M and Saltykov Shchedrin interesting facts. Interesting facts from the life of Saltykov-Shchedrin. Brief biography and works. Collaboration with the journal "Domestic Notes"

The best image of Saltykov, perfectly conveying his character.

1. Saltykov-Shchedrin studied at the Moscow Nobility Institute, and then, as the best student, was transferred to the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum. Russian writers did not shine with a privileged and generally good education. The exception is Pushkin and Saltykov.

2. Saltykov, contrary to popular belief, had nothing to do with the aristocratic Saltykov family. The surname of his ancestors is not the Saltykovs, but the Satykovs, these are seedy provincial nobles. This circumstance created an absolutely unbearable situation in the Lyceum. Aristocratic classmates confused the boy with the "real" Saltykovs, and upon learning that they had a namesake, they snorted contemptuously. As a result, “Misha Pseldonimov” turned from an excellent student into an untidy, snarling teenager, and spent his whole life in this state of neuro-emotional breakdown. It was impossible to have any business with Saltykov. With undoubted intellectual abilities and a wonderful literary gift, he was distinguished by emotional dullness, resentment, and in everyday life he behaved like a fool of a teenager.

In adulthood, Saltykov grew a beard and began to goggle, making a fair face. It didn’t turn out very well, but that’s exactly what went into circulation.

Subsequently, helpful artists and retouchers brought the image to the biblical grotesque, so that Saltykov completely lost his face.

3. Saltykov, like most people of his time and his circle, had a special craving for card games, but unlike Nekrasov, like, again, most people of that time, he played small (playing cards without money was considered nonsense). Saltykov played very badly, because it never occurred to him to bluff, and he did not take into account the psychology and style of play of his opponents at all. At the same time, he perceived the game as a serious matter, and he was very annoyed by losses. Having lost, he never considered that he was mistaken in something, and childishly blamed all the blame on his partners. Those close to him who knew him well tried to turn the case into a joke. Playing with strangers inevitably led to a scandal.

4. Saltykov's mother was from the family of wealthy merchants Zabelins. When she got married, she was 15 years old, and her husband - 40. In her youth, she was blood and milk, then she melted into a fat, ugly woman. 9 children were born in the Saltykov family: 6 boys and 3 girls. Of these, only one girl died in childhood. Education from the very beginning was completely in the hands of the mother, the father was not interested in children. Therefore, we can say that Shchedrin was not a nobleman at all in terms of everyday culture. This is a very important circumstance. The cultural difference between the Russian nobles and merchants of that time is two generations. With our money, nobles are intellectuals, merchants are working people. With fists, obscene swearing and vodka. Saltykov's mother was rude limited person, kept the children in a black body and constantly beat.

At the same time, according to her natural qualities, Saltykova was not stupid, she was well versed in the personal qualities of children and ran an exemplary household. She did not have much money, however, she gave all the children a good upbringing and provided financial support.

At first, Mishenka (the sixth child in the family) was her favorite, but in adolescence, relations deteriorated sharply, Misha in her eyes became the worst, most unfortunate son. Over time, this opinion has only strengthened. She considered him a fool and a scoundrel - in general, not without reason. Other members of the family were of the same opinion.

5. After graduating from the Lyceum, all paths were open to Saltykov, he got a job in the military ministry. At the age of 18, as a graduate of the Lyceum, he already had the rank of collegiate secretary (the civil equivalent of a staff captain). However, his career did not work out, since from a social point of view, he graduated from the Lyceum with a wolf ticket. The meaning of studying in such institutions is primarily to establish a lifelong system of acquaintances with which you can make a quick career. But Shchedrin was a classy outcast, which was immediately reported to his superiors.

In this situation, Shchedrin decided to start a career as a writer, but quickly fell under the hand for a generally innocent (and mediocre) story. He was sent to the province.

6. Paradoxically, the exile was the first successful step in his bureaucratic career. In distant Vyatka, all the facts of the young Saltykov's biography: the lyceum, the high-profile surname, the highest disgrace - merged into a single radiance. I repeat, and disgrace, because to be exiled by the highest command meant to quarrel with the king, that is, to be on a short footing with him. Such people were respected and feared, knowing full well that if there is personal contact, then they will quarrel and make peace, and then they will weigh out such a cuff that it will not seem enough to the obliging kennel. Therefore, in the provinces, the disgraced were treated as royal bastards - with caution. Saltykov immediately became an official special assignments under the governor, he lived, did not grieve, and after the accession to the throne of Alexander II, he really received the distinction due to the one who received the highest kick - he was first appointed Ryazan, and then Tver vice-governor. In these positions, Saltykov behaved arrogantly, was rude and tyrannical, and the direct superiors could not do anything, since the idiot enjoyed the highest patronage.

7. It is interesting that the episode of "a quarrel between two generals" put an end to Saltykov's career. Being a major official of the Ministry of Finance, Saltykov began to persecute the Tula governor Shidlovsky. The governor could not do anything, since both he and Saltykov had the same rank - a real state councilor (major general). Saltykov went so far as to publish against Shidlovsky the feuilleton "The Governor with a Stuffed Head." The brawler was removed to another city, and after the inevitable scandal with the local governor, he was fired. Eyewitnesses recalled that while in the service, Saltykov continuously yelled at his subordinates, and liked to put idiotic verdicts on submitted documents: “Nonsense!”, “Nonsense!”, “Dumbass!”

Boltin Sisters

8. While in the province, young Saltykov fell in love with two daughters of the local vice-governor, and began to look after them. The girls were, however, 12 years old. He proposed to one of them at 14, her father with great difficulty postponed the marriage for a year. Mother and all relatives of Saltykov boycotted the wedding and the wedding (out of decency, only one of the brothers was). There is an opinion that the mother's displeasure was caused by the age of the bride and the lack of a dowry. Both are incredible. First, because she herself married at the same age (and not for 30, but for 40 years), and secondly, because the absence of a dowry is a distressing thing, but an Orthodox dowry is not a Muslim kalym - there is nothing shameful in this not for family. The fact is that there was bad fame about the vice-governor's daughters, such that the second daughter later could not find a husband for herself, although she was pretty and from a noble family.

9. Saltykov's wife cheated on him right and left all his life, openly mocking her husband. That did not prevent her from living at his expense and living well. She had a son and a daughter in a row - after 17 years of a childless marriage. For some reason, Saltykov was sure that at least the son was his, although he did not look like him at all. In the last years of her life, the teenage daughter publicly mocked her sick father along with her mother. The son behaved with restraint, but in adulthood he wrote dismissive memoirs about his father.

10. The best work of Saltykov, the novel "Lord Golovlev" is nothing more than a caricature description of the family in which he was born and raised. He brought out almost everyone there, giving a gallery of social freaks. True, in the middle of the gallery there is a gaping gap - Mikhail Evgrafovich “forgot” to portray his bright image. Most of all in the novel went to "dear friend mother" (recently deceased) and older brother Dmitry, the venerable father of the family. The fact is that in the 60s Saltykov borrowed from his mother a large sum money to buy a property. He bought the estate, but it did not bring any income (because it required economic management, which Saltykov was absolutely incapable of). Then Saltykov said that he would not return the money to his mother. She, in repayment of the debt, began to withhold part of the income from the estate, which was jointly owned with her son, and then bypassed him in the distribution of the inheritance. For the inheritance, Saltykov began a lawsuit with his older brother Dmitry Evgrafovich. So appeared famous character"Judas" - it was at this time that "Messrs. Golovlevs" were written.

11. The last years of his life, Saltykov began to whine publicly that he was seriously ill and no one needed him, that he had been forgotten. Like boiling water, a crowd of admirers, scalded with boiling water, rushed to the great satirist with visitations. Saltykov met guests with the face of a Soviet cleaning lady: “All sorts of people go here,” or even simply refused to receive them. The people realized that they were behaving somehow wrong and calmed down. Saltykov was treated by three first-class doctors, including the life physician Botkin, and shortly before his death, John of Kronstadt visited him.

In general, few people went to Saltykov (and not to his wife). He had no literary friends, no personal friends either. So, several officials of his rank came in - partners in card games. The exception was two unusual visitors - General Trepov and Loris-Melikov.

Loris-Melikov went to him during his period of favor, and Trepov retired after he was made disabled by the madman Vera Zasulich. Let me remind you that Loris-Melikov was actually the prime minister, and Trepov, until his resignation, was the mayor of St. Petersburg. In addition, Trepov was of royal blood.

With regard to such an acquaintance, one can build all kinds of conspiracy theories, but I think the casket was opened simply. Both of them were, paradoxically, admirers of his literary talent.

There is a cultural gap with historical Russia, and we do not understand many things. For a modern reader, some kind of "History of a City" is a gloomy butcher's thing, a tombstone on a thousand-year Russian history. But for the people of the 19th century, it was boyish mischief - funny, rude, but lightweight.

Such is the peculiarity of the Russian dialogue. Russian speech is southern, and Russian character is northern. It turns out a Bengal fire. It seems like a quarrel to the death, two crazy boors bark, but they barked and nothing, they sit side by side, as if nothing had happened.

Therefore, the Russians, paradoxically, do not have a special satire. What is considered satire is actually teenage humor. So it is necessary to read the "History of a City" and "Tales". Satire is Leskov (for example, "Laughter and Sorrow"), but also not fire-breathing. That is not social, but psychological. Like Gogol. The same psychological satire is Shchedrin's Modern Idyll. “Gentlemen Golovlyovs” is another thing, the measure has been crossed there, but it should be noted that in this STRANGE work Saltykov-Shchedrin himself is also Golovlev and, as it were, not Judas himself.

Therefore, Trepov and Loris-Melikov went to the “great satirist”, and he received them. They did not consider him an enemy. This is a national specificity.

After 1917, non-Russians came to power in Russia and began to read Shchedrin also not in Russian. And in Russian, “call at least a pot, just don’t put it in the oven.”

12. When Nekrasov was buried, carriages drove behind the hearse, in one of which Saltykov and his acquaintances were sitting. Laughing, Saltykov invited the neighbors to play cards in memory of the deceased for the time being. Played.

Childhood is the time when the foundations of the personality are laid, what is determined that will give impetus to its development. That is why it is so important to understand what shaped the future writer, what entered his soul from an early age and then turned into his work. We know well the life story of Pushkin, Lermontov, Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky and many other remarkable Russian writers. And here's how it went life path and, in particular, the childhood of Saltykov-Shchedrin, who later became a great writer, information is very scarce. As a rule, his biography mentions his service, Vyatka exile and work in magazines. But Shchedrin's gift as a satirical writer is truly unique: he needs special personal qualities, a special view of the world. How is it formed, what lies at its base? Perhaps the childhood of Saltykov-Shchedrin will help us understand this.

His life was eventful and in many ways unusual: before becoming famous as a satirist, Shchedrin went through a great school of life, a school of trials and losses, hopes, mistakes, disappointments and discoveries. And it started in childhood. He was born on January 15 (27 according to the old style), 1826, in the family of wealthy landowners of the Tver province Saltykov in the village of Spas-Ugol. It got its name due to the fact that it was located on the "corner" of the county and province.

Saltykov-Shchedrin's parents

his father Evgraf Vasilyevich Saltykov belonged to an old noble family. Having received a good education for his time, he knew four foreign languages read a lot and even wrote poetry. He did not make a career, and after retiring in 1815, he decided to correct his unimportant financial situation profitable marriage. The wedding was played in 1816. A middle-aged forty-year-old nobleman married the fifteen-year-old daughter of a rather wealthy Moscow merchant Olga Mikhailovna Zabelina. Immediately after the wedding, the newlyweds settled in the family estate of the Saltykovs, the village of Spas-Ugol. Shortly before the wedding, Evgraf Vasilyevich finished building a new manor house here, where their children were born: Dmitry, Nikolai, Nadezhda, Vera Lyubov, the sixth was Mikhail, and after him two more brothers were born - Sergey and Ilya. There are 8 children in total! Perhaps, even for the noble families of that era, it was a bit too much: usually there were 3-4, sometimes five children, but eight! How could such a "popularity" affect the writer's childhood?

Atmosphere in the family

We know how Pushkin lacked maternal affection in childhood - but he had a nanny. Lermontov was left without a mother early - but he had loving grandmother. Shchedrin, it seems, was more fortunate: his parents lived long enough, there were many brothers and sisters. But the atmosphere in the family was extremely tense. The fact is that Olga Mikhailovna was distinguished by a sharp temper, which also affected her attitude towards her husband and children. Despite her youth, she showed such imperiousness that she soon subjugated everyone, including her own husband. She established a firm routine in the estate, introduced strict accounting of income and expenses. Soon, through the efforts of Olga Mikhailovna, the Saltykovs became the largest landowners in the county, the estate turned into a highly profitable economy based on the most advanced achievements of that time. But at what cost was this achieved?

Hoarding was accompanied by amazing hoarding. Olga Mikhailovna saved on everything: on food, on clothes, on the education of children. But not only that: the half-starved childhood of Saltykov-Shchedrin in the richest family took place against the backdrop of constant scandals between his parents. There was a big difference in age, upbringing, characters, habits, temperament. Olga Mikhailovna had no education, she even learned to write only in Spassky. Evgraf Vasilievich, even while living in the countryside, retained an interest in reading, including religious literature. He devoted a lot of time to church affairs, he was especially attentive to the church, which stood opposite the estate. The Saltykovs baptized their children here, and there was also a family burial vault where the writer's father, who died in 1851, was buried.

But the religiosity of the father did not save the family from contention. As a result, it turned out that those commandments that were mentioned in the sacred books, in fact, had nothing to do with real life where there was no main thing - love for one's neighbor. And therefore, as the writer said, "the religious element was reduced to the degree of simple ritualism."

The atmosphere of constant hostility, abuse forever sunk into the sensitive soul of little Misha. It was especially scary that this also applied to children. Instead of parental affection, there were handouts for some and cuffs for others. Children were divided into "favorites" and "hateful". How different all this is from those noble nests”, which were shown to us in his novels by a contemporary of Mikhail Evgrafovich Turgenev! How different was the environment of Saltykov-Shchedrin's childhood from that in which another great Russian writer, Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy, grew up! It is enough to compare only two works written on an autobiographical basis - Tolstoy's "Childhood" and Saltykov-Shchedrin's "Poshekhonian Antiquity" - to understand this difference.

Attitude towards serfs

But, perhaps, even more strongly Shchedrin was struck by childhood impressions connected with the attitude towards serfs. He recalled this with a feeling of inner shudder: “I grew up in the bosom of serfdom. I saw all the horrors of this age-old bondage in their nakedness. A zealous and skillful housewife, Olga Mikhailovna was prudently cruel in dealing with the peasants. The childhood of Saltykov-Shchedrin was marked by the fact that he repeatedly observed scenes of savage torture, abuse, and beatings. People were equated with things. Yard girls who were guilty of something could be married off to the most useless peasants, for the slightest disobedience of the peasants they were flogged and sold. And all this was considered the norm, a legal means to put the economy on its feet.

Visit to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra

The picture of people's suffering was also supplemented by those impressions that the future writer remembered after his first visit to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. In 1831, his mother took him with his brother Dmitry to Moscow to be assigned to an educational institution where he could continue the education he received at home. Their road ran through the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, located 70 miles from the Spassky estate.

Even from afar, the traveler had a picturesque view of the fabulous ensemble of the Trinity Monastery, surrounded by powerful white fortress walls with red combat towers. Behind them one could see cathedrals with golden domes, a light, soaring bell tower and flowery-colored palaces. The monastery itself was full of beggars and cripples, who sat on both sides of the alley and wailed wistfully. The monks looked quite different, dapper, in silk cassocks and with multi-colored rosaries. For a long time he remembered the church service, accompanied by hymns.

Saltykov-Shchedrin visited the Trinity-Sergius Lavra more than once and subsequently. But the impressions from the first visit were undoubtedly the strongest. They found a place in provincial essays", and in " Lord Golovlyov", and in " Poshekhonskaya antiquity". So, the soldier Pimenov tells the legend of Sergius of Radonezh, Judas Golovlev dreams of finding peace from the anxieties of life at the Trinity. In Poshekhonskaya Antiquity, Shchedrin gave an exact description of the road from the Trinity-Sergius Lavra to Moscow.

bright memories

There were also bright memories associated with his native places where he spent his childhood. The surroundings of the estate gave rest to the soul, tuned in to a contemplative, dreamy mood. From the west, almost close to the estate, a forest approached. It was full of game, mushrooms and berries. The writer noted: “It is wonderful that I was born and raised in the countryside. I knew what a forest was, and many times I even went there for mushrooms and berries.” In the east, the forest gave way to shrub thickets of a swamp, along which, two versts from the estate, the Vyulka River slowly carried its waters in thickets of sedge. Behind it, on a hill, the village of Nikitskoye could be seen. From there and from other surrounding villages, on holidays, a string of pilgrims went to the Church of the Savior past the master's house. Then the guys and girls led round dances, the songs of the peasants were heard. All this also filled the soul of the impressionable boy, bringing into it bright impulses, moods of peace and joy.

So gradually the formation of the future writer went on with a combination of the most severe social satire and a striking aspiration to a bright, ideal beginning, characteristic of his work. Such was the childhood of Saltykov-Shchedrin, briefly described in the article. At the intersection of these two seemingly mutually exclusive tendencies, Shchedrin's unique, inimitable style was formed, which determined his gift as a writer.

On January 15, 1826, M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin was born in a small village in the Tver province. The biography of this man is thoroughly permeated with philanthropy and contempt for the reactionary state apparatus of his time. However, first things first.

Saltykov-Shchedrin Mikhail Evgrafovich: a biography of the early years

Future famous writer was born into the family of a wealthy nobleman. By the way, Saltykov is his real name. Shchedrin is a creative pseudonym. The boy spent the first years of his life in his father's family estate. The most difficult years of serfdom fell on this period. When in most states the scientific and technological revolution had already taken place or was taking place, and capitalist relations were also developing, the Russian Empire was more and more mired in its own medieval way of life. And in order to somehow keep up with the development of the great powers, the state machine worked more and more actively, squeezing all the juice out of the peasant class in an extensive way. Actually, all further biography Saltykov-Shchedrin eloquently testifies to the fact that he had a sufficient opportunity to observe the situation of the peasants in his youth.

This greatly impressed the young man and left an imprint on all his further work. Mikhail receives his primary education in his own home, and being ten years old, he enters the Moscow Institute of the Nobility. Here he studied for only two years, showing extraordinary abilities. And already in 1838 he transferred to receiving a state scholarship for education. Six years later, he graduates from this educational institution and enters the ministerial military office for service.

Biography of Saltykov-Shchedrin: the beginning creative activity

Here, a young man is seriously interested in the literature of his time, avidly reads French enlighteners and socialists. During this period, his first own stories were written: "Contradictions", "A Tangled Case", "Domestic Notes". However, the nature of these works, replete with free-thinking and satire on the tsarist autocracy, even then turned the state power against the young official.

Biography of Saltykov-Shchedrin: creative recognition and acceptance by the government

In 1848, Mikhail Evgrafovich went into exile in Vyatka. There he enters the service of a clerical official. This period ended in 1855, when the writer was finally allowed to leave this city. Returning from exile, he is appointed an official for special assignments under the state minister of the interior. In 1860 he became the vice-governor of Tver. At the same time, the writer resumes his creative activity again. Already in 1862, he retires from public office and focuses on literature. At the invitation of Sergei Nekrasov, Saltykov-Shchedrin arrives in St. Petersburg and settles in the editorial office of Sovremennik. Here, and later in the journal "Domestic Notes", where he got under the patronage of the same Nekrasov,

the most fruitful years of his creative activity. Many stories, satirical articles and, of course, the famous grotesque novels: "The History of a City", "Modern Idyll" and others - were written in the second half of 1860-1870.

Biography of Saltykov-Shchedrin: the last years of his life

In the 1880s, the writer's satirical works became more and more famous among the intelligentsia, but at the same time they were increasingly persecuted by the tsarist regime. Thus, the closure of the journal Otechestvennye Zapiski, where he was published, forced Mikhail Evgrafovich to look for publishing houses abroad. This ban on printing home country greatly undermined the health of an elderly man. And although he also wrote the famous "Tales" and "Poshekhonskaya antiquity", for several years he had aged a lot, his strength was rapidly leaving him. May 10, 1889 Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin died. The writer, in accordance with his request in his will, was buried in St. Petersburg, next to the grave of I.S. Turgenev.

“What is freedom without participation in the blessings of life?
What is development without a clearly defined end goal?
What is justice without the fire of selflessness and love?
These words belong to Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin.

By the Day of the Lyceum, we decided to recall some interesting facts about Saltykov-Shchedrin, who, along with Pushkin, Pushchin and other famous personalities, was a graduate of the famous Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum.

child prodigy

Not only was Misha Saltykov-Shchedrin a gifted child from childhood. He is also lucky with his parents. There were a lot of teachers in the family, so the atmosphere for revealing talent was the most beneficial. The future writer studied Russian literacy, French and German, he was told how holidays and church services are held. He spent a lot of time with ordinary people, serfs, was friends with them - and later described them in his books. In a word, his family played a significant role in the glorious future of the writer.

Poet and "smart"

It is interesting that Saltykov-Shchedrin, nicknamed "wise guy" in the Lyceum, was ... a poet. Each course at that time had its own poet. And that's exactly what it was young Michael. It is curious that teachers did not like his poems, moreover, in the end they were generally regarded as untalented. Shut up young failed poet in yourself and abandon literary activity, something in our textbooks and in the life of the prose writer himself would be completely different. But the future writer did not become discouraged - and the fame of him, as we see, has successfully survived to this day. The main thing is not to give up.

Grunt or revolution? ..

As we know, it is better not to criticize without offering constructive solutions. Otherwise, it's just a waste of negativity. But there is a type of criticism that pushes for change. Saltykov-Shchedrin brought socially oriented fairy tales into fashion, in which he revealed the shortcomings of society, trying to bring changes to the lives of his contemporaries. They were not designed for joint grumbling on a bench - but for a brighter future. The "smart guy" Saltykov-Shchedrin, who seemed to be critical of everything and everything, was actually a romantic and an idealist.

Moody Romantic

Information about the writer as a romantic person and a wonderful husband has reached our time. He met and fell in love with his future wife, Lizonka Boltina, when she was only twelve years old. Mikhail patiently and faithfully waited for the girl to grow up in order to offer her a hand and a heart. When they got married, the couple had no children for 17 years. Perhaps this was what upset the wife - there were rumors about the girl's character, unlike the writer, everyone talked about her as an eccentric person. The mother-in-law also did not like Lizonka and did not even give consent to marriage, believing that marriage with a 16-year-old "dowry" was just a whim.

“My wife’s ideals are not very demanding,” Saltykov wrote with his characteristic irony. - Spend a (long) part of the day in the store, then come home with guests and so that at home in one room there are many, many raisins, in the other, many, many wine berries, in the third - many, many sweets, and in the fourth - tea and coffee. And she walks around the rooms and regales everyone, and from time to time she goes into the boudoir and changes clothes ... "

But all this did not prevent the writer from loving his wife and pampering her. Sometimes they say that talented people are unbearable in a family, but sometimes talent and mind can be directed to love, endure and be fascinated all over again. It is quite possible that this approach was the secret. family life Mikhail Saltykov Shchedrin and his wife Elizabeth - they lived together all their lives.

Boltinsky autumn

Elizaveta Apollonovna Saltykova-Shchedrina/ Photo: from the archive

Pushkin had a Boldin autumn, and Saltykov-Shchedrin met his Lizonka in the house of Vice-Governor Boltin. By the way, at the end of her life, Lizonka was no longer fascinated by the writer and, although she remained with him until the end of her days, she called him exclusively a “scoundrel” and considered him a loser who broke her life. She went into Mikhail Evgrafovich's room only to ask for money.

Children

The Saltykov-Shchedrin family had two children: a son, Konstantin, and a daughter, who was named Elizabeth in honor of her mother. When little Kosyat was born, Saltykov-Shchedrin, with his characteristic irony, wrote to Nekrasov: "The son Konstantin was born, who, obviously, will be a publicist, because he roars in the most insolent way." The writer generally had a very reverent attitude towards children, he had high hopes for them, idealized them. Alas, the heirs did not justify the hopes and did not mark anything memorable in history.
Konstantin Mikhailovich long years lived in Penza, collaborated with provincial newspapers, published memoirs "Intimate Shchedrin"
Elizaveta Mikhailovna lived a stormy life, married twice, both times with foreigners. The girl's second husband was the Italian Marquis Da Passano, who worked for the Americans and sold submarines in Russia for the IMF. It is noteworthy that all the current descendants of the writer lead their birth precisely from his daughter. The son of Konstantin had no children. But it was to him that Mikhail Evgrafovich bequeathed to take care of the family: “Dear Kostya! ...here is my covenant: love your mother and take care of her; inspire the same to your sister. Remember that if you do not save it, then the whole family will fall apart ... ".

Anna Litvin

Najčarobnija novogodišnja glazbeno-scenska bajka Petra Iljiča Čajkovskog poznata je u cijelom svijetu balet "Orašar". U klasičnim operama or baletima često se nađe jedan or više poznatih arija or plesova koje su postali vizitnom karticom umjetničkog djela koje publika jako voli i odmah prepoznaje. O "Orašaru" se može reći da cijeli balet se sastoji od takvih "hitova"! To najprepoznatljivija skladba na svijetu.

Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin is a well-known Russian writer, journalist, editor, government official. His works are included in the compulsory school curriculum. The writer's tales are called so for a reason - they contain not only caricature ridicule and grotesque, thus the author emphasizes that a person is the arbiter of his own destiny.

Childhood and youth

The genius of Russian literature comes from a noble family. Father Evgraf Vasilyevich was a quarter of a century older than his wife Olga Mikhailovna. The daughter of a Moscow merchant got married at the age of 15 and left for her husband in the village of Spas-Ugol, which was then located in the Tver province. There, on January 15, 1826, according to the new style, the youngest of six children, Mikhail, was born. In total, the Saltykov family (Shchedrin is part of the pseudonym that followed over time) grew up three sons and three daughters.

According to the descriptions of the researchers of the writer's biography, the mother, who eventually turned from a cheerful girl into an imperious mistress of the estate, divided the children into favorites and hateful ones. Little Misha was surrounded by love, but sometimes he even got hit with rods. At home there was constant screaming and crying. As Vladimir Obolensky wrote in his memoirs about the Saltykov-Shchedrin family, in conversations the writer described his childhood in gloomy colors, once he said that he hated "this terrible woman", talking about his mother.

Saltykov knew French and German languages, received an excellent primary education at home, which allowed him to enter the Moscow Noble Institute. From there, the boy, who showed remarkable diligence, ended up on full state support in the privileged Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, in which education was equated to university, and graduates were assigned ranks according to the Table of Ranks.

Both educational institutions were famous for graduating the elite of Russian society. Among the graduates are Prince Mikhail Obolensky, Anton Delvig, Ivan Pushchin. However, unlike them, Saltykov turned from a wonderful smart boy into an untidy, foul-mouthed boy, often sitting in a punishment cell, who never made close friends. It is not without reason that Mikhail's classmates nicknamed him "The Gloomy Lyceum Student".

The atmosphere within the walls of the lyceum contributed to creativity, and Mikhail, in imitation of his predecessors, began to write free-thinking poetry. Such behavior did not go unnoticed: a graduate of the Lyceum, Mikhail Saltykov, received the rank of collegiate secretary, although for academic success he was given a higher rank - a titular adviser.

At the end of the lyceum, Mikhail got a job serving in the office of the military department and continued to compose. In addition, he became interested in the works of the French socialists. The themes raised by the revolutionaries were reflected in the first stories "A Tangled Case" and "Contradictions".

But the novice writer did not guess with the source of the publication. The journal Otechestvennye Zapiski at that time was under tacit political censorship and was considered ideologically harmful.

By decision of the supervisory commission, Saltykov was sent into exile in Vyatka, to the office under the governor. In exile, in addition to official affairs, Mikhail studied the history of the country, translated the works of European classics, traveled a lot and communicated with the people. Saltykov almost stayed to vegetate in the provinces for good, even if he rose to the rank of adviser to the provincial government: in 1855 he was crowned on the imperial throne, and they simply forgot about the ordinary exile.

Peter Lanskoy, a representative of a noble noble family, the second husband, came to the rescue. With the assistance of his brother, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mikhail was returned to St. Petersburg and given the position of an official for special assignments in this department.

Literature

Mikhail Evgrafovich is considered one of the brightest satirists of Russian literature, masterfully fluent in the Aesopian language, whose novels and stories have not lost their topicality. For historians, the works of Saltykov-Shchedrin are a source of knowledge of the mores and customs common in the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Peru of the writer owns such terms as "bungling", "soft-bodied" and "stupidity".

Upon returning from exile, Saltykov reworked his experience of communicating with officials of the Russian hinterland and, under the pseudonym Nikolai Shchedrin, published a cycle of stories “Provincial Essays”, recreating the characteristic types of Russian residents. The writings were a great success, the name of the author, who subsequently wrote many books, will be primarily associated with the Essays, researchers of the writer's work will call them a landmark stage in the development of Russian literature.

In the stories, ordinary working people are described with particular warmth. Creating images of nobles and officials, Mikhail Evgrafovich spoke not only about the basics of serfdom, but also focused on the moral side of the representatives of the upper class and the moral foundations of statehood.

The pinnacle of creativity of the Russian prose writer is considered to be "The History of a City". The satirical story, full of allegory and grotesque, was not immediately appreciated by contemporaries. Moreover, the author was initially accused of mocking society and trying to denigrate historical facts.

The main characters-town governors show a rich palette of human characters and social foundations - bribe-takers, careerists, indifferent, obsessed with absurd goals, outright fools. The common people, on the other hand, appear as blindly obeying, ready to endure everything, the gray mass, which acts decisively only when it is on the verge of death.

Saltykov-Shchedrin ridiculed such cowardice and cowardice in The Wise Scribbler. The work, despite the fact that it is called a fairy tale, is not addressed to children at all. The philosophical meaning of the story about a fish endowed with human qualities lies in the fact that a lonely existence, closed only on its own well-being, is insignificant.

Another fairy tale for adults - " wild landlord”, a lively and cheerful work with a slight touch of cynicism, in which the simple working people are openly opposed to the petty tyrant landowner.

Literary creativity Saltykov-Shchedrin received additional nourishment when the prose writer began working in the editorial office of the Otechestvennye Zapiski magazine. The general management of the publication since 1868 belonged to the poet and publicist.

By personal invitation last Michael Evgrafovich headed the first department dealing with the publication of fiction and translated works. The bulk of Saltykov-Shchedrin's own writings also appeared on the pages of Zapiski.

Among them - "The Refuge of Mon Repos", according to literary critics - a tracing paper of the family life of the writer who became vice-governor, "The Diary of a Provincial in St. Petersburg" - a book about adventurers who are not translated in Rus', "Pompadours and Pompadourses", "Letters from the provinces".

In 1880, the epoch-making sharply social novel “Lord Golovlevs” was published in a separate book - a story about a family in which the main goal is enrichment and an idle lifestyle, children have long become a burden for their mother, in general, the family does not live according to God's law and, not noticing moreover, is heading towards self-destruction.

Personal life

Mikhail Saltykov met his wife Elizabeth in Vyatka exile. The girl turned out to be the daughter of the immediate boss of the writer, Vice-Governor Apollon Petrovich Boltin. The official made a career in education, economic, military and police departments. At first, an experienced campaigner was afraid of the freethinker Saltykov, but over time, the men became friends.

In the family, Lisa was called Betsy, the girl called the writer, who was 14 years older than her, Michel. However, Boltin was soon transferred to work in Vladimir, and the family left for him. Saltykov was forbidden to leave the Vyatka province. But, according to legend, he twice violated the ban to see his beloved.

The writer's mother, Olga Mikhailovna, categorically opposed the marriage with Elizaveta Apollonovna: not only is the bride too young, but also the dowry for the girl is not solid. The difference in years also raised doubts among the Vladimir vice-governor. Mikhail agreed to wait one year.

The young people got married in June 1856, the groom's mother did not come to the wedding. Relations in the new family were difficult, the spouses often quarreled, the difference in characters affected: Mikhail was direct, quick-tempered, they were afraid of him in the house. Elizabeth, on the contrary, is soft and patient, not burdened with knowledge of the sciences. Saltykov did not like the affectation and coquetry of his wife, he called the ideals of his wife "not very demanding."

According to the memoirs of Prince Vladimir Obolensky, Elizaveta Apollonovna entered into a conversation at random, made remarks that were not relevant to the case. The nonsense uttered by the woman baffled the interlocutor and angered Mikhail Evgrafovich.

Elizabeth loved a beautiful life and demanded appropriate financial support. In this, the husband, who had risen to the rank of lieutenant governor, could still contribute, but he constantly got into debt and called the acquisition of property a careless act. From the works of Saltykov-Shchedrin and studies of the life of the writer, it is known that he played the piano, understood wines and was known as a connoisseur of profanity.

Nevertheless, Elizabeth and Michael lived together all their lives. The wife copied the works of her husband, turned out to be a good housewife, after the death of the writer she competently disposed of the inheritance, thanks to which the family did not feel the need. The marriage produced a daughter, Elizabeth, and a son, Konstantin. The children did not show themselves in any way, which upset the famous father, who loved them boundlessly. Saltykov wrote:

"My children will be unhappy, no poetry in their hearts, no rosy memories."

Death

The health of the middle-aged writer, who suffered from rheumatism, was greatly undermined by the closure of the Notes of the Fatherland in 1884. In a joint decision of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Justice and Public Education, the publication was recognized as a distributor of harmful ideas, and the editorial staff were recognized as members of a secret society.

Saltykov-Shchedrin spent the last months of his life in bed, asking the guests to convey: "I am very busy - I am dying." Mikhail Evgrafovich died in May 1889 from complications caused by a cold. According to the will, the writer was buried next to the grave at the Volkovskoye cemetery in St. Petersburg.

According to one source, Mikhail Evgrafovich does not belong to the aristocratic boyar family of the Saltykovs. According to others, his family is the descendants of an untitled branch of the family.
Mikhail Saltykov - Shchedrin coined the word "softness".
Children in the writer's family appeared after 17 years of marriage.

There are several versions of the origin of the pseudonym Shchedrin. First: many peasants with such a surname lived on the Saltykov estate. Second: Shchedrin is the surname of a merchant, a member of the schismatic movement, whose case the writer investigated due to official duties. "French" version: one of the translations of the word "generous" into French is libéral. It was the excessive liberal chatter that the writer denounced in his works.