudeness, in order to have some freedom, I was forced to hide my feelings.

Milo. What did you answer her?

Here Skotinin walks through the theater, lost in thought, and no one sees him.

Sophia. I said that my fate depended on the will of my uncle, that he himself promised to come here in his letter, which (to Pravdin) did not allow you to finish reading Mr. Skotinin.

Milo. Skotinin!

Skotinin. I!

PHENOMENON III

The same and Skotinin.

Pravdin. How did you sneak up, Mr. Skotinin! I wouldn't expect this from you.

Skotinin. I passed by you. Heard that they called me, I answered. I have such a custom: whoever screams - Skotinin! And I told him: me! What are you, brothers, and for real? I myself served in the guards and retired as a corporal. It used to happen that at the exit they would shout at the roll call: Taras Skotinin! And I wholeheartedly: I!

Pravdin. We have not called you now, and you can go where you went.

Skotinin. I didn’t go anywhere, but I wander, thinking. I have such a custom, as if I take something into my head, then I can’t knock it out with a nail. With me, you hear, what entered the mind, it settled here. All I think about is that I only see in a dream, as in reality, and in reality, as in a dream.

Pravdin. What would interest you so much now?

Skotinin. Oh, brother, you are my dearest friend! Miracles are happening to me. My sister quickly took me out of my village to hers, and if she takes me out of her village to mine just as quickly, I can honestly say before the whole world: I went for nothing, brought nothing.

Pravdin. What a pity, Mr. Skotinin! Your sister plays with you like a ball.

Skotinin (embittered). How about a ball? Protect God! Yes, I myself will throw it so that they won’t find a whole village in a week.

Sophia. Oh, how angry you are!

Milo. What happened to you?

Skotinin. You yourself, a smart person, think about it. My sister brought me here to get married. Now she herself drove up with a challenge: “What is it to you, brother, in your wife; you would have, brother, a good pig. No sister! I want to have my own pigs. It's not easy to fool me.

Pravdin. It seems to me, Mr. Skotinin, that your sister is thinking about a wedding, but not about yours.

Skotinin. What a parable! I am not a hindrance to others. Everyone marry his bride. I will not touch a stranger, and do not touch my stranger. (Sophia.) Don't worry, darling. No one will beat you from me.

Sophia. What does it mean? Here's another new one!

Milon (shouted). What audacity!

Skotinin (to Sophia). What are you afraid of?

Pravdin(to Milo). How can you be angry with Skotinin!

Sofia(Skotinin). Am I destined to be your wife?

Milo. I can hardly resist!

Skotinin. You can’t drive around your betrothed, darling! You blame it on your happiness. You will live happily ever after with me. Ten thousand of your income! Eco happiness rolled; yes, I was born so much and did not see; yes, I will redeem all the pigs from the world for them; Yes, I, you hear, I will make everyone blow their trumpet: in the local neighborhood, and only pigs live.

Pravdin. When only cattle can be happy with us, then your wife will have poor peace from them and from us.

Skotinin. Bad peace! bah! bah! bah! do I have enough lights? For her, I’ll give you a coal stove with a stove bench. You are my dearest friend! if I now, without seeing anything, have a special pecking for each pig, then I will find a room for my wife.

Milo. What a beastly comparison!

Pravdin(Skotinin). Nothing will happen, Mr. Skotinin! I will tell you that your sister will read it for her son.

Skotinin. How! Nephew to interrupt from his uncle! Yes, I'll break him like hell at the first meeting. Well, if I'm a pig's son, if I'm not her husband, or if Mitrofan is a freak.

EVENT IV

The same, Eremeevna and Mitrofan.

Eremeevna. Yes, learn a little.

Mitrofan. Well, say another word, you old bastard! I'll finish them off; I will again complain to my mother, so she will deign to give you a task in yesterday's way.

Skotinin. Come here, buddy.

Eremeevna. Feel free to go to your uncle.

Mitrofan. Hello, uncle! What are you so bristling deigned?

Skotinin. Mitrofan! Look straight at me.

Eremeevna. Look, father.

Mitrofan (Eremeevna). Yes, uncle, what kind of unseen? What will you see on it?

Skotinin. Once again: look at me straighter.

Eremeevna. Don't make uncle angry. There, if you please look, father, how he goggled his eyes, and you, if you please, also goggle yours.

Skotinin and Mitrofan, bulging eyes, look at each other.

Milo. Here's a good explanation!

Pravdin. Will it end somehow?

Skotinin. Mitrofan! You are now within a hair's breadth of death. Tell the whole truth; if I had not been afraid of sin, I would have those, without saying a word, by the legs and about the corner. Yes, I do not want to destroy souls without finding the guilty one.

Eremeevna (trembled). Oh, he's leaving! Where should my head go?

Mitrofan. What are you, uncle, ate henbane? Yes, I don’t know why you deigned to jump on me.

Skotinin. Look, don’t deny it, so that I don’t knock the spirit out of you at once in my hearts. You can't put your hands up here. My sin. Blame God and the sovereign. Look, do not riveted on yourself, so as not to accept a needless beating.

Eremeevna. God forbid the slander!

Skotinin. Do you want to get married?

Mitrofan (spreading out). For a long time, uncle, hunting takes ...

Skotinin(rushing at Mitrofan). Oh you damned bastard!…

Pravdin(excluding Skotinin). Mr Skotinin! Do not let your hands go.

Mitrofan. Mommy, cover me!

Epemeevna(shielding Mitrofan, frenzied and raising his fists). I will die on the spot, but I will not give the child away. Sunsya, sir, just show yourself if you please. I'll scratch those walleyes.

Skotinin(trembling and threatening, departs). I'll get you!

Eremeevna(trembling, following). I have my own hooks too!

Mitrofan (following Skotinin). Get out, uncle, get out.

EVENT V

The same and both Prostakovs.

Ms. Prostakova(husband, go). There is nothing to override here. All your life, sir, you've been walking with your ears open.

Prostakov. Yes, he himself and Pravdin have disappeared from my eyes. What am I to blame?

Ms. Prostakova(to Milo). Ah, my father! Mister officer! I have now been looking for you all over the village; she knocked her husband down to bring you, father, the lowest thanksgiving for a good command.

Milo. For what, ma'am?

Ms Prostakova. Why, my father! The soldiers are so kind. So far, no one has touched the hair. Do not be angry, my father, that my freak missed you. Otrodu does not make sense to treat anyone. I was born so rotten, my father

Milo. I don't blame you at all, ma'am.

Ms Prostakova. On him, my father, he finds such, in a local way, tetanus. Sometimes, bulging eyes, stands dead for an hour as if rooted to the spot. I didn't do anything with him; What could he not stand for me! You won't get through anything. If the tetanus goes away, then, my father, it will bring such game that you ask God for tetanus again.

Pravdin. At least, ma'am, you can't complain about his wicked temper. He is humble...

Ms Prostakova. Like a calf, my father; that's why everything in our house is spoiled. It doesn’t make sense for him to have strictness in the house in order to punish the guilty by way. I manage everything myself, father. From morning to evening, as if hanged by the tongue, I don’t lay my hands on it: either I scold, or I fight; That's how the house holds up, my father.

Pravdin (to the side). Soon it will be different.

Mitrofan. And today, mother deigned to be busy with the servants all morning.

Ms. Prostakova(to Sophia). Cleaned up the rooms for your kind uncle. I'm dying, I want to see this respectable old man. I heard a lot about him. And his villains only say that he is a little gloomy, but such a deceitful one, but if he already loves someone, he will love him directly.

Pravdin. And whom he dislikes, that bad man. (To Sophia.) I myself have the honor of knowing your uncle. And, moreover, I heard from many things about him that instilled in my soul a true reverence for him. What is called in him sullenness, rudeness, that is, one action of his straightforwardness. From birth, his tongue did not speak Yes, when his soul felt No.

Sophia. But he had to get his happiness by labor.

Ms Prostakova. God's grace to us, we succeeded. I want nothing so much as his paternal mercy to Mitrofanushka. Sofyushka, my soul! Would you like to see Uncle's room?

Sophia leaves.

Ms. Prostakova(to Prostakov). I gaped again, my father; Yes, if you please, sir, to see her off. The legs didn't come off.

Prostakov (departing). They didn’t withdraw, but they buckled.

Ms. Prostakova(to guests). My only concern, my only joy is Mitrofanushka. My age is passing. I cook it for people.

Here appear Kuteikin with a book of hours, and Tsyfirkin with a slate and slate. Both of them ask Eremeevna with signs: should I enter? She beckons them, but Mitrofan waves them off.

Ms. Prostakova(not seeing them, continues). Perhaps the Lord is merciful, and happiness is written for his family.

Pravdin. Look around, ma'am, what's going on behind you?

Ms Prostakova. A! This, father, is Mitrofanushka's teachers, Sidorych Kuteikin...

Eremeevna. And Pafnutich Tsyfirkin.

Mitrofan(to the side). Shoot them and take them with Eremeevna.

Kuteikin. Peace to the master's house and many years from children and households.

Tsyfirkin. We wish your honor a hundred years, yes twenty, and even fifteen. Uncountable years.

Milo. Ba! This is our soldier brother! Where did it come from, my friend?

Tsyfirkin. There was a garrison, your honor! And now he's gone clean.

Milo. What are you eating?

Tsyfirkin. Somehow, your honor! A little bit of passion fruit arithmetic, so I eat in the city near the clerks at the accounting department. The Lord has not revealed science to everyone: so whoever does not understand himself hires me either to believe the account, or to sum up the results. That's what I eat; I do not like to live idly. In my spare time, I teach children. Here, for the third year, their nobility and the guy have been fighting over broken lines, but something is not glued well; Well, it's true, man does not come to man.

Ms Prostakova. What? What are you, Pafnutich, lying? I didn't listen.

Tsyfirkin. So. I reported to his nobility that in ten years you cannot hammer into another stump what another catches in flight.

Pravdin (to Kuteikin). And you, Mr. Kuteikin, aren't you one of the scientists?

Kuteikin. From scientists, your highness! Seminaries of the local diocese. I went to rhetoric, but God willing, I turned back. He submitted a petition to the consistory, in which he wrote: “Such and such a seminarian, from church children, fearing the abyss of wisdom, asks her to dismiss her.” To which a gracious resolution soon followed, with the note: "Such and such a seminarian should be fired from any teaching: it is written for there is, do not cast pearls before pigs, but they will not trample him underfoot."

Ms Prostakova. Where is our Adam Adamych?

Eremeevna. I was pushed towards him, but by force I carried my legs away. Smoke pillar, my mother! Strangled, damned, with tobacco. Such a sinner.

Kuteikin. Empty, Eremeevna! There is no sin in smoking tobacco.

Pravdin (to the side). Kuteikin is also smart!

Kuteikin. In many books it is allowed: in the psalter it is printed: "And cereal for the service of man."

Pravdin. Well, where else?

Kuteikin. And the same thing is printed in another psalter. Our archpriest has a small one in an octagon, and in the same one.

Pravdin(to Mrs. Prostakova). I don't want to interfere with your son's exercises; obedient servant.

Milo. Not me, sir.

Ms Prostakova. Where are you, my lords? ...

Pravdin. I will take him to my room. Friends, having not seen each other for a long time, have a lot to talk about.

Ms Prostakova. And where would you like to eat, with us or in your room? We just have our own family at the table, with Sofyushka ...

Milo. With you, with you, ma'am.

Pravdin. We will both have this honor.

EVENT VI

Mrs. Prostakova, Eremeevna, Mitrofan, Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin.

Ms Prostakova. Well, now at least read the rears in Russian, Mitrofanushka.

Mitrofan. Yes, asses, how not.

Ms Prostakova. Live and learn, my dear friend! Such a thing.

Mitrofan. How not like that! Learning comes to mind. You should bring your uncles here!

Ms Prostakova. What? What's happened?

Mitrofan. Yes! that and see that from uncle melancholy; and there from his fists and for the watch book. No, so I, thank you, already have one end with me!

Ms. Prostakova(frightened). What, what do you want to do? Remember, sweetie!

Mitrofan. Vite here and the river is close. Dive, so remember your name.

Ms. Prostakova(beyond himself). Dead! Dead! God be with you!

Eremeevna. All uncle scared. Almost grabbed his hair. And for nothing... for nothing...

Ms. Prostakova(in anger). Well…

Eremeevna. I pestered him: do you want to marry? ...

Ms Prostakova. Well…

Eremeevna. The child did not hide, for a long time, de, uncle, the hunt takes. How he will freak out, my mother, how he will throw himself up! ...

Ms. Prostakova(trembling). Well… and you, the beast, were dumbfounded, but you didn’t bite into your brother’s mug, and you didn’t pull his snout up to his ears…

Eremeevna. It was accepted! Oh yes, yes...

Ms Prostakova. Yes ... yes ... not your child, you beast! For you, even kill a roben to death.

Eremeevna. Oh, creator, save and have mercy! Yes, if my brother didn’t deign to leave at that very moment, then I would have broken with him. That's what God would not put. These would be dull (pointing to nails) I would not save fangs.

Ms Prostakova. All you bastards are zealous in words alone, and not in deeds...

Eremeevna (crying). I'm not zealous for you, mother! You don’t know how to serve more ... I would be glad not only that ... you don’t feel sorry for your stomach ... but you don’t want to.

Kuteikin, Tsyfirkin(together):

- Will you order us back?

“Where are we going, your honor?”

Ms Prostakova. You are still, the old witch, and burst into tears. Go, feed them with you, and after dinner immediately come back here. (To Mitrofap.) Come with me, Mitrofanushka. I won't let you out of my eyes now. As I tell you a little, so live in the world will fall in love. Not a century for you, my friend, not a century for you to learn. Thanks to God, you already understand so much that you yourself will cock the children. (To Eremeevna.) I’ll be translating with my brother, not your way. Let all good people see that mother and mother are dear. (Leaves with Mitrofan.)

Kuteikin. Your life, Eremeevna, is like total darkness. Let's go to a meal, but with grief, first drink a glass ...

Tsyfirkin. And there is another, here are those and multiplication.

Eremeevna(in tears). Not easy will not take me away! I have been serving for forty years, but the mercy is still the same ...

Kuteikin. How great is the blessing?

Eremeevna. Five rubles a year, and five slaps a day.

Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin take her by the arms.

Tsyfirkin. Let's see at the table what you earn all year round.

End of the second act.

ACT THREE

PHENOMENON I

Starodum and Pravdin.

Pravdin. As soon as they got up from the table, and I, going to the window, saw your carriage, then, without telling anyone, I ran out to meet you to hug you from the bottom of my heart. My heartfelt respect to you...

Starodum. It is precious to me. Trust me.

Pravdin. Your friendship with me is all the more flattering because you cannot have it for others, except for such ...

Starodum. What are you. I speak without ranks. The ranks begin - sincerity ceases.

Pravdin. Write an outline...

Starodum. Many people laugh at him. I know it. Be so. My father raised me in the way of that time, but I did not find the need to re-educate myself. He served Peter the Great. Then one person was called You, but not You. Then they did not yet know how to infect people so much that everyone considered himself to be many. But now many are not worth one. My father is at the court of Peter the Great...

Pravdin. I heard that he is in the military...

Starodum. In that century, courtiers were warriors, but warriors were not courtiers. The education given to me by my father was the best in that age. At that time, there were few ways to learn, and they still did not know how to fill an empty head with someone else's mind.

Pravdin. The upbringing of that time really consisted of several rules ...

Starodum. In one. My father constantly told me the same thing: have a heart, have a soul, and you will be a man at all times. Everything else is in fashion: in the minds of the fashion, in the knowledge of the fashion, no matter how the buckles, on the buttons.

Pravdin. You are speaking the truth. The direct dignity of a person is the soul ...

Starodum. Without her, the most enlightened smart girl is a miserable creature. (With feeling.) An ignoramus without a soul is a beast. The smallest feat leads him to every crime. Between what he does and what he does for, he has no weights. From such and such animals I came to free...

Pravdin. Your niece. I know it. She is here. Let's go to…

Starodum. Wait. My heart still boils with indignation at the unworthy act of the local hosts. Let's stay here for a few minutes. I have a rule: in the first movement, do not start anything.

Pravdin. They know how to observe your rare rule.

Starodum. The experiences of my life have taught me that. Oh, if I had previously been able to control myself, I would have had the pleasure of serving the fatherland longer.

Pravdin. In what way? An incident with a person of your qualities cannot be indifferent to anyone. You'll be doing me a favor if you tell me...

Starodum. I do not hide them from anyone so that others in a similar position will be smarter than me. Entering the military service, I met a young count, whose name I don’t even want to remember. He was younger than me in the service, the son of an accidental father, brought up in a big society and had a special opportunity to learn something that was not yet part of our upbringing. I used all my strength to gain his friendship, in order to reward the shortcomings of my upbringing with my usual treatment of him. At the very time when our mutual friendship was being established, we accidentally heard that war had been declared. I rushed to hug him with joy. "Dear Count! Here is an opportunity for us to distinguish ourselves. Let's go immediately to the army and make ourselves worthy of the title of nobleman, which the breed has given us. Suddenly, my count frowned heavily and, embracing me, dryly: “Happy journey to you,” he said to me, “and I caress that the father does not want to part with me.” Nothing compares to the contempt I felt for him at that very moment. Then I saw that there is sometimes an immeasurable difference between casual people and respectable people, that in the big world there are very small souls, and that with great enlightenment one can be a great stinger.

Pravdin. Sheer truth.

Starodum. Leaving him, I immediately went to where my position called me. Many occasions had I distinguished myself. My wounds prove that I did not miss them. The good opinion of my commanders and troops was a flattering reward of my service, when suddenly I received the news that the count, my former acquaintance, whom I disdained to remember, had been promoted, and I, who was then lying from wounds in a serious illness, was bypassed. Such injustice tore my heart to pieces, and I immediately resigned.

Pravdin. What else should have been done?

Starodum. It had to come to its senses. I did not know how to guard against the first movements of my irritated piety. Fervor did not allow me then to judge that a downright pious person is jealous of deeds, and not of ranks; that ranks are often solicited, and true respect must be deserved; that it is much more honest to be bypassed without guilt than to be granted without merit.

Pravdin. But isn't a nobleman allowed to take resignations in any case?

Starodum. Only in one thing: when he is internally convinced that the service to his fatherland does not bring direct benefit. A! then go.

Pravdin. You give to feel the true essence of the position of a nobleman.

Starodum. Having taken my resignation, I came to Petersburg. Then blind chance led me in a direction that had never even crossed my mind.

Pravdin. Where to?

Starodum. To the yard. They took me to the court. A? How do you think about it?

Pravdin. How did you see this side?

Starodum. Curious. At first it seemed strange to me that in this direction almost no one drives along the big straight road, and everyone goes around by a detour, hoping to get there as soon as possible.

Pravdin. Though a detour, is the road spacious?

Starodum. And it is so spacious that two, having met, cannot disperse. One knocks down the other, and the one who is on his feet never lifts the one who is on the ground.

Pravdin. So that's why there's selfishness...

Starodum. This is not self-love, but, so to speak, self-love. Here they love themselves perfectly; they care about themselves alone; fuss about one real hour. You will not believe. I saw here a lot of people who, in all cases of their lives, neither ancestors nor descendants came to the idea of ​​a robe.

Pravdin. But those worthy people who serve the state at the court ...

Starodum. ABOUT! those do not leave the court because they are useful to the court, but the rest because the court is useful to them. I was not among the first and did not want to be among the last.

Pravdin. Of course, they didn’t recognize you at the courtyard?

Starodum. The better for me. I managed to get out without trouble, otherwise they would have survived me in one of two ways.

Pravdin. What?

Starodum. From the court, my friend, survive in two ways. Either they get angry at you, or they get angry at you. I did not wait for either one or the other. He reasoned that it was better to lead a life at home than in someone else's antechamber.

Pravdin. So, you walked away from the court with nothing? (Opens his snuffbox.)

Starodum (takes tobacco from Pravdin). How about nothing? Snuffbox price five hundred rubles. Two people came to the merchant. One, having paid money, brought home a snuffbox. Another came home without a snuffbox. And you think the other one came home with nothing? You're wrong. He brought back his five hundred rubles intact. I left the court without villages, without a ribbon, without ranks, but brought mine home intact, my soul, my honor, my rules.

Pravdin. With your rules, people should not be let go from the court, but they must be called to the court.

Starodum. Summon? What for?

Pravdin. Then, why do they call a doctor to the sick.

Starodum. My friend! You're wrong. It is in vain to know a doctor for the sick is incurable. Here the doctor will not help, unless he becomes infected.

PHENOMENON II

The same and Sophia.

Sofia(to Pravdin). My strength was gone from their noise.

Starodum (to the side). Here are the features of her mother's face. Here is my Sophia.

Sofia (looking at Starodum). My God! He called me. My heart does not deceive mine...

Starodum (embracing her). No. You are my sister's daughter, my heart's daughter!

Sofia (rushing into his arms). Uncle! I am overjoyed.

Starodum. Dear Sophia! I learned in Moscow that you live here against your will. I am sixty years old. It happened to be often irritated, sometimes to be pleased with yourself. Nothing so tormented my heart as innocence in the nets of deceit. I have never been so pleased with myself as if I happened to wrest prey from vice from my hands.

Pravdin. What a joy it is to be a witness!

Sophia. Uncle! your mercy on me...

Starodum. You know that I am bound to life by you alone. You must do the consolation of my old age, and my care is your happiness. Having retired, I laid the foundation for your upbringing, but I could not have founded your fortune otherwise than by being separated from your mother and from you.

Sophia. Your absence grieved us unspeakably.

Starodum (to Pravdin). In order to protect her life from the lack of the necessary, I decided to retire for several years and the land where money is obtained, without exchanging it for conscience, without vile length of service, without robbing the fatherland; where they demand money from the land itself, which is more just than people, knows no favoritism, but pays only labors faithfully and generously.

Pravdin. You could be enriched, as I heard, incomparably more.

Starodum. And for what?

Pravdin. To be rich like others.

Starodum. Rich! And who is rich? Do you know that all of Siberia is not enough for the whims of one person! My friend! Everything is in the imagination. Follow nature, you will never be poor. Follow people's opinions, you will never be rich.

Sophia. Uncle! What truth you speak!

Starodum. I have amassed so much that when you are married, the poverty of a worthy groom will not stop us.

Sophia. For the rest of my life, your will will be my law.

Pravdin. But, having given it out, it would not be superfluous to leave it to the children ...

Starodum. Children? Leave wealth to children? Not in the head. They will be smart - they will do without it; but riches do not help a foolish son. I saw good fellows in golden caftans, and with a lead head. No my friend! Cash is not cash value. Golden boob - everyone is a fool.

Pravdin. With all this, we see that money often leads to ranks, ranks usually lead to nobility, and respect turns out to be noble.

Starodum. Reverence! One respect should be flattering to a person - sincere; and spiritual respect is worthy only of those who are in ranks not according to money, but in the nobility not according to ranks.

Pravdin. Your conclusion is undeniable.

Starodum. Ba! What a noise!

PHENOMENON III

The same, Ms. Prostakova, Skotinin, Milon.

Milon separates Mrs. Prostakova from Skotinin.

Ms. Prostakova . Let it go! Let go, father! Give me a face, a face...

Milo. I won't, sir. Don't get angry!

Skotinin (in a temper, straightening her wig). Get off, sister! It will come to breaking, I will bend, so you will crack.

Milon (Ms. Prostakova). And you forgot that he is your brother!

Ms Prostakova. Ah, father! Heart took, let me fight!

Milon (Skotinin). Isn't she your sister?

Skotinin. What a sin to hide, one litter, but you see how squealed.

Starodum (could not help laughing, to Pravdin). I was afraid to get angry. Now the laughter takes me.

Ms Prostakova. Someone, over someone? What is this outgoing?

Starodum. Don't be angry, ma'am. I have never seen people funnier.

Skotinin (holding his neck). Who laughs, but I don’t even have half a laugh.

Milo. Didn't she hurt you?

Skotinin. He shielded the front with both, so clung to the neck ...

Pravdin. And does it hurt?...

Skotinin. The nape of the neck was slightly pierced.

In the next speech of Ms. Prostakova, Sophia tells Milon with her eyes that Starodum is in front of him. Milon understands her.

Ms Prostakova. She blew it! ... No, brother, you must exchange the image of the officer; and if not for him, then you would not shield yourself from me. I will stand up for my son. I will not let my father down. (Starodum.) This, sir, is not funny at all. Don't get angry. I have a mother's heart. Have you heard of a bitch giving out her puppies? Deigned to welcome no one knows to whom, no one knows who

Starodum (pointing to Sophia). Came to her, her uncle, Starodum.

Ms. Prostakova(bewildered and frightened). How! It's you! You, father! Our invaluable guest! Oh, I'm stupid! Yes, would it be so necessary to meet a father, on whom all hope, who we have one, like gunpowder in the eye. Father! I'm sorry. I'm a fool. I can't figure it out. Where is the husband? Where is the son? How to come to an empty house! God's punishment! Everyone went crazy. Wench! Wench! Palashka! Wench!

Skotinin (to the side). He, he, uncle!

EVENT IV

The same and Eremeevna.

Eremeevna. What do you want?

Ms Prostakova. Are you a girl, are you a dog's daughter? Are there no maids in my house besides your nasty hari? Where is the stick?

Eremeevna. She fell ill, mother, lies in the morning.

Ms Prostakova. Lies! Oh, she's a beast! Lies! As if noble!

Eremeevna. Such a heat discordant, mother, incessantly delirious ...

Ms Prostakova. Delirious, you bastard! As if noble! Call you husband, son. Tell them that, by the grace of God, we waited for our dear Uncle Sofyushka; that our second parent has now come to us, by the grace of God. Well, run, roll over!

Starodum. Why make such a fuss, ma'am? By the grace of God, I am not your parent; By the grace of God, I don't even know you.

Ms Prostakova. Your unexpected arrival, father, took my mind away; Yes, at least give me a good hug, our benefactor! ...

EVENT V

The same ones, Prostakov, Mitrofan and Eremeevna.

In the next speech of Starodum, Prostakov and his son, who came out of the middle door, stood behind Starodum. The father is ready to hug him, as soon as the turn comes, and the son to approach the hand. Eremeyevna took her place to the side and, with folded arms, stood stock still, staring at Starodum with slavish subservience.

Starodum (embracing Madame Prostakova reluctantly). Mercy is superfluous, ma'am! I could have done very easily without her. (Breaking out of her hands, he turns around to the other side, where Skotinin, already standing with outstretched arms, immediately grabs him.) Who did I fall for?

Skotinin. It's me, sister brother.

Starodum (seeing two more, impatiently). Who else is this?

Prostakov (hugging)Mitrofan(catching hand) (together):

- I'm a wife's husband.

- I'm a mother's son.

Milon (Pravdin). Now I won't introduce myself.

Pravdin (Milon). I will find an opportunity to introduce you later.

Starodum (without giving Mitrofan a hand). This one catches kissing the hand. It can be seen that they are preparing a big soul into it.

Ms Prostakova. Speak, Mitrofanushka. Why, sir, should I not kiss your hand? You are my second father.

Mitrofan. How not to kiss, uncle, your hand. You are my father... (To mother.) What do you mean?

Ms Prostakova. Second.

Mitrofan. Second? Second father, uncle.

Starodum. I, sir, am neither your father nor your uncle.

Ms Prostakova. Batiushka, a baby boy, maybe he is prophesying his happiness: maybe God will deign to be him and really be your nephew.

Skotinin. Right! Why am I not a nephew? Hey sister!

Ms Prostakova. I, brother, will not bark with you. (To Starodum.) Otrodu, father, did not quarrel with anyone. I have such a temper. At least scold me, I won’t say a word for a century. Let, in his own mind, God pay the one who offends me, the poor one.

Starodum. I noticed this, how soon you, madam, appeared from the door.

Pravdin. And I have been a witness of her good nature for three days now.

Starodum. I can't have this fun for so long. Sofyushka, my friend, tomorrow morning I will go with you to Moscow.

Ms Prostakova. Ah, father! Why such anger?

Prostakov. Why the disgrace?

Ms Prostakova. How! We have to part with Sofyushka! With our cordial friend! I will fall behind with one melancholy of bread.

Prostakov. And I'm already here, the fold is gone.

Starodum. ABOUT! When you love her so much, I must make you happy. I'm taking her to Moscow in order to make her happy. I have been introduced to her as a suitor a certain young man of great merit. I will give it to him.

Ms Prostakova. Ah, tired!

Milo. What do I hear!

Sophia seems stricken.

Skotinin. Here are those times!

Prostakov (throws up his hands). Here's to you!

Eremeevna nodded her head sadly.

Pravdin shows an air of distressed surprise.

Starodum(accepting all the confusion). What does it mean? (To Sophia.) Sofyushka, my friend, do you seem embarrassed to me? Did my intention upset you? I take the place of your father. Trust me that I know his rights. They will go no further than to avert the daughter's unfortunate inclination, and the choice of a worthy person depends entirely on her heart. Be calm, my friend! Your husband, worthy of you, whoever he may be, will have in me a true friend. Go for whoever you want.

Everyone looks cheerful.

Sophia. Uncle! Do not doubt my obedience.

Milon (to the side). Honorable man!

Ms. Prostakova(with a cheerful look). Here is the father! Here to listen! Go for whoever you want, as long as the person is worth it. Yes, my father, yes. Here, only suitors should not be missed. If there is a nobleman in the eyes, a small young ...

Skotinin. He's been out of the boys for a long time...

Ms. Prostakova, Skotinin(together):

- Who has enough, albeit a small one ...

- Yes, the pig factory is not bad ...

Ms. Prostakova, Skotinin(together):

- So in good hour to Arkhangelsk.

- So a fun feast, dy for the wedding.

Starodum. Your advice is impartial. I see it.

Skotinin. Then you will see how you recognize me more briefly. You see, it's sodomy here. In an hour, I'll come to you alone. This is where we'll get it right. I will say without boasting: what I am, there are few such people. (Departs.)

Starodum. This is most likely.

Ms Prostakova. You, my father, do not look at your brother ...

Starodum. Is he your brother?

Ms Prostakova. Native, father. Vit and I are from the father of the Skotinins. The deceased father married the deceased mother. She was nicknamed the Priplodins. There were eighteen of us children; yes, except for me and my brother, everyone, by the power of the Lord, tried on. Others were dragged out of the bath of the dead. Three, having sipped milk from a copper pot, died. Two of the holy week fell from the bell tower; but the ones who got it did not stand on their own, father.

Starodum. I see what your parents were like.

Ms Prostakova. Old people, my father! This was not the age. We weren't taught anything. It used to happen that kind people would come to the priest, appease, appease, so that they could at least send their brother to school. By the way, the dead man is light and hands and feet, the kingdom of heaven to him! It happened that he deigned to shout: I’ll curse a roben who learns something from the infidels, and if it wasn’t for that Skotinin, who would want to learn something.

Pravdin. You, however, teach your son something.

Ms. Prostakova(to Pravdin). Yes, now the age is different, father! (To Starodum.) We do not regret the last crumbs, if only to teach our son everything. My Mitrofanushka does not get up for days because of the book. Motherly my heart. It’s a pity, a pity, but you’ll think: but there will be a kid anywhere. Vite, father, he will be sixteen years old near the winter Nikola. The bridegroom to anyone, but still the teachers go, does not waste an hour, and now two people are waiting in the hallway. (She winked at Yeremeyevna to call them.) In Moscow, they accepted a foreigner for five years and, so that others would not lure, the police announced the contract. He agreed to teach what we want, but teach us what you yourself know how to teach. We fulfilled all our parental duty, we accepted the German and we pay him a third of the money in advance. I sincerely wish that you yourself, father, would admire Mitrofanushka and see what he learned.

Starodum. I am a bad judge of that, madame.

Ms. Prostakova(seeing Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin). Here come the teachers! My mitrofanushka has no rest day or night. It is bad to praise your child, and where not unhappy will be the one whom God will bring to be his wife.

Pravdin. It's all good; do not forget, however, madam, that your guest has now only arrived from Moscow and that he needs peace much more than your son's praises.

Starodum. I confess that I would be glad to have a rest both from the road and from all that I heard and saw.

Ms Prostakova. Ah, my father! All is ready. She cleaned the room for you.

Starodum. Thankful. Sofyushka, come with me.

Ms Prostakova. And what are we? Allow me, my father, to guide me, and my son, and my husband. We all promise to go to Kyiv on foot for your health, if only to manage our business.

Starodum(to Pravdin). When will we see you? After resting, I will come here.

Pravdin. So I am here and will have the honor to see you.

Starodum. Happy soul. (Seeing Milo, who bowed to him with reverence, bows and politely to him.)

Ms. Prostakova. So you are welcome.

Except for the teachers, everyone leaves. Pravdin with Milon to the side, and the others to the other.

EVENT VI

Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin.

Kuteikin. What an abomination! You won't get anywhere in the morning. Here every morning will flourish and perish.

Tsyfirkin. And our brother lives like this forever. Do not do business, do not run away from business. That’s the trouble for our brother, how badly they feed, how today the food was gone for the local dinner ...

Kuteikin. Yes, if Vladyka didn’t manage to make me, walking here, wander at the crossroads to our mallow, I would be on the run, like a dog in the evening.

Tsyfirkin. Here, gentlemen, good commanders! ...

Kuteikin. Have you heard, brother, what is life like for the local servants; for nothing that you are a serviceman, you have been to battles, fear and trembling will come upon you ...

Tsyfirkin. Here on! Have you heard? I myself saw here a quick fire a day in a row for three hours. (Sighing.) Whoop me! Sadness takes.

Kuteikin (sighing). Oh, woe to me a sinner!

Tsyfirkin. What did he sigh about, Sidorych?

Kuteikin. And is your heart troubled in you, Pafnutevich?

Tsyfirkin. For captivity, you will think about it ... God gave me a student, a boyar son. I've been fighting with him for the third year: I can't count three.

Kuteikin. So we have one twist. I've been torturing my stomach for four years. By sitting down for an hour, except for backs, he won’t understand a new line; Yes, and the backside mumbles, God forgive me, without a warehouse in warehouses, to no avail in rumors.

Tsyfirkin. And who is to blame? Only he is a stylus in his hands, and the German is at the door. He has a sabbath because of the board, and for me, in jerks. Kuteikin. Is this my sin? Only a pointer in the fingers, a basurman in the eyes. A student on the head, and me on the neck.

Tsyfirkin (with heat). I would give myself an ear to carry, if only this parasite would be scolded like a soldier.

Kuteikin. At least now with whispers, if only I could beat the sinner's neck by the way.

PHENOMENON VII

The same, Ms. Prostakova and Mitrofan.

Ms Prostakova. While he is resting, my friend, at least for the sake of appearance, study, so that it comes to his ears how you work, Mitrofanushka.

Mitrofan. Well! And then what?

Ms Prostakova. And get married there.

Mitrofan. Listen, mother. I amuse you. I will learn; only that this be the last time, and that today there should be a conspiracy.

Ms Prostakova. The hour of the will of God will come!

Mitrofan. The hour of my will has come. I don't want to study, I want to get married. You tricked me, blame yourself. Here I sat down.

Tsyfirkin is sharpening the lead.

Ms Prostakova. And I will swear right away. I'll knit a purse for you, my friend! Sofyupshkiny money would be used where to put it.

Mitrofan. Well! Get the plank, garrison rat! Set what to write.

Tsyfirkin. Your honor, always bark around idle.

Ms. Prostakova(working). Ah, my God! Don't you dare even choose Pafnutich! Already angry!

Tsyfirkin. Why be angry, your honor? We have a Russian proverb: the dog barks, the wind carries.

Mitrofan. Set your butts, turn around.

Tsyfirkin. All backs, your honor. Vity with tasks a century ago and remained.

Ms Prostakova. None of your business, Pafnutich. I am very pleased that Mitrofanushka does not like to step forward. With his mind, fly far, and God forbid!

Tsyfirkin. Task. You deigned, on the butt, to go along the road with me. Well, at least we'll take Sidorych with us. We found three...

Mitrofan (writes). Three.

Tsyfirkin. On the road, on the butt, three hundred rubles.

Mitrofan (writes). Three hundred.

Tsyfirkin. It came to division. Smekni-tko, why on a brother?

Mitrofan (calculating, whispering). Once three is three. One zero is zero. One zero is zero.

Ms Prostakova. What, what about the division?

Mitrofan. Look, three hundred rubles that they found, three to share.

Ms Prostakova. He's lying, my dear friend! Found money, didn't share it with anyone. Take everything for yourself, Mitrofanushka. Don't study this stupid science.

Mitrofan. Hey, Pafnutich, ask another.

Tsyfirkin. Write, your honor. For learning, you give me ten rubles a year.

Mitrofan. Ten.

Tsyfirkin. Now, it’s true, it’s not for anything, but if you, sir, had adopted something from me, it wouldn’t be a sin then to add ten more.

Mitrofan (writes). Well, well, ten.

Tsyfirkin. How much for a year?

Mitrofan (calculating, whispering). Zero yes zero - zero. One yes one... (Thinking.)

Ms Prostakova. Do not work in vain, my friend! I will not add a penny; and for nothing. Science is not like that. Only you are tormented, and everything, I see, is emptiness. No money - what to count? There is money - we will consider it good even without Pafnutich.

Kuteikin. Sabbath, right, Pafnutich. Two tasks are solved. They will not lead to believe.

Mitrofan. Don't worry, brother. Mother is not mistaken here. Go now, Kuteikin, teach yesterday.

Kuteikin (opens a book of hours, Mitrofap takes a pointer). Let's start with blessings. Follow me with attention. "I am a worm..."

Mitrofan."I am a worm..."

Kuteikin. Worm, that is to say animal, cattle. In other words: "I am cattle."

Mitrofan."I am cattle."

Mitrofan (Also)."Not a man."

Kuteikin."Reviling of people".

Mitrofan."Reviling of people".

Kuteikin."And uni..."

SCENE VIII

The same and Vralman.

Vralman. Ay! ouch! ouch! ouch! ouch! Now I fizhu! The kid will die! You are my mother! Crashed nat sfay utroy, dragged the cator tefiat messesof - so to say, asmo tifa f sfete. Tai foul to those damned slaves. Is such a calaf just a palfan? Ush disposition, ush fso is.

Ms Prostakova. Is it true. Your truth, Adam Adamych! Mitrofanushka, my friend, if learning is so dangerous for your little head, stop it for me.

Mitrofan. And even more so for me.

Kuteinik (closing the clock). The end and glory to God.

Vralman. May Mother! What do you need? What? Son, kakof eats, let God give old things, or a wise son, so to speak, Aristotelis, but to the grave.

Ms Prostakova. Ah, what a passion, Adam Adamitch! He same and so carelessly dined yesterday.

Vralman. Rassuti sh, mother of May, drank too much pruho: peda. And to fit a kaloushka at the nave is a hell of a prick; drink it too much and save it later!

Ms Prostakova. Your truth, Adam Adamych; yeah what are you going to do? Robin, without learning, go to the same Petersburg; they say stupid. There are a lot of smart people now. I'm afraid of them.

Vralman. Why solder, my mother? A wise man nikakhta efo does not sateret, nikakhta does not argue with him; but he doesn’t mess with smart lyuts, so he’ll be blaspheming alive!

Ms Prostakova. This is how you should live in the world, Mitrofanushka!

Mitrofan. I myself, mother, am not a fan of smart girls. Your brother is always better.

Vralman. Sfaya campaign either the body!

Ms Prostakova. Adam Adamych! Who will you choose from?

Vralman. Do not collapse, my mother, do not collapse; what a damned son, there are millions, millions of them on the planet. How can he not screw up sepe campaigns?

Ms Prostakova. It's a gift that my son. Small sharp, agile.

Vralman. Whether you are a body, caps did not samarily efo on the ear! Russian Kramat! Arithmetic! Oh, hospot after mine, how the carcass and the body remains! How putto you Russians Tforyanin ush and could not advance in the sphere of Russian Kramat!

Kuteikin (to the side). Under the tongue you would have labor and illness.

Vralman. Like putto py to the arithmetic of dust, the uncountable turaks are lyuti!

Tsyfirkin (to the side). I'll count those ribs. Come to me.

Vralman. It is shabby for him to sleep, how to sew on a fabric. I sleep sfet by heart. I myself terta kalash.

Ms Prostakova. How can you not know the big world, Adam Adamych? I am tea, and in Petersburg alone you have seen enough.

Vralman. Tafolno, my mother, tafolno. I am a safe hunter, always eager to watch the public. Pyfalo, about the prasnik of a carriage with a hospot in Katringof. I'm looking at them fsyo. Pyfalo, I won’t get off the mower for a minute.

Ms Prostakova. What goat?

Vralman (to the side). Ay! ouch! ouch! ouch! What did I screw up! (Aloud.) You, mother, are dreaming that you should look higher. So I, pyfalo, sat down on a snak carriage, and that one looked at a Polish sfet with a scythe.

Ms Prostakova. Of course you can see. A smart person knows where to climb.

Vralman. Your worst son is also on the planet, somehow fsmastitsa, fiercely look at and touch sepya. Utalets!

Mitrofan, standing still, rolls over.

Vralman. Utalets! He will not stand still, like a teak horse of a pez usda. Go! Fort!

Mitrofan runs away.

Ms. Prostakova(smiling happily). Robin, right, though the groom. Follow him, however, so that he does not anger the guest with playfulness without intent.

Vralman. Poti, my mother! Sallet bird! With him, your voices are top notch.

Ms Prostakova. Farewell, Adam Adamitch! (Departs.)

PHENOMENON IX

Vralman, Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin.

Tsyfirkin(laughing). What an image!

Kuteikin (laughing). Byword!

Vralman. Why are you barking soups, nefezhi?

Tsyfirkin (hitting his shoulder). And why did you frown your eyebrows, Chukhon owl?

Vralman. Oh! Ouch! slick paws!

Kuteikin (hitting his shoulder). Cursed owl! What are you slapping with burkali?

Vralman (quiet). I'm gone. (Aloud.) Why are you freaking out, repyata, is it because of me?

Tsyfirkin. Eat your own bread idly and give nothing to others; Yes, you still won’t get tired of making faces.

Kuteikin. Your mouth always speaks pride, wicked one.

Vralman (recovering from timidity). How do you go about being unfashionable in front of an eared person? I screeched.

Tsyfirkin. And we will honor those. I plank...

Kuteikin. And I am a clock.

Vralman. I'll fool around on the face.

Tsyfirkin, waving his board, and Kuteikin with a book of hours.

Tsyfirkin, Kuteikin(together):

- I'll open your face five times.

I will crush the teeth of the sinner.

Vralman is running.

Tsyfirkin. Aha! He raised his cowardly legs!

Kuteikin. Direct your steps, damned one!

Vralman (in the door). What fsyali, beast? Shuta suntes.

Tsyfirkin. Gobbled up! We would give you a task!

Vralman. I don't get drunk now, I don't get drunk.

Kuteikin. The lawless one has settled! Are there many of you, basurmans? Send everyone!

Vralman. They didn’t get along with atnim! Oh, prat, fsyali!

Tsyfirkin. I'll take one ten!

Kuteikin. In the morning I will beat all the sinful earth! (All suddenly scream.)

End of the third act.

ACT FOUR

PHENOMENON I

Sophia.

Sofia (one looking at her watch). Uncle should be out soon. (Sitting down.) I'll wait here for him. (Pulls out a book and reads a few.) This is true. How not to be satisfied with the heart when the conscience is calm! (After reading a few more.) It is impossible not to love the rules of virtue. They are ways to happiness. (After reading a few more, she glanced and, seeing Starodum, runs up to him.)

PHENOMENON II

Sofia and Starodum.

eStarodum. A! You are already here, my friend!

Sophia. I've been waiting for you, uncle. I have now read a book.

Starodum. What?

Sophia. French. Fenelon, on the education of girls.

Starodum. Fenelon? The author of Telemachus? Fine. I don't know your book, but read it, read it. Whoever wrote Telemachus will not corrupt morals with his pen. I fear for you the present sages. I happened to read from them everything that was translated into Russian. True, they strongly eradicate prejudices, but uproot virtue. Let's sit down. (Both sit down.) My heart desire is to see you as happy as possible in the light.

Sophia. Your instructions, uncle, will make up all my well-being. Give me rules that I must follow. Lead my heart. It is ready to obey you.

Starodum. I am pleased with the location of your soul. I will gladly give you my advice. Listen to me with such attention, with what sincerity I will speak. Closer.

Sophia moves her chair.

Sophia. Uncle! Every word of yours will be embedded in my heart.

Starodum(with important frankness). You are now in those years in which the soul wants to enjoy all its being, the mind wants to know, and the heart wants to feel. You are now entering a light where the first step will often decide the fate of a whole life, where the first meeting happens most often: minds corrupted in their concepts, hearts corrupted in their feelings. O my friend! Know how to distinguish, know how to stop with those whose friendship for you would be a reliable guarantee for your mind and heart.

Sophia. I will use all my efforts to earn the good opinion of worthy people. But how can I avoid that those who see how I move away from them do not become angry with me? Is it possible, uncle, to find such a means that no one in the world would wish me harm?

Starodum. The bad disposition of people who are not worthy of respect should not be distressing. Know that evil is never wished upon those who are despised; but usually wish evil on those who have the right to despise. People envy more than one wealth, more than one nobility: and virtue also has its envious people.

Sophia. Is it possible, uncle, that there are such pitiful people in the world in whom a bad feeling is born just because there is good in others. A virtuous person should take pity on such unfortunate ones.

Starodum. They are pitiful, it is true; however, for this, a virtuous person does not stop going his own way. Think for yourself what a misfortune it would be if the sun stopped shining so as not to dazzle weak eyes.

Sophia. Tell me, please, are they to blame? Can any person be virtuous?

Starodum. Believe me, everyone will find enough strength in himself to be virtuous. It is necessary to want it decisively, and there it will be easier not to do that for which your conscience would chafe.

Sophia. Who will warn a person, who will not allow him to do something for which his conscience torments him afterwards?

Starodum. Who will beware? The same conscience. Know that conscience always, like a friend, warns before punishing like a judge.

Sophia. So, therefore, it is necessary that every vicious person should really be worthy of contempt when he does badly, knowing what he is doing. It is necessary that his soul be very low when it is not above an evil deed.

Starodum. And it is necessary that his mind should not be a direct mind, when he believes his happiness is not in what is necessary.

Sophia. It seemed to me, uncle, that all people agreed on what to consider their happiness. Nobility, wealth ...

Starodum. Yes, my friend! And I agree to call a noble and rich happy. Let us first agree who is noble and who is rich. I have my calculation. I will calculate the degrees of nobility according to the number of deeds that the great master did for the fatherland, and not according to the number of deeds that I took upon myself out of arrogance; not by the number of people who stagger in his front, but by the number of people who are satisfied with his behavior and deeds. My noble man, of course, is happy. My rich man too. According to my calculation, not the rich one who counts out money to hide it in a chest, but the one who counts out too much from himself in order to help someone who does not have what he needs.

Sophia. How fair! How appearance blinds us! I myself happened to see many times how they envy the one who is looking for in the yard, which means ...

Starodum. And they don’t know that in the courtyard every creature means something and looks for something; they do not know that at the court all the courtiers and all the courtiers. No, there is nothing to envy here: without noble deeds, a noble state is nothing.

Sophia. Of course, uncle! And such a noble will not make anyone happy, except for himself alone.

Starodum. How! But is he happy who is happy alone? Know that, no matter how noble he may be, his soul does not partake of direct pleasure. Imagine a man who would direct all his nobility to that only, so that he alone would be well, who would already reach the point where he himself had nothing left to desire. After all, then his whole soul would be occupied with one feeling, one fear: sooner or later it would overthrow. Tell me, my friend, is he happy who has nothing to desire, but only something to fear?

Sophia. I see the difference between being happy and actually being. Yes, this is incomprehensible to me, uncle, how can a person remember everything oneself? Do they not discuss what one owes to the other? Where is the mind that is so praised?

Starodum. How to be proud of your mind, my friend! The mind, if it is just a mind, is the most trifle. With fugitive minds we see bad husbands, bad fathers, bad citizens. Kindness gives a direct price to the mind. Without it, a smart person is a monster. It is immeasurably higher than all the fluency of the mind. This is easy to understand for anyone who thinks carefully. There are many minds, and many different ones. smart person it is easy to excuse if he does not have any quality of mind. An honest person cannot be forgiven in any way if some quality of the heart is missing in him. He needs to have everything he needs. The dignity of the heart is inseparable. An honest person must be completely fair man.

Sophia. Your explanation, uncle, is similar to my inner feeling, which I could not explain. I now vividly feel both the dignity of an honest man and his office.

Starodum. Job title! Ah, my friend! How this word is in everyone's language, and how little it is understood! The hourly use of this word has familiarized us with it so much that, having pronounced it, a person no longer thinks anything, feels nothing, when, if people understood its importance, no one could utter it without spiritual reverence. Think about what a job is. This is the sacred vow that we owe to all those with whom we live and on whom we depend. If the office were performed in this way, as they say about it, every state of people would remain in their piety and would be completely happy. A nobleman, for example, would consider it a first dishonor not to do anything when he has so much to do: there are people to help; there is a fatherland to serve. Then there would be no such nobles, whose nobility, one might say, was buried with their ancestors. A nobleman, unworthy of being a nobleman! I don't know anything better than him.

Sophia. Is it possible to humiliate yourself like that?

Starodum. My friend! What I said about the nobleman, let's now extend it to a person in general. Each has their own positions. Let us see how they are fulfilled, what, for example, are the husbands of the present world for the most part, let us not forget what the wives are like. Oh, my heart friend! Now I need all your attention. Let us take as an example an unfortunate house, of which there are many, where the wife has no cordial friendship for her husband, nor he for the wife of power of attorney; where each for his part has turned away from the path of virtue. Instead of a sincere and condescending friend, the wife sees in her husband a rude and depraved tyrant. On the other hand, instead of meekness, sincerity, the qualities of a virtuous wife, a husband sees in his wife’s soul only wayward impudence, and impudence in a woman is a sign of vicious behavior. The two became an unbearable burden to each other. Both are already putting a good name on nothing, because both of them have lost it. Is it possible to be worse than their condition? The house is abandoned. People forget the duty of obedience, seeing in their master himself a slave of his vile passions. The estate is being squandered: it has become a nobody's property when its owner is not his own. The children, their unfortunate children, were already orphans during the life of their father and mother. The father, having no respect for his wife, hardly dares to embrace them, hardly dares to surrender to the tenderest feelings of the human heart. Innocent babies are also deprived of the ardor of their mother. She, unworthy of having children, evades their caresses, seeing in them either the causes of her anxieties, or the reproach of her own corruption. And what upbringing should children expect from a mother who has lost her virtue? How can she teach them good manners, which she does not have? At the moment when their thoughts turn to their condition, what hell must be in the souls of both husband and wife!

Sophia. Oh, how I am horrified by this example!

Starodum. And I am not surprised: it should tremble the virtuous soul. I still have that faith that a person cannot be corrupted enough to be able to calmly look at what we see.

Sophia. My God! Why such terrible misfortunes! ...

Starodum. Because, my friend, in today's marriages one rarely consults with the heart. The matter is whether the groom is noble or rich? Is the bride good or rich? There is no question of goodwill. It doesn't enter anyone's head, what's in the eyes thinking people an honest person without a great rank is a noble person; that virtue replaces everything, and nothing can replace virtue. I confess to you that my heart will only be at peace when I see you for a husband worthy of your heart, when mutual love your...

Sophia. But how can a worthy husband not be loved in a friendly way?

Starodum. So. Only, perhaps, do not have love for your husband, which resembled friendship b. Have a friendship for him that would resemble love. It will be much stronger. Then, after twenty years of marriage, you will find in your hearts the former affection for each other. Wise husband! Good wife! What could be more honorable! It is necessary, my friend, that your husband obey reason, and you obey your husband, and both will be completely prosperous.

Sophia. Everything you say touches my heart...

Starodum (with the most tender vehemence). And mine admires seeing your sensitivity. Your happiness depends on you. God has given you all the pleasures of your sex. I see in you the heart of an honest man. You, my heart friend, you combine both sexes of perfection. I caress that my vehemence does not deceive me, that virtue ...

Sophia. You filled all my senses with it. (Rushing to kiss his hands) Where is she?…

Starodum(kissing her hands). She is in your soul. I thank God that in you I find the firm foundation of your happiness. It will not depend on nobility or wealth. All this can come to you; however, for you there is the happiness of all this more. It is to feel worthy of all the blessings that you can enjoy...

Sophia. Uncle! My true happiness is that I have you. I know the price...

PHENOMENON III

The same valet.

The valet submits a letter to Starodum.

Starodum. Where?

Valet. From Moscow, by courier. (Departs.)

Starodum (printed and looking at the signature). Count Chestan. A! (Beginning to read, he shows a look that his eyes cannot make out.) Sofyushka! My glasses are on the table, in the book.

Sofia (departing). Immediately, uncle.

EVENT IV

Starodum.

Starodum (one). He, of course, writes to me about the same thing he proposed in Moscow. I don't know Milo; but when his uncle is my true friend, when the whole public considers him an honest and worthy person ... If her heart is free ...

EVENT V

Starodum and Sophia.

Sofia (gives points). Found it, uncle.

Starodum (is reading).“... I just found out now ... he is leading his team to Moscow ... He should meet with you ... I will be cordially glad if he sees you ... Take the trouble to find out his way of thinking." (To the side.) Certainly. Without that, I won’t give her away ... “You will find ... Your true friend ...” Good. This letter belongs to you. I told you that a young man of commendable qualities is presented ... My words confuse you, my friend of the heart. I noticed it just now and now I see it. Your power of attorney to me ...

Sophia. Can I have something hidden from you in my heart? No, uncle. I can honestly tell you...

EVENT VI

The same, Pravdin and Milon.

Pravdin. Allow me to introduce you to Mr. Milon, my true friend.

Starodum (to the side). Milo!

Milo. I will post for true happiness if I get your good opinion, your favors to me ...

Starodum. Is Count Chestan your relative?

Milo. He is my uncle.

Starodum. I am very pleased to be acquainted with a person of your qualities. Your uncle told me about you. He gives you all justice. Special Benefits…

Milo. This is his mercy to me. At my age and in my position, it would be unforgivable arrogance to consider everything deserved by which a young man is encouraged by worthy people.

Pravdin. I am sure in advance that my friend will gain your favor if you get to know him better. He often visited the house of your late sister ...

Starodum looks back at Sophia.

Sofia (quietly to Starodum and in great timidity). And his mother loved him like a son.

Starodum (Sophia). I am very pleased. (Milon.) I heard that you were in the army. Your fearlessness...

Milo. I did my job. Neither my years, nor my rank, nor my position have yet allowed me to show direct fearlessness, if I have it in me.

Starodum. How! Being in battles and exposing your life ...

Milo. I exposed her like the others. Here courage was such a quality of the heart, which the commander orders the soldier to have, and honor to the officer. I confess to you sincerely that I have not yet had any chance to show direct fearlessness, but I sincerely wish to test myself.

Starodum. I am extremely curious to know, in what do you suppose direct fearlessness?

Milo. If you allow me to say my thought, I place true fearlessness in the soul, and not in the heart. Whoever has it in his soul, without any doubt, has a brave heart. In our military craft, the warrior must be brave, the military leader must be fearless. He sees with cold blood all degrees of danger, takes the necessary measures, prefers his glory to life; but most of all, for the benefit and glory of the fatherland, he is not afraid to forget his own glory. His fearlessness, therefore, does not consist in despising his own life. He never disdains her. He knows how to sacrifice.

Starodum. Fair. You believe direct fearlessness in a military leader. Does it apply to other states as well?

Milo. She is a virtue; consequently, there is no state that could not distinguish itself by it. It seems to me that the courage of the heart is proved in the hour of battle, and the fearlessness of the soul in all trials, in all situations of life. And what is the difference between the fearlessness of a soldier who, on an attack, organizes his life along with others, and between the fearlessness of a statesman who tells the truth to the sovereign, daring to anger him. The judge, who, fearing neither vengeance nor the threats of the strong, gave justice to the helpless, is in my eyes a hero. How small is the soul of the one who calls to a duel for a trifle, before the one who intercedes for the absent, whose honor in his presence the slanderers torment! This is how I understand anxiety...

Starodum. How should one understand who has it in her soul. Wallpaper me, my friend! Excuse my innocence. I am a friend of honest people. This feeling is rooted in my upbringing. In yours I see and honor virtue, adorned with enlightened reason.

Milo. Noble soul!… No… I can no longer hide my heartfelt feeling… No. Your virtue extracts by its power all the mystery of my soul. If my heart is virtuous, if it is worth it to be happy, it depends on you to make it happy. I suppose it consists in having your dear niece as a wife. Our mutual inclination...

Starodum (to Sophia, with joy). How! Is your heart able to distinguish the one whom I myself offered you? Here's my fiancé...

Sophia. And I love him dearly.

Starodum. You both deserve each other. (Joining their hands in admiration.) With all my heart I give you my consent.

Milon, Sofia(together):

Milon (hugging Starodum). My happiness is incomparable!

Sofia (kissing Starodumov's hands). Who can be happier than me!

Pravdin. How sincerely I am glad!

Starodum. My pleasure is indescribable!

Milon(kissing Sophia's hand). Here is a moment of our well-being!

Sophia. My heart will love you forever.

PHENOMENON VII

The same and Skotinin.

Skotinin. And I'm here.

Starodum. Why did you complain?

Skotinin. For your need.

Starodum. What can I serve?

Skotinin. Two words.

Starodum. What is it?

Skotinin. Embracing me tighter, say: Sofyushka is yours.

Starodum. Do you want to start something empty? Think well.

Skotinin. I never think, and I am sure in advance that if you don’t begin to think, then my Sofyushka is mine.

Starodum. This is a strange thing! As I see, you are not a crazy person, but you want me to give my niece away, for whom I don’t know.

Skotinin. You don't know, I'll say it. I am Taras Skotinin, not the last of my kind. The Skotinins are a great and ancient family. You will not find our ancestor in any heraldry.

Pravdin (laugh). You will assure us that he is older than Adam.

Skotinin. And what do you think? At least a few...

Starodum (laughing) That is, your ancestor was created at least on the sixth day, but a little earlier than Adam?

Skotinin. No, right? So you have a good opinion of the old of my kind?

Starodum. ABOUT! so kind that I wonder how in your place you can choose a wife from a different kind, like from the Skotinins?

Skotinin. Judge how happy Sofyushka is to be behind me. She is a noble...

Starodum. What a man! Yes, for that you are not her fiancé.

Skotinin. I already went for it. Let them talk that Skotinin married a noblewoman. It doesn't matter to me.

Starodum. Yes, it doesn’t matter to her when they say that the noblewoman married Skotinin.

Milo. Such inequality would make you both unhappy.

Skotinin. Ba! Yes, what does this equal? (Quietly to Starodum.) Doesn't it repulse?

Starodum (quietly to Skotinin). It seems so to me.

Skotinin (in the same tone). Where the hell!

Starodum (in the same tone). Hard.

Skotinin(loudly, pointing to Milo). Which one of us is funny? Ha ha ha ha!

Starodum (laughs). I see who is funny.

Sophia. Uncle! I'm glad you're funny.

Skotinin (Starodum). Ba! Yes, you are funny. Just now I thought that there was no attack on you. I didn’t say a word, and now everyone is laughing with me.

Starodum. Such is the man, my friend! Hour after hour does not come.

Skotinin. This is visible. Vit and just now I was the same Skotinin, and you were angry.

Starodum. There was a reason.

Skotinin. I know her. I myself am the same. At home, when I go into the nibble and find them out of order, annoyance will take them. And you, without saying a word, having driven here, found the sisters' house no better than nibbles, and you are annoyed.

Starodum. You are happier than me. People touch me.

Skotinin. And me so pigs.

SCENE VIII

The same, Mrs. Prostakova, Prostakov, Mitrofan and Eremeevna.

Ms. Prostakova(entering). Is everything with you, my friend?

Prostakov. Well, don't worry.

Ms. Prostakova(Starodum). Did you deign to have a good rest, father? We all tiptoed around in the fourth room so as not to disturb you; did not dare to look in the door; let's hear, you've deigned to come out here a long time ago. Do not cry, father ...

Starodum. O madam, I would be very annoyed if you came here to the wound.

Skotinin. You, sister, as if laughing, everything is on my heels. I came here for my needs.

Ms Prostakova. And I'm so for mine. (Starodum.) Allow me, my father, to trouble you now with our common request. (Husband and son.) Bow down.

Starodum. Which one, ma'am?

Ms Prostakova. First, I beg the mercy of everyone to sit down.

Everyone sits down, except for Mitrofan and Eremeyevna.

Ms Prostakova. Here's the thing, daddy. For the prayers of our parents - we sinners, where would we beg - the Lord gave us Mitrofanushka. We did everything to make it become such as you would like to see it. Wouldn't you like, my father, to take on the work and see how we have learned it?

Starodum. O madam! It has already reached my ears that he now only deigned to unlearn. I heard about his teachers and see in advance what kind of literacy he needs to be when studying with Kuteikin, and what kind of mathematics when studying with Tsyfirkin. (To Pravdin.) I would be curious to hear what the German taught him.

Ms. Prostakova, Prostakov(together):

- All sciences, father.

Everything, my father.

Mitrofan. Everything you want.

Pravdin (to Mitrofan). Why, for example?

Mitrofan(gives him a book). Here, grammar.

Pravdin (taking a book). I see. This is grammar. What do you know about it?

Mitrofan. A lot of. Noun and adjective...

Pravdin. Door, for example, what name: noun or adjective?

Mitrofan. Door, which door?

Pravdin. Which door! This one.

Mitrofan. This? Adjective.

Pravdin. Why?

Mitrofan. Because it is attached to its place. Over there, by the closet, the door has not yet been hung for six weeks: so that one is still a noun.

Starodum. So that's why you have the word fool as an adjective, because it is attached to a stupid person?

Mitrofan. And we know.

Ms Prostakova. What is it, my father?

Mitrofan. What is it, my father?

Pravdin. It can't be better. He is strong in grammar.

Milo. I think no less in history.

Ms Prostakova. Then, my father, he is still a hunter of stories.

Skotinin. Mitrofan for me. I myself will not take my eyes off that the elected one does not tell me stories. Master, son of a dog, where does everything come from!

Ms Prostakova. However, he still won't come against Adam Adamych.

Pravdin(to Mitrofan). How far are you in history?

Mitrofan. Is it far? What's the story. In another you will fly to distant lands, to thirty kingdoms.

Pravdin. A! so Vralman teaches you this story?

Starodum. Vralman? The name is familiar.

Mitrofan. No, our Adam Adamych does not tell stories; he, what am I, himself a hunter to listen.

Ms Prostakova. Both of them force themselves to tell stories to the cowgirl Khavronya.

Pravdin. Didn't you both study geography with her?

Ms. Prostakova(son). Do you hear, my dear friend? What is this science?

Prostakov(quiet mother). And how much do I know.

Ms. Prostakova(quietly to Mitrofan). Don't be stubborn, darling. Now show yourself.

Mitrofan (quiet mother). Yes, I do not understand what they are asking.

Ms. Prostakova(Pravdin). What, father, did you call science?

Pravdin. Geography.

Ms. Prostakova(to Mitrofan). Do you hear, georgaphia.

Mitrofan. Yes, what is it! Oh my God! They stuck with a knife to the throat.

Ms. Prostakova(Pravdin). And you know, father. Yes, tell him, do me a favor, what kind of science is it, he will tell it.

Pravdin. Description of the land.

Ms. Prostakova(Starodum). And what would it serve in the first case?

Starodum. In the first case, it would also fit the fact that if it happened to go, you know where you are going.

Ms Prostakova. Ah, my father! Yes, cabbies, what are they for? It's their business. This is not a noble science either. Gentleman, just say: take me there, they will take me wherever you please. Believe me, father, that, of course, that is nonsense, which Mitrofanushka does not know.

Starodum. Oh, of course, ma'am. In human ignorance, it is very comforting to consider everything as nonsense that you do not know.

Ms Prostakova. Without science people live and lived. The deceased father was a voivode for fifteen years, and with that he deigned to die, because he did not know how to read and write, but he knew how to earn and save enough. He always received petitions, sometimes sitting on an iron chest. After every chest will open and put something. That was the economy! He did not spare his life, so as not to take anything out of the chest. I won’t boast before another, I won’t hide from you: the dead light, lying on a chest with money, died, so to speak, of hunger. A! what is it like?

Starodum. commendable. You have to be a Skotinin to taste such a blissful death.

Skotinin. But if you want to prove that teaching is nonsense, then let's take Uncle Vavila Faleleitch. Nobody heard from him about the diploma, nor did he want to hear from anyone: what a goloushka!

Pravdin. What is it?

Skotinin. Yes, that's what happened to him. Riding on a greyhound pacer, he ran drunk into the stone gates. The man was tall, the gate was low, he forgot to bend down. As soon as he had enough of himself with his forehead against the lintel, the Indo bent his uncle to the top of his head, and a vigorous horse carried him out of the gate to the porch on his back. I would like to know if there is a learned forehead in the world that would not fall apart from such a cuff; and uncle, memory eternal to him, sober up, he only asked if the gate was intact?

Milo. You, Mr. Skotinin, admit yourself to be an unlearned person; however, I think in this case your forehead would be no stronger than a scientist.

Starodum (Milon). Don't worry about betting. I think that the Skotinins are all kind of strong-willed.

Ms Prostakova. My father! What is the joy of learning? We see it with our own eyes and in our region. Whoever is smarter, his brothers will immediately elect him to some other position.

Starodum. And who is smarter, he will not refuse to be useful to his fellow citizens.

Ms Prostakova. God knows how you judge today. With us, it used to be that everyone looks at peace. (Pravdin.) You yourself, father, are smarter than others, so much labor! And now, on my way here, I saw that some kind of package was being brought to you.

Pravdin. A package for me? And no one will tell me! (Getting up.) I beg your pardon for leaving you. Maybe there are some orders for me from the viceroy.

Starodum(gets up and everyone gets up). Go, my friend; however, I do not say goodbye to you.

Pravdin. I will see you again. Are you driving tomorrow morning?

Starodum. Hours at seven.

Pravdin departs.

Milo. And tomorrow, when I see you off, I will lead my team. Now I'm going to make an order for that.

Milon departs, saying goodbye to Sophia with his eyes.

PHENOMENON IX

Mrs. Prostakova, Mitrofan, Prostakov, Skotinin, Eremeevna, Starodum, Sophia.

Ms. Prostakova(Starodum). Well, my father! Have you seen enough what Mitrofanushka is like?

Skotinin. Well, my dear friend? Do you see what I am?

Starodum. Recognized both, can not be shorter.

Skotinin. Will Sofyushka be with me?

Starodum. Don't be.

Ms Prostakova. Is her fiance Mitrofanushka?

Starodum. Not the groom.

Ms. Prostakova, Skotinin(together):

- What would stop you?

- What was the matter?

Starodum(bringing both). You alone can tell a secret. She's spoken. (Goes away and signals to Sofya to follow him.)

Ms Prostakova. Ah, villain!

Skotinin. Yes, he freaked out.

Ms. Prostakova(eagerly). When will they leave?

Skotinin. Vit you heard, in the morning at seven o'clock.

Ms Prostakova. At seven o'clock.

Skotinin. Tomorrow and I will wake up with the light suddenly. If he were smart, as he pleased, and you would not be unleashed with Skotinin soon. (Departs.)

Ms. Prostakova(running around the theater in anger and in thoughts). At seven o'clock! ... We will get up early ... What I want, I will put on my own ... Everything to me.

Everyone is running.

Ms. Prostakova(to her husband). Tomorrow at six o'clock for the carriage to be brought up to the back porch. Do you hear? Don't skip.

Prostakov. Listen, my mother.

Ms. Prostakova(to Eremeevna). You don't dare to take a nap at Sophia's doors all night long. As soon as she wakes up, run to me.

Eremeevna. I won't hesitate, my mother.

Ms. Prostakova(son). You, my friend of the heart, be completely ready yourself at six o'clock and place three servants in Sophia's dressing room, and two in the hallway to help.

Mitrofan. Everything will be done.

Ms Prostakova. Go with God. (Everyone leaves.) And I already know what to do. Where there is anger, there is mercy. The old man is angry and forgives for captivity. And we'll take ours.

End of the fourth act.

ACT FIVE

PHENOMENON I

Starodum and Pravdin.

Pravdin. It was the package that the hostess here herself informed me about yesterday.

Starodum. So, do you now have a way to stop the inhumanity of the evil landowner?

Pravdin. I am instructed to take custody of the house and villages at the first rabies, from which people subject to her might suffer.

Starodum. Thanks be to God that humanity can find protection! Believe me, my friend, where the sovereign thinks, where he knows where his true glory lies, there his rights cannot but return to mankind. There, everyone will soon feel that everyone should seek their happiness and benefits in the one thing that is legal ... and that it is illegal to oppress their own kind by slavery.

Pravdin. I agree with you on this; Yes, how tricky it is to exterminate rooted prejudices in which base souls find their advantage!

Starodum. Listen, my friend! A great sovereign is a wise sovereign. His job is to show people their direct benefit. The glory of his wisdom is to rule over people, because there is no wisdom to manage idols. The peasant, who is the worst in the village, usually chooses to tend the herd, because it takes a little intelligence to tend the cattle. A sovereign worthy of the throne seeks to elevate the souls of his subjects. We see it with our own eyes.

Pravdin. The pleasure that sovereigns enjoy in possessing free souls must be so great that I do not understand what motives could distract ...

Starodum. A! How great a soul must be in a sovereign in order to take the path of truth and never deviate from it! How many nets have been set up to capture the soul of a person who has the fate of his own kind in his hands! And firstly, a crowd of stingy flatterers ...

Pravdin. Without spiritual contempt it is impossible to imagine what a flatterer is.

Starodum. A flatterer is a creature who, not only about others, but also about himself, has no good opinion. All his desire is to first blind the mind of a person, and then make of it what he needs. He is a night thief who first extinguishes the candle, and then begins to steal.

Pravdin. Human misfortunes, of course, are caused by their own corruption; but ways to make people kind...

Starodum. They are in the hands of the sovereign. How soon everyone sees that without good manners no one can emerge as a people; that neither vile service nor for any money can buy that which rewards merit; that people are chosen for places, and not places are stolen by people - then everyone finds his own advantage in being well-behaved and everyone becomes good.

Pravdin. Fair. The Great Sovereign gives...

Starodum. Mercy and friendship to those whom it pleases; places and ranks to those who are worthy.

Pravdin. So that there is no shortage in worthy people, special efforts are now being made to educate ...

Starodum. It should be the key to the well-being of the state. We see all the unfortunate consequences of bad education. Well, what can come out of Mitrofanushka for the fatherland, for whom ignorant parents also pay money to ignorant teachers? How many noble fathers who entrust the moral upbringing of their son to their serf slave! Fifteen years later, instead of one slave, two come out, an old uncle and a young master.

Pravdin. But persons of the highest state enlighten their children...

Starodum. So, my friend; yes, I would like that in all sciences the main goal of all human knowledge, morality, is not forgotten. Believe me that science in a depraved person is a fierce weapon to do evil. Enlightenment elevates one virtuous soul. I would like, for example, that when educating the son of a noble gentleman, his mentor every day unfolded History for him and pointed out to him and her two places: in one, how great people contributed to the good of their fatherland; in another, like an unworthy nobleman, having used his power of attorney and power for evil, from the height of his magnificent nobility he fell into the abyss of contempt and reproach.

Pravdin. It is really necessary that every state of people should have a decent upbringing; then you can be sure... What is that noise?

Starodum. What has happened?

PHENOMENON II

The same, Milon, Sofya, Eremeevna.

Milon (pushing away from Sofya Eremeevna, who was clinging to her, shouting to the people, holding a drawn sword in her hand). Don't you dare come near me!

Sofia (rushing to Starodum). Ah, uncle! Protect me!

Starodum, Pravdin, Sofia, Eremeevna(together):

- My friend! What's happened?

- What an atrocity!

- My heart flutters!

- My head is gone!

Milo. Villains! Coming here, I see a lot of people who, grabbing her by the arms, despite resistance and screaming, are already leading from the porch to the carriage.

Sophia. Here is my deliverer!

Starodum (to Milo). My friend!

Pravdin (Eremeevna). Now tell me where you wanted to take it, or how about the villain ...

Eremeevna. Get married, my father, get married!

Ms. Prostakova(behind the scenes). Rogues! The thieves! Fraudsters! I order everyone to be beaten to death!

PHENOMENON III

The same, Ms. Prostakova, Prostakov, Mitrofan.

Ms Prostakova. What a lady in the house I am! (pointing to Milo). Someone else will threaten, my order is useless.

Prostakov. Am I to blame?

Prostakov, Ms. Prostakova(together):

- To be taken for people?

- I don't want to be alive.

Pravdin. The atrocity, to which I myself am a witness, entitles you, as an uncle, and you, as a bridegroom ...

Ms. Prostakova, Prostakov, Prostakov(together):

- Groom!

- We are good!

- Everything to hell!

Pravdin. To demand from the government that the offense done to her be punished with all the severity of the laws. Now I will present her to the court as a violator of civil peace.

Ms. Prostakova(dropping to his knees). Father, I'm guilty!

Pravdin. Husband and son could not but take part in the atrocity...

Prostakov, Mitrofan(together, dropping to their knees):

- Guilty without guilt!

- Guilty, uncle!

Ms Prostakova. Ah, the daughter of a dog! What have I done!

EVENT IV

The same and Skotinin.

Skotinin. Well, sister, it was a good joke ... Bah! What is this? All of us are on our knees!

Ms. Prostakova(kneeling). Ah, my fathers, the sword does not cut a guilty head. My sin! Don't ruin me. (To Sophia.) You are my mother, forgive me. Have mercy on me (pointing to husband and son) and over the poor orphans.

Skotinin. Sister! Are you mindful?

Pravdin. Shut up, Skotinin.

Ms Prostakova. God will give you well-being and with your dear bridegroom, what is in my head for you?

Sofia (Starodum). Uncle! I forget my insult.

Ms. Prostakova(raising hands to Starodum). Father! Forgive me too, a sinner. I'm a human being, not an angel.

Starodum. I know, I know that a person cannot be an angel. And you don't even have to be the devil.

Milo. Both crime and repentance in it are worthy of contempt.

Pravdin (Starodum). Your slightest complaint, your one word before the government ... and it cannot be saved.

Starodum. I don't want anyone to die. I forgive her.

Everyone jumped up from their knees.

Ms Prostakova. I'm sorry! Ah, father! ... Well! Now I will let the canals open to my people. Now I'm going to take them all one by one. Now I'm trying to figure out who let her out of her hands. No, scammers! No, thieves! I will not forgive a century, I will not forgive this ridicule.

Pravdin. And why do you want to punish your people?

Ms Prostakova. Ah, father, what is this question? Am I not powerful in my people too?

Pravdin. Do you think you have the right to fight when you want?

Skotinin. Isn't a nobleman free to beat a servant whenever he wants?

Pravdin. When he wants! So what is hunting? You are direct Skotinin. No, madam, no one is free to tyrannize.

Ms Prostakova. Not free! The nobleman, when he wants, and the servants are not free to flog; Yes, why have we been given a decree on the freedom of the nobility?

Starodum. A master at interpreting decrees!

Ms Prostakova. If you please, mock me, but now I'm head to head... (Tries to go.)

Pravdin (stopping her). Stop, sir. (Pulling out paper and in an important voice to Prostakov.) In the name of the government, I order you to immediately gather your people and peasants to announce to them a decree that for the inhumanity of your wife, to which your extreme weak-mindedness allowed her, the government orders me to take care of your house and villages.

Prostakov. A! What have we come to!

Ms Prostakova. How! New trouble! For what? For what, father? That I am mistress in my house ...

Pravdin. An inhuman lady, who cannot be tolerated in a well-established state. (to Prostakov) Come on.

Prostakov (leaves, clasping his hands). Who is this from, mother?

Ms. Prostakova(yearning). Oh, grief has taken! Oh sad!

Skotinin. Ba! bah! bah! Yes, they will get to me. Yes, and any Skotinin can fall under guardianship ... I’ll get out of here, pick up, say hello.

Ms Prostakova. I'm losing everything! I'm completely dying!

Skotinin (Starodum). I went to see you. Groom…

Starodum (pointing to Milo). Here he is.

Skotinin. Aha! so there is nothing for me to do here. Harness the kibitka, and ...

Pravdin. Yes, and go to your pigs. Do not forget, however, to tell all the Skotinins what they are subject to.

Skotinin. How not to warn friends! I will tell them that they are people ...

Pravdin. Loved more, or at least...

Skotinin. Well?…

Pravdin. At least they didn't touch it.

Skotinin (departing). At least they didn't touch it.

EVENT V

Mrs. Prostakova, Starodum, Pravdin, Mitrofan, Sophia, Eremeevna.

Ms. Prostakova(Pravdin). Father, do not ruin me, what have you gained? Is there any way to cancel the order? Are all orders being followed?

Pravdin. I won't step down from my position.

Ms Prostakova. Give me at least three days. (To the side.) I would let myself know...

Pravdin. Not for three hours.

Starodum. Yes, my friend! She can do so much mischief even in three hours that you can’t help for a century.

Ms Prostakova. But how can you, father, enter into trifles yourself?

Pravdin. It's my business. Alien will be returned to the owners, and ...

Ms Prostakova. And to get rid of debts? ... Underpaid to teachers ...

Pravdin. Teachers? (Eremeevna.) Are they here? Enter them here.

Eremeevna. Tea that they brought. And the German, my father? ...

Pravdin. Call everyone.

Eremeevna leaves.

Pravdin. Do not worry about anything, madam, I will please everyone.

Starodum (seeing Madame Prostakova in anguish). Madam! You yourself will feel better, having lost the power to do bad things to others.

Ms Prostakova. Thanks for the mercy! Where am I fit when my own hands and will are not in my house!

EVENT VI

The same, Eremeevna, Vralman, Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin.

Eremeevna (introducing the teachers, to Pravdin). Here's our whole bastard, my father.

Vralman(to Pravdin). Fashé fysoko-and-plakhorotie. Did they send me to the sepa to pry? ...

Kuteikin (to Pravdin). The call was bykh and came.

Tsyfirkin (to Pravdin). What will be the order, your honor?

Starodum (with the arrival of Vralman peers at him). Ba! Is that you, Vralman?

Vralman (recognizing Starodum). Ay! ouch! ouch! ouch! ouch! It's you, my gracious master! (Kissing the floor of the Starodum.) Are you an old faggot, my father, are you going to cheat?

Pravdin. How? Is he familiar to you?

Starodum. How not familiar? He was my coachman for three years.

Everyone shows surprise.

Pravdin. Quite a teacher!

Starodum. Are you here as a teacher? Vralman! I thought, really, that you are a kind person and you won’t take on something other than your own.

Vralman. What to tell, my father? I'm not a perf, I'm not an afterlife. For three months, Moskfe staggered from place to place, Kutsher nihte not Nata. It came to me to die lipo with a hunger, lipo suture ...

Pravdin (to teachers). By the will of the government, having become the guardian of the house here, I release you.

Tsyfirkin. Better not.

Kuteikin. Would you like to let go? Let's get it right first...

Pravdin. What do you need?

Kuteikin. No, dear sir, my account is not very small. For half a year for learning, for shoes that you wore out at the age of three, for a simple one that you wander here, it happened, in an empty way, for ...

Ms Prostakova. Insatiable soul! Kuteikin! What is it for?

Pravdin. Do not interfere, madam, I beg you.

Ms Prostakova. Yes, if it’s true, what did you learn Mitrofanushka?

Kuteikin. It's his business. Not mine.

Pravdin (Kuteikin). Good good. (Tsyfirkin.) How much do you pay?

Tsyfirkin. To me? Nothing.

Ms Prostakova. He, father, was given ten rubles for one year, and not a penny was paid for another year.

Tsyfirkin. So: for those ten rubles I wore out my boots in two years. We and the tickets.

Pravdin. And for teaching?

Tsyfirkin. Nothing.

Starodum. Like nothing?

Tsyfirkin. I won't take anything. He didn't take anything.

Starodum. However, you have to pay less.

Tsyfirkin. My pleasure. I served the sovereign for more than twenty years. I took money for the service, I didn’t take it in an empty way and I won’t take it.

Starodum. Here's a good man!

Starodum and Milon take money out of their wallets.

Pravdin. Aren't you ashamed, Kuteikin?

Kuteikin(lowering his head). Shame on you, damned.

Starodum (Tsyfirkin). Here's to you, my friend, for a good soul.

Tsyfirkin. Thank you, your highness. Thankful. You are free to give me. Himself, not deserving, I will not demand a century.

Milon(giving him money). Here's to you, my friend!

Tsyfirkin. And thanks again.

Pravdin also gives him money.

Tsyfirkin. What are you complaining about, your honor?

Pravdin. Because you don't look like Kuteikin.

Tsyfirkin. AND! Your honor. I'm a soldier.

Pravdin(Tsyfirkin). Go, my friend, with God.

Tsyfirkin departs.

Pravdin. And you, Kuteikin, perhaps come here tomorrow and take the trouble to comb your mistress herself.

Kuteikin (running out). With myself! I retreat from everything.

Vralman (Starodum). Do not leave the old man of hearing, fashe fysokrotie. Take me back to the sepe.

Starodum. Yes, you, Vralman, I tea, lagged behind the horses?

Vralman. Hey no, my darling! Shiuchi with stench hospots, it concerned me that I am a fse with horses.

PHENOMENON VII

The same valet.

Valet (Starodum). Your card is ready.

Vralman. Will you give me a bite to eat now?

Starodum. Go sit on the goats.

Vralman leaves.

PHENOMENON LAST

Mrs. Prostakova, Starodum, Milon, Sophia, Pravdin, Mitrofan, Eremeevna.

Starodum (to Pravdin, holding the hands of Sophia and Milon). Well my friend! We go. Wish us...

Pravdin. All the happiness that honest hearts are entitled to.

Ms. Prostakova(rushing to hug his son). You alone remained with me, my hearty friend, Mitrofanushka!

Prostakov. Yes, get rid of, mother, as imposed ...

Ms Prostakova. And you! And you leave me! A! ungrateful! (She fainted.)

Sofia (running up to her). My God! She has no memory.

Starodum (Sophia). Help her, help her.

Sophia and Eremeevna help.

Pravdin (to Mitrofan). Scoundrel! Should you be rude to your mother? It is her mad love for you that has brought her most of all to misfortune.

Mitrofan. Yes, she seems to be unknown ...

Pravdin. Rude!

Starodum (Eremeevna). What is she now? What?

Eremeevna (looking intently at Madame Prostakova and clasping her hands). Wake up, my father, wake up.

Pravdin (to Mitrofan). WITH you, my friend, I know what to do. Went to serve...

Mitrofan (waving his hand). For me, where they say.

Ms. Prostakova(waking up in despair). I completely died! My power has been taken away! From shame, you can’t show your eyes anywhere! I don't have a son!

Starodum (pointing to Mrs. Prostakova) Here are the worthy fruits of evil-mindedness!

THE END OF COMEDY.- that is, to buy an icon with the image of the saint whose name the officer bears.

... the government commands me to take custody of your house and villages. - To take custody of the estates of the landowners, that is, to interfere in the relations of the nobles with the peasants in order to limit the rights of representatives of the "noble class". Peter I by a special decree and introduced the guardianship of the government over the estates of tyrant landowners. Catherine II in her “Order” (1767) in article 256 recalled this: “Peter I legalized in 1722, so that the insane and his subjects; the tormentors were under the supervision of guardians. According to the first article of this decree, execution is being carried out, and the last thing for which without action remained unknown ”(“ Nakaz ”, St. Petersburg, 1793, p. 89).